I learned a lot in this class.  I had used dip pens before, but I knew little about them or how to select supplies or care for them.  The master studies were incredibly helpful to me to practice different techniques since it can be hard to figure out how to translate an image to a readable pen drawing.  In the past, I had been taught to shade with pen by crosshatching.  I’ve never liked that look much, so it was great seeing so many different ways to shade that weren’t just lines crossing each other at 90 degrees.  On my final illustration I wasn’t sure what to do with the background to not make it look too busy.  I took the photo of the deer in a heavily wooded area, but I didn’t want all those details in my illustration so I went with plain vertical lines.  I also added some strawflowers to the side for something fun and extra (even though it doesn’t really fit the theme).  

Materials: stillman & birn zeta series sketchbook, black fountain pen ink, pictured nibs and holders (I can’t really read the nibs anymore)