What was I thinking! Just wanted to see if I could do it, I guess.

Lots of firsts for me:
1. First time creating pen and ink larger than 5x7 sketchbook. This one is 9x12. I vaguely remember hearing that if I want to get better at pen and ink, go large.
2. First time painting a background with pure ink (Platnium carbon ink). It's almost shiny. Any ink that is more matte looking?
3. First time trying to create fabric (even though it didn't come out so hot - great reference to keep and hopefully show future improvement). Wish I had not solid-outlined the light side of it.
4. I may be looser than most pen and ink artists. I think that's because when I'm in doubt - I scribble! ha ha Maybe it's because I'm 72 years old and just now learning.
5. The subject is a white vase, white fabric on a white marble table, so I changed the color of the cloth with ink wash.
6. First time with Bristol paper and was surprised it handled the wetness of the ink wash so well. I like watercolor, so this is a great thing to know. I thought the background would be splotchy (like dark watercolor creates) but it isn't. One heavy coat of ink was all I needed.
7.Almost embarrassed to discus nibs. I spent $99 for a cartridge pen that claimed to handle India ink -- it didn't. Costly mistake. I bought a pack of 99-cent cartridge pens from Amazon and they don't clog (if it did, I'd toss it in the trash and grab a new pen). I hold it the regular way for bold lines and use the pen upside down for fine lines.
8. I free-handed the drawing and I'm studying drawing with other tutorials. I'm sure that will help my pen and ink in the future. There was a light reflection of the vase on the table top and I didn't know how to indicate that other a a few (out of the place-looking) lines.

I'm still working on the workbook and looking forward to checking out the instructor's YouTube channel.