How to draw a tapered line ? Summer Is Gone

The best way to draw a tapered line is with a brush-tipped ink pen. I use ink pens designed for handlettering and  writing. I brefere a semi-firm brush tip and water-based ink. (An acrylic paint marker could also be an excellent inking marker / pen for practicing line drawing.)  I began practicing drawing and watercolor painting at a very young age.  A brush tip is just one option among many. I personally love working with brushes. Calligraphy pens, chisel-tip markers, and traditional round-tip pens are all good options. I recommend experimenting to see which type of marker suits you and your personal drawing style.

When you start drawing tapering lines the most important thing is not to push too hard and do not draw a point at the end of your lines. When you are drawing lines you simply pull and lift upp your pen.

Why should i use tapering outlines in my drawings?

It ads interest in your drawing. If you use bold hatching with your inked outlines you can create dramatic images. It is a quick and easy technique to learn and there are infinite ways of using this technique just by changing medium, you can achieve greatly different results. 

Anything is possible with a humble line 

Use this tapered line inking technique on top of your colouring and create details and textures in your drawings or colouring bages. Try inking outlines with colourful inks. 

I occasionally use color, but for the most part, I create monochromatic work. That's simply my way of making images. Adding line work over an image colored with ink creates fantastic textures and adds visual interest. I highly recommend trying out this drawing technique using colors and various types of pens. 

I wrote a book on this subject 

Summer Is Gone

How To draw a Bold Tapered Line? Workbook and a sketchbook-journal

I got the idea for the images when I was testing painting techniques and made a simple mix media acrylic painting that I started to call by a name "Summer Is Gone".

I decided to focus on "a single" drawing technique and black ink. It makes easier to grasp the concepts when you are still learning to draw. To have a single focus on just the technique. Tapering outlines are long and continuous lines and hatching with tapered line is basically the same bold tapered line but the lines are just shorter and parallel to each-other. 

My goal was to create a sketchbook for beginners and inking enthusiasts that is simple enough for beginners, yet engaging enough for people who just want to practice drawing confident lines. And that you only need one pen (and perhaps a pencil for sketching) to start drawing and practicing. To Get you to start creating your own art and making notes of your own ideas.

Read the whole book here! For free!

If you are interested in reviewing the book on your channel or blog, you can request a copy via email. Review copies can be ordered directly from lehdisto(at)bod.fi, free of charge.