Pen and Ink Drawing Workbook

I've always been into art, but never went through a class, and most books I tried were too frustrating to finish. Due to adult responsibilities and a move, I took about 1 1/2yrs to go through this book from start to finish. The pictures attached were completed on my own as I was working on the last section of this workbook. Before this book, my drawings had inconsistent results, and I didn't touch ink for the same reasons most people don't- it's intimidating. Now I love it! The author makes it feel so approachable.Now I do recommend the accompanying book too. It's worth the cost. But the workbook is more valuable in my opinion. He has many exercises that build strength and skill in an effective way. As a teacher myself (not art) I appreciate the author's teaching skills as well as his artistic ability. And that's honestly what makes this book so amazing. Many art instruction books are written by very good arts, but that doesn't mean they know anything about teaching. It doesn't matter how good a person is at something, if they can't teach effectively, the student is going to struggle to learn. Mr. Dunn will teach you not just about ink, but so much more about art in general. You'll learn about form, value, texture, composition (in the main book), and more. The only basic principle he doesn't cover is color, for obvious reasons, and I do believe he has a video about that on YouTube. This workbook has not only improved my ink skills, but has taught me much that I've been able to apply to other mediums.There's one down side, and it's not the author's fault. The publisher could have done a better job. I won't complain too much about the paper. It's not the best, but it would be very expensive for them to print it on high quality art paper, and this is a workbook; it's not meant for you to take it out and frame it. However, there are a few projects in the back where the publisher altered the shape slightly in order to make it fit on the page. It seems like a small adjustment, but on the bird drawing, the propertions are a little off, and it does affect the end result. It's minor complaint, but one worth noting.Here's some of my favorite features about this workbook:-treats the consumer like an equal who can learn if so desired (non of this gatekeeping nonsense some artists do)-sufficient explanations, and excellent if you pair it with the instruction book-skill and pen control exercises-opportunities to self evaluate-teaches you HOW to draw, not just to copy his work-because of the above, you're free to explore and develop your own style as you go-provides tracings and outlines for projects. Even if you feel confident in doing it yourself, this reduces the time spent and allows you to just focus on your ink skills-ends with projects that give you confidence to branch out and continue learning on your own

I like this artist very much; Alphonso Dunn. He has videos on YouTube and they are well worth the watching. I got this book because of his videos. This book is an entré into the world of sketching, drawing, and pen & ink rendering. This book gives you a catalogue of textures to learn, reference, and work with. This book also demonstrates how a drawing goes from a light sketch to a finished picture. I highly recommend anything by this artist/teacher. He's very detailed and encompassing in all that he does. If you take each step of each exercise and work on it fully and thoroughly before moving on to the next step, when you finish, you will have begun to acquire some very reliable mastery skills. (Watch him on YT, too.) 😊

I've been dabbling with pen and ink for the last few years, have read books on pen & ink, and took a pen & ink class earlier this summer. The instructor mentioned that this workbook had some good exercises, so I ordered it. (I do not own the book which this workbook was designed to accompany.) Since getting the workbook a month ago, I have worked my way through the first 64 pages of exercises, almost halfway through now. The step-by-step exercises are truly excellent for building control over the pen, including practicing techniques to achieve different tones, how to emphasize parts of a composition, and how to render artistically. Each progression includes an example (unless the exercise is to extend skills learned in the preceding exercise), some extra guidance where needed, and space to do the exercise right in the workbook. Note that the paper stock in the workbook is okay for technical pens; I found the paper a bit too absorbent for a fountain pen. (I've been using Sakura Pigma Micron and a Copic Multiliner pen in the workbook.)

Being in my 70's, I needed the right art teacher to realize my lifelong dream of creating art. Scanning YouTube, I stumbled on a video featuring only fingers, a pencil and pen, and paper. A calm and assuring voice wrapped the package! I clicked on the video and discovered Alphonso Dunn. For me, his expressive fingers, drawing examples, and his voice explaining various aspects of art, were incredibly understandable...I became addicted.Discovering he had two art books, I immediately ordered them from Amazon and in a couple days they arrived (thanks Amazon). Tearing open the package and flipping through the pages, I discovered what will be my main go-to for art instruction books. Use of hands and drawing various objects as he explains various concepts, without knowing, is surely his expertise in another art: pedagogy. As a teacher, he uses his skills very effectively. These books extend his teaching avenues to the print field, and are just as impressive as his videos, on which he has based some material in the books. Again, a pedagogical success!Hopefully, as I’m redecorating my house, he has finished pieces I can purchase to both grace my walls, but also as reminders to keep going in this fulfilling adventure of art. Everyone needs a hero!I believe each person must find their own teacher, but Alphonso Dunn came along when I most needed what he offers. Each person must also decide which teaching books will best suit their own way of learning, but having purchased a lot of books, these two will surely be my most prized. If there are more books in the works (and Dunn has hinted that possibility) I’ll be purchasing those as well.I highly recommend if anyone reading this post is looking for an art book, or looking for a teacher, try Alphonso Dunn. I wish him the best as he follows his own art quest, but that as he grows, I also hopes that he shares his knowledge with us who are desiring to do our best to learn and grow.L Terry