The 5 Biggest Mistakes Beginners Make in Pen and Ink Drawing (And How to Fix Them)

Pen and ink drawing is a rewarding but challenging medium. It teaches precision, patience, and strong foundational skills. However, beginners often make a number of common mistakes. If you're just starting out, avoiding these pitfalls will help you improve faster and build confidence in your work. Here are the five biggest mistakes beginners make in pen and ink drawing—and how to fix them.

1. Pressing Too Hard on the Pen

Many beginners treat a pen like a pencil, pressing too hard in an attempt to create darker lines. Unlike pencils, ink doesn’t respond well to pressure—pressing too hard can damage the nib and lead to inconsistent line work.

Fix: Use a light touch and let the pen glide across the paper. Focus on layering strokes instead of forcing darkness with pressure.

2. Overusing Cross-Hatching Without Purpose

Cross-hatching is a fundamental shading technique, but beginners often use it excessively, resulting in cluttered or muddy drawings. Without intentional spacing and direction, cross-hatching can make a piece look messy.

Fix: Use cross-hatching strategically, varying the density and angle of lines to create depth and texture without overloading the drawing.

3. Ignoring Line Variation

Flat, uniform lines can make a drawing look dull and lifeless. Many beginners forget to incorporate line weight variation, which adds dimension and interest.

Fix: Experiment with different pen sizes or vary your pressure slightly when using flexible nibs. Use thicker lines for foreground elements and thinner lines for details and background areas to create depth.

4. Not Practicing Basic Strokes First

Jumping straight into complex drawings without mastering basic strokes can lead to frustration. Pen and ink require control, and skipping the fundamentals can result in shaky, unconfident lines.

Fix: Spend time practicing straight lines, curves, and stippling exercises before attempting detailed work. Daily warm-up drills will improve your control and precision over time.

5. Relying on Erasers Instead of Embracing Mistakes

Unlike pencil drawing, ink is permanent. Beginners often struggle with this, fearing mistakes and relying too much on erasers during the sketching phase.

Fix: Train yourself to work with your mistakes rather than against them. If an error happens, find creative ways to incorporate it into the drawing. This mindset shift will make you a more confident artist.

If you want a structured approach to mastering pen and ink, check out my course, where I guide you step by step through techniques, exercises, and projects to help you level up your drawing skills!

Here is a video to learn more about common mistakes that many people make!