Dip Pen and Ink Illustration: Capturing The Natural World
A course by Philip Harris
Teacher
Plus
Freelance Illustrator.
Exeter, United Kingdom.
Joined March 2021
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, Freelance Illustrator
Joined March 2021
Illustrate evocative scenes inspired by your surroundings using line work and hatching techniques
- Best seller
- 99% positive reviews (195)
- 4071 students
- Audio: English
- English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Polish, Dutch
Illustrate evocative scenes inspired by your surroundings using line work and hatching techniques
- 99% positive reviews (195)
- 4071 students
- Online and at your own pace
- Audio: English
- Level: Beginner
- 13 lessons (2h 9m)
- Available on the app
- English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Polish, Dutch
- Unlimited access forever
- Certificate upon completion of the course
The finesse of dip pen and ink allows you to use light, form, and shadow to bring landscapes to life. Illustrator Philip Harris uses the technique to illustrate editorial articles, product packaging, and books for clients including Superdrug, Kohler, DK Books, and NowTV.
In this course, he teaches you how to create evocative illustrations of nature using dip pen and ink. Learn how to capture the sounds, smells, shapes, and textures of the world around you using traditional techniques. Are you ready to bring out the mysterious beauty of nature with a dip pen?

What will you learn in this online course?
Course table of contents
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U1U1. Introduction
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U2U2. Preparation
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U3U3. Tips and Technique
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U4U4. Creating Your Image
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U5U5. Post-Production
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FPFP Final project
Begin the course by getting to know illustrator Philip Harris. He shares why drawing has always been an important part of his life thanks to his grandfather, and how he pursued a career in illustration. Then find out about the artists and influences which inspire him.
Explore the history behind using nature in art, before familiarizing yourself with the materials needed for the course, from fine liners to different pencils. Learn how to find references for your art and create a mood board using nature as your inspiration. Philip shares how he uses his own sketchbook as a visual guide to refer back to when illustrating.
Discover the different ways to use a dip pen for different effects, starting with linework and hatching. Learn how to use these techniques to create light, tone, volume, and texture, then collect elements from nature and draw them by studying their form and shadows.
Create your first sketchbook composition, adding a basic outline while keeping your light source in mind. Remove your planning line with an eraser, then use cross-hatching and fine line techniques from earlier in the course to add depth and atmosphere to your piece.
Philip guides you through adding a border to your illustration using a ruler and a fine liner. Then review your image and add any finishing touches to perfect it. To finish the course, learn how to prepare your art for printing and how to sell it online via platforms like Etsy and Big Cartel.
What is this course's project?
Create a wildlife-inspired illustration using a variety of dip pen and ink drawing techniques.

Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone with an interest in learning to illustrate using dip pen and ink techniques or looking to connect with nature through art.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is necessary, as Philip will walk you step-by-step through the techniques he uses.
In terms of materials, you will need paper, an eraser, a ruler, pencils, a dip pen, a dip pen holder, ink, and fine liners.

Reviews

A course by Philip Harris
Philip Harris is a freelance illustrator who lives and works in Devon, England. Growing up, drawing was always an important part of his life thanks to his grandfather’s collection of sketchbooks and illustrations. He later went on to study illustration at the University of Plymouth. During his second year, Philip inherited some of his grandfather’s equipment, including a collection of dip pens and nibs, which introduced him to the technique he uses today.
Since graduating, he has worked with clients including Superdrug, Kohler, DK Books, Jack Daniel’s, Le Parisien Magazine, NowTV, New Scientist, ARTE, Goodwood Revival, Delve, Kilkenny Irish Red Ale, and Which? Money. Philip also shares his illustrations with over 20K followers on Instagram.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Preparation
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Introduction to Sketching in Nature
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Tools and Materials
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Finding Your Image
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U3
Tips and Technique
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Introduction to Using a Dip-Pen
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Highlight, Volume and Depth
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Observational Pen and Ink
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U4
Creating Your Image
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Sketching Your First Ideas
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Basic Outline in Ink
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Cross-Hatching and Fine Line Work
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U5
Post-Production
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Adding Your Border
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Sharing and Selling Your Ink Sketches
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FP
Final project
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Dip Pen Illustration: Capturing The Natural World
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and an easy-to-follow method. You set your own timetable.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each teacher imparts what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Earn a certificate with every course
NewGet a personalized and signed certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
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FAQs
Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.
All courses are 100% online, so once they are published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.
The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational texts, tasks, and practice exercises to carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, and share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.
You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.
morenocristina923
ProExelent. thank you.
mapignataro7
Spiegazioni chiare, in particolar modo per quanto riguarda il tratteggio incrociato.
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jekalambert
PlusAs a self taught artist, I have been using dip pens and ink for many years. This course was fantastic! Philip's voice is as gentle as his pen strokes. It was great to see the instructor's process from start to finish, to do the exercises, to see how the techniques from the exercises were used, and how he dealt with managing the dark and light values to achieve a beautiful artwork. I learned a lot. I was so excited that I pulled out my pens & inks while watching the videos.
patillasmcleod
Muy interesante, especialmente en lo relativo a la técnica del cross-hatching con plumilla.
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fany.morand
Le cours est vraiment super. Pertinent, pédagogique, Philip Harris décrit en étape le processus créatif en donnant des astuces et des exemples. La liste du matériel conseillé, les échanges sur les forums font le reste pour bien débuter et se lancer dans l'illustration à la plume. Un artiste talentueux qui aime et sait partager son travail. Top !
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