Introduction to Portraits with India Ink and Nibs
A course by José RoseroVisual artist and teacher
A course by José Rosero, Visual artist and teacher
Learn to interpret, draw and add personality to a subject from scratch
A portrait is not just the anatomical reproduction of a face, it is knowing how to capture and capture the features, essence and gestures of a person. For this there is a process prior to drawing, and it is the investigation of the character. It is important to get to know him to know what he transmits. The versatile artist, José Rosero, manages to transfer emotions beyond the canvas or paper and tells a story with each of his portraits.
In this course, José will teach you the general, conceptual and poetic context of the illustrated portrait, as well as the methodology for you to make the portrait of a character step by step. You will focus on drawing the face, as well as the depth of its gestures. You will learn the techniques to create your illustration with graphite pencils and Chinese ink.
What will you learn in this online course?
18 lessons & 8 downloads
What will we do in the course
1 minute, 35 seconds
What is a portrait?
3 minutes, 30 seconds
Research and selection of photos
7 minutes, 3 seconds
materials
9 minutes, 32 seconds
The inking technique
9 minutes, 24 seconds
Basic forms: head
3 minutes, 54 seconds
What's included in this course?
José will introduce himself, explain his beginnings and later career as a versatile artist. He will tell you what inspires him and what his greatest artistic references are.
You will start by introducing the portrait as a concept, seeing a retrospective about its evolution and context.
You will choose the person you are going to portray. You do not have to meet the condition of an iconic beauty, but it is better to choose a face that appeals to you. It is good that you inquire into his biography: the more you know about the character, the better the result.
You will learn the technique of inking by seeing the multiple ways to use the pen, although in this course you will work mostly online and plot. You will see the different patterns one by one, as well as the different shades.
You will create your sketch, simplifying the head in geometric figures. You will learn to draw every part of the face paying attention to the shape and structure, and seeing tips to reproduce gestures and expressions. You will see how to make the correct proportions, then you will focus on identifying and drawing the special features of the character.
Start your composition! You will place the basic structure in a vertical A4, in which you will be accommodating in a proportionate way the geometric figures belonging to each anatomical part. On these, you will draw each feature.
You will learn to generate the volumes, lights and shadows with the F and HB pencils, which will help you create the gestures of the character. Next, you will begin the pen-inking process: first you will delineate, then you will make the patterns and then you will accentuate certain parts.
Finally, you will erase the parts that do not work for you. José will advise you on how to clean, finalize and fix your illustration. Then it will teach you how to digitize your piece with the scanner and give you a couple of tips to use Adobe Photoshop and optimize your file for printing.
What is this course's project?
You will make the portrait of a recognized person, preferably a musician, artist or writer.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
The course is designed for illustrators, cartoonists and self-taught, anyone who has an interest in learning to make portraits.
Requirements and materials
Although the workshop is open to all concerned, it is preferable to have basic knowledge of drawing.
As for materials, you will need 2H, F and HB graphite pencils, bread crumb eraser (or moldable eraser), nib, black Chinese ink and A4 papers (preferably with some percentage of cotton).
Reviews
- 2 months ago
hat mir gar nichts gebracht ... würde ich nicht mehr kaufen
- 2 years ago
Ein fantastischer Kurs! Man lernt nicht nur die Techniken mit der Tinte zu malen, sondern auch die Grundlagen für das Portrait. Vielen Dank ❤️
- 2 years ago
I have learned and read little about inking, but this course has added many skills to me. Good course.
- 2 years ago
Increíble curso 100% recomendado
- 3 years ago
un curso excelente
He has made several exhibitions, conferences, and workshops based on his own research participating in different events in Colombia and in other countries such as Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico, and Chile.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- I introduce myself
- My influences
- What will we do in the course
- U2
Approach to the portrait and materials to use
- What is a portrait?
- Research and selection of photos
- materials
- The inking technique
- U3
Basic forms and gestures in a portrait
- Basic forms: head
- Basic forms: eyes
- Basic forms: nose
- Basic forms: mouth
- Proportions
- Special features
- U4
Drawing and inking of our portrait
- Locate the essentials on paper
- Light and volumes
- Now to ink!
- U5
Conservation and digitization techniques
- Preservation
- Digitization
- FP
Final project
- Introduction to Portraits with India Ink and Nibs
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FAQs
You’ll learn how to create illustrated portraits using drawing, inking, and visual storytelling techniques—from researching your subject to digitizing and preserving the finished piece.
Yes, the course is designed for those with basic prior drawing or illustration knowledge who want to deepen their skills in pictorial portrait techniques and visual storytelling.
You’ll need pencils, erasers, suitable paper (like Durex), India ink, nib pens, brushes, inking paper, and access to digital or printed photo references.
Yes, while basic drawing skills are recommended, the course guides you step-by-step through advanced techniques and understanding visual storytelling.
You’ll learn inking techniques with India ink and nib pens, line control, creating textures, blending washes, and applying tonal gradations for expressive portraits.
You’ll be taught how to find, select, and organize reference images, analyzing gestures, expressions, and your subject’s background to create authentic, expressive portraits.
Yes, the course includes sketching exercises, anatomical studies, geometric simplification, and inking practice to help you create original portraits.