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Vincent van Gogh: Ink Drawings & Landscapes

Updated: Apr 10

Introduction

You have probably seen Vincent van Gogh’s famous painting The Starry Night, but did you know he was also highly skilled at drawing with pen and ink?

Van Gogh created many ink drawings based on his paintings and often sent them to his brother, Theo. These expressive drawings will inspire us as we learn fun and useful ink drawing techniques.



Essential Question

How can artists use pen, ink, and watercolor techniques to create texture, value, and expressive landscapes?



Learning Goals

During this lesson, students will:

  • Watch a video about the life of Vincent van Gogh

  • View a slideshow of Van Gogh’s lesser-known ink drawings

  • Learn traditional ink mark-making techniques

  • Practice creating value using pen and ink

  • Create three small-scale landscape artworks using ink and watercolor



VAPA Standards

Prof.VA:Cr1.1 – Use multiple approaches to begin creative endeavorsProf.VA:Re8 – Interpret artwork using evidence and contextProf.VA:Cn10 – Develop and document artistic ideas from early stages to completion



Video Lesson

Who was Vincent van Gogh?


Ink Drawing Techniques

Watch the video below to learn how artists create value using pen and ink:

Take notes on:

  • Hatching

  • Cross-hatching

  • Scumbling (random lines)

  • Stippling



Techniques & Notes

Creating Value with Pen and Ink

Unlike pencil, you cannot press harder to make darker values with ink.

Instead, artists create value by:

  • Changing the density of marks

  • Layering lines and textures

  • Using different mark-making styles

➡️ The closer and more concentrated your marks are, the darker the area will appear.



Practice Activity

Ink Technique Practice

Watch the demo, then complete:

  • Create a value scale using hatching or cross-hatching

  • Draw a shaded sphere using stippling

  • Practice textures using:

    • X’s

    • 6’s

    • Basket weave

    • Cross-contour lines

Draw textures of:

  • Water (ocean + stream)

  • Clouds

  • Rocks

  • Tree bark

  • Sand

  • Grass


Van Gogh Study

Create a pen drawing inspired by Van Gogh:

  • Choose a Van Gogh landscape

  • Lightly sketch it in pencil

  • Use ink techniques to recreate it

  • Focus on texture and mark-making

Example video:


Materials

  • Sketch paper

  • Waterproof black ink pen

  • Watercolor paper (6" x 9")

  • Watercolor paints

  • Brushes

  • Landscape photo references



Project: Ink & Watercolor Landscapes

You will create three landscape artworks:

  • 1 Ink + Watercolor (ink first)

  • 1 Ink + Watercolor (watercolor first)

  • 1 Ink only



Instructions

Drawing 1 – Ink First

  1. Choose a landscape reference

  2. Lightly sketch in pencil

  3. Ink the drawing using mark-making techniques

  4. Let ink dry completely

  5. Add watercolor washes on top

  6. Keep ink visible through the paint



Drawing 2 – Watercolor First

  1. Choose a landscape reference

  2. Lightly sketch

  3. Start with watercolor washes (can be expressive/non-realistic)

  4. Let dry completely

  5. Draw ink over the watercolor



Drawing 3 – Ink Only

  1. Choose a landscape reference

  2. Lightly sketch

  3. Complete the drawing using only ink

  4. Use a variety of mark-making techniques

  5. Erase pencil lines when finished



Tips for Success

  • Let ink fully dry before adding watercolor

  • Use light washes so ink shows through

  • Build value slowly with layered marks

  • Take your time—precision matters with ink!

  • Add shadows (like under objects) to create depth

Holmes Examples:


Artist Connection

Vincent van Gogh used expressive lines and movement in both his paintings and ink drawings. His work shows how line, texture, and repetition can create emotion and energy in an artwork.




Criteria

Advanced – 4

Proficient – 3

Developing – 2

Beginning – 1

Use of Ink Techniques

Excellent use of multiple techniques (hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, etc.) with control and variety

Uses multiple techniques correctly

Limited or inconsistent use of techniques

Little to no use of required techniques

Value & Shading

Strong range of values from light to dark; highly developed

Clear value changes (light, medium, dark)

Limited or unclear value range

No clear value demonstrated

Completion of Work

All three landscapes are complete, detailed, and thoughtfully composed

All three landscapes are complete

One or more landscapes incomplete or lacking detail

Multiple components missing or incomplete

Use of Watercolor

Watercolor enhances the ink and is used intentionally and skillfully

Watercolor is applied appropriately and supports the ink

Watercolor is messy or distracts from the ink

Watercolor missing or used incorrectly

Craftsmanship

Outstanding craftsmanship; clean, precise, no smudging

Neat work with minor mistakes

Some smudging or rushed areas

Messy, lacks care

Creativity & Effort

Highly creative; strong personal style inspired by Van Gogh; clear effort

Shows effort and understanding of the project

Partial understanding; limited effort

Minimal effort; does not follow directions


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