INTRODUCTION

Drawing in Black & White is about exploring simple drawing and creative play while using a limited palette. We will keep it simple and fun. With a few art supplies and basic creative exercises, you can create beauty. The projects explore line, shape, wash, stamping, and cut paper and their playful relationships with each other in positive and negative space. You will see how the integration of simple design principles, such as repetition, balance, space, and rhythm, give rise to beautiful, lively patterns. Your confidence and skill will build with each pen mark and with each exercise. Drawing in Black & White is simply presented, visually inspiring, and easy to follow. You will also find sixteen colored papers in the back of the book to use in your experimentation.

My love affair with pens and paper began in childhood. I was drawing every chance I got. I have always wanted to be an artist. Even today, I always carry a sketchbook and a handful of favorite pens with me wherever I go; I might see something I need to draw! This book was inspired by a personal challenge I undertook that I called “the black and white sketchbook project.” I thought that if I kept things simple and didn’t overthink them, that I could make art every day. Making art every day has been a personal commitment since I returned to a creative career after having my boys. I was determined to make art no matter how limited my time was with small children. Even if I only had an hour a day, I was going to make that hour count. I started with a stack of 5" × 7" (12.7 cm × 17.8 cm) tan craft cardstock cards and a pen. Hence the “keeping things simple” mantra.

I had a design teacher in art school who said, “If it doesn’t work in black and white, color isn’t going to fix it.” I believe this to be true, and that is why I love sharing my inspiration and process with you. My hope is that you have fun, make art in its simplest form, and see how an easy warm-up exercise may just end up being a favorite framed art piece.