Pen and Ink

I began sketching with pen and ink in college and have loved the medium ever since. I prefer working with ink because pencils—and especially erasers—can slow you down.

If a line isn't quite right, erasing it isn't always the answer. More often than not, you'll make the same mistake again, and in the process you've lost valuable learning time.

Pens have a way of breaking perfectionist habits. When a line goes a little wonky, there isn't an eraser to rescue you. Instead, you learn to embrace it and work with what you've created. Every unexpected line becomes an opportunity to adapt, and every drawing evolves into something slightly different than you originally imagined.

I don't believe in drawing mistakes. I believe every line teaches you something. If you keep going, your drawing simply becomes something new with each mark you add.

I think that's true beyond drawing, too. When you're walking, you aren't looking down at your feet—or behind you—to see if you took the right steps. You're simply putting one foot in front of the other and continuing forward. Creativity, learning, and life often work the same way.