• Pen and ink adds new dimensions to watercolor painting.ink parchment and pen 2 image by Lauren Ingro from Fotolia.com
  
  Using pen and ink with watercolor paint is a technique that adds drama and a stylized look to a painting. Traditional calligraphy or drawing tip pens and well-type ink may be used, as well as fountain pens, permanent and semi-permanent marker to achieve a variety of outcomes. Experimenting with these techniques with add to your watercolor repertoire and add new dimensions to your work.
  
  

Pen and Ink Drawing

• One of the most popular techniques is accomplished by sketching a detailed drawing using a hard artist pencil, such as a No. 4, then inking in the drawing and adding detail using pen and ink. After allowing the ink to dry, the painting is colored using watercolors. This technique gives the painting a stylized, illustrative feel.
  
  

Drawing Over a Wash

• Using pen and ink to draw over a watercolor wash gives an ethereal feel to the piece. For this technique, the artist applies several colors of wash, or diluted watercolor pigment, onto a piece of watercolor paper that has been dampened. The wash will spread and pool randomly on the paper. After the paper has dried thoroughly, the artist renders a pen and ink drawing over the wash.
  
  

Semi-Permanent Marker Techniques

• Semi-permanent marker comes in many colors and can provide some interesting results if you are a little risky in your work. There are a couple of techniques to try, and each have varying results, depending on the quality of paper and brand of marker you use. In the first technique, start with marker on dry paper to render a drawing. Try not to use too much detail when working with semi-permanent marker as you will lose the detail when you wet the marker with watercolor. Add watercolor to the drawing. The marker will bleed into the watercolor, creating some interesting effects. Another technique to try is drawing with the markers on dampened watercolor paper. The marker will bleed immediately as you draw. Allow the drawing to dry, then add watercolor paint to the piece.
  
  

Painting First

• For this technique, the artist renders a detailed watercolor painting and allows it to completely dry. After the painting is dry, the artist adds detail and outlines using pen and ink or marker for a dramatic effect.