Lockdown changed many things but the most helpful one for me was being able to do online classes. I can honestly say there hasn’t been one I haven’t enjoyed. Anna Niman hosts an online zoom portrait drawing session. Subscribe via instagram to get the emails.

I met Anna while working in a London Art Shop on the Canonbury Rd – sadly no longer there!

I rarely manage to join for the whole session as family life often interrupts but I try to tell myself that joining for a short while is more helpful to my practise than not joining at all, but then I get into it and don’t want to leave.

I also enjoy the Drawing Cabaret Couture Classes which have reignited my love of Fashion Illustration

Halloween week (2023) Pentel kindly sent me their new range of pens to try. Click here for full description. I’m humbled that they knew this style of pen is right up my street. A big fan of the brush pen which seem to suit my way of drawing. This pen is more delicate, extremely responsive. I first saw it advertised in an email and it caught my attention straight away. Then a Pentel rep (thanks John) asked me if I’d like to try them – I nearly bit his hand off. So lucky to be sent the full range although I have to admit I need more black already.

Combining my first use of these pens while doing the London art Drawing Class was always going to be a challenge. The brush tip is very fine and will bend if pressed too hard, it picks up on even the slightest movement. At first I limited myself to a few colours. I found that using the side of the nib was helpful for texture – giving a dry brush vibe. I also tried holding the pen vertically like a Japanese brush.

I got a little braver and started doing my usual tricks. I changed paper to something smoother, adding a little water with the portable Pentel brush (most people I know have one of these in some form – this was a fine tipped one) or even licking my finger and smudging (sorry if that’s a bit yuk).

It became hard to stop myself from adding other materials such as the Milky Pens or some pencil…It depends on what the image called for. If mistakes are made and the drawing needs adapting I might use some white. I believe a good artist is one that can work with their mistakes by making them into something better.

Each of these drawings is of a fellow artist taking part in the zoom – how they find the time to create such amazing costumes is beyond me, I rarely pose because quite frankly I’m not that interesting but I really love being able to draw everyone else. If you’d like to take part – get in touch with Anna and she’ll give you a warm welcome. As for the pens … I’ve been given a sample and now I’m addicted !

See more artwork on my instagram using the same Pentel pens alongside Tom’s Studio Lumos Pro.