Garlic Bulbs – Fineliner Pen Drawing, Scanned into My iPad – Then Added Paint…

Garlic bulb drawing

The other day, my husband brought in some garlic from the garden. Their tendrils and the bulbous shapes looked so attractive.  I thought…I must draw them! It was a favourite subject matter of mine years ago. This is the completed drawing above, with drawings of the various processes further along.

Garlic bulbs ink pen drawing
I used a fineliner pen on simple A4 copier paper.

So I went searching around for an ink pen; my husband handed me one, and it happened to be a favourite of mine. A simple “Artline” pen that you can get in most supermarkets. It’s been a while since I’ve used a fineliner pen – except for one in an art app.

I did a quick fineliner pen drawing. I didn’t do a pencil sketch underneath, just raced about quickly with the pen. I used the “Scanner Pro” app, to scan it into my iPad; then took it into the “Art Set Pro” app,  for some paint washes.

Thinking of it now, as this particular pen is watersoluble, I could have added some water to the lines to get a lovely inky wash. Hmm, has been a while since I drew with one (over a year), forgot about that! It was fun to use again. So much media these days to choose from; spoilt for choices!

I wrote a poem, quite a few months ago, called “Ode to My Pencils…” about a jar of brushes, pens and pencils. I said in the poem, I would see them again! I imagine, if they wonder which one next, will be taken for a spin.

I saw a beautiful ink pen and watercolour drawing recently, by a fellow artist blogger. I think it was part of the inspiration for me, to choose a pen for this drawing. You can see that particular drawing and more of her lovely artwork on her blog, Create Art Everyday (the link takes you straight to her post with the inkpen drawing). Her sunny attitude to her art and to life, is revealed in her delightful blog posts. Always a joy to read and view!

The Drawing at Various Stages

*There’s more information on the captions underneath each drawing. I draw and paint on my iPad with my finger, rather than a stylus.

Garlic bulb drawing 2
I used black paint thinned down in “Art Set Pro”. Here, you can see the edges of the scanned in drawing.
Garlic bulb drawing 3
When I used the white paint, I made it thicker; sort of like a gouache effect. Enlarged it to do some details. Smudged it a tiny bit in places. Love the look of the “Art Set Pro” layout.
Garlic bulb drawing 4
Enlarged further to make it easier for finer details. I really like this tangle of lines and the composition. I may play around with this idea, when I take it to “Photos” – enlarge, crop it and use it as a finished drawing.

Perhaps, next time you go to chop up some garlic, or other vegetables – look very closely at them; and you may see something good enough to draw as well as eat.

Happy creating, whether it’s a meal or a drawing. 🙂

32 thoughts on “Garlic Bulbs – Fineliner Pen Drawing, Scanned into My iPad – Then Added Paint…”

    2. oh stop that app has taken over my life since you introduced me to it. just love it. i have to do a ‘real life’ drawing and scan it like you do next and see how that turns out 🙂 inspiring as always Janette 🙂

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  4. Thanks so much for the mention, Janette! You’ve created some lovely artwork here. I’m glad to have inspired you. (I still have a hard time believing I’m inspiring artwork, when I barely feel like an artist myself!)

    I’m trying to imagine how paint is thinned or thickened inside an app! I’ve never tried creating art on my ipad; I think I’d like to feel more secure in traditional media first. I could see this drawing as inspiration for an abstract work also. It’s really something, Janette, nice work! I may go grab my garlic and see what happens! 😊

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    1. Thank you for your nice comments about my drawing. 🙂 Glad to mention you, in my post. I know you haven’t been on your art journey for very long, but I can see all your determination and practice is paying off. Your skills are steadily growing.
      As for thinning the paint, in “Art Set Pro”, you just have to roll the brush with your finger on the screen, away from the paint; or into the paint if you want it thick..and just tap to access various media etc.. It’s a very simple, straight forward app. I love it because it is so easy to use and it so cleverly replicates the media and experience of drawing and painting on canvas and paper, or at least, as is possible in the techno world! Hope you get to try it oneday; I’m sure you’d enjoy it.
      Meanwhile, the traditional mediums are all wonderful, and I’ll revisit them at times..and very important when you are still in the early stages of your art learning. 🙂 All the best, Janette.

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    2. Thanks, Janette, I’m so glad you’re seeing improvement in my work. I appreciate that very much! I’m wondering if an app like this would work on an iPhone? My daughter might enjoy something like this. Of course, the screen is smaller….but I may try it one day. Sounds like a pretty sophisticated tool!

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    1. Thank you. Tendrils, is a bit of a funny sounding word. Never much liked the sound of the word “blog”, but sort of got used to it now. And I’m quite enjoying blogging. 🙂 Have a great day.

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  7. Great drawing Janet. 😊. Thanks for the information on using art apps too. I’m still playing around with digital art – it’s so new and unfamiliar! Your work is very inspiring. Happy sketching!

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    1. Well thank you, Maria..just playing around at this min, with yet another drawing I began on paper; just a simple drawing of a lemon…I’m now working on it in “Art Set Pro”. I’ll probably share about it in a post this week. 🙂 I’m glad you are playing around with iPad art. I’m still learning about the various possibilties with this type of drawing and painting…good fun! Enjoy your week. Cheerio, Janette.

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  8. I’ve nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award (if you have received it before, or don’t want to take part – don’t worry I won’t be offended). I really like following your blog 🙂

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    1. Thank you. I reckon the scanner app works very well. I’m going to try some more drawings that I start off on paper, and then scan in to work on them further in “Art Set Pro”.
      Lovely to see you back in the blogosphere, and sharing some of your writing from your course, as well. 🙂 Hope you have a great day!

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    3. Yep, there is…it’s called “Scanner Pro”. I wrote a little bit about it on this page…I think it works much better than just taking a photo. I reckon you would love using it! Hope you have a happy creative day. 🙂

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  12. Pingback: Lemon in a Bowl – Oil Pastel Drawing and a Poem | Art and Words
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