In Art, the experiences that have had in using pen will be what I will use in explaining the easiest way to make use of a pen for a portrait. People will often ask that how do I handle the shades of pen & pastel? This post will explain the gradual process of how to go about it

When working with a pen, it is always advisable to have the following beside you. These are:

your sketch pad,

different shades of pen that you intend to use,

A rough paper where you will rub your pen to clean the ink exhibit on the pen as you work.

These are the major materials needed.

The question on what to erase mistakes with when mistakes is made is that, there is a pen eraser. But for me as a pen artist, I have never made use of a pen eraser before and so far as I have gone, I have been able to produce at least great progress in the method and technique I embraced. Though I still look forward to getting a pen eraser but financial constraints has not allowed me to but hopefully,I will have it soon.

The major point to note in working with a pen is that patience is needed for a good and nice work.

How do you shade?

Where you have a dark shade, the pressure on the pen will be deep and so steady on the spot and when working on a light part of the portrait, you can either leave it unshaded if you can't manage the pressure on your pen. But if you have the ability to manage the pressure on the pen, you will have to shade lightly and gently. There won't be the need for much detailing in the areas where you have light shades.
But the major point to guide you in shading is to shade box by box because it gives the opportunity to work on every texture and details on the part you are working on.

Shading of the cloth

For the colour and effect on the cloth, I used chalk pastel and pencil to colour it while I used electric eraser to create the effects and details on the cloth. This is easy to use, it's use is like that of a crayon.