Many people have asked me how do I draw without a pencil sketch. Short answer is, I just do it. With over two decades of experience with drawing using pencil, switching to pen only wasn't as challenging to me as it may be for many of you. Don't be fooled into thinking it's easy for me though because it's far from.
I first started drawing with pen only when I was about nine years old. Even though I only did it for a few months, the lessons it taught me were extremely beneficial. This is why I say just go for it. You can always learn subtle nuances that help you get better with this as you're doing it.
The reason I drew with pen only in the first place was to help me not erase as much as I did. My paper used to be covered in erase marks and it was as clear as day. Drawing in pen only forced me to pay close attention to what I was drawing. After tons of mess-ups and restarting drawings, I started erasing less and less.
If you find yourself getting frustrated then welcome to the club. I lost count of how many times I got upset with myself for screwing things up. Spending an hour or so on a drawing, only to start over because I messed up and couldn't fix it. Remember, this is all a part of the growing process.
Your journey as an artist will be filled with highs and lows. I hope that fire inside you keeps burning through the tough times because a lot of people let it fade away. Those that keep it going will experience the spoils that come along with a consistent work ethic. Keep learning and reminding yourself why you do this.
