Guide to Botanical Illustration using Pen and Ink - in Portuguese

Rogério Lupo has produced another Guide to Botanical Illustration - this time using pen and ink. The Portuguese title is Apostila Bico de Pena. (© Rogério Lupo 2018 - All rights reserved. Sale prohibited. Free distribution.)  The title contains the link to the page where you view it and download it.

[UPDATE: November 2018: NOW IN ENGLISH - SEE my blog post dated 25 November 2018 - Scientific Illustration Instruction by Rogério Lupo which also references his new supporting video on YouTube which has English subtitles.]

His scientific illustration guide to equipment and materials comments on the use of a dip pen nib - which Google translate insists on calling a "feather beak" - but basically a nib which flexes when pressure is used so as to produce fine lines of different thickness and character.

Below is the Portuguese version.

[UPDATE: Novembr 2018 - You can also now find and download the English version on this link Graphite and its Possibilities Applied to Scientific Illustrations]

This is a FREE Guidebook. Please note that Rogério Lupo has asserted his copyright and any SALE of this Guidebook is strictly prohibited

Apostila Bico de Pena de Rogério Lupo

Below are the two descriptions of the Guide in Portuguse and Google Translate English.

Guia de curso com informações completas sobre os bicos de pena mais especializados para traços precisos usados na ilustração científica. São tratados assuntos como marcas de bicos, de tintas e papéis, procedimentos para seleção do material na hora da compra, restauração, cuidados, exercícios e tudo que se precisa saber para começar a conhecer e praticar.

Course guide with complete information on the most specialized pen nozzles for precise strokes used in scientific illustration. Subjects such as nozzle marks, paints and papers, procedures for material selection at the time of purchase, restoration, care, exercise and all that one needs to know to get to know and practice are treated. (according to Google Translate)

Note that Google Translate takes ​the portuguese he uses and translates the word as

• "nozzle" which is a term we more usually associate with a technical pen
• or "beak" - it comes up sometimes a "feather beak" 

rather than a specialist nib which is typically used with a dip pen holder.  This is just Google Translate rather than Rogério!

20 of the 40 practice strokes using pen and ink recommended by Rogerio Lupo and provided as examples at the end of his Guide ( © Rogério Lupo 2018 )

What I like about the Guide

Note - this was all identified using Google Translate!)

What I like about this Guide is that he discusses:

• buying a pen nib and very precise detail about what to look out for to get a good nib which will behave well
• different brands by name and how he finds them
• the best brands of paper to use for pen and ink illustration - and he comments on Bristol (plate) paper he likes and those he does not (the ones which are too abrasive on the end of the nib). 
• the best quality ink to use - and his recommendations plus how to keep the ink hydrated
• how to protect the point of the nib
• how to preserve the nib on good condition - and the use of alcohol for cleaning and the purpose of a pen wiper
• how to test nibs before purchasing them - including how to test for blade crossing - this is the truly fastidious bit for the real pen and ink fan.  There's a nice bit where he displays how to detect splay in the end of the nib and whether the cut is central or not.
• how to sand and polish nibs to improve the flow or restore their use
• what to do when the ink won't flow (the "departure problem")

He then moves on to the use of the pen

• how to train yourself to deliver parallel strokes - which includes tips on breathing!
• he provides some examples of pen strokes to practice. His list of 40 pen strokes is precisely explained as to what each demonstrates

All in all it's a lot more information than is often available - written by somebody who is fastidious about the use of the kit he uses for illustration. I'm a huge fan of those who really care about the quality of the materials they use - and want to share what they know with others.  

You can obtain the Guide from Slideshare (as with his Graphite for Scientific Illustration Guide) - just click the link in the title.  As before to access the free download you will need to be logged in to an account with Slideshare or a Linked In account also gives you access to download

​You can also follow his announcements about new classes and guides on Facebook by following his Facebook Page Rogério Lupo - Ilustração Científica.

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