Check out some of Rembrandt's pen sketches where he created dynamic lines in seconds with a flourish of the hand and wrist. His sketches are worth studying if only for the composition and economy of line.
If you can blank out your mind (which is nigh impossible to do) then try doodling anything on a piece of paper as you would normally do if you were chatting on the phone to a friend. With all those scribbled lines, what images seem to come forth? Abstract meaningless shapes? Your psychologist would probably have a few answers which you would not want to hear.
You might see something amusing and you'll wonder if it is the child in you trying to break out into the creative field? Pen sketching is all about creating lines or images to represent something never before seen. It could be a break away from reality or could it be your "other self" craving for a way out?
Pen artwork requires a little discipline and forethought if your sketches are going to be original. Using quality paper ensures that your sketches are professional without bleeding through the paper (as in blotting paper.) With a felt-tip pen you will be able to draw clean-looking sketches with clear outlines-and to do that, a little confidence is required. A shaky hand means a wobbly line which means lack of confidence, yeah, it shows through.
Awhile back, I started teaching a few kids how to use a pen and ink like the masters of yesteryear. All of these kids had a back-off about making marks on the nice clean paper; they were a little terrified of messing their sketch up. So I asked them to get a small stick and dip it in the ink well and then flick it on the paper. Well, they did this with relish and gained much confidence in knowing it is all part of the creative process.
In the comic sketching world before computers, there were "pencilers" who created the drawings and the "inkers" who inked in the lines before going to press. This is no longer done today as the software does it all for us. See Google's Sketch Up for drawing in 3D.
Master the art of pen sketching and get to know the art, and then branch off into the world of creating all your sketches on your laptop. Create a few superheroes and monsters in conflict and you'll have a ready audience. Hey, it isn't that easy but if you have a passion for pen and line artyou can make it to the topbut it will take dedication and a load of sweat.
Showcase your artwork on the internet, go to DeviantArt where you can download your art for free and get critiques on how you can improve.
