Pen-and-Ink Wash: Landscape Drawing from Photographs

Celebrate Inktober in a five-week pen-and-ink workshop.

Create landscape drawings with pen-and-ink using photographs and your imagination while exploring the benefits and challenges of working from photo reference. Learn how to gather effective reference photos and adapt them to create successful compositions.

Through demonstrations and guided practice, you’ll practice traditional pen-and-ink techniques including hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, and contour line work. You’ll also explore composition, value, and the role of light in revealing form, with the option to incorporate ink wash into your drawings.

Please see What to Know for a list of required supplies.

All experience levels are welcome.

This program meets in person at the Arboretum.

Instructor: John Fleck, artist

Age: 16 and older

Course number: A165

Instructor

John Fleck, artist

John Fleck is an artist and teacher based in Skokie. His past career was as an illustrator for children’s educational publishing. Now he focuses on fine art through drawing, painting, and teaching. He received his BFA from Columbia College in Chicago. He is primarily inspired by the natural world in his artwork, and enjoys wandering in the woods, fields, or along the lakeshore, looking for a weathered tree full of character, a unique view, or a light effect that fascinates him. He works in oils, acrylics, gouache, pen-and-ink, and various drawing media. He can often be found at The Art Institute of Chicago or The Field Museum of Natural History, sketchbook in hand. His travels around the Midwest, and places such as Oregon and Maine have inspired many of his works. He exhibits in the Chicago area.

What to Know

This program meets indoors.

All experience levels are welcome.

See Education Program Policies for information about cancellations, refunds, and scholarships.

Required Supplies

Ink: Higgins Black Magic
Palette with wells: Richeson Flower Porcelain Mixing Tray
Paper (100lb or higher): Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Pad or Canson XL Mixed Media Wirebound Pad
Pen holder and nibs: Speedball Sketching Project Set
Bush: Princeton Velvetouch Series 3950 Synthetic Brush, Round, Size 8
Pencil
Eraser
Eyedropper
Rag
Landscape photos to work from

Please note: Links to supplies are provided as examples of recommended supplies. If you already own similar materials, there is no need to purchase the exact items listed. Feel free to bring what you have.

Questions about Registration
630-719-2468
Registrar-ed@mortonarb.org
Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Format
In person
Five Wednesdays, October 21, through November 18, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center (parking lot P-21), West Side
A165
Cost: $200
Member cost: $170
Waitlist
Is the program you’re looking for sold out? Add your name to the waitlist.
Print this page