StoryCulture

The Pen and Ink Technique of Al Hirschfeld

Sometimes it's the little things that give me a thrill when I see a master of pen and ink at work as in the film The Line King: Al Hirschfeld, which is available on DVD.

I got the glimpse of an ink bottle.

That flash of Hirschfeld's desktop wasn't enough for me. I had to see more. Working with a crow quill pen is never far removed from the disaster of spilled ink. Everyone must come up with a coping method or better yet, a great ink pot.

NOT JUST ANY BOTTLE OF INK: AL HIRSCHFELD'S INK POT

THE LINE QUALITY OF A MASTER ARTIST

If you are a pen and ink artist and watch the film intently, you'll be rewarded with a view of the different ways Al Hirschfeld held his pen to acheive different line qualities.

CROSS HATCHING

HIRSCHFELD'S SIGNATURE FLOWING LINE

DID YOU NOTICE THAT HIRSCHFELD DOES NOT CHANGE PENS?

I WONDER WHAT NIB THAT IS?

AL HIRSCHFELD (JUNE 21, 1903 - JANUARY 20, 2003)

Al Hirschfeld: The Line King

Watching someone draw can be like watching grass grow, but not when it’s Al Hirschfeld. To see him at work in this clip from a 1996 film titled The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story is to be in the presence of a magician. His granddaughter made the film when he was 99. It is available for purchase here.

As a dip pen and ink artist, I love the chance to observe the technique of a master. I was surprised to see how much pencil under-drawing Hirschfeld did and also a sketchy scratchy pen technique. I’d be interested to know how much the way he handled his pen in the film had to do with the fact that he was drawing at 99. Makes me feel young again. Thanks to Steven Silver for noting the film.