With nature always in view and a BFA in graphic design and illustration I returned to school to gain more scientific knowledge in preparation for graduate study in the graduate program of Medical and Biological Illustration at the University of Michigan under the instruction of Gerald P Hodge from 1979-1981. Two mediums stand out, pen and ink and carbon dust. Carbon dust was taught for many years originating over 100 years ago in my current department @ Johns Hopkins by Max Broedel (1870-1941) considered the father of modern medical illustration. Carbon dust is applied with varying sizes of dry sable brushes on either a clay coated surface or textured charcoal paper. Tones are built up slowly with the brushes and accented by carbon pencils pushed and pulled from light to dark and rubbed into the surface. White highlights are created either by erasing with a special eraser, scratching them out with a scalpel or knife blade, or by painting opaque paint on to the paper’s surface close to the drawing’s completion. This drawing represents the type of classical teaching I received and, also, displays my early leanings into the nature art I create today.

My most important pen and ink mentor over 40 years ago was Craig Gosling. Craig’s pen and ink style was casual and spontaneous and seemed to ooze extreme confidence in its mark making. It seemed effortless in his hands but as we come to find out pen and ink is not an easy medium to master.  As with all art influences we individually identify with works that we either want to excel in or have an affinity for, embracing a style that wells up in each of us, that speaks to us, and, then becomes us! It however takes Hours upon Hours of PRACTICE and PRACTICE. Over time we pick and choose and look for common artistic ground and then add it to our individual expression. There is where the confidence lies in the simplicity of identifying your own voice and seeing the new found magic flow from your fingertips as desired imagery appears. Joy Soon Follows! For pen and ink and many other things I am thankful and forever grateful to Craig Gosling who passed in early July 2021.
 
While in the beginning I teach my students the use of the flexible nib pen, Micron pens have been a staple of mine for over 25 years. There is ease to the release of the ink that provides a photo reproductive line that faithfully mimics my desired drawing style and dries quickly on my preferred surface of vellum. In my tenure as a medical illustrator and professor I have created well over 5000 pen and ink illustrations that have appeared in dozens of textbooks, surgical atlases and research publications. For more about pen and ink please visit my blog @ phelpsmandala.com.