Hi! My name is Alina, you may know me as Pigeon Polly. I am an artist and illustrator based in Riga, Latvia. My practice is rooted in sketching, visual observation, and working with traditional materials. I am especially interested in capturing everyday moments, objects, and atmospheres in a loose, expressive way rather than striving for photographic accuracy.
I work mainly with watercolor, combining it with line, texture, and spontaneous marks. Ink is my second most frequently used medium and an important part of my artistic process. I value sketching as a way to think visually, build confidence, and develop a personal visual language over time.
My first watercolor sketching guide was well received, which encouraged me to create another practical and thoughtful resource. In this guide, I bring together my experience with ink sketching: from bottled ink to ink pens and nibs, focusing on approachable techniques that can be adapted to different skill levels.
I believe that drawing does not have to be perfect to be meaningful. Supporting yourself with curiosity, experimentation, and self-encouragement is an essential part of artistic growth. Ink sketching, with its contrasts and unpredictability, helps make drawings more vivid, expressive, and alive.
This guide is created for those who want to explore ink in a relaxed, non-academic way, learn a few useful tricks, and gradually gain more confidence in their drawing practice.
