How to Draw a Baseball Glove in Pen and Ink | Techniques for Texture and Depth

Hello, this is Pengamaru.

This article is for you! Today, I will introduce how to draw a baseball glove.

I will explain in detail the process from sketching to inking and finishing, focusing on how to express the texture of well-worn leather and the intricate details of stitching.

By reading this article, you will:

Whether you are a beginner in pen drawing or aiming to create more professional works, this article is packed with valuable techniques!

Be sure to read to the end and apply these tips to your own pen drawings.

Tools Used

• Fountain Pen: Kakuno F (About Kakuno F)
• Ink: Iroshizuku Tsukushi (About Water-based ink)

About Baseball Gloves

The subject of this drawing is a baseball glove.

A baseball glove is a piece of equipment used in baseball and softball to catch the ball. It is primarily made of cowhide or synthetic leather, known for its durability and flexibility.

For this drawing, I used an old glove that I had previously used.

The worn-out leather texture is particularly appealing.

To highlight the glove’s characteristics, I carefully considered the best angle and composition.

Sketching

Printing the Image for Fukusha

First, prepare for the sketch. Print the reference image on A4-sized paper.

Creating Fukusha Paper

On the back of the printed paper, shade the entire surface with a pencil.
I call this method the “fukusha method”.

By shading only the glove and shadowed areas, the sketch can be easily transferred onto the pen art paper.

Transferring to Pen Art Paper

Next, place the fukusha paper over the pen art paper and secure it with tape.

Tracing with Fukusha

Use an empty ballpoint pen to trace the lines from the top.

This method allows you to easily capture the complex shape of the glove while also transferring the shadow areas at the same time.

Inking

Drawing the Outline of the Glove

Now, let’s start inking!

I use a fine nib fountain pen with brown-toned ink for this process.

First, draw the entire outline of the glove, then carefully add details such as the laces and text.

Adding Lines to Define the Shape

To create depth and realism, follow the natural curves of the glove with your pen strokes.

Additionally, lightly indicate the shadows cast on the surface and the darker areas where the light doesn’t reach.

This will enhance the three-dimensional effect.

Erasing the Sketch

Use an eraser to remove the pencil sketch.

To avoid damaging the paper, apply gentle pressure in a single direction.

Be careful—if you rub too hard, the paper might get rough, causing your pen lines to become thicker in those areas.

Deepening the Drawing

Building Up Darker Areas

Now, begin adding more lines to build up the tones in the glove.

By layering lines in different directions, you can express darker areas and shadows effectively.

Keep an eye on the overall balance as you proceed.

Refining the Details

Pay special attention to the edges around the wrist and fingertips by darkening them for more definition.

Following the glove’s natural curves with your pen strokes will enhance its realism.

Carefully draw in the laces and leather texture to bring out the full depth of the glove.

Final Touches

Finally, check the entire drawing and refine the details, including the stitch holes.

Once satisfied, add your signature—and it’s complete!

Conclusion

How was this tutorial? Today, I introduced how to draw a baseball glove in pen art.

Despite using simple tools, pen art allows for deep and expressive creations.

I hope this article provides useful insights for your pen art journey.

Thank you for reading until the end! Stay tuned for the next artwork.