Improving negatives by marking with pencil lines

I took a course in 4x5 B&W from a prominent photographer in WA state. In the course of the week I had the opportunity to examine a stack of his 4x5 negatives and I was surprised at the many pencil lines and shading marks drawn on the emulsion side to highlight artistic elements. These marks come through in the print as increasing contrast and hence give more punch to the photo. Many negatives had a lot of marks, not just the rare touch up.

The teacher really didn't say much about this, besides confirming that yes he spends time marking negatives with a pencil.

What do others know about this technique?

Has been going on since the 30's at least, My first boss was a master of pencil and red coccine.

Somewhere I have a partial box of Kodak negative marking pencils. And a box of 5x7 Ilford Portrait film (both sides of the negative will take pencil, I believe.)

Some more info http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/archive/index.php/t-67587.html

Just another tool for the kit bag.

They turn up on ebay every once in a while. I've had a set for years. As Rick said, they're another tool for the kit bag.

Look up negative touch up.