New art Blog.. day 1.
This blog will provide an update on the art skills I have learnt and use and will try give useful information and skills to others wanting to improve their art. No matter the age, no matter the skill level anyone can learn to draw and paint you just need time and practice. I've been lucky recent;y that I've had both.
Any questions are welcome.
This is my first image in a featured range of artwork that I did in graphite and graphite powder at A3 size.
I used best products to do so but I use watercolour paper to allow the graphite to soak (no not wet), the paper I use is Archers - again no I don't have sponsorship that goes to say for all products I mention.
The process is, sketch the outline of the image using a 5H pencil. Then add shadows with a HB pencil, remember this - you're not drawing a chimp in a hand you're drawing shapes. Look for familiar shapes triangles, circles etc draw them.
Drawing the shadows is about using darker tones and darker pencils as you lay in the tones, I use HB, 2B, 4B and 9B fort he very darkest tones. I file down 9B stumps and use cotton wall to apply the ton in circles - do this last as it makes a mess.
Darkest dark, lightest lights, think of that when applying shadow don't over doing with the darks to start with put a base tone down - light hand needed for an HB pencil.
How to sketch the outline: use either a light box, grid method or eye. I use all and using a light box or grid will only secure accuracy of the outline - not the detail of the drawing.
If I use a light box its normally for a larger project - just to save on time - not much detail is derived from this. But its a bit like building a fence or laying down a garden design you're marking out the boundaries. I rub out 90% of the outline I initially draw anyway. If there's a problem with a drawing or painting its normally a tonal problem - you can buy aids to help with tones but I use my eye.
Set up your drawing areas so you are comfortable - print a copy of the image you are drawing or the reference you are using - have it set close so you can look back and forth between the drawing and the reference. Check back and forth to ensure accuracy, you can use magnifying glasses if you must for the very fine detail, I may only use that if the detail demands it. IDEAS: I constantly thinking of new ideas - I used to as a kid draw items using a giants hand - this is where this idea came from but dont be shy and look around at others works, don't copy but get inspired.
Well thats all folks.
Phil.
www.phillipjmosely.com
