Drawing techniques and processes
Drawing Techniques and Processes
Fundamentals of Drawing
- Understand the principles of line drawing, learning to control your hand to achieve different line weights and types.
- Master the shading techniques: hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, and blending to add volume and texture.
- Practice perspective drawing, incorporating both one-point and two-point perspectives.
- Develop skills in contour drawing to create an outline and suggest volume and perspective.
- Learn to use gesture drawing to capture the essence of the subject's action or motion.
Drawing Materials and Tools
- Experiment with different drawing materials such as graphite, charcoal, ink, pastels, and coloured pencils.
- Understand the value of paper choice, how varying textures and weights can impact the final result.
- Learn the use of erasers, not just as removing tools, but also as drawing tools.
- Realise the role of blending tools like tortillons and stumps in achieving gradients and smooth textures.
- Get familiar with inking tools and their roles in line art, stippling, and cross-hatching.
Drawing Styles and Techniques
- Understand the portrayal of realism and how to create a photo-like image with accurate proportions and realistic shading.
- Learn about the abstract style, using lines, shapes, colours, and textures to depict subjects.
- Practice cubism, a style that views subjects from multiple angles and depicts them in geometric forms.
- Explore surrealism, a style that creates unrealistic and dream-like images.
- Master impressionism, capturing the effect of light on objects, without focusing on realism and details.
Process of Drawing
- Start with a rough sketch to define the overall shape and proportion.
- Refine with a detailed sketch, focusing on specific features and textures.
- Apply shades using appropriate shading techniques according to the texture and light source.
- Add the final touches and small details last, including sharp edges, highlights, and texture.
- Critically assess your finished piece, evaluate how effectively it communicates the desired message.