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    Drawing for the Absolute Beginner, Techniques
    Drawing for the Absolute Beginner, Techniques
    Drawing for the Absolute Beginner, Techniques
    Ebook119 pages27 minutes

    Drawing for the Absolute Beginner, Techniques

    By Mark Willenbrink

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    About this ebook

    You won’t be disappointed with the basic instruction based on the popular print book Drawing for the Absolute Beginner (North Light 2006) by Mark and Mary Willenbrink. Learn all about value and shadows, and get more than 15 step-by-step technique exercises on how to draw still lifes, animals and people. Also includes a glossary of common art terms. The Absolute Beginner series of e-books will inspire anyone who wants to make art to create realistic artwork for any subject, including still life, landscapes, animals and people.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Publishing Group
    Release dateNov 1, 2011
    ISBN9781440323089
    Drawing for the Absolute Beginner, Techniques

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      Book preview

      Drawing for the Absolute Beginner, Techniques - Mark Willenbrink

      Values

      Values are the degrees of light and darkness in a drawing. They give additional form and depth to a basic structure. Observing the wide range of values that make up your subject will give you a better understanding of how light creates highlights and shadows on the form.

      Observing Values Exercise

      Take white foam shapes from your local craft store, set them up with a good light source, then observe the characteristics of the shapes, the highlights and how the shadows fall. Notice the wide range of values. You may need to paint the foam white to get an opaque surface that reflects light smoothly and accurately. Be sure to use latex paint, because spray enamel will melt Styrofoam.

      Contrast

      Differing values create contrasts that can affect the mood and composition of a drawing. The more extreme the difference between values, the greater the contrast. One way to achieve higher contrast in your drawing is to place your darks and lights side by side.

      It’s All Relative

      Value contrasts are relative. They appear differently according to their environment. The small square on the far left may appear darker than the small square on the near left, but both are the same value. The square on the left appears darker because it is placed directly against the pure white of the paper, providing more contrast.

      Value Contrast Creates Impact

      A drawing done without much contrast will not have much impact and will look flat and pale. The white smoke of the rocket on the right looks brighter against the dark background. The drawing on the right uses richer values, creating more contrast.

      Making a Value Scale: Mini Demonstration

      You can use a value scale to compare the values of a scene with that of a drawing. Hold the value scale up to the subject and look through the holes punched along the side. Where do the values in the subject fall on the value scale? As you begin to compose a drawing, it is always best to establish the highlights and very light areas. Sketch those in, then look for where the other values are in the subject. To fill in the other values, one option is to go from the lightest shades of the drawing to the darkest. Another way to map out the values is to fill in some of the darkest areas around the lightest areas, then work with the midtones last. Try each of these methods to see which one works best for you.

      Must Have Materials

      4H, HB, 4B graphite

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