Session 1: Measuring & Pencil Sketching (2B & HB)
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Sketching/Drawing Pencils:
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During the first session; we started off basic with the use of 2B and HB pencils on an A3 sheet of paper, with Nick filling in as our model. When drawing we were also introduced to the methods of mentally applying our conceptualisation skills in our heads in mapping out what; and where a point of reference from the subject matter should go on the paper whilst serving an accurate translation with a focus on photosensitive accuracy. For example; an arm will need to connect to a shoulder, and that shoulder will need to become aligned properly to not break the anatomy of the person's pose. A simpler way to explain it from my experience would be to view it as sculpting a figure through the 2nd Dimension, in finding out how to wrap the shapes into their individual groups and sizes.
The ways we would apply measurements, would be to approach the model with a technique used in life drawing where you would extend your arm, place your thumb parallel with the chin of the model in having the flat end of the pencil act as the top of their head, and count down every space with the space created on the pencil with your thumb to estimate the measurements of how far down the model is, how wide, etc.
Upon reflection of my work now; I can see that I made too much use of HB pencils and not quite enough of the 4B pencil I had also brought with me, this would need to become a habit to utilise what I have on my person. But I have picked up the knowledge to use measuring and a rough idea of how to apply it, at least by this point in my studies.
The ways we would apply measurements, would be to approach the model with a technique used in life drawing where you would extend your arm, place your thumb parallel with the chin of the model in having the flat end of the pencil act as the top of their head, and count down every space with the space created on the pencil with your thumb to estimate the measurements of how far down the model is, how wide, etc.
Upon reflection of my work now; I can see that I made too much use of HB pencils and not quite enough of the 4B pencil I had also brought with me, this would need to become a habit to utilise what I have on my person. But I have picked up the knowledge to use measuring and a rough idea of how to apply it, at least by this point in my studies.
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In these videos, I have been further shown how to measure in my drawings. The most important takeaway for me to learn this process; is the height to width difference, as I slide my thumb to the bottom of an object and compare to the top, which is then applied to the width by using the very same place my thumb is placed on the pencil. This was something I took to heart and needed to remember as I found it difficult at first.
Measuring is integral to life drawing; as measuring how high and wide, as well as how the arms and legs match up with the torso, how the head is tilted from a specific angle, etc. A poorly constructed drawing is essentially nothing without the right shapes, gesture, and understanding of how the model/object reacts around the environment that they are in.
Measuring is integral to life drawing; as measuring how high and wide, as well as how the arms and legs match up with the torso, how the head is tilted from a specific angle, etc. A poorly constructed drawing is essentially nothing without the right shapes, gesture, and understanding of how the model/object reacts around the environment that they are in.
As we attended our life drawing sessions; I thought it would be worthwhile to also look at the professional art world and see where I might be going right and wrong, and comparing their work to my own. So as we continue on our creative journey, I will be regularly documenting my findings and will be uploading them here for posterity and reference.
For this week in particular, we were focusing on the use of pencil drawing, so I had went in search of influential artists that specialise in that field.
For this week in particular, we were focusing on the use of pencil drawing, so I had went in search of influential artists that specialise in that field.
Monica Lee
The Malaysian pencil artist; Monica Lee, is a pencil artist who specialises in creating realistic drawing from an array of graphite pencils. Lee's work upon a first glance can easily be mistaken for a photograph, as her work closely resembles that of photorealism as her preferred style. However Lee has also dabbled with more surreal concepts too.
I really like how she emulates the finer details by accurately measuring the composition, and its many effects that surround the environment. Her techniques seem to consist of blending the multiple HB and 4B pencils in a circular motion to emulate the shading and lighting of the still life's environment..
I really like how she emulates the finer details by accurately measuring the composition, and its many effects that surround the environment. Her techniques seem to consist of blending the multiple HB and 4B pencils in a circular motion to emulate the shading and lighting of the still life's environment..
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Paul Cadden
Paul Cadden; much like Lee above, also chooses the realistic approach when drawing. But instead draws in much lighter tones and uses the pencil to capture light more effectively than the darker, more gritty effect of an 2B - 4B pencil would to portray shadow. Instead Cadden utilises carefully applied cross hatching for darker shades, and lighter strokes for the illuminated areas.
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Italian pencil artist; Marco Mazzoni, chooses his subject matter to be ethereal and almost otherworldly. He loves to capture the beauty of nature and chooses a wide array of darker shades of colour such as deep blues and reds that border shades of burgundy, and applies these in a way that slightly exaggerates the real world we live in, but not to the point of overdoing it to where we can't recognise what Mazzoni's vision was intended to be.
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Independent Drawing: Measuring & Scale
Our first independant study task; was to further our knowledge in measuring from week 1, and about how to apply it to our own drawings that we will steadily build up over the course of this week's time period.
I consulted some videos on YouTube that offered YouTube tutorials on scaling and measuring subject matter in a drawing, as well as the recommended work by William Coldstream; who offers some definitive examples of how to properly apply this method to a drawing/painting piece. I was accompanied by my friends outside university to act as my models, and had accumulated a few drawings as a result to refer back to later on.
I consulted some videos on YouTube that offered YouTube tutorials on scaling and measuring subject matter in a drawing, as well as the recommended work by William Coldstream; who offers some definitive examples of how to properly apply this method to a drawing/painting piece. I was accompanied by my friends outside university to act as my models, and had accumulated a few drawings as a result to refer back to later on.
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