Form & Shape, Mass & Volume

Assignment: Find or create a composition which emphasizes Shape and Form, Mass and Volume. This can be something that you build- like a still-life, something you have seen or setup- like a photo you take from a real life situation, or something completely fanciful that you have chosen or determined on your own- an imaginary composition which emphasizes shape, form, mass, and volume.

 



After much debating what to have as my composition I have come up with a tea setup. I took the picture and began sketching. I am still in the very beginning stage. I will be using graphite pencil mostly and vine charcoal for shading later. I was tempted to use color as well. I have not decided for sure yet. I made a grid to properly align my objects. Later I will add the details and shading to the darkest object and finish with the lightest values.



To create this project I have put together a still life composition and I took a picture of it. The materials that I have used include graphite pencil for the outlining and details, charcoal pencil for shading, compressed charcoal for giving value to certain areas, vine charcoal for shading and adding value, and eraser for bringing up light values and reflections. Also finger for smudging, and paper stumps for blending. I have spent a fair amount of time on this project starting by outlining all the shapes, then I added base value to the tea pot, added all the detail and shading by leaving some white areas for the light reflections. I did very minimal erasing since I already had the light spots left from the beginning. The second object I drew was the cup with honey and the teaspoon. After that I drew the cinnamon sticks, and lastly the key hanger. I have finished my work by adding the shading for the drapery and all objects. Voila! I hope you enjoy!

Positive and Negative Space

Assignment: Find a chair to draw (more if you prefer) , preferably one with openings through the back, or with a complex leg structure.  Turn off the lights except for a single directional light source placed behind the chair.  Use pencil or charcoal pencil for this exercise.  Carefully observe the chair, and instead of drawing the positive elements of the chair, draw the shapes of the empty spaces around it, leaving the positive areas of the subject blank.  Work back into the negative spaces manipulating them by adding value, blurring, and smudging to create active spaces

 

Negative space surrounding the subject has the potential to be a dynamic part of the composition. I have used vine charcoal for the negative space filling it up, and leaving the positive space blank.

Light and Dark/ Volume

 Assignment: Choose a dramatically lit subject to sketch.  Begin by using your eraser to pull out specific areas of light throughout the image.  Use both kneaded and plastic erasers.  Only after you’ve pulled out all of the lights, then begin to add value in the darkest areas using compressed charcoal.  Use your chamois cloth to blend values.  Pay careful attention to the subtle changes between areas of lights and darks.

 

 By using paper that has been toned with charcoal, instead of white paper, you can easily achieve a richer, more dramatic, volumetric drawing. Tone a piece of paper in your sketchbook to a value of medium gray using vine or compressed charcoal, and then smooth it to an even finish with a chamois cloth, napkin, or paper towel.  Make sure that you achieve an even middle-gray value. 

Cross Contour

Assignment: Using your cross-contour technique, draw 4 separate images with clearly defined mass and volume. Use whatever materials or methods you prefer for this. Each image should be different.

 

I am finally getting more comfortable with the use of charcoal, thanks to this assignment. One thing that I have just realized was that I was forgetting to use the paper stumps. I was having a hard time to blend the charcoal and get sharp lines. Now I know why. Paper stumps are great they saved me a ton of trouble using the eraser. Another thing that I have realized is that I really liked having the background set at a certain value and then add highlights and shadows to get the finished look. This exercise was awesome, and I have learned more and got more comfortable with the mediums.

Paper Bag

Assignment: Use shading to lighten, darken, and blend your materials into a composition with a strong feeling and clear indication of the lighting, and strong variation in lightness and darkness of tone.

 

I have used vine charcoal more this time, and shaded with compressed charcoal. I used a very little graphite pencil just to make the outlines to stand out more. Overall I feel like graphite is still my favorite because I have more control on the lines that I draw, plus is less messy. I will probably still experiment with charcoal in the future assignments.

Pop Can

Assignment: Using shading, value, and color, make a monochromatic (one color only) drawing of a smashed can in your sketchbook. Include the can's surroundings, light reflections and shadows as necessary.

 

 

I decided to use as much charcoal as possible. Really tough. I am having a hard time mastering it. It goes really rough on the paper, I don't have a sharp line as I wanted to, too dark as well. Also another hardship I faced drawing with the eraser. I could not get a sharp line and a tiny dot as well. I think I will only use my graphite pen next time.

Texture Panel

Assignment: Using whatever materials and methods you desire, find 12 textures around and draw them in a separate box.

 

Texture is everywhere. Its what you feel, its how things look, its the tactile covering on many items.

1. Marble
2. Rug
3.Pine bark
4. bricks
5. cheese grater
6. grass
7. mums
8. side walk (the not slip surface at the end)
9. palm leaf
10. pebbles
11. wooden fence (sideways)
12. peacock feathers