Art

Recently I decided to take an art class, mostly out of curiosity. I’ve always wondered about the methods used, and have also been particularly interested in drawing landscapes, architecture, and costumes for a while. I’d like to record what I’ve learnt so far in my two classes! I’m one of those people who believes that if you want to learn something, you can, without classes or teachers, but art is a good thing to do hands on in a studio as well, because you see other peoples' drawings all around you and widen your mind. Here are some tips to help with practising on your own.  The large sketches were drawn on pretty big, thin paper: 2' by 1 and 1/2'.  

Everything you need for sketching. Kneadable eraser, charcoal pencils for details, charcoal stick, sharpener, and a medium weight sketchpad. This is how we were instructed to hold drawing implements in the class. It feels strange at first but you get used to it. It makes you use your entire arm. 

• Draw what you see, not what you think you see
• Work big to small. Sketch the boundaries generously on the page before you zero in on details, and notice how angles, heights, and distances relate to each other. Look for prominent shapes. Expand out: use the paper’s expanse liberally, and don’t be afraid to draw quickly and without much precision at first.
• Practice (left and right hands) elipses, circles, squares, and any shapes that you see frequently in other paintings. Practice shapes that you think will be useful for the type of drawing you want to learn/improve.
• Practice hatching using even strokes, trying to begin the lines at the same place each time. Common crosshatch angles are 10 to 4 O’clock and 8 to 2 O'clock. Here is a related video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE_lQVixR9Q
• Just drawing things, anything, is the best way to get better. Bring a sketchpad everywhere and try to capture moments you think should be preserved. 

This type of drawing is something that I’m completely in love with. It’s so simple, yet the picture is instantly there in your mind: http://www.philipkoch.org/Gallery.asp?GalleryID=121542&AKey=S457VDH7

simple charcoal drawings

Now some photos!

This was difficult. A crumpled paper bag with a lamp shining on it. Good practice though! I suggest only crinkling the bag a bit for a first sketch. Too many lines are overwhelming! 

I've never been "into" still lifes, but they're kind of addicting. 

Darken whole page with charcoal held lengthwise, then use the kneadable eraser to bring out highlights on a draped piece of fabric. This was very fun, less like you're forcing the image onto the paper than you are revealing it. 

Charcoal is a fascinating medium. And it's everywhere! You can just pick some out of the fire and use it. YAY ART 

 My tendency is to draw the objects almost the same size as they are in my line of vision, but we were encouraged to make them much larger. I still like the above style, for drawing scenes on a normal size paper, but it's good fun to learn techniques that have been around for centuries, perfected and still visible to us today!