✏️Drawing I Unit 9 – Drawing from observation

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Observational drawing involves carefully studying and accurately representing a subject from real life rather than from memory or imagination
• Contour lines define the edges and outlines of a subject, capturing its shape and form
• Value refers to the relative lightness or darkness of a color, which helps create the illusion of depth and volume
• Negative space is the area around and between the subject, which can be used to create interesting compositions
• Foreshortening occurs when an object appears compressed or shortened due to its angle relative to the viewer
• Chiaroscuro is the use of strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and drama in a drawing
• Gesture drawing involves quick, loose sketches that capture the essence and movement of a subject rather than its details
• Sighting is a technique used to accurately measure and compare proportions by holding a pencil at arm's length and using it as a reference

Materials and Tools

• Graphite pencils come in various grades of hardness, from 9H (hardest) to 9B (softest), allowing for a range of line qualities and shading effects
  • H pencils produce light, precise lines and are ideal for initial sketches and details
  • B pencils create darker, softer lines and are better suited for shading and adding depth
• Charcoal is a versatile medium that can create rich, expressive lines and deep, velvety blacks
  • Compressed charcoal is harder and produces darker, more defined lines
  • Vine charcoal is softer and creates lighter, more blendable marks
• Erasers are essential for making corrections, lightening areas, and creating highlights
  • Kneaded erasers can be shaped to create fine details and lift pigment without damaging the paper
  • Plastic erasers are firmer and better suited for cleanly removing lines and mistakes
• Blending tools, such as tortillons and stumps, help smooth and soften edges, creating gradual transitions between values
• Drawing paper comes in various textures, weights, and colors, each affecting the final appearance of the drawing
  • Smooth paper is ideal for detailed, precise work, while textured paper can add visual interest and depth
  • Heavier paper is less likely to buckle or warp when using wet media or heavy shading

Observational Techniques

• Squinting helps simplify the subject by reducing details and revealing the basic shapes and value patterns
• Using a viewfinder, such as a small frame or your hands, can help isolate the subject and plan the composition
• Drawing upside down can help focus on shapes and lines rather than getting distracted by the subject's identity
• Comparing angles and proportions to vertical and horizontal references can ensure accuracy in the drawing
• Breaking complex subjects into simpler geometric shapes makes them easier to understand and draw accurately
• Observing and drawing negative spaces can help create a more balanced and interesting composition
• Stepping back from the drawing periodically can reveal overall proportions and relationships that may be harder to see up close

Composition and Framing

• The rule of thirds involves dividing the drawing space into a 3x3 grid and placing key elements along the lines or at the intersections to create a balanced, dynamic composition
• Leading lines, such as roads, rivers, or architectural elements, can guide the viewer's eye through the drawing and create a sense of depth
• Framing the subject with foreground elements, such as branches or doorways, can add depth and context to the drawing
• Choosing an interesting or unusual viewpoint can make the composition more engaging and memorable
• Varying the size and placement of elements creates a hierarchy of importance and keeps the viewer's eye moving through the drawing
• Using odd numbers of elements can create a more dynamic and visually appealing composition than even numbers
• Balancing the distribution of positive and negative space helps create a harmonious and well-structured composition

Light and Shadow

• The direction and quality of the light source greatly affect the appearance of shadows and highlights on the subject
  • Harsh, direct light creates strong, well-defined shadows with sharp edges
  • Soft, diffused light produces subtler, more gradual shadows with softer edges
• Highlights are the brightest areas on the subject where the light hits directly, while shadows are the darkest areas where the light is blocked
• Cast shadows are created when the subject blocks the light and projects a shadow onto another surface
• The value and edges of shadows can be softened by reflected light bouncing off nearby surfaces
• Gradations of value, or smooth transitions from light to dark, help create the illusion of volume and depth
• The darkest darks and lightest lights in a drawing should be used sparingly to create contrast and focal points
• Observing and accurately rendering the shapes and edges of shadows can greatly enhance the realism of a drawing

Perspective and Proportion

• Linear perspective is a method of representing three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface using converging lines and vanishing points
  • One-point perspective uses a single vanishing point and is often used for subjects with parallel lines, such as roads or buildings
  • Two-point perspective uses two vanishing points and is used for subjects with angled lines, such as corners of buildings or boxes
• Atmospheric perspective creates the illusion of depth by making distant objects appear lighter, cooler, and less detailed than closer objects
• Measuring proportions involves comparing the relative sizes and distances between different parts of the subject
  • The head-to-body ratio is a common measurement used for drawing human figures, with the average adult being about 7.5 heads tall
• Sighting techniques, such as holding a pencil at arm's length and using it to measure angles and distances, can help ensure accurate proportions
• Plotting key points and landmarks before drawing details can help maintain proper proportions and alignment throughout the drawing process
• Using a grid system can help break down complex subjects into smaller, more manageable sections and ensure accurate proportions

Practice Exercises

• Blind contour drawing involves looking only at the subject, not the paper, and drawing its outlines in a single, continuous line without lifting the pencil
  • This exercise helps develop hand-eye coordination and encourages careful observation of the subject's shapes and edges
• Gesture drawing involves making quick, loose sketches that capture the subject's overall form, movement, and energy in a short amount of time (usually 30 seconds to 2 minutes)
  • This exercise helps develop the ability to quickly capture the essence of a subject and can be particularly useful for drawing figures and animals
• Value scales are gradated strips that range from the darkest dark to the lightest light, usually divided into 5-10 steps
  • Practicing value scales helps develop the ability to accurately observe and reproduce the full range of lights and darks in a subject
• Upside-down drawing involves turning a reference image upside down and copying it, which helps focus on shapes and lines rather than the subject's identity
  • This exercise can help overcome preconceived notions of how things "should" look and encourages more accurate observation and representation
• Negative space drawing involves focusing on and drawing the shapes around and between the subject rather than the subject itself
  • This exercise helps develop a better understanding of composition and can lead to more interesting and dynamic drawings
• Continuous line drawing is similar to blind contour drawing but allows for looking at the paper and lifting the pencil to create a more refined, connected drawing
  • This exercise helps develop hand-eye coordination and encourages more fluid, confident linework

Common Challenges and Solutions

• Proportion issues can be addressed by double-checking measurements, using sighting techniques, and plotting key landmarks before adding details
• Overworking a drawing can lead to a flat, lifeless result; to avoid this, start with light, general shapes and gradually build up to darker, more specific details
• Smudging and smearing can be minimized by using a light touch, working from left to right (for right-handed artists), and placing a sheet of paper under the drawing hand
• Inconsistent lighting can make it difficult to accurately observe and represent values; to mitigate this, use a consistent, controllable light source and take breaks to rest the eyes
• Lack of contrast can make a drawing appear flat and uninteresting; to create more depth and visual interest, push the range of values and use the darkest darks and lightest lights strategically
• Inaccurate ellipses can be improved by practicing drawing them freehand, using a template or compass, and observing their angles and proportions relative to the subject
• Uneven or inconsistent line quality can be addressed by practicing pressure control, using the right pencil for the desired effect, and varying line weight to create depth and emphasis
• Difficulty with foreshortening can be overcome by observing the subject from different angles, using sighting techniques to compare proportions, and practicing with simple foreshortened shapes like cylinders and boxes