Day 27: Project 2 ~ First Steps in Drawing

For the last 6 days of our 31 Days of Playing with the Arts series we are publishing a different project each day.

Each of these projects will help you get started in one particular art or will help you to generally engage in the creative process. The posts will be short, because we want you to take more action than we want you to spend time reading.

When you have completed a project snap a picture if you want and share it on Twitter or Instagram with the tag @expandingwisdom That way we can all be inspired by and respond to each other’s art.

So, maybe drawing sparked your interest when you read our Playing with Drawing Post? Well this project is meant for you and will get you going on the first steps of playing with the art of drawing. Have fun!

Project:

Materials: plain paper and 3 regular pencils, an eraser, a hard surface to draw on, and a view of the below picture.

Step 1: Shape your three pencils according to the pencil point pictures below. Imitate the point with each of the three pencil points.

Step 2: practice holding and using each pencil point in three ways. First practice using each point on it’s point. You can do this by holding the pencil almost straight up and down (in writing position) and shading a small area on your paper. Second practice using each point on the side of the point. You can do this by holding your pencil in the underhand position and shading a small area on your paper. Third practice using sharp and the round point laid flat. You can do this by holding your pencil in the underhand position and orienting your pencil so that is is almost parallel with the drawing paper and shading a small area on your paper.

With each part of step 2, compare your shading to the shading in the book. look at the strokes, the lines, the dark and light areas. Ask you self what is the same and what is different. Do not rush this part. Stay here comparing and making adjustments until your shaded areas look as close to the shaded areas in the book as you can. Once you are satisfied move on to the next step.

Step 3: Draw 5 circles as perfect as you can exactly how they are present in the image below. You can draw a circle by using an underhand hold of your pencil or the writing position hold. I find the underhanded hold is easier because it allows me to be less tense in my pencil strokes. But try each to see what suits you. The key is to draw loosely going around in a circle several times until you see the circle. Then go back over the circle with a firmer single pencil stroke.

Step 4: imitate the value scale. The purpose of the remaining steps is to practice imitating and seeing value in a more precise way. HINT: squinting helps to see value in the subject you are looking at. Try it. Look at anything and squint. You will notice the details dissipate but you see the values more clearly. Seeing that is what this step is all about.

Begin by using the flat edge of your pencil to create a smooth base of value. Be careful not to go to dark. You may want to have an eraser nearby if need be. You can increase the intensity of the value based on how hard to press down on your pencil. Next, use the round edge of your pencil to create some texture. Again make sure you are constantly judging the value you are laying down compared to the circle in the image. Finally, use the pointed end of your pencil for a couple sharp strokes along the rim of the circle. Continue comparing and making adjustments until you are satisfied. This may be a longer process than you expect. But i encourage you to demand of your self as much accuracy as possible. The more you demand of your self in this exercise the more your will see the fruit of it in later drawings. This is about training the eye, the hand, and the mind to all work together. Expect some obstacles but know you can over come them with practice, attention, and imitation. Mastering the value scale is an important step in creating pencil drawing of depth and substance. Keep practicing.

Once you feel satisfied with the circles, try the same thing but in a transitional way. See the image above for an example. Draw a rectangle or a similar share as what is in the image above. Then have one end be the lightest light and the other en be the darkest dark. Practice the same value scale but transition from one shade to the next like it is done the the image. Follow the same pattern of a smooth base, textured mid-ground, and sharp final lines to solidify the work. Continue to compare and adjust until you are satisfied.

Take breaks as needed. Walking away and coming back with fresh wits is good for the soul. I can’t wait to see your work.

Expanding wisdom, extending grace,

Jen