Verson 1 1 © OCR 2016 Fine Art – Practical skill development and experimental work

AS AND A LEVEL

ART AND DESIGNDelivery Guide (Learner Resource)

Tonal Study 1: Graphite reduction drawing – practical activityIntroductionAn understanding of tone is essential to any artist and will inform subsequent work in colour. This technique uses a reduction approach, starting with a mid tone and adding darker areas, but then using an eraser to add highlights and illustrate the light-source. The approach is hard work to begin with but once the image starts to come together this technique allows for subtle and effective exploration of mark making and will provide a deeper understanding of tone and it’s impact upon composition.

MaterialsPaper (a heavy, textured paper is best for this)

Graphite sticks

Erasers (a hard, white eraser works best)

Paper towels

Craft knife

An image to work from (in black and white if possible)

Activity

1. 2. 1. Use the side of the graphite stick and cover the paper with shading. This can be rubbed down to create an even layer of tone. Don’t go too dark as you will need to draw into this background.

2. Using the end of the graphite stick, draw out the basic shapes of your design, looking to identify tonal areas as well as shapes.

Verson 1 2 © OCR 2016 Fine Art – Practical skill development and experimental work

AS AND A LEVEL

ART AND DESIGNDelivery Guide (Learner Resource)

3. Add the heavy tones and darker areas using the graphite stick. You can use the paper towels to rub and even out sections of shading as required.

4. Now re-draw into the image, adding more detail and definition to your shapes.

5. Using a hard eraser, pull the graphite from the page, creating lighter areas. The rubber can be sharpened with a craft knife. This will allow you to add finer details and flashes of light as required.

6. Once the image is nearly complete, use the paper towels and rub the whole image, softening the tones. Now, use the graphite stick and eraser to bring the detail back out. This will give you a focused and resolved drawing.

3. 4.

5. 6.

Extension activities/questions:Using the technique described above, complete the same task but using a negative image. This will produce a drawing with the tones inverted and can provide a very interesting comparison.

OCR Resources: the small printOCR’s resources are provided to support the delivery of OCR qualifications, but in no way constitute an endorsed teaching method that is required by the Board, and the decision to use them lies with the individual teacher. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the content, OCR cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions within these resources.

© OCR 2016 - This resource may be freely copied and distributed, as long as the OCR logo and this message remain intact and OCR is acknowledged as the originator of this work.

OCR acknowledges the use of the following content: n/a

Please get in touch if you want to discuss the accessibility of resources we offer to support delivery of our qualifications: resources.feedback@ocr.org.uk