Drawing starts early…The desire to draw is as natural as the desire to talk.
As children, we draw long before we learn to read and write. Writing is a kind of “drawing”.
To some, developing drawing skills may be easier than learning to write.
BEFORE AND AFTER STUDENT DRAWINGS
To visually illustrate the fact that drawing can be learned, here are some before and after drawings done by students. The first drawings by the students are on the left. Two months later the same students drew another portrait (not necessarily the same subject). They learned to draw.
1880 DRAWING 1882 DRAWING
VINCENT VAN GOGH
These two drawings also illustrate how Van Gogh learned to draw better with practice.
DRAWINGThere are two basic ways to practice drawing.
• The first is an intense, slow inspection of the subject – a careful examination of its parts. This is called contour drawing.
• The second is a quick, all-encompassing overview of forms in their wholeness, this is called gesture drawing.
Contour drawing shows the outline of the subject. Not the volume or mass of an object.
Picasso War and Peace Henri Matisse Fleur
Gesture….Unlike contour drawing gesture drawing represents the interior of an object.It is done very quickly.
Justin Sweet
Gesture – is an essential starting point for the drawing student.
The gestural approach is actually an exercise in seeing. The hand duplicates the movement of the eyes, quickly defining general characteristics of the subject
Gestures are done quickly capturing the essence of the object. It is spontaneous and free flowing.
Focus on:SHAPE! SHAPE! SHAPE!: Focus on the shape of the model – not the fine details
Use your whole arm when drawing – don’t grip the pencil too tight
Imagine lines that are…
• Continuous• Flowing• Coming out of
the Drawing• Looping• Twisting• Changing
directionJustin Sweet
Why do we do this?• To train your
hands to quickly sketch what the brain has already seen
• To let go of inhibitions
• To capture the essence of an object
Rembrandt Gesture Drawing, Preacher, 1644
Artist create gesture drawings to portray an idea of an image.
Practicing this technique helps them understand that image.
Steps for creating a successful contour drawing…There are two things to remember: 1.) You must keep your pen on the paper at all times without removing it2.) You must allow your hand/pen to follow the direction and speed of your eyes as they move across the object.
Steps for a successful gesture drawing1. FOCUS--- constantly. Estimate proportions, contours, movement, and contrasts quickly. Determine contours first, then interior shapes and shadows. 2. DRAW LIGHTLY---then get darker as you correct your mistakes and finalize your work3. DRAW QUICKLY--- Keep the pencil/pen in constant circular and linear motion. Catch the form, not the details. 4. NO ERASING. Gesture drawing's purpose is to develop visual skills which will effect expertise. Erasing breaks focus and wastes time.