Drawing School: Fundamentals for the Beginner: A Comprehensive Drawing Course

534 Pages·2018·92.06 MB·English

by  Jim Dowdalls

DRAWING
SCHOOL
FUNDAMENTALS
FOR THE BEGINNER
A COMPREHENSIVE DRAWING COURSE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Process & Procedure
Getting Started
Gesture & Contour Line Drawing
Learning to “See”
Materials
How We See & Interpret
Proportion & Size Relationships
Drawing Circles in Perspective
Ellipses: Foreshortened Circles
Perspective & the Picture Plane
Part I: Perspective
Part II: The Picture Plane & the XY Grid
Composition
Elements of Composition
Principles of Composition
Graphite Tonal Application
Value & Light Logic
How to Construct a Grid
Ink Line & Tone Application
Ink
Charcoal
Cast Drawing
Additional Subject Matter
Color
Colored Pencil
Pastel
Linear Perspective
Principles of Perspective
Inclined Planes
Aerial Perspective
About the Author
Introduction
The ideas, concepts, and techniques in
this book are based on an academic
model of drawing instruction developed
over the last 500 years, first taught in
Europe and now worldwide. These
traditional principles are alive and well
wherever there is a desire to impart
formal fundamental and foundational
instruction in realistic, accurate artistic
interpretation.
This book seeks to impart to the serious,
but beginning, drawing student a solid
foundation that leads to the creation of
artwork that combines strong
draftsmanship, spatial comprehension,
By Joanna
and an overall energetic drawing STUDENT DRAWING
Mendoza.
experience.
The most important aspects of successful
drawing are sensitivity, focus, and passion. We are all born with the
ability to create; in some children this ability is nurtured, while in
others it may be repressed. As adults, we still have the ability to “tap
into” our creative side, but it takes practice, patience, and guidance.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity in drawing refers to the handling of tools, as well as the
ability to use visual sense to isolate the structure, organization, and
mood of a subject. By manipulating the pressure of a drawing tool on
paper, the artist can create multitudes of variable line weights: long
lines; short, choppy strokes; bold calligraphic marks; and nuanced,
subtle tonalities. This is called “mark-making,” and most of us have
been doing it since before we could talk or walk. With direction,
been doing it since before we could talk or walk. With direction,
mark-making can be refined to the point where recognizable subject
matter can be created. But it is important to note that all marks are not
created equal! One of the most important attributes of a successful
drawing is a sensitive application of varied line weight.
Focus
In drawing, focus refers to the ability to concentrate on and develop a
clear image of the subject. In this book, the emphasis is on drawing a
realistic, or representational, interpretation of the subject from
observation. It is about attempting to depict a three-dimensional form
on a two-dimensional surface. This is a visual alchemy that artists
have struggled to achieve since the days of the first cave paintings.
Focus is an essential skill that can be achieved with patience, practice,
and the right environment. For some, it is the right combination of
silence and/or background music that can help create this focused
environment. Most importantly, try to clear your mind of clutter and
negative thoughts, and avoid undue visual or aural distractions.
Passion
Passion in drawing, as in life, is the
desire for something meaningful that can
fulfill, entertain, heal, and ultimately
satisfy the creative impulse. You can
attain sensitivity and focus, but without
the third leg of the stool—passion—you
won’t have the desire to draw all the
time. And that is what makes a
successful artist—drawing tirelessly,
constantly, and happily, over and over
again.
Getting Started
In this book, I will take you through a journey of many steps, some
easy and some challenging, as we continue along a path that will
establish a strong foundation for the fundamentals of drawing. It is my
goal to inform, motivate, and inspire you every step of the way along
this new creative journey.
PROCESS & PROCEDURE
In this initial chapter, we will explore the arrangement of the
drawing surface for maximum effectiveness, how holding a
pencil can make a difference in the way a drawing looks,
how making marks on a drawing surface can represent a
dimensional reality, and how to successfully build a
drawing from the understanding and use of a few key
fundamental steps. Remember: A long journey begins with
small steps.

Getting Started
Drawing & Viewing Arrangement
The ideal way to see a subject and the drawing surface simultaneously
is to elevate the drawing surface as vertically as possible, while
maintaining a comfortable and accessible drawing position. The
artist’s eyes should be the only things that move, back and forth or up
and down, from the subject to the paper. The more a drawing surface
is angled away from the artist’s line of sight, the less the artist will be
able to comfortably view the subject. Working at an easel is an
advantageous position for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, the
less the artist has to move his or her head the better.