Strokes Of Genius 6

144 Pages·2014·23.96 MB·english

by  Rachel Rubin Wolf

ART TECHNIQUES | DRAWING
S
t Art and inspiration from
r
124 contemporary masters.
o
k
e
s

o
f

G
e
n
i
u
s

6
T This sixth volume in the celebrated Strokes of
h
About the Editor Genius series explores the power of value. From
e
the darkest darks to the lightest lights and all

B
Rachel Rubin Wolf is a freelance editor and artist. the notes in between, value can build works
e
She has edited and written many fi ne art books for s of incredible complexity, or pure and simple
North Light, including Watercolor Secrets; Splash: The t poetry. More than any other single element of

o
Best of Watercolor series; Strokes of Genius: The Best
art, value has the power to force a fl at surface
f
of Drawing series; The Best of Wildlife Art (editions
D into a realistic sense of dimension, convey
1 and 2); The Best of Portrait Painting; Best of Flower
r textures, establish mood, and evoke terrifi c
Painting 2; The Acrylic Painter’s Book of Styles and a
plays of light and shadow. In the hands of the
w
Techniques; Painting Ships, Shores & the Sea; and
skillful artists in this book, value draws us in,
i
Painting The Many Moods of Light. She also has n
tells stories, and transports us to sights and
acquired numerous fi ne art book projects for North g
scenes from the artist’s unique perspective.
Light and has contributed to magazines such as Fine
Art Connoisseur and Wildlife Art. • 144 drawings from 124 artists in charcoal,
Strokes of Genius
v
a pencil, pastel, colored pencil, and pen and ink
l
u
e The Best of Drawing • A diversity of styles and approaches,

| presented in subject-themed chapters:

l
ig portraits, still lifes, fi gures, landscapes and
h animals
t value | lights
s
• Comments from the artists off ering fresh-
&
& darks from-the-studio insight and ideas not found
d
a anywhere else
r
k
From breathtaking realism to on-location
s
sketches, Strokes of Genius 6 promises hours
of enjoyment and inspiration for artists in any
US $35.00
U4572 (CAN $39.99) medium.
ISBN-13: 978-1-4403-3039-1 WOLF
ISBN-10: 1-4403-3039-5
53500
N
A
E
Edited by Rachel Rubin Wolf
C
P
U
0 FnL1 04 0120 01 JUYrVyBQdWJsaWNhdGlvbnMsIEluYyAo 02 SW9sYSBkaXZpc2lvbikPR3JlZ29yeSBL 03 cnVlZ2VyAFPKfnkCMTMDMTAwATEFVVBD 04 LUEMMDM1MzEzNjU3OTkzmA== 35313 65799 3 9 FnL1 04 0124 01 JUYrVyBQdWJsaWNhdGlvbnMsIEluYyAo 02 SW9sYSBkaXZpc2lvbikPR3JlZ29yeSBL 03 cnVlZ2VyAFPKfccEMTAuNAI4MAExBkVB 04 Ti0xMw05NzgxNDQwMzMwMzkxAA== 781440 330391
UU44557722__CCMM__SSttrrookkeess66..iinndddd 11 77//2277//1144 22::4400 PPMM
Strokes of Genius
The Best of Drawing
value | lights
& darks
Edited by Rachel Rubin Wolf
CINCINNATI, OHIO
artistsnetwork.com
UU44557722 pppp 0011--0077 FFMM..iinndddd 11 77//2277//1144 1100::2255 AAMM
UU44557722 pppp 0011--0077 FFMM..iinndddd 22 77//2277//1144 1100::2255 AAMM
UU44557722 pppp 0011--0077 FFMM..iinndddd 33 77//2277//1144 1100::2255 AAMM
C O N T E N T S
INTRODUCTION 6
VALUES IN PORTRAITS
8
1
INSPIRING OBJECTS
42
2
FASCINATING FIGURES
66
3
PLACES WE GO
88
4
FUR AND FEATHER FRIENDS
108
5
CONTRIBUTORS 136
INDEX 142
ABOUT THE EDITOR 143
UU44557722 pppp 0011--0077 FFMM..iinndddd 44 77//2277//1144 1100::2255 AAMM
CHARY
Candice Bohannon (cid:129) Graphite on bristol paper (cid:129) 9" × 29" (23cm × 74cm)
This young beauty brims with intellectual energy, hiding a well of emotion few are allowed admittance
to. The drawing was slowly knit together with light, deliberate crosshatching. Value, rather than line,
developed the forms until the drawing gradually took on a sculptural quality. I surrounded the fi gure with
soft textures to convey a sense of delicacy and suppleness to the cloth and fl esh. This allowed me to draw
the focus to her face, framing her lively eyes with the strongest darks in my value range.
FOR GENERATIONS TO COME – SEA OTTERS (PREVIOUS SPREAD)
Kevin Johnson (cid:129) Graphite on illustration board (cid:129) 9½" × 13" (24cm × 33cm)
As one of fi fty artists who ventured deep into Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest, I created this artwork for the “If realism is your goal, then the
Raincoast Conservation Foundation’s Art for an Oil-Free Coast project. Endangered sea otters represent
drawing must capture all the values
community and family to me; they depend on each other and on the kelp forests and waters that are at
and details that your eyes actually
risk. The fi nal image was created using various grades of graphite, erasers and blending tools.
see rather than what your mind
thinks it sees”.
KEVIN JOHNSON
UU44557722 pppp 0011--0077 FFMM..iinndddd 55 77//2277//1144 1100::2266 AAMM
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Tonal value is one of the key art elements—some would argue the most important of all.
Th e consideration of tonal value is essential for any drawing. Even a simple line drawing
consists of decisions about value and thickness of the line. In a more complex drawing
the artist generally decides on a value key, whether in the light or dark range or with a full
range of values from black to white. It is tonal value that most creates the illusion of three
dimensions in a drawing, and it is also the foundation of design. One cannot overstate the
value of value in drawing!
Our artists would agree almost unanimously. I noted how much the artists in this vol-
ume had to say about our theme—tonal value—compared with responses to past themes.
Many commented specifi cally about how important tonal value is to their own art. Scott
A. Williams echoes the thoughts of many: “Th e correct use of value is critical for defi ning
forms, controlling edges and creating a believable three-dimensional reality.”
Many of the artists highlighted how values not only defi ne form but create mood.
Michael H. Malta suggests, “One can create mood by using values correctly . . . . ” Steve
Wilda opines: “Th e delicate subtleties of graphite can evoke a deeper mood than color,
which can often be a distraction.” Karen S. Clarkson, among others, speaks of balancing
values: “Pure white and pure black should be used sparingly, yet without them the full
tonal range does not register.” Linda Lucas Hardy emphasizes the essential nature of tonal
value: “Value without color has the power to stand alone—color without value can’t.”
Th is was the fi rst time that I remember receiving a poem in one of the captions; it
expresses the pure and simple joy of drawing:
My Drawings
My Every Day
My Joy
I Love that Moment
Th at Noise
Th at Scratch
Pencil over Paper
Moment of Truth
Like Life
Like Love
WAGNER ANARCA
I hope the wonderful collection of art here in Strokes of Genius 6 stirs you toward fulfi lling
your creative dreams.
Rachel Rubin Wolf
6
UU44557722 pppp 0011--0077 FFMM..iinndddd 66 77//2277//1144 1100::2266 AAMM
WAITING
Ona Kingdon (cid:129) Pen and ink with a watercolor on bristol board (cid:129) 12" × 14" (30cm × 36cm)
Drawing any black animal can be challenging, but if you look at black fur in strong sunlight, there are
actually huge contrasts in value. Areas in the shade can merge with the dark background, while areas
caught by the sun almost appear to turn white. Harry is a purebred black Labrador. He was peering under
the wooden gate on our deck at us in the garden, and I wanted to capture the stark contrast as well as
the soulful expression in his eyes.
7
UU44557722 pppp 0011--0077 FFMM..iinndddd 77 77//2277//1144 1100::2266 AAMM
1
VALUES IN PORTRAITS
WAITING
Tanja Gant (cid:129) Graphite on Strathmore Bristol paper (cid:129) 12½" × 20" (32cm × 51cm)
I converted the reference photograph for Waiting to black and white and cleaned up the background,
leaving only the ethereal image of the subject. Slowly and systematically, I built up the values endeavor-
ing to capture a sense of loss and loneliness.
THE WANDERER
Kathleen S. Haney (cid:129) Scratchboard (cid:129) 24" × 18" (61cm × 46cm)
I met this “wanderer” in Ethiopia. He was a nomad crossing a mountain pass not far from Addis Ababa.
With the help of a guide, I asked permission to photograph him. I emphasized his deep-set eyes by leav-
ing the eye sockets black with just a hint of the sparkle in his eyes.
8
UU44557722 pppp 0088--4411 CCHH11..iinndddd 88 77//2277//1144 1100::2266 AAMM
9
UU44557722 pppp 0088--4411 CCHH11..iinndddd 99 77//2277//1144 1100::2266 AAMM