Using the “Still Life” you arranged in class there are basic steps you must learn in order to draw a traditional composition while still maintaining “your style” or “fingerprint” unique to you as an artist.
To save time, I added a grid to the photo. You can do this on a tablet when you edit your photo and touch the crop button. Lightly touch your screen, until a grid appears, then quickly take a screen shot. Crop the screenshot until you have a photo with a grid.
Take some time to really look at your “Still Life.” The quote by Thoreau, ” It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.,” is exactly how one should approach creating. Whatever medium you choose, it begins with a picture you visualize, photograph, or capture live. As the artist, you must analyze the “Elements” and find the means with which you will use the “Principles of Art” to create your composition.
Using Bristol paper or paper with a similar weight and an HB, B, or 2B pencil and a ruler, divide the paper into equal thirds, horizontally and vertically, nine squares in total. Draw your grid in light enough so a kneaded eraser will erase your grid when ready.
Make sure you have the proper tools, to ensure success.
- (8B or 7B), 6B, (4B or 3B), (2B or HB), B, H, (3H or 4H) http://www.staedtler.us/en/products/pencils-accessories/pencils/mars-lumograph-100-premium-quality-pencil/
- Stumps, in various sizes. A few brushes in addition would be helpful.
- Pencil Sharpener
- Ruler
- Kneaded Eraser
- Plastic Eraser- Pencil type and large (Electric Eraser, comes in handy, but not necessary.)
- Brush for dusting off pencil dust and erasers. * Do not use your hands to wipe off your paper or blow to remove dust.
- A Board to place your paper upon. If you are drawing in a sketch pad a board is not necessary.
- A piece of printer paper to cover areas not drawing, for your hand to rest on, to prevent smudging values or pencil lines.
- A “Value Finder”
Making a “Value Finder”
Begin by measuring an inch down from the top of white construction paper (9 by 12) drawing nine squares an inch apart. Use a Sharpie to trace over your lines, using a ruler, prior to beginning your value study. Starting from the left begin the value study with an 8B or 7B (if you don’t have one, leave that square blank and I will provide one in class) then a 6B for the next square and switch to a 3B or 4B shading lighter as you, by the 6th square, switch to a B, HB or F and continue shading. Use a 3 or 4H pencil on square 8 and leave the final square white. Blend each value with a stump, cleaning it between each value with your kneaded eraser to avoid darkening the value your stump. If a value is not lighter than the previous value, don’t erase and start over. Just shape your kneaded eraser and gently brush over the value until it lightens and blend again with a clean stump.
Complete the “Value Finder” numbering 9-1 at the top with a Sharpie. Measure an 1/2 inch down from the value, draw a line and cut your paper. Use a whole puncher at the bottom, of each value, so you can isolate values in the photo. Spray a fixative (aerosol hairspray will also work) to protect your “Value Finder” from blending together. I suggest laminating your “Value Finder” to preserve it for future use. It’s an essential tool to have and can also be used to isolate values in color.
Begin Blocking and Rendering the “Still Life.”
Blocking
Getting the general shape and relative proportions of the essential parts of the picture before beginning to lay in the values and textures and any minor details or the main characteristics of the picture.
Rendering
Drawing in perspective (1,2, etc. point perspective, overlapping, or foreshortening) of the intended form or forms.
Block and Render the “Still Life” using the grid for size and placement of objects. Look at the different shapes, the negative space makes, as a guide to drawing the positive space. Use overlapping for the fruit and 2 point perspective for the wall and table. 1 point starts outside the picture with the vanishing point high on the left side to create lines for the wall and 1 point begins with the vanishing point, a little lower, on the left side for the table.
In “Class 7 – Still Life Drawing – Part 2,” we will begin to identify the various values by Isolating Values on the “Still Life” and begin shading in values.
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