Author: dastakhov

Sharpening Your Pencil for Success: A Guide for Students and Beginners

When it comes to drawing, especially in the traditional sense, the seemingly simple act of sharpening a pencil can have a profound impact on your work. A properly sharpened pencil is a properly prepared tool for a successful drawing. The right sharpening technique can transform your drawing experience, offering precision, control, and the ability to explore a range of textures and shades. Here’s a comprehensive guide tailored for students and beginners to help you sharpen your pencil for successful drawing.

Understanding Pencil Types

Before diving into sharpening techniques, it’s crucial to understand the types of pencils available to you. Artist-grade graphite pencils have a wide range of values and are labeled with letters “H” for hardness, or “B” for softness. The harder pencils (H series) are great for fine lines and details, while softer pencils (B series) are ideal for dark, rich shadows. Just remember, the harder the lead, the lighter the line and the softer the lead, the darker the line would appear on the paper.

Graphite Pencils: The Hardness and Softness Spectrum

Graphite pencils are designated with an ‘H’ for hardness and a ‘B’ for blackness (or softness), with ‘F’ (fine point) and ‘HB’ sitting in the middle of the scale as a balance between hard and soft. The ‘H’ series pencils, ranging from H to 9H, gradually increase in hardness. These pencils are characterized by their light touch and are superb for creating precise, fine lines that are essential for detailed work, technical drawings, and light shading. Their hard leads produce less smudging, making them ideal for clean, crisp lines.

On the other end of the spectrum, the ‘B’ series pencils, from B to 9B, progressively become softer and darker. These pencils are capable of producing rich, deep shadows and are perfect for adding texture, depth, and intensity to your drawings. Their softer leads allow for smoother shading and blending, making them essential for artists looking to explore dynamic ranges of tones and contrasts.

Sharpening a pencil with a knife versus using a standard handheld sharpener offers several distinct advantages, particularly for artists and those who require precise control over their drawing tools. Each method has its place, but the knife sharpening technique is celebrated for the level of customization and finesse it brings to pencil preparation. Here are some of the key advantages:

1. Customized Tip Shape: A knife provides precision in sculpting the pencil to desired shapes and lengths, enabling tailored tip configurations for specific drawing needs. This method also allows for a longer taper, improving line thickness variety and drawing visibility.
2. Pencil Longevity: Economical wood removal preserves more of the pencil, extending its usability and offering a sustainable option.
3. Versatility: Knife-sharpening enables the creation of varied tip shapes for diverse textures, shades, and line types, essential for complex compositions.
4. Reduced Breakage: Gentle handling minimizes the risk of pencil breakage, a common issue with softer pencils in mechanical sharpeners.
5. Mindfulness and Preparation: The manual sharpening process can be a meditative ritual, fostering a focused and intentional mindset before starting artwork.

The tools you’ll need:

The right tools can make all the difference.

• Knife or Blade: Using a knife or a specially designed artist’s blade allows for more control over the shape and length of the pencil tip. This method is preferred for achieving a longer, tapered point that exposes more of the pencil core.
• Sandpaper Pad: After shaping your pencil with a knife or sharpener, a sandpaper pad can be used to fine-tune the point to perfection.

The Sharpening Process

Sharpening with a Knife

1. Safety First: Always cut away from your body. Hold the pencil firmly in one hand and the knife in the other.
2. Expose the Core: Gently shave the wood around the pencil core, rotating the pencil to create an even taper. Expose enough of the core to suit your drawing needs (typically around 1/4 to 1/2 inch).
3. Create the Point: Once the core is exposed, use the knife or a sandpaper pad to shape the tip to your desired sharpness.

Tips for Success

• Regular Maintenance: Keep your tools sharp and clean. A dull blade can damage your pencils and affect the quality of your lines.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Experiment with different sharpening techniques and pencil angles to discover what works best for you and your style.
• Mind the Mess: Always sharpen your pencils over a trash bin or a sheet of paper to collect the shavings and keep your workspace clean.
• Explore: Don’t be afraid to try different pencil types and sharpening methods to see how they affect your drawing.

Sharpening your pencil correctly is a foundational skill that will enhance your drawing experience. It’s not just about making a point; it’s about preparing your tool to best express your vision on paper. As you practice and become more comfortable with these techniques, you’ll find that the quality of your drawings will start to improve, reflecting the care and precision you’ve put into every aspect of your work.

Considerations

While the advantages are clear, it’s important to note that knife sharpening requires practice to master and is not without risks, particularly concerning safety. Using a sharp blade demands attention and care to avoid injury. Additionally, this method may not be as convenient or fast as using a handheld sharpener, particularly for those in a classroom setting or for artists who prefer not to carry blades.

In conclusion, sharpening a pencil with a knife offers a level of customization, precision, and versatility that is unparalleled by standard handheld sharpeners. It appeals especially to artists and professionals who value the quality and specificity of their tools. As with any skill, it becomes more intuitive and effective with practice, making it a worthwhile technique to explore for anyone serious about drawing.

Happy drawing!

Introduction:

Contour drawing is one of the fundamental approaches to understanding and capturing the visual world around you into outlines. The ability to translate the observable world around you into an outline will enhance your understanding of form and space, transcending mere representation to capture the essence of the subject. Contour, is one of the seven functions of line, as offered in his definition by a profound American Illustrator, Andrew Loomis. It is not simply an outline, but a way to visually communicate what you see int a three-dimensional world, onto a two dimensional surface.

Defining Contour Drawing:

Contour drawing focuses on rendering a subject entirely through its outlines, capturing its form and shapes without incorporating any shading, texture, or tone. It is a type of discipline, an approach that challenges students, and professional artists alike, to focus on the subject at hand, analyzing its form, volume, and space it occupies. It encourages a deeper engagement with the visual world.

Exercises to Sharpen Your Skills:

There are three exercises one can do to enhance and elevate one’s drawing abilities.

• Blind Contour Drawing: Deepen your observational skills by drawing without looking at the paper, a practice that heightens sensitivity to the subject’s form.
• Modified Contour Drawing: Introduce brief glances at your work to maintain connection with the paper while still focusing on the subject’s outline.
• Continuous Line Drawing: Refine your hand-eye coordination by capturing the subject in a single, unbroken line, a method that fosters a more intuitive drawing process.

Tips for Masterful Contour Drawings:

Enhance your technique with these tips:

• Edge Emphasis: Focus on the edges: Pay close attention to the contours and edges of the subject.
• Draw slowly: Take your time to carefully observe and capture the details of the subject’s form.
• The Unbroken Line: Aim to draw the entire subject without lifting your drawing tool from the paper, maintaining a continuous line.
• Practice regularly: Set aside time for regular drawing sessions to refine your technique.
• Diverse Subjects: Broaden your artistic horizons by applying contour drawing to a variety of subjects, enriching your portfolio with a range of forms and figures.

Crafting Your Contour Drawing:

Begin your contour drawing with these steps:

1. Select a subject to draw.
2. Set up your drawing materials, such as paper and a drawing tool.
3. Take a moment to observe the subject and understand its form and shapes within the form.
4. Start drawing the outlines of the subject, following its contours closely and using a continuous line.
5. Resist the temptation to add detail, allowing the contour to express the subject’s form and character.

Benefits of Contour Drawing:

Contour drawing offers numerous benefits to artists, including:

• Sharpened Observational Skills: Develop an eye for detail and form.
• Enhanced Coordination: Develop a seamless harmony between eye and hand coordination.
• Simplification of Form: Learn to see and capture the essence of complex subjects.
• Increased Focus: Develop a disciple to stay focused on the subject and not rush through the drawing.

Planning Compositions with Contour Drawing:

Contour drawing can serve as a valuable tool for planning compositions in more detailed artworks. By outlining the main shapes and forms, artists can establish the overall structure and balance of the artwork before adding further details.

Examples of Contour Drawings:
Explore other artists drawings either by visiting a museum, a gallery or by finding examples on the Internet. Try to study different types and styles of contour drawing, from simple, minimalist line drawings to more complex and detailed renderings. Each artist and their unique piece is a testament to the artist’s skill and vision.

Beyond the Basics: Exploring Contour Drawing’s Variations:

In addition to traditional contour drawing, artists can explore variations and extensions of this technique, such as cross-contour drawing, gesture drawing, and contour hatching, each offering unique approaches to capturing form and texture.

Essential Tools for Contour Drawing:

While the essence of contour drawing lies in its simplicity, the choice of tools—be it pencil, pen, charcoal, or marker—can greatly influence the outcome. Experiment with different mediums to discover the textures and lines that best express your artistic voice.

Conclusion:

By continued and persistent practice, you will achieve desirable results in your drawings. By mastering contour drawing you will also explore opportunities for artistic expression and growth. By incorporating exercises, tips, and techniques into your practice routine, you can develop your skills and unlock your creative potential. What are you waiting for? Grab a pencil, some paper and begin drawing!

Here, I present a “forgotten” technique that was popular in the late nineteenth century in academic training. The technique, or rather, training course, was designed by Charles Bargue, a French painter and lithographer (c. 1826/1827 – April 6, 1883). He is notably known for creating a course that would train artists in the traditional, classical atelier style of drawing. 

It is a common practice in traditional drawing and painting training to copy master drawings. This is meant to give students an understanding of drawing, technique, composition, and aesthetics. During the 20th century, this practice was looked down upon, because it seemed rigid and did not allow students to develop their own styles. However, nothing can be further from the truth. When interest in traditional drawing techniques returned and became more mainstream in artistic circles, people began revising the “forgotten” techniques. The reason I say “forgotten” in parenthesis, is because in some art schools throughout the world, these practices were kept and students, who dedicated themselves to this training have proven to gain a lot of experience and learn. Copying a drawing, or plates, doesn’t mean that you will be locked into a particular style or a way of doing drawing. Instead, you will gain techniques and insight into drawing that will be incorporated into your own, individual style. 

This is not a required assignment but is highly encouraged. 

Here’s the Charles Bargue plates pdf. 

Here’s a good video explaining how to use this technique. 

In the final weeks of the class, we will be focusing on portraiture.

Portrait drawing, for a beginner, can seem like a difficult task. However, there are tools used by artists that will help you achieve the structure and likeness of any face you are drawing. Although there are similarities in faces and a drawing can begin with a genetic layout, each individual face is different. It is the subtleties and differences that make us individuals. Observing and studying this individuality and translating it to your own drawing will give your portraits not only the likeness, but also character and life. Just like with any other drawing from life, you must pay close attention to the model. Do not draw what you “think” is there, but let the model “tell” you what is there. Here are the questions you should be asking yourself while observing a model: What is the overall shape of the head? How high is it compared to how wide? Is the model looking directly at you (the viewer), or is the head turned away? Where is the vertical line and the horizontal line?

Start all of your drawings with large, loose shapes and then move to the next largest shapes. You have to go from large to small, from general to specific. If you draw an eye, and it is the most accurate eye but doesn’t fit with the rest of the face, then your portrait will be out of proportion.

I am providing a pdf excerpt of pages from a book by Andrew Loomis on how to draw head and hands. One of the most useful tools is understanding the construction of the head. There are different methods, but Loomis’s approach has been, perhaps, the most useful and successful. A lot of artists including animators and illustrators, rely on Loomis’s approach to head construction. The reason for that being is that his approach allows for head invention. If you are an animator or an illustrator this can be very useful in creating characters from your imagination. For the next few weeks, we will be studying this approach and applying it to drawing from observation.