The first session will be here on Monday 7th September at 6PM UK time (1PM Eastern, 10AM Pacific).
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Topic: Simplifying Form in the Initial Drawing
In this session we’ll be going through two different approaches to simplifying those complex flower shapes down to their basic forms, and drawing them out. We’ll do both approaches from the same reference photo, so you can see how they differ.
Approach One: Straight Line Block-in
This is a really effective way to organise the flower shapes right from the start.
We’ll begin by marking out the overall shape in two dimensions, then dive immediately into drawing the form in three dimensions. This is really all about how we think about what we’re drawing.
Here is the photo reference we’ll be using for both versions of this exercise.
Right-click or for mac, CMD-click this photo and save it. I’d recommend owrking on a screen, but you can also printi it out – it will print out at 10 x 8 inches if you print it out actual size.
Here also is the same photo with a grid. We’ll be using a grid to help us with the positioning of the drawing in the session, but you can try to eyeball the whole thing if you like!
What will I need?
All you really need for this one is something to draw on and something to draw with. It’s the thinking that matters more than the materials.
You can do it with paper and charcoal. However, I’d recommend you do it with paint on a panel with a couch on it, since that’s how we’ll be proceeding later in the workshop. You can always wipe down and reuse the panel afterwards.
If you’re doing it with paint you’ll need the following:
- A painting surface about 10 x 8 inches
- Linseed oil or gamsol (or similar) to lay down a couch (a couch is just a thin layer of medium to paint into)
- Brushes
- A larger brush (1/2 inch to 1 inch hog bristle is good) for laying on the couch and toning the surface
- A flat brush – half inch or smaller, for drawing out with
- If you want, a ruler to grid out your panel
- Tube paints: Ivory black, Raw umber and Titanium white
- Palette
- Kitchen roll or similar – just something to wipe off the panel and your brush with
Approach Two: “Wipe Out” Value Block-in
This is a very effective but more demanding approach, requiring us to think about drawing accuracy, form and light and shadow all at the same time.
After toning the panel, we’ll wipe out just the highlights and give some suggestion of edge handling and half tones.
This approach can give amazing results, being almost a full form drawing right at the start if done carefuly. But a word of warning : You do need to be able to “eye ball” reasonably accurately or you can end up with some major drawing mistakes that you have to fix later. It’s happened to me many times!
What will I need?
- A painting surface about 10 x 8 inches
- Linseed oil or gamsol to lay down a couch (a couch is just a thin layer of medium to paint into)
- A flat brush – half inch or smaller
- If you want, a ruler to grid out your panel
- Tube paints: Ivory black, Raw umber and Titanium white
- Palette
- Kitchen roll or similar – just something to wipe off your brush with