Category: Charcoal

A Few Practice Drawings

I took a picture of a floral pitcher that I had sitting on my mantle.  It was the shape of the pitcher more than the floral design on it that spoke to me and said “draw me”.  Well, the floral design was keeping me from drawing the darker tones of the pitcher correctly.  So I squinted.  Oh, there’s a shadow on the handle.  You get the picture.

Here’s my graphite interpretation:

art_pitcher_graphite_8723

Then I decided that I needed a charcoal version of the pitcher.  I squinted some more and produced this:

art_pitcher_charcoal_8642

I left the charcoal lines in this drawing to show the contrast better.  Otherwise, I would have smeared it to soften between the light and dark areas.

Before I decided to take a class this year, I was making a few attempts at drawing.  Here’s a barrel done in graphite:

art_barrel_graphite

I have always been fascinated with pictures of glassware.  I never thought I would venture into drawing it.  I studied a few pictures I took over the years and figured it could not be too hard to draw.  Kind of like draw what you see.  Right?

With that in mind, here’s my rendering from my picture:

art_champagne_glass_pic_graphite_8520

I still need quite a bit of practice with drawing perspectives and mostly with circles and ovals.  The only way to conquer this is to keep drawing and learning.

Papers used:  Canson sketch paper

Day 4: Charcoal Drawing – A Live Model

Our surprise for tonight was drawing a live model. Anna had invited her daughter to sit for us. We were all anxious and for me this was a first time I was drawing a person.

We were at our easels and to get us started and warmed up, Anna had us sketching body forms quickly. Arms posed this way and legs posed that a way.

After much laughter at our rough sketches, we were ready to begin. Anna draped a fabric over her daughter and carefully arranged the folds. We had 1-1/2 hours to produce something. I was amazed at how fearless I was with this project. I have Anna to thank.

Here’s my charcoal drawing:

I was tickled that Anna’s daughter put on her earphones. I thought she was listening to music on her iPhone when in reality she was playing a game. I think I captured the moment.

Paper used:  Strathmore (300 series) drawing paper

My take away from class:  I am fearless when I draw.  It’s becoming second nature for me to draw what I see.

Day 3: Charcoal Drawing – Fabric & Folds

Anna had promised us we would be drawing fabric.  She was not kidding.  She started the class off with warm-up drawing exercises.  We had a 2 minutes to draw each of the four (4) different fabric drapes on her dress form.  Anna draped fabric on the dress form and waited for us to finish our drawing.  She then switched the fabric around and we continued from there.

Here’s my version of the warm-up exercises:

2_art_class_charcoal_drapes_8952

For our still life project, Anna placed a dress on her dress form.  She carefully planned out the folds.  We also worked from standing easels and taped our papers to a backing board.  I rearranged my easel a few times to figure out what was comfortable standing position and composition (view) of the dress form.  See, I am learning.

We picked out our charcoal supplies and brought them back to our easel.  It did not take long for me to start drawing the dress.

I love fashion.  One of my past hobbies used to be sewing.  Not just pillows and sewing hems on my pants, but sewing clothes for myself.  I love the feel of different fabrics (just like I enjoy touching and feeling the different artist papers).  So being able to draw fabric is very close to my heart.

For my next drawing I used vine charcoal to do a rough sketch and outline of the still life.  I then used the compressed charcoal to darken and deepen the folds of the dress and also  to create the ruffles around the neckline.  To get the softer look, I used vine charcoal and the cottony paper towel to soften the look.

2_art_class_charcoal_dress_8943

Anna is really pushing the creative side of my brain.  I am also raising the bar a bit for the class without them knowing it.  I can see the huge improvements from other students  from the beginning of this week’s class to now.

Tomorrow night, we are in for a surprise.  Can’t wait!

Paper used:  Strathmore (300 series) drawing paper

My take away from class:  do loose warm-up drawings and mostly enjoy myself while I draw.

Day 2: Charcoal Drawing & Fearless Drawing

It was the second night of class and once again I was reminded not to bring anything.  All the supplies would be provided.  It did not take long for me to get used to that idea.  Go with the flow.

Before our class started, Anna showed us some some tools and tips she used when working with charcoal.  One was to use a black triangle erase made by Prismacolor Scholar to remove charcoal.  For blending charcoal, she showed us how to use a cottony paper towel to lighten the edges and soften the charcoal.

I learned later while shopping at my local Walmart that Viva makes this wonderful paper towel.  You can get a single roll of it for under $2.  It’s also available at my local grocery store and also at Target.  It’s pricey, but it works brilliantly and it’s use goes a long way.  The biggest plus for me, no more black fingers from blending.  Now…back to the class.

Tonight’s class was a pivotal moment for me.  When I first learned to draw I was horrified with looking at a blank sheet of paper and not knowing where to start.  Tonight, I struggled with choosing an object to draw.  Anna had placed several objects on a table.  She told each student to grab one or more objects for our lesson tonight.  I gravitated to a furry stuffed white bear.  What?  Am I crazy?  The bear was really, really cute.

Tonight we learned to draw just the shadows.  I sat my bear on my table and Anna came by and placed a light over my bear.  I squinted.  Nothing.  I squinted again and a third time for good measure.  Still nothing.  I see cute a white bear.

Anna quickly came by to check on me as she noticed  my hands were not moving across the charcoal paper I selected.  Do we have a problem?  Yes, my bear is too cute.  Hahaha!  Yes, that did the trick to lighten the air a bit.

Anna asked the basic and simple question.  Do you see any shadows at all?  Yes, the darkest one behind the bear.  Good.  What else do you see?  I see lighter shadows on the bear’s belly, etc.  You need to be fearless when you draw.  Oh.  That’s what I needed to hear.

I present to you my white bear charcoal drawing:

2_art_class_charcoal_still_life_8934

Cute, huh?  I used vine and compressed charcoal.  A little more compressed charcoal this time.  Anna kept reminding me to do less with vine and more with compressed.

Once I get started with a drawing and my brain gets into creative mode, it does not take long for me to finish.  I completed my bear drawing in record time.  Anna stopped by to see the my results and appeared to be happy with my work.

I think you are ready for the next still life.  What?  I have one for you to try.  So Anna grabbed several objects and placed them on my table.  She then moved them around and started to remove a few items.  Here you go.  Remember, you need to be fearless.  Off she went to help another student.

I made several attempts (false starts I called them) and erased them and then finally started to draw.

It was a matter of creating the darkest shadows (shapes) first and then going back and drawing in the lighter shadows and shapes.  Here’s the results of my next drawing:

2_art_class_charcoal_still_life_8935

For those of you wondering, it’s a tin cup with cherries spilling out.

I realized afterwards that I was so focused on drawing the object (roundness of tip cup) that it became difficult for me get the right size and perspective.  Hence the false starts.  I changed my focus and started to look for the darkest shadows and then the lighter shadows.  Once I accomplished that, the still life objects started to take life and shapes started to appear.

What a fantastic learning experience I had that night.  I was fearless!

Anna…thank you!

Paper used:  Bear artwork on Strathmore charcoal paper.  Tin cup artwork on Strathmore drawing paper.

My take away from class:  be fearless in drawing.  Squinting.  Dark values.

Day 1: Charcoal Drawing – Still Life

After our quick warm-up sketches, we were ready to draw from still life objects.  I chose a table with bottles.  Anna had some paper choices available.  I selected a piece of charcoal paper.  It had an interesting texture or tooth to it.

Here’s my drawing from class:

2_art_class_charcoal_still_life_8917

Can you see the paper’s texture or tooth in my drawing?  Look at the bottles and the lines.  In this drawing, I used a combination of vine and compressed charcoal.  I used my finger and blended areas to give a softer look.  The vine charcoal does a better job at blending.  I need to figure out how to blend the compressed charcoal better.  For now, this new art medium is a work in progress.

I have to say that I had a fun first night in class.  It was quite messy, but I learned a new technique in charcoal drawing.  Looking forward to what tomorrow night will bring.

Paper used:  Strathmore (300 series) Charcoal paper (laid)

My take away from class:  to be bold with charcoal and to use compressed charcoal more.

Day 1: Charcoal Drawing – Intro & Warm Up

After dabbling with charcoal in my Drawing Explorations class, I decided to sign up for the Charcoal Drawing class held at the same local art center.  I liked how drawing with charcoal created some of the boldest and darkest lines/shapes I have ever created.  I also was intrigued by how quickly I could cover my drawing paper and created something that was not perfect, but art.  I know that sounds weird, but I tend to draw realistic versus abstract.  As in “what I see” is “what I want to draw”.  Realistically.

I’ve spent many years taking pictures and I have thousands of images.  My goal has been to make drawings from my pictures.  First, I do not have to worry about copyright issues.  The images are mine.  Second, I wanted to try different art mediums.  I tried on my own, but found I had basic skills and wanted to learn more and push myself.  This is where taking art classes come into play.

I was excited about taking this class.  Every night for a week, I would be drawing for a few hours a night.  How cool is that?

I was introduced to Anna, a charcoal artist.  I did not realize until the second night, that this was her first time teaching.  More on that later.

Anna had us do warm up drawing exercises.  We all sat around a table.  Anna had placed an apple in the center of the table.  She gave us instructions on how to draw and then gave us 60 seconds to draw the apple.  After each warm-up exercise, Anna would change the lighting on the apple.  Three warm up exercises later, we had three apples drawn.

2_art_class_charcoal_apple_warmup_F2605

We learned to initially draw what we saw.  We then learned to draw shapes based on dark values.  Next we drew just the dark shadows around the apple and the shadows on the apple itself.  Tonight was the night to learn many charcoal drawing techniques.

The last technique we learned was Subtractive drawing.  Basically, I covered my drawing paper with compressed charcoal.  Yes.  I took the flat side of my charcoal and just went back and forth across the paper.  After I had drawn a huge black rectangle, Anna gave me an eraser and told me to draw the apple that was used as a still life display on the table.

I looked at her for help.  She quickly demonstrated on a scrap of paper.  Once I saw what she was creating with an eraser, I set about to do the same on my own paper.  Here’s the end results:

2_art_class_charcoal_technique_8911

I took my black Scholar triangular shaped eraser and started erasing edges to create the shape of the apple.  I then created the highlights I saw from the still life by erasing inside the apple.  My drawing still looked a bit flat.  I erased an edge at the bottom of the apple to create a shadow are where the apple was sitting on.  I also took the flat side of my eraser and started to erase from edge of the apple to the edge of my paper.

Practicing for the Charcoal Class

I am anxious for my next class to start.  We will be using a variety of charcoal that will be supplied in class.  So, I do not have to worry about what to bring with me.  Paper will also be provided.

Practicing is always a good thing for me.  I learn about the drawing qualities of the medium, how it behaves on paper, how light or dark, and how fine or broad are the lines/strokes.

Here’s a quick sketch of a place setting from a picture I took at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyard:

art_still_life_charcoal_8875

I just realized I should post my photograph as well so you can see how well I’m drawing.  Good or bad.  I will be back with a picture.

Day 3: Drawing Explorations – Charcoal on Toned Paper

For tonight’s class, Emily told us to bring in Toned paper, charcoal, and white chalk.  Emily placed several fruits and veggies on the table and since I was early to class I had a choice of seats.

I started to draw the outlines in vine charcoal.  Emily suggested I leave as much of the toned paper exposed and just fill in the shadows and highlights I saw.  Easily said than done.  I struggled with coloring/filling in all the objects with charcoal.  I squinted at my objects and decided to draw in the highlights first with white chalk.  Then I squinted some more and started to draw in the shading and shadows with the charcoal.  After 30 minutes, I started to see my creations take shape.

Here’s the end results:

1_art_class_charcoal_still_life_8659

I decided to make my own homework in between my weekly classes.  I took a picture of this still life from class.  I plan on reproducing additional drawings in different mediums.  Practice, practice, and more practice.  Look.  Squint.  Draw.  Simple enough….

Paper used:  Strathmore (400 series) Toned paper (brown)

My take away from class:  not to think too much and just draw what I see.

Day 2: Drawing Explorations – Charcoal

Our instructor, Emily, mentioned that we would be using charcoal for our next class.  Vine and compressed charcoal to be exact.  There were several tables setup with various bottles, mugs, and other objects.  I chose to sit at a table with some difficult objects.  I like to be challenged.

I definitely had the challenge of drawing curves as in the following bottles:

1_art_class_charcoal_8577

I was drawing on my 18″x24″ drawing pad (Canson) and enjoy covering a large piece of paper.  No more 8″x10″ paper and small drawings.  I’m going big.  At least a minimum of 11″x14″.

I enjoy using vine charcoal for sketching the outline of my drawing.  I also like that I can easily erase it.  It also blends nicely on the paper.  I used the compressed charcoal to fill in the shadows and shading of the bottles.  I find it harder to blend versus the vine charcoal.

See all the marks on my paper?  Charcoal smears too easily and gets on my hands and fingers.

I had fun experimenting with charcoal.  It might actually be a favorite media of mine.

Take away from class:  need to work on light and dark values.