2. Classes I taught at JCC Oceanside, SUNY Farmingdale, QCC,
Bayside, and other.
3. Contour Drawing
The first thing we do when beginning to draw is
contour drawing, which is another name for drawing the
outline. With contour drawing, we are focusing on the edges -
the outside of an object or the line made by a fold or pattern.
The line that goes across an object, hinting at the form, is
called a cross-contour.
Things to remember:
1. draw slowly and deliberately NOT sketchy
2. contour line drawings are made up of only lines, NO
shading
3. lines should follow the contours of your still life object(s)
4. For added interest you can modify the thickness of the line
- darker lines for major lines, lighter lines for soft implied
edges
5. For an extra challenge use a fine tip marker instead of a
pencil
Contour drawing is a great way to practice and improve your
drawing technique whether you are a beginner or already a
skilled artist
http://www.learn-to-draw-lessons.com/line-art-drawings.html
4. Gesture Drawing
Gesture drawing explores the form and movement of an
object in space, as your eye follows its shape. Often it may
look quite realistic, but more often gesture drawings will
have just a sense of the overall form. Gesture drawing isn't
an outline, nor is it an abstract drawing. It might not
always look realistic though, because it isn't trying to
represent the figure in a photographic way, but to suggest
the essential feeling of the subject.
When creating a gesture drawing, according to Kimon
Nicolaides in 'The Natural Way to Draw', "you should
draw, not what the thing looks like, but what it is doing.
You need to 'sense' the thing that you are drawing. Is it
fluid and soft, or spiky and hard? Is it coiled like a spring,
or off-center and asymetric, or is it solid and balanced?
By nature gesture drawing tends to be done rapidly. Loose,
often circular marks capture the flow of forms. Look at the
whole object and notice points of tension, direction of
weight or pressure, spaces, protrusions into space.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrGnMar2pAI
5. Life Drawing
Figure drawing is an exercise in drawing the human body
in its various shapes and positions. "Life drawing" is the
process of drawing the human figure from observation of a
live model. Figure drawing is arguably the most difficult
subject an artist commonly encounters, and entire classes
are dedicated to the subject.
The human figure is one of the most enduring themes in
the visual arts, and figure drawing can be applied to
portraiture, cartooning and comic book illustration,
sculpture, medical illustration, and other fields that use
depictions of the human form. Figure drawing can be done
very simply, as in gesture drawing, or in greater detail,
using charcoal, pencil or other drawing tools. If pigment is
used, the process may be called figure painting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USRnoqn6TmY&feature=channel
6. Color Pencils
As children we drew and colored with confidence and joy.
As adults our artistic desire is to return to those times of
certainty and pleasure.
Many have chosen the colored pencils as the means of
expression.
Colored pencils have been traditionally considered the
medium of children only.
The beauty of colored pencils is that it takes so little to get
started. All you need is pencils and paper. No need of large
space, there is no health hazards involved, and no cleanup
and they are very affordable.
Artists can work from life, from photography or from
memory.
They can use tracing paper, light boxes, or the grid to
enlarge or make smaller.
The more accomplished artists of any age can draw free
hand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE6820o1Isc&feature=related
7. Pastel
Soft pastels are probably the most popular of the various
pastel mediums. Artists love the soft texture and the ability
to paint on the colors which allows more freedom and
usage of various techniques. Soft pastels can cover large
areas and are well suited for blending. By varying the
pressure, soft pastels can be applied in very light layers or
impastos.
Because soft pastels are so delicate they can break easily so
proper storage is important. Do not toss your soft pastels in
a loose box or drawer. They must be stored in a cushioned
box or tray for protection.
With excessive use, your pastels will become dirty by
picking up other colors. This will eventually make it
difficult to recognize your colors. You should get used to
keeping your pastels clean by wiping them with a tissue
every now and again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgpBSbrqwWg&feature=related
8. Watercolors
Delicate and subtle, watercolors have been a favorite among both plein
aire and studio artists for centuries. The gum arabic binder of watercolor
paints allows them to be rewetted time and again, and they make for fine
and vibrant strokes both detailed and expressive. Watercolors can be lifted
and manipulated, allowed to flow and spread, or used dry-brush for detail.
Perfect for outdoor sketches as well as extended studio sessions,
watercolors are versatile and adaptable to any subject matter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vFlyJ_xa9w
9. Acrylics
Acrylic paint is the artistic medium of our age. It is based
on a synthetic polymer resin, acrylics were developed for
painting in late 1949s.
Acrylics are versatile and permanent.
They can be worked transparently or opaquely. They can
be painted on any non grease surface including murals.
If applied thickly – either straight from the tube or with
very little water added – or if mixed with a little white, all
acrylic colours can be opaque. If diluted, they can be used
like watercolours or for airbrushing.
If you want transparent glazes, these should be built up in
thin layers; a heavy layer will produce a glossy surface.
Masking fluid can be used with acrylics washes, as well as
watercolours. Once masking fluid has dried in a brush, it's
nearly impossible to remove. Dipping a brush into some
washing-up liquid first makes it easier to wash masking
fluid out of a brush.
Because acrylics dry rapidly, you need to work fast if you
wish to blend colours. If you're working on paper,
dampening the paper will increase your working time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIB1Rddh2p8&feature=related
10. Oils
Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that are bound
with a medium of drying oil — especially in early modern Europe,
linseed oil. Often an oil such as linseed was boiled with a resin such as
pine resin or even frankincense; these were called 'varnishes' and were
prized for their body and gloss. Other oils occasionally used include
poppyseed oil, walnut oil, and safflower oil. These oils confer various
properties to the oil paint, such as less yellowing or different drying
times. Certain differences are also visible in the sheen of the paints
depending on the oil. Painters often use different oils in the same
painting depending on specific pigments and effects desired. The paints
themselves also develop a particular consistency depending on the
medium.
Although oil paint was first used in western Afghanistan sometime
between the fifth and ninth centuries, it did not gain popularity until
the 15th century. Its practice may have migrated westward during the
Middle Ages. Oil paint eventually became the principal medium used
for creating artworks as its advantages became widely known. The
transition began with Early Netherlandish painting in northern
Europe, and by the height of the Renaissance oil painting techniques
had almost completely replaced tempera paints in the majority of
Europe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jRRHlhWmcI&feature=related
11. Sculpture
Terracotta, "baked earth," was used in cultures that predate history.
Unity in the Greek statuette of Nike from late 5th century B.C.
expresses the classical idea of purity. Terracotta rose to a golden
distinction during the Renaissance. Man was freed from the burden of
a supreme hierarchical order. In clay, the artists recognized the new
place of a citizen in a sculptural form that could be seen by all. With a
belief in humanism, artists replaced the duty that held form rigid with a
beauty that made sculpture generous. After Michelangelo Bounarroti
gained attention by working in clay as a pupil in Bertold's school, he
demonstrated a devotion to the true human subject. Works by Luca
della Robbia affirmed the naturalism and a new charm. His painted
terracotta sculptures had a prevailing brilliance in character and colors
with a permanent freshness. Neoclassical and Enlightenment
At the end of the 18th century, the order of civilization again captured
the artist's attention. At the same time, a sculptor was enlightened by
reason on the importance of self. Perfection in an ideal observance of
authority was balanced with a regard for the nobility of a prominent
citizen. Antonio Canova created the definitive elegant forms that
flourished when viewed.
Read more: The History of Clay Sculpture | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/about_5388124_history-clay-
sculpture.html#ixzz0yG89X06u
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D75VEJyjxg&feature=related
Return to Home Page
