Drawing media
I found a fibre tipped pen really difficult really difficult in the first exercise, but drawing a single continuous line requires confidence that I lack. Warming up helped immensely.
A dip pen was a revelation. I have previously thought these fiddly and over-precise, but I managed a more fluid line here. Not great for tone but beautiful for line. Good combined with a wash or other tone.
Pencil is versatile and has a great variety of tone and mark. Easy to over work.
Marks for tone, pattern texture:
Scribbly marks are great
I’m getting better at hatching – very effective, particularly in different colours, careful not to full grain of paper
Rhythmic marks add interest
It’s really enjoyable to spend the time immersed in an object so that I really understand it but then I have to work hard to retain spontaneity
A line drawing is very helpful for quick exploration of shapes and the dynamics of a composition. Good for getting your eye in.
I enjoy more impressionistic representations but a rigorous detailed drawing is a great exercise as part of a plan of attack on a subject. Think military…a project needs a plan of campaign, strategy and tactics, and ideally a camp follower to do the shopping and feed you!
Starrybird - OCA Drawing 1 