Hello again! Welcome to [f2]Lesson Four[]!
Now that we've looked at the basic tools of Art Academy...
...it's time to start exploring [f2]pencil techniques[] in more detail.
We're going to look some more at how [f2]light and shade[] create a sense of [f2]form and depth[].
[a4]There is a word in Italian that describes the contrast of light and dark in art...
...[f2]chiaroscuro[].
An understanding of chiaroscuro will help us to [f2]model[] three-dimensional forms.
The human figure is ideal for this, but a little challenging for an early lesson...
...so why don't we try an introduction to [f2]still life drawing[]?
[a7]This [f2]pear[] will make a good subject. Its [f2]rounded shape[] is ideal.
Stage 1 of 6 - Draw Outline
In [f2]Stage One[], we're going to draw an outline to establish the pear's shape and position.
For this pencil study, we're going to [f2]ignore the colour[] of our subject...
...and see it only as simple areas of [f2]light[] and [f2]shade[].
[a4]Also, since we're going to be drawing from life for the first time...
...it's time to introduce one of Art Academy's most useful features!
The [f2]grid tool[] is based on a device used by the German artist [f2]Albrecht Dürer[].
The first grids were made from a simple [f2]wooden frame[] with [f2]string[] stretched across.
The artist would place the grid in front of his subject...
...and [f2]transcribe[] what he saw to a grid he had drawn on his canvas.
The grid tool is ideal for making sure everything goes in the right place.
[a7]Right then! Let's pop the grid up now and pick a [f2]2H pencil[] to start us off.
Stage 1 of 6: Draw Outline
[f1]Stage 1, Step 1[][b1][i1]Select the [f2]point[] of the [f2]2H pencil[] and put the [f2]grid[] up.[]
Okay? There's just one more thing I want to mention before we start drawing.
Now that we are drawing from life, you will have [f2]two pictures[] to refer to...
...the [f2]source photograph[] and [f2]my drawing[] of it.
You can use whichever you like and switch between them when you want to.
You use the [f2]top-screen icon[] for that. Here it is.
Use the top-screen icon to change the [f2]picture[] on the top screen...
...between [f2]my drawing[], [f2]your drawing[] and the [f2]subject photograph[].
The [f2]A Button[] or the [f2]B Button[] can also be used for this.
At first, you may often find it easiest to copy the marks I've made. That's fine!
As you gain confidence, you will find that you work from the [f2]real thing[] more and more.
I'm going to start off by [f2]sketching an outline[].
The most important thing is to get the [f2]position[] and [f2]proportions[] right.
Now it's your turn. Remember you can try out that [f2]top-screen icon[]!
Stage 1 of 6: Draw Outline
[f1]Stage 1, Step 2[][b1][i1]Use the [f2]grid[] to help you [f2]draw the outline[] of the pear and its shadow.[][b1][i1]This is a good chance to try out the [f2]top-screen icon[] as well.[][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]2H pencil[], [f2]point[].[]
[a8]Great! We now have a foundation for the rest of the drawing.
Stage 2 of 6 - Shading
In [f2]Stage Two[], we're going to start adding a little shading.
[a4]Working in light and shade is sometimes called [f2]value drawing[].
[f2]Line drawing[] is also a valid approach, especially for quick studies...
...but objects don't have lines around their edges in the real world!
The strength of value drawing lies in creating an impression of [f2]form[] and [f2]volume[].
To achieve this effect with the pear, I want to start with broad, soft marks.
[a7]We'll need the [f2]flat[] of the [f2]2H pencil[] for this.
Stage 2 of 6: Shading
[f1]Stage 2, Step 1[][b1][i1]Select a [f2]2H pencil[] and the [f2]flat[] option. This will give you a broad mark for shading.[]
Because the pear's skin is uneven, the light is [f2]dappled[] across it.
A smooth surface, like an egg's, would give a much cleaner, circular highlight.
As I work, I'm going to leave [f2]sections of white[] where the highlight is strongest.
Don't worry if you go over the outline. You can always correct it with the eraser later.
We need a [f2]broad base layer[] of light shading that we can darken in the next stages.
Stage 2 of 6: Shading
[f1]Stage 2, Step 2[][b1][i1]Put a broad base [f2]layer of shading[] on the pear.[][b1][i1]Don't forget the [f2]shadow[]![][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]2H pencil[], [f2]flat[].[]
[a8]Great! The pear is starting to look a little more solid now.
Stage 3 of 6 - Cross-hatching
In [f2]Stage Three[], we're going to try a technique called cross-hatching.
I think everything's in the right place now, so I'm going to remove the grid tool.
However, if you feel you still want to use it, that's fine.
We can also switch to an [f2]HB pencil[]. It's slightly softer and will give a [f2]darker line[].
Stage 3 of 6: Cross-hatching
[f1]Stage 3, Step 1[][b1][i1]Switch to the [f2]point[] of the [f2]HB pencil[].[][b1][i1]You may like to turn the [f2]grid[] off at this point.[]
I'm going to work up the side of the pear that's facing [f2]away from the light[].
[a4]It's similar to the way we worked with the [f2]apple[] in Lesson One.
If it's hard to see the highlights, try [f2]scrunching your eyes up[].
It will [f2]blur out the detail[] and help you concentrate on broader shade areas.
[a7]Let's start with the [f2]shadow[], paying careful attention to the pear's outline.
Did you notice how I [f2]varied the direction[] of my marks? The lines intersect each other.
[a4]This is known as [f2]cross-hatching[]. It adds texture and volume to a shaded surface.
If you [f2]follow the curves[] of the pear's surface with your hatching strokes...
...they will give a powerful sense of the pear's form.
Another technique I have used is known as [f2]weighted line[].
As you work over the outline, try to [f2]vary the thickness[] and strength of the marks.
Think about using a [f2]thick line[] for [f2]shadowy edges[] and a [f2]thinner line[] for [f2]lighter ones[].
[a7]That's it. Do you feel ready to give it a try now?
Stage 3 of 6: Cross-hatching
[f1]Stage 3, Step 2[][b1][i1]Define areas of shade using [f2]cross-hatching[] and [f2]weighted line[].[][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]HB pencil[], [f2]point[].[]
[a8]Great! We've used weighted line and cross-hatching to add texture and volume.
Stage 4 of 6 - Darker Shading
In [f2]Stage Four[], we'll use the flat of the pencil to deepen the shading on the pear.
We'll stick with the [f2]HB pencil[] for this.
Stage 4 of 6: Darker Shading
[f1]Stage 4, Step 1[][b1][i1]Keep the [f2]HB pencil[], but switch to the [f2]flat[] for some more shading.[]
Now to [f2]blend in[] some of these harsher strokes.
We should use the pencil [f2]quite sparingly[], so as not to cover up the hatching.
It's not important to stay perfectly within the lines at this stage.
Stage 4 of 6: Darker Shading
[f1]Stage 4, Step 2[][b1][i1]Add [f2]darker shading[] and [f2]blend in[] some of the harsh strokes.[][b1][i1]Take care not to cover up all of the hatching.[][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]HB pencil[], [f2]flat[].[]
[a8]We've finished the second layer of shading now.
Stage 5 of 6 - Darkest Tones
In [f2]Stage Five[], it's time for the last shading layer, to deepen the darkest tones.
We should pick the [f2]2B pencil[], the softest in our set.
It is best to use the [f2]point[] for this. This will help to get things really dark.
Stage 5 of 6: Darkest Tones
[f1]Stage 5, Step 1[][b1][i1]Find a [f2]2B pencil[] and make sure it's sharpened to a [f2]point[].[]
Using the [f2]point[] of the pencil here will help to create some [f2]extra texture[].
A few dark lines can really make a drawing [f2]leap out[] of the page.
You have to be quite [f2]sparing[], though, or the impact will be reduced.
Stage 5 of 6: Darkest Tones
[f1]Stage 5, Step 2[][b1][i1]Carefully emphasise the [f2]darkest areas[] of your drawing.[][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]2B pencil[], [f2]point[].[]
[a8]We've just used the softest pencil to bring out the darkest tones.
Stage 6 of 6 - Highlights
In [f2]Stage Six[], we'll clean up our outlines and add highlights with the eraser.
The eraser is not just for corrections. It can be a great [f2]mark-making tool[].
I'll use the [f2]flat[] for this step, but you may find the edge gives finer control. It's up to you.
Stage 6 of 6: Highlights
[f1]Stage 6, Step 1[][b1][i1]Select the [f2]eraser[] and decide whether you want to use the [f2]edge[] or [f2]flat[].[]
Now I'm going to [f2]tidy up the edges[] where I went over the lines.
I'll also [f2]improve the highlight[] where the light is reflecting off the pear towards us.
There we go. This is the final step, so good luck!
Stage 6 of 6: Highlights
[f1]Stage 6, Step 2[][b1][i1]Use the eraser to [f2]tidy up[] your drawing and [f2]add highlights[].[][b1][i1]Tools: [f2]eraser[], [f2]edge[] or [f2]flat[].[]
[a8]In this final stage, we've cleaned up our drawing with the eraser.
That's it! [f2]Well done[]! You've just completed a [f2]still life study[] in pencil.
We built up the pear in several stages. Let's look back and see how we did it.
[a4]We started off using the [f2]grid tool[] to help us position a [f2]sketched outline[].
Next, we added a broad [f2]base layer of shade[] to the less bright parts of the pear.
We added texture with [f2]cross-hatching[], and solidity using the [f2]weighted line[] technique.
Then came the [f2]second shading pass[], working into the darker areas of the fruit.
After that, we worked into the very [f2]darkest parts[] with the point of a soft pencil.
The final step was for cleaning up and adding [f2]highlights[] using the [f2]eraser[].
[a7]When we look closely at things like this, we begin to see them in a [f2]fresh light[].
We start to understand the [f2]details[] of their shape and form.
Drawing and painting from life can increase our appreciation of the world around us.
Now, to help you develop what you've learnt already, it's time to give you something new.
After you've completed this lesson, you will find your first [f2]mini-lesson[] available.
You can carry right on with the main lessons if you want, or play the mini-lesson at any time.
The mini-lesson subject is a [f2]pepper[]. It can be drawn in a similar way to the pear.
I'll give you some guidance for it, but I won't be with you for every step.
Just build up the drawing as you did in this lesson and your results may surprise you!
I hope you've enjoyed this drawing lesson.[p1] I'll see you again soon!
*UNUSED STRING - PLEASE IGNORE*
Lesson Complete!
[f1]End of Lesson[][b1][i1]You're done![f2] Bravo[]![][b1][i1]You can still [f2]touch up[] your finished drawing using any of the pencils or the eraser.[][b1][i1]Or try the [f2]Pepper mini-lesson[] and see how much you've learnt![]
A [f2]uniform line[] creates a [f2]flat shape[]...
...while a [f2]weighted line[] adds [f2]solidity[].