3 Easy Steps to Get Started Drawing!
Copyright 2006 Todd Harris
To get started in drawing and learning to draw the human figure, the resources you use to draw with are a big key to your success. Let's see what the 3 easy steps to drawing are.
Let's Get Started!
So?You're ready to start drawing! Let's talk tools, right for the job. You need to realize as you read this article that artists are experimenters. They never cease trying new ideas and this applies to materials as well. Different materials and combinations of materials are something you as an artist are going to need to experiment with and see what works best for you. This will be a guide or starting point about materials that will help you on your journey.
Paper
Paper is all around us and serves many different purposes. Paper names give us direction as to their purpose, such as ?tracing? paper. Common typewriting paper that is inexpensive can be good practice paper. Pads of newsprint are sold for next to nothing at art supply stores, these are great practice pads.
Paper is a great resource to your drawings. As you experiment with different textures you'll see different effects come through in your drawings. Textures are rated as rough, medium, smooth, or glossy. Rough paper will hold more graphite or charcoal than smooth paper, so drawings will contrast more between the lights and darks. This also produces a more grainy outcome. On smooth paper, you need to use soft pencils, if you want to develop dark values. But on smooth paper soft pencils smear easily and you'll want an eraser handy! Another downside to smooth surface is that graphite looks shiny when laid down on smooth paper.
For myself, I like to draw on a medium grain paper that has enough grain to keep me from getting too detailed. It helps me to lay in big strokes and avoid too much detail too fast. I like toned papers to bring out highlights. (I use white chalk or pencils to help with this effect.)
Part of the journey as an artist is finding what works best for you. Experiment with different grains, tones, and weights of paper till you find the desired effect. Listed below are the ones I use and may serve as a good starting point for you.
- Strathmore
- Roma
Back to the Drawing Board
While you don't always need a drawing board, something to support a good firm drawing surface is important. You can work on a light firm board such as; 1/8? plywood, masonite, or foam core. All of these work just fine! You can use masking tape, thumbtacks, pushpins, or clips to hold the paper on the drawing board.
Pencils
Drawing pencils come in many different types of leads. From very soft to very hard, pencils are a tool to get very familiar with. The softer the pencil is, the thicker the lead. The harder the pencil is, the thinner the lead, and also, the grayer the line.
Vine charcoal- is great because it is subtle and erases well. You need to handle these carefully because they tend to break easily. Vine charcoal is ideal for initial lay in of your drawing. Used with a light touch it can be completely erased allowing you the freedom to adjust your drawing and make corrections easily. The vine charcoal allows your drawing to stay fluid so that you can change things simply.
New pastels- Pastels are great to work with. Conte' brand works best as they are not as oily. New pastels are not as easy to erase. You must be more careful with these because of this. After you do the initial lay in with the vine charcoal and your placement is accurate, new pastel will give you good control and value range.
Graphite pencils are labeled H for hard and B for soft. The higher the number in front of the H, the harder the lead. 9H being the hardest. The higher the number in front of the B?the softer the pencil.
I personally don't like to draw with graphite pencils because I feel they are too shiny. The exception with this is, of course, rough sketches. I don't mind using them for these. Use the side of the graphite pencil for line variation. Experiment, experiment, experiment?Find pencils that you feel work well with your drawings and paper. Keep your pencils sharp! My recommendations for pencils are:
- Sanford Ebany Jet black extra smooth
- Vine charcoal
- New Pastels
Erasers
Kneaded erasers come as small rectangular blocks. Pull off a piece of this block and knead it like dough, so it becomes soft and pliable. Make a point on one end by pressing it between your thumb and forefinger. This is my eraser of choice!
You can also use a medium soft eraser like the pink pearl. If you have a really dark area you want to remove, you can use scotch tape and it will lift most of it off and then use your kneaded eraser to do the rest.
I know this sounds redundant but as mentioned before, part of art is the journey of finding what works for you. This is a good starting point for materials. During my journey to find the right tools, I've experimented with different paper tones and colored pens at times. I now know that the vine charcoals and new pastels are my favorite. Good luck on your journey. If you find something that works better for you, great!
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Todd Harris is a master artist who is currently working at a multi-billion dollar company as a concept art director. He is trained in the florence academy method of art and loves drawing.
Learning2draw.com is a resource web site developed to help aspiring artists master the human figure with drawing and sketching tips, tricks, techniques, and advice. It is jam-packed full of resource articles on drawing and sketching as well as career advice. See http://www.learning2draw.com for more information.
How To Find Discount Golf Equipment
If you are looking for discounts on golf equipment, then you probably already know that they aren't too easy to find. Golf equipment is very expensive and can sometimes be downright unaffordable. If you know where to look and how to scout out the best deals, however, golfing doesn't have to break the bank account.
Every golfer needs a quality set of golf clubs, which are readily available at retail and specialty stores. Whether you are looking to shop online or in person, the same rules apply to snagging a good deal. With everyone advertising their price to be the best, it can sometimes be difficult to know which one really is the bargain and which ad is just boasting a high price disguised as a sale. The best way to learn the answer is to simply shop around.
The first place that you will want to look for golf equipment is at a clearance or closeout sale. This could either be at a local retail or golf specialty store. During the year, especially as the golfing season draws near an end, retailers offer amazing discounts on their outdoor sports equipment. Everyone knows that the winter months aren't really ideal for the sports fanatic, so plan your bargain shopping accordingly.
If there aren't any bargains to be found in the retail world, consider a quick visit to your nearest golf course. While you are there, ask if they have any previously used golf equipment for sale. As a recreational area, golf courses have to keep the newest and most innovative pieces of equipment available for their customers. In doing so, they often have to unload their equipment from the previous year(s) and this could mean big savings for you if you know when to ask. The best time is just before a new golf season is about to begin, which is when the new equipment will be arriving. You know the old saying, ?out with the old and in with the new.? If you decide to purchase used golf equipment, make sure that you aren't buying something that is badly damaged or broken. Inspect the equipment closely before sealing the deal.
If you are still in search of discounts on golf equipment and just haven't found the perfect deal as of yet, consider browsing the classified ads in your local newspaper. This may be a great way to find anything, including previously owned golf equipment. And best of all, there are no shipping fees involved if a product can be found locally. This isn't always the case with online shopping, including the use of online auctions. When browsing online, consumers should be ready to pay a hefty shipping charge.
If all else fails, stop by the local flea market and/or garage and yard sales. A number of people may be looking to clear out their old golf equipment and you may just be the one to benefit if you can find a terrific set of golf clubs at the right price. With so many shopping options, there are plenty of ways to find discount golf equipment without emptying your wallet.
Read more sports equipment reviews and buying tips or the latest Tiger Woods news and all other golf news on http://www.sportsnews24h.com/Golf/
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Email: Harvey@SudokuVillage.com
About The Author:
The eMagazine, published by Geostar LLC, is a dream-come-true for puzzle aficionados, the world over. Sudoku Village is Geostar's brainchild community, aimed at uniting Sudoku buffs, from around the world.
