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2. NEGATIVE SPACE DRAWING - Draw an object by only drawing the negative spaces.
Try to choose an object with interesting holes and spaces. Negative space may also be referred
to as empty space or interspace. It is the space in between two positive spaces or the space
around the objects in a still life. Negative space is important because without it all positive space
would cease to exist. Positive space without negative space is one big endless, shapeless blob.
3. COLOR WHEEL - Produce a highly inventive 12-sided color wheel using colored pencils.
You must keep the colors in the correct order and use tints. Color classification "systems" have
been devised to organize and identify color relationships. A most familiar one is the 12 hue
"Color Wheel" introduced by Johannes Itten (1888-1967) which places the PRIMARY colors
equidistant from each other. In between the primaries are the SECONDARY colors. In between
the primary and secondary colors are the INTERMEDIATES (also called the TERTIARIES).
2. VALUE DRAWING - Crumple up a blank sheet of white paper really well almost into a
ball. Draw this from observation in your sketchbook (still thinking about creating an interesting
composition). Then, go back and use shading to create a full range of value using the value
scale below as reference. Use a pencil to shade the object with many light-valued grays for both
the shadow on the object and the cast shadow on the surface of whatever it was resting upon.
3. COLOR SCHEMES - Use a pencil to lightly draw overlapping shapes on a piece of paper.
You may trace common everyday objects. Divide the paper into six parts. Color each part using
a different color scheme with markers. Use the following color schemes:
Warm colors Yellow, Orange, Red
Cool colors Green, Blue, Violet
Monochromatic colors different values of one color using tints (adding white) and
shades (adding black)
Analogous colors colors that are closely related because they have one hue in common,
ex. blue, blue-violet, and violet, next to each other on the color wheel
Complementary colors colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel, ex. red
and green, blue and orange, or violet and yellow
Triadic colors three colors that are equidistant from each other on the color wheel, ex.
yellow-orange, blue-violet, and blue-green
4. STILL LIFE - Arrange a still life and draw it with shading and
gradations. A still life is an arrangement of nonmoving, nonliving
objects, such as fruit, flowers or bottles. The items are often selected
as symbols for knowledge. A still life is usually portrayed in an
indoor setting.
5. SPIRALING SPHERES - Overlap circles (or other shapes) of graduated sizes, moving from
smallest to largest (largest on top- draw it first) to create an illusion of movement toward you
from the surface of the page. Fill the page with various sized trails. Shade one end of the spiral
trail gradually darker, one end lighter to enhance the illusion of movement and depth. Your
choice of colors. Create an interesting background; perhaps using analogous colors or
monochromatic tints and shades to develop an ambiguous space.
6. CHOICE
"Do not fail, as you go on, to draw something every day, for no matter how little it is, it will be well
worthwhile, and it will do you a world of good." ~ Cennini
Gesture drawing is many things: a way to "see", a technique of drawing, an exercise, a defined
"scribble", and a finished style. Basically, it is a method of training hands to quickly sketch what
the brain has already seen.
Tips for Successful Gesture Drawing:
FOCUS - constantly. The eye, a wonderful camera estimates proportions, contours, movement, and
contrasts quickly. Determine contours first, then interior shapes and shadows.
DRAW LIGHTLY - for the 1st "layer" as a rough draft; darker for the 2nd layer drawing corrections right
over the 1st layer adding contrast; then, the darkest 3rd layer with deep shadows and final contours.
DRAW QUICKLY - the entire image is viewed in a blink. Make the pencil follow content flashed to the
brain. Keep the pencil/pen in constant circular and linear motion. Catch the form, not the details.
CONSTANT MOVEMENT - is a necessity. Quick, light drawing makes for easy clarifications in
succeeding layers. Move eyes with quick returns without moving the head. Accuracy takes patience,
perseverance and lots of practice.
NO ERASING - gesture drawing's purpose is to develop visual skills which will affect expertise. Erasing
breaks focus and wastes time.
3. MAGAZINE REFLECTION
Use facing pages in your sketchbook. Side by side if your
book opens that way or up-down if your book opens that
way.
Find a full page magazine photo (not a magazine
illustration) that you like. B/W or color, but B/W is easier
on this.
Cut the photo into 10 pieces that are about the same area.
They don't have to be the same shape. Shapes can be
regular or not. Try to cut through interesting areas of the
photo (like the face!)
Select alternating pieces, and paste them in their correct
positions on the right side of the paper. Paste the
remainders on the left, also in their correct positions.
Choose one side and shade in the missing areas in pencil,
using the opposite page of pieces as reference for what to
draw. Try to recreate the values (lights and darks) of the original photo.
4. SHAPE DRAWING Draw an object, a person, or a landscape using only straight lines and
geometric shapes. You may use rulers, compasses, and triangles to help you create shapes.
Think about how the geometric shapes appear tense and rigid. Geometric shapes have straight
edges such as squares, triangles, and rectangles and are often called rectilinear shapes.
5. ANIMAL DRAWING Draw an animal from life.
6. CHOICE
"It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover to your
surprise that you have rendered something in its true character." ~ Camille Pissarro