Cast Drawing 2

This week’s class, we explored two techniques. The first one (see the skull below) consist of blackening the paper’s surface with charcoal, then defining the light masses by removing the charcoal using a chamois cloth and a Kneaded Rubber Eraser. At the start, we’re focussing on the general shape of the light masses, then measuring, finding the middle, relating and readjusting as we go.

Skull, 3/4 profile (charcoal)

Once satisfied with the general shape, we can start adding details, blending the shadows and softening the edges using a HB Charcoal Pencil – The above skull is not completed but pretty well advanced.  I worked on it for approximately 2 hours.

Check out Atelier de Brésoles web site and their blog for more info and description of techniques shown at the Atelier.

This second technique we tried is different than what I’m used to and of what is usual when starting a drawing – Normally you do not to start drawing with the fine details such as the nostrils or eye, otherwise the drawing can easily become disproportionate.  Rather, it is best to start with broad, general shapes. You know, the big picture

This technique however, does start with the fine details.  It might not be ideal to draw an entire portrait like this but it can certainly be helpful to solve problems when all else fails.  It reminds me of an exercise described in Betty Edward’s book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain which consist of reproducing one of Picasso’s drawing upside down.  It’s the same concept; it forces the artist to observe in a different way and yes, it works; it can solve problems.

In this case however, the main point of using this approach was to focus on the definition of the shading.  A HB Graphite Pencil was used for the entire drawing – I started off with a part that I could see clearly, in this case the mass of shadow at the bottom of the nose.

Woman head, front view (graphite)

I gradually worked my way up and did the eye on the obscured side of the face.  From that point I started measuring, relating proportions and making adjustments before adding more mass of shadows, shaping the lips, the chin, the other eye and I started working on the hair a little bit – This also took me about 2 hours.

That’s it for this week.  Enjoy