Every Culture and Community has its own special Language.
Curling Season is starting up very quickly for me. Next week we have our first games. I am really looking forward to getting back out on the ice again. Curling is a Sport that is still relatively unknown although it is now an Olympic Sport and on TV. In Canada, there was a time that every little community of any size had a Curling Rink. Crazy Curlers were everywhere.
Curling has its own unique language: Sweep; Skip; Light; Keen; Weight. Are just a few words that any curler immediately understands but are really a secret language to others. Who knew 'skip' was a person not an action.
Drawing has its own language too . . .
Here is a simple Mushroom. (Yes, this is the "Black Sheep" from my Mushroom Family in the last post. See More on the Family here. ) Draw with me as you apply the Language of Drawing to little Mushroom. The goal: take this simplified mushroom and bring him to life - a fully 3 dimensional little mushroom that looks like he is popping out of the paper.
Step 1: LAYOUT
This is done lightly with a pencil. Dark enough to see but easy to erase. Most of this will not be kept. The purpose here is to establish the size, general shape and placement in the composition.
Step 2: REFINEMENT
Once your layout is correct it is time to refine your shape. I have worked in pen but work in whatever medium you prefer.
a. The Edges:
Place your pen on the paper layout and your eye on same spot on the reference material. As you more your eye along the edge of the mushroom draw "what you see" on your paper. Note the little bumps and breaks on the surface. These are the things that will give your little guy personality and character. The edges also tell the story of your subjects texture. Note the smooth surface of the mushroom with bits of dirt still clinging to the cap. The layout lines are intended to keep you to a certain size and placement, they are not meant to be carefully traced over. They show none of the intricacies found along the edges of your shapes.
b. The Junctions
'Where lines meet' is an important part of any drawing. Those Junctions are crucial in telling the Story of Order, Shape and Depth. In Closeup #2 you can see where the stem meets the dirt ground. The Order - Background, Mid-ground and Foreground are spoken here. This tells you the stem is set 'in the dirt'. The viewer feels the Depth and understands that the stem has Volume. The tiny little curl as the Stem meets the dirt gives the viewer the sense that the mushroom has 'emerged' from the dirt and is not just plunked there. An important concept when you image how that little mushroom pushes its way out of the earth.
c. Shadows:
Once you have drawn the outline of the mushroom it is time to really work on the shadows. These are what really gives Life to Your Drawing. I find my darkest dark and develop it first. This means I am looking for a value of 9 or 10. (More on Finding Values here. )
With pen I usually make it slightly smaller than I need. I can always add to it but hard to remove permanent ink. With ink, shadows are built with crosshatching or line shading. The closer the lines are together the darker it is. Whether the lines are straight or crossed. More layers also darken things up as well. I start with a large light layer of lines/crosshatching and gradually close in as I move from the light to the dark area. You can see all the levels on the side of the stem on Closeup #3.
Shadows are a Shape so you need to pay attention to their Edges just like any other part of the drawing. Some shadow edges are soft and others are crisp. The deep shadow under the cap is fairly crisp while the shadow areas on the stem have soft edges.
d. Reflected Light:
Looking at my little Mushroom, Closeup #3 you can see that your subject is not just Light and Shadow. Their little friend, Reflected Light is also there. The underside of the cap has a shadow but also has reflected light from the stem and openness around it. Even the backside of the mushroom has reflected light. The shadow closest to the cap is thick and dark but as you move down the stem Reflected Light begins to have an effect.
e. Let the Light in:
As much as the Shadows bring your drawing to light, they need the contrast of Light to complete their job. When painting you can add your highlight with a touch of white paint. In drawing it takes a bit more planning, especially in ink.
Here is where you can see 'the Power of the Broken Line'. Note the broken line on the stem and the cap. They are my highlight areas. Note how they open up the space to bring 'the light in'. Not convinced. Complete the line then erase it. You will see what I mean. The light just seems to be more intense when you open the shape up. Creating a sense of dept and shadow to the cap even though there is no shading in the immediate area. Interesting, eh?
Your nearly done. Take a minute to clean up the layout lines you did not use and any other little marks. Your little 'BLACK SHEEP' is now complete.
Seems Simple, draw a little mushroom but I find it really interesting how much life can be packed into such a simple thing. Of course, colour would add even more interest but that is another story.
Want to draw this Mushroom with Me in person? I will be doing this as a demo this Sunday, at my Open Studio. Free Hands On Drawing Demos at 11am and 1pm. See all the Information Below.
If you need a better Photo Reference to Draw this mushroom just drop me a line and I will be happy to share the picture file.
Wendy's Work is always available on her website: "Art by Wendy" & at her Etsy Store: WendyMouldsArt
Sensational Fine Art, Jewelry, Pottery and more
Artists reading this post also find the following valuable:
How to find the Right Sketchbook Friend - here
Is Your Sketchbook Ready for You? - here
Have You Felt the Freedom of the Line? - here
Curling Season is starting up very quickly for me. Next week we have our first games. I am really looking forward to getting back out on the ice again. Curling is a Sport that is still relatively unknown although it is now an Olympic Sport and on TV. In Canada, there was a time that every little community of any size had a Curling Rink. Crazy Curlers were everywhere.
 |
| Learn the Language as you bring Your Drawing to Life |
Curling has its own unique language: Sweep; Skip; Light; Keen; Weight. Are just a few words that any curler immediately understands but are really a secret language to others. Who knew 'skip' was a person not an action.
Drawing has its own language too . . .
Here is a simple Mushroom. (Yes, this is the "Black Sheep" from my Mushroom Family in the last post. See More on the Family here. ) Draw with me as you apply the Language of Drawing to little Mushroom. The goal: take this simplified mushroom and bring him to life - a fully 3 dimensional little mushroom that looks like he is popping out of the paper.
 |
| My Layout - The shape, size and placement is set. |
This is done lightly with a pencil. Dark enough to see but easy to erase. Most of this will not be kept. The purpose here is to establish the size, general shape and placement in the composition.
Step 2: REFINEMENT
Once your layout is correct it is time to refine your shape. I have worked in pen but work in whatever medium you prefer.
 |
| Mushroom Closeup #1: The Edges tell the story of Texture and develop the Character of your Subject |
a. The Edges:
Place your pen on the paper layout and your eye on same spot on the reference material. As you more your eye along the edge of the mushroom draw "what you see" on your paper. Note the little bumps and breaks on the surface. These are the things that will give your little guy personality and character. The edges also tell the story of your subjects texture. Note the smooth surface of the mushroom with bits of dirt still clinging to the cap. The layout lines are intended to keep you to a certain size and placement, they are not meant to be carefully traced over. They show none of the intricacies found along the edges of your shapes.
 |
| Mushroom Closeup #2:Where lines meet tells the story of Order, Shape and Depth |
b. The Junctions
'Where lines meet' is an important part of any drawing. Those Junctions are crucial in telling the Story of Order, Shape and Depth. In Closeup #2 you can see where the stem meets the dirt ground. The Order - Background, Mid-ground and Foreground are spoken here. This tells you the stem is set 'in the dirt'. The viewer feels the Depth and understands that the stem has Volume. The tiny little curl as the Stem meets the dirt gives the viewer the sense that the mushroom has 'emerged' from the dirt and is not just plunked there. An important concept when you image how that little mushroom pushes its way out of the earth.
 |
| Mushroom Closeup #3:Shadows, Light, and Reflected Light all work to bring this Mushroom to life. |
c. Shadows:
Once you have drawn the outline of the mushroom it is time to really work on the shadows. These are what really gives Life to Your Drawing. I find my darkest dark and develop it first. This means I am looking for a value of 9 or 10. (More on Finding Values here. )
With pen I usually make it slightly smaller than I need. I can always add to it but hard to remove permanent ink. With ink, shadows are built with crosshatching or line shading. The closer the lines are together the darker it is. Whether the lines are straight or crossed. More layers also darken things up as well. I start with a large light layer of lines/crosshatching and gradually close in as I move from the light to the dark area. You can see all the levels on the side of the stem on Closeup #3.
Shadows are a Shape so you need to pay attention to their Edges just like any other part of the drawing. Some shadow edges are soft and others are crisp. The deep shadow under the cap is fairly crisp while the shadow areas on the stem have soft edges.
d. Reflected Light:
Looking at my little Mushroom, Closeup #3 you can see that your subject is not just Light and Shadow. Their little friend, Reflected Light is also there. The underside of the cap has a shadow but also has reflected light from the stem and openness around it. Even the backside of the mushroom has reflected light. The shadow closest to the cap is thick and dark but as you move down the stem Reflected Light begins to have an effect.
 |
| THE BLACK SHEEP - My little Mushroom has come to life! |
e. Let the Light in:
As much as the Shadows bring your drawing to light, they need the contrast of Light to complete their job. When painting you can add your highlight with a touch of white paint. In drawing it takes a bit more planning, especially in ink.
Here is where you can see 'the Power of the Broken Line'. Note the broken line on the stem and the cap. They are my highlight areas. Note how they open up the space to bring 'the light in'. Not convinced. Complete the line then erase it. You will see what I mean. The light just seems to be more intense when you open the shape up. Creating a sense of dept and shadow to the cap even though there is no shading in the immediate area. Interesting, eh?
Your nearly done. Take a minute to clean up the layout lines you did not use and any other little marks. Your little 'BLACK SHEEP' is now complete.
Seems Simple, draw a little mushroom but I find it really interesting how much life can be packed into such a simple thing. Of course, colour would add even more interest but that is another story.
Want to draw this Mushroom with Me in person? I will be doing this as a demo this Sunday, at my Open Studio. Free Hands On Drawing Demos at 11am and 1pm. See all the Information Below.
If you need a better Photo Reference to Draw this mushroom just drop me a line and I will be happy to share the picture file.
Wendy's Work is always available on her website: "Art by Wendy" & at her Etsy Store: WendyMouldsArt
Art Filled Weekend Coming up Fast:
Saturday, Sept 29, 11-6pm Sheraton Artisan Market
Sheraton Guildford Hotel, 15269 104 Ave, Surrey
Sensational Fine Art, Jewelry, Pottery and more
Catch up with some of my latest works, order a Christmas Commission, set up your drawing class schedule - see you there.
Sunday, Sept 30, 10-4pm Open Studio at Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery
9349 152A St. Surrey
9349 152A St. Surrey
Special Free Hands-On Drawing Demos: 11 am & 1pm
Beginner to Advanced Welcome. All supplies included.
Wondering how Wildlife Artists create their work?
I am delighted to share my process with you. Using graphite, coloured pencil, ink and watercolour, I bring my birds and animals to life. Commissions, Private Classes, Originals & Prints available.
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Is Your Sketchbook Ready for You? - here
Have You Felt the Freedom of the Line? - here
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Have a great Artful Day,
Wendy
