When I think of birds and animals I think of soft, plush feathers or fur. I want that look that makes you feel how smooth their coat is.
So why would I want anything else?
When I think of texture, I think of more than soft and smooth, I think rough and coarse. When I draw my wildlife I want them to stand out but still be part of their environment. Unfortunately, although they might have a coat of smooth silky fur or feathers, their surrounds may not. I need some options. (Read more on my thoughts of making soft and fluffy birds and animals here.)
How do You get rough coarse texture with a only a pencil and paper?
First you need to understand a graphite pencil. Graphite pencils have a lead which is a mixture of clay and graphite. Your HB pencil is a good mix of both that gives a sturdy lead and a fairly dark mark. However, by increasing the graphite and decreasing the clay, you can get a much darker mark. The down side is a more fragile lead as graphite is very soft. Pencils with labels like 4B, 6B or 9B indicate more and more graphite and less clay. Thus the 9B pencil is very dark, very soft and has very little clay. On the other hand a pencil labeled 9H is very hard, has a very light mark and is mainly clay.
Secondly you need to understand paper. Paper has a tooth. The role of a pencil is to deposit graphite on the paper. As you do that you can deposit the graphite between the tooth or flatten the tooth and put it on top. Those little white flecks of tooth between the graphite is what gives the surface a rough look. By using a very soft pencil, 8B or 9B, you can put down a very dark mark, soft enough that you will leave the tooth in tack. Note the examples above, the 8B gives quite a dark rough surface where the 2H has a lighter mark with little tooth showing.
The foliage in THE FAMILY OUTING has been completed without flattening the tooth of the paper Using harder pencils lightly allows less graphite to be deposited, a lighter mark but preserves the tooth. Uses darker pencils the mark is darker and still keeps the tooth. Looking at the close up you can see how the different pencils were used to develop the foliage.
Thirdly contrast the rough and smooth. Mixing the rougher more porous darks and lights with smooth blended darks and lights increases the sense of texture. This mix is very effective and works both ways. In the case of the goats above, the rough finish of the post contrasts with smooth blended goats to make them appear softer and the post rougher. Notice how soft and smooth the Sandhill Cranes are when contrasted with the grasses that surround them.
This tiny little chickadee in OUT ON A LIMB is a great contrast in texture. The rough leaves makes the little bird seem even more soft, you can almost feel the light, smooth finish of the feathers.
Special Note:
I do apologize as I realize even with my close ups, it is harder to really see the difference in textures on a computer screen. However, if you saw the originals it would become very apparent. Take your pencils and a blender and try a few experiments to see what I mean.
Comment on Materials:
My favourite pencils are the Derwent Graphite pencils although I do use some other brands for special effects. My paper of choice for Graphite is not really paper. It is 2 ply White Rising Museum Board, a good strong support that has a great tooth, will hold lots of graphite and takes the punishment of the blenders.
Let me know how your experiments work out. My next post is going to be on a subject new to me - Coloured Ink Pens. As you know, I am a confirmed black ink person, who knew coloured inks could be so fun and forgiving. Looking forward to sharing with you.
Opportunities Coming Up:
Artists reading this post also find the following valuable:
3 Ways to Turn Drawing Despair into Action here
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| WHAT'S FOR DINNER - Graphite $500 Matted Unframed |
When I think of texture, I think of more than soft and smooth, I think rough and coarse. When I draw my wildlife I want them to stand out but still be part of their environment. Unfortunately, although they might have a coat of smooth silky fur or feathers, their surrounds may not. I need some options. (Read more on my thoughts of making soft and fluffy birds and animals here.)
 |
| Each pencil has its own properties - note the difference between the 8B and 2H both in colour and texture |
First you need to understand a graphite pencil. Graphite pencils have a lead which is a mixture of clay and graphite. Your HB pencil is a good mix of both that gives a sturdy lead and a fairly dark mark. However, by increasing the graphite and decreasing the clay, you can get a much darker mark. The down side is a more fragile lead as graphite is very soft. Pencils with labels like 4B, 6B or 9B indicate more and more graphite and less clay. Thus the 9B pencil is very dark, very soft and has very little clay. On the other hand a pencil labeled 9H is very hard, has a very light mark and is mainly clay.
 |
| Graphite deposited between the tooth of the paper. |
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| THE FAMILY OUTING - Graphite with a touch of coloured pencil - $500 Matted Unframed |
The foliage in THE FAMILY OUTING has been completed without flattening the tooth of the paper Using harder pencils lightly allows less graphite to be deposited, a lighter mark but preserves the tooth. Uses darker pencils the mark is darker and still keeps the tooth. Looking at the close up you can see how the different pencils were used to develop the foliage.
 |
| Detail from THE FAMILY OUTING - notice the white flecks in the foliage. |
Thirdly contrast the rough and smooth. Mixing the rougher more porous darks and lights with smooth blended darks and lights increases the sense of texture. This mix is very effective and works both ways. In the case of the goats above, the rough finish of the post contrasts with smooth blended goats to make them appear softer and the post rougher. Notice how soft and smooth the Sandhill Cranes are when contrasted with the grasses that surround them.
 |
| OUT ON A LIMB - Graphite with a touch of coloured pencil $225 Matted Unframed Doesn't this little chickadee look soft as its smooth sleek texture contrasts with the coarser finish of the leaves and stems. |
This tiny little chickadee in OUT ON A LIMB is a great contrast in texture. The rough leaves makes the little bird seem even more soft, you can almost feel the light, smooth finish of the feathers.
Special Note:
I do apologize as I realize even with my close ups, it is harder to really see the difference in textures on a computer screen. However, if you saw the originals it would become very apparent. Take your pencils and a blender and try a few experiments to see what I mean.
Comment on Materials:
My favourite pencils are the Derwent Graphite pencils although I do use some other brands for special effects. My paper of choice for Graphite is not really paper. It is 2 ply White Rising Museum Board, a good strong support that has a great tooth, will hold lots of graphite and takes the punishment of the blenders.
Let me know how your experiments work out. My next post is going to be on a subject new to me - Coloured Ink Pens. As you know, I am a confirmed black ink person, who knew coloured inks could be so fun and forgiving. Looking forward to sharing with you.
Opportunities Coming Up:
1. Heart to Home Art Show & Sale, Saturday & Sunday, Nov 17 & 18, 12-5pm daily
Surrey Art Center, Bear Creek Park, 13750 88 Ave, Surrey
Looking Forward to seeing you there. Guaranteed to find that perfect One-of-a-Kind Gift - Handmade Arts and Crafts from 30+ local Artists. Free Admission,
Looking Forward to seeing you there. Guaranteed to find that perfect One-of-a-Kind Gift - Handmade Arts and Crafts from 30+ local Artists. Free Admission,
2. Paints'n Bloom Workshops & Art Show & Sale in Support of the Alzheimer's Society of BC
Gardenworks at Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby
Show Days: Thursday, Nov 22-Saturday, Nov 24Workshop Day: Tuesday, Nov 20
10-12pm - Beginner Watercolour Class FULL
1-3pm Christmas Card Making Class 1 Spot Left
$40 ea. All supplies incl. Beginner to Advanced Welcome
Registration Happening Now Contact Wendy
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Have a great Artful Day,
Wendy
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