Getting the Proportions Right in Your Drawing - Painting & Drawing Tips

Do you Struggle with the Proportion of things in your Drawings?

 Aren't you jealous of those Artists that just seem to draw things so quickly?  I sure was. 

 I hated using grid lines but I really struggled with getting the proportions right.  

California Poppies - Sketchbook Practise

I worked on my drawing skills at home.  Practicing everything the books said but things did not always work out.  In those days I worked from small photographs and so I was making my picture larger than the reference.  I tried grid lines once.  I must admit they turned out not too bad but erasing all those lines was a awful job.  The surface of my paper was in terrible shape for blending with my pencils.  I guess it is ok for painting but with pencil, not so good.  After lots of drawing practice, I found out what the secret was.  . . .

Getting the Proportions right in your Drawing is really all about TRAINING YOUR EYE, brain and hand to work together. 

This little California Poppy has a great upside down cone shape for its starting point

Let me show you some of things I learned as I draw this Poppy. 
***Special Note: There is a video version of this blog on my Youtube channel - Getting the Line Drawing Right and a FREE Downloadable Reference Picture of the Poppies so you can draw along with me.   

1. Gestural Lines:  Drawing a circle will help you place the flower on your page and set the size.  But now you need some solid direction.  

Strong lines can set the drawing up

2. Strong Lines: I look for strong lines within my subject to give me a starting point.  I can see that the outside shape of the poppy is like my salad bowl - angled sides with a base.  I use gestural lines to get that shape then go back and refined them.  It is important to have the angle right for the sides.  

3.  Tighten the rendering: For many things you can fix as you move through the drawing but getting your bowl shape correct is important at this point.  Once I am happy with the angles I look at the base of the bowl shape - how big should it be?  Comparing it with the left side of the bowl, I would say approx. 2.5 times the width of the bowl base gives me the length of the left side of the bowl.  The right side of the bowl is 'a bit more'.  Using this kind of vocabulary as you draw, makes you aware of the size of things.  Compare them to the parts that are already drawn.  

Use your Reference Points to add to the drawing

4.  First Petal: Now that you have your 'bowl' drawn everything relates to it.  The first petal is drawn using the site lines I have indicated above

Each petal builds from the last one

5.  Continue draw the petals: As you move away from the starting lines they are always providing guidance.  Use site lines to determine the placement and size of each new petal.  

Use Negative Space to Refine some lines

6.  Negative Space: As you move along you will find you need to refine a line or shape.  For the front petal the overlap can be easier to draw when you look at the negative shape (the overlap) rather than the positive shape of the petals.

  

Remember that starting shape was a strong line, not the exact shape

 7.  Editing the Starting Shape: When drawing the petal on the right it is time to go outside of the starting shape.  Remember the starting shape represented a strong line, but now it is time to tighten up the rending.  Part of it goes outside the line and part of it bends around the front petal.  

Adding stems, leaves and other flowers

8.  Adding other Elements: How big is the stem? the leaves? surrounding flowers?  These decisions are based on your first flower.  When you look at the stem of your reference picture, what is a similar size?  The Stem looks to be narrower than the overlap of the two petals above.  The leaves can now be drawn basing its size on the width of the stem.  The second flower will be smaller if behind the first or larger if in front.  Start with your initial circle and shape to set up the story you want to tell.  The further back the second flower is the smaller it will be and vice versa for being in front. 

 

Adding Some shadows to bring it to life 

9. Add Values and Colour:  You can leave your drawing as a line drawing or add values and colour to it.  I like to play around so I did both.  

I have found having little conversations with myself as I draw has heighten my awareness of the relationship of each element in my drawing.  This in turn makes for a more accurate drawing, one with good proportion.  Working this way you can make your drawing bigger or smaller than your original reference and of course it really helps you draw from life.  

***Special Note: There is a video version of this blog on my Youtube channel - Getting the Line Drawing Right and a FREE Downloadable Reference Picture of the Poppies so you can draw along with me.   

Special News: 

Show and Classes coming this November to
Landmark Pop-UP Gallery, 15140 North Bluff Rd, White Rock.  

Show: Nov 3-28, Wednesday - Sunday, 11-5pm 
Reception: Nov. 10, 6:30-8:30

Classes: Thursday, November 24 - 10-12:30pm.   Drawing with Wendy - $50 each, max 5.  

Values, Light & Shadows Bring Your Subject to Life – Thursday, Nov 24   Are your Values, Lights and Shadows making your subject full and vibrant?  Join Wendy Mould, AFCA, CDM as she breaths life into a flat, outline drawing.

 Beginners to Advanced Welcome.  Contact Wendy to Register 

 Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

Contact Me for:

1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250)  North Langley, BC (Walnut Grove) 

Do you want your animals to breath, your flowers to sparkle or your people to walk?  Whatever subject your like to paint or draw I can build a drawing program for you.  Private Lessons allow you to focus on the skills you wish to develop.  Wendy is a experienced teacher, providing a calm, relaxing experience as you learn how to use the principles of drawing.  Beginner to Advanced are welcome.  Special rates for younger students.  Contact Wendy for More info

2.  Online: Teaching, Mentoring or Critiquing Your Work - Don't live in the Fraser Valley,  I would be happy to tailor a program just for you online.  Drawing and Painting Lessons, Mentoring you on your Art Journey or Critiquing Your Work with an Eye to Move It Forward.  Drawing & Painting Lessons: 2-30 sessions $75.  Mentoring or Critiquing 30 minutes sessions $25.  Flexible schedule and sessions can be longer or shorter depending on your goals. 

3.  Available at Art by Wendy's Studio

Original work, Commissions, Prints and Cards of her Work, 

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Build Drawing Skills with DIY Christmas Tree Cards - Painting & Drawing Tips

OMG it has really been RAINING here!!

DIY Christmas Tree Cards - fun way to fight the winter drabs!!

I think everyone must have heard by now that here on the Southwest Coast of Canada we have had LOTS of RAIN!!  I am fortunate to not live in a flooded area. But I think of those people daily and what they must be going through.  Please say a little prayer for them and send them positive thoughts.  

Between Covid restrictions, the newest variant and the dark rainy days, I feel a bit of cheer and positive thinking is needed.  I know we are into the high tech days where everything happens on our phone or iPad but I feel we need to go back a bit to the 'touch and feel' days.  

There is nothing like feeling SPECIAL. 

It's a feeling you get when you opening the mailbox and there is card just for you.  Or when you meet a friend and they hand you a card.  Even more SPECIAL if they made that card themselves!  Suddenly it means soooo much more.   

 

Definitely a feeling of Peace with this little card.  😉

Check out my Christmas Tree Christmas Cards

They are user friendly, not too intimidating, one of a kind and guaranteed to give your special people a smile.  As an added bonus they allow you to easily feed your creative spirit.  They are something you can do while watching TV or listening to your music.  I suggest you make up a little supply box that is handy to grab whenever you have a minute.  

Creating DIY Christmas Tree Cards

I like Mixed Media Cards because I can use any media on them

SPECIAL NOTE: 

I have a video "Learn to Draw with Christmas Tree Cards" that will give you more ideas on making your Christmas Tree Cards.   

 

I have 2 Card Classes Scheduled: Tuesday, Dec 7,  2-4pm  & Saturday, Dec 11, 1-12:30pm 
Small group (3), all materials supplied, Beginner to Advanced Welcome, $50 each.  Walnut Grove area of Langley.  Contact Wendy to register

1.  Materials: 

- paper and envelopes - Strathmore has packages of Mixmedia paper cut and scored with envelopes ready to go. Scrapbooking/Stamp Stores let you buy cardstock by the sheet and have small packs of envelopes that can be purchased.  Envelopes can be expensive if you go to custom sizes so stick to standard ones.  (Even business envelopes make for an interesting card shape) 

I like white paper to work on as I love to add my own colour and I like the sharp, clean lines on my white surface. 

- pencil, vinyl eraser, kneaded eraser, white acrylic pen

- permanent ink pens: Staedtler or Micron 03 & 05  Using permanent ink means you can use wet media like felts or watercolour pencils and your lines wont run

My materials - note the white pen for making tiny corrections  

- your favourite colouring medium.  I like my Intense Watercolour Pencils because they give me bright colours but I also use my coloured pencils as well

- some Bling.  The dollar store has lots of little stick on glitter shapes.  The star shape is hard to find but little round ones work great too. (note them on the top of each tree above. )

2.  Layout

Decide on the size of your card face.  Do not fold card before working on it.  Cover the backside so only your drawing surface is showing. It is important to understand the size and shape your image will be. 

Note the paper covering the back and how light the markings are for the layout.  

Draw a light drawing of your tree/trees.  The layout should be dark enough to see but light enough to easily erase.  It should not score the surface.   Use your kneaded eraser to lighten any areas that are dark.  

When drawing your tree/trees think about curvy lines.  Try to move away from the idea of symmetrical.  Light gestural lines will give you great shapes to work with.  I like to dip the top over to give it a little character or round the top to make room for a piece of glitter at the top.  

Challenge yourself to try different sizes and groupings.  A few lines will indicate snow and I love my little snowballs under the trees.  They break up the line and move the eye along.  A few breaks in your snow lines also add interest for the eye.  

Layout for 3 trees - Challenge yourself to try different combinations 

3.  Draw with your Pen

Don't sweat it!  I know it is permanent.  Your layout lines do not need to be traced over exactly, they are to help you move along the surface.  If you made your trees a bit quirky, any deviation from your layout line will not matter. 

Single patterns give you more latitude for colouring. Note ow the shadows on the tree trunks and snow add to the composition.  

Add your patterns/doodles to your trees.  I like to fill in my trees with doodle patterns.  You can see my favourite ones but there are lots more on the Internet.  I find it is nicer to keep to one pattern per tree as it makes colouring more interesting.  But certainly a personal choice here.  Do a few practice patterns on another piece of paper and then draw directly onto your card.  

You will be surprised at how freeing that is.  That sense of moving the pen freely without tracing.  (I know you wont feel that right away but if you keep moving you will.  It is a real confidence busters) 

4.  Time to Colour & Decorate

Have some fun with your colours.  Add garnishes.  Add text.  And don't forget to sign it!! (My doodle signature is in the bottom right corner.  It is different from my fine art signature.) 

5.  The Finish

You can make several cards and I do suggest you make several.  You will be more relaxed and joyful after the first one is done.   You will find that the more you make the more ideas you will have.  Your mark making will reflect your building confidence.  

If you have time make originals for everyone, if not, take your card to a shop and have it photocopied onto cardstock.  Either way, those SPECIAL people will be thrilled when they see what you have done. 

Looking for Help to start your Card Making: 

I have a video "Learn to Draw with Christmas Tree Cards" that will give you more ideas on making your Christmas Tree Cards.  

I have 2 Card Classes Scheduled: Tuesday, Dec 7,  2-4pm  & Saturday, Dec 11, 10-12:30pm 
Small group (3), all materials supplied, Beginner to Advanced Welcome, $50 each.  Walnut Grove area of Langley.  Contact Wendy to register

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

Contact Me for:

1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250)

Do you want your animals to breath, your flowers to sparkle or your people to walk?  Whatever subject your like to paint or draw I can build a drawing program for you.  Private Lessons allow you to focus on the skills you wish to develop.  Wendy is a experienced teacher, providing a calm, relaxing experience as you learn how to use the principles of drawing.  Beginner to Advanced are welcome.  Special rates for younger students.  More info here.

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Can Repetition REALLY be FUN?! Painting & Drawing Tips

You love to paint but your drawing Sucks. 

Not much fun painting something that really doesn't look right.  Despite what they say, colour doesn't hide mistakes. 

TULIPS IN THE SUNSHINE - Sketchbook Practice

Improving your drawing skills requires only 1 thing, PRACTISE.  No surprise there, we all knew that.  But how to make that practice interesting and exciting is the challenge.  

I know where you're coming from.  I am a self taught artist and learning to draw well was a huge learning curve for me.  Pushing myself to practice was something I had to learn to do. 

Things I do to make Drawing Practice more fun.  

1.  Have a special spot with supplies handy.  I have a drawing table now but early on my drawing place was the kitchen table or the couch.  I had my portable kit packed and handy so there was little set up time.  I started with a small basic kit: sketchbook, erasers, set of pencils and a few pens. As I worked I added more things.

 

2.  Have reference material handy.  I always had a collection of 8 or 10 pictures I was interested in drawing.  These are usually in a special Album on my ipad but sometimes I print them out as well.  Depends on what you like to work with.  Using the special Album in your Photos means you can find your picture quickly, no scrolling. 

Tulips in the Garden - I love it when the Tulips start to grow, they are the first big splashes of colour in the garden.  

3.  Be easy on yourself.  Tell your Inner Critic to take a break and just draw.  See post: Turn your Inner Critic into you BFF

4.  Challenge yourself.  I make mini-challenges for myself.  When I judge my drawing it is based only on my challenge. I try not to be critical of anything else.  

 

To me these Tulips are friendly and happy - makes me feel good to work with them.  

A Challenge that can turn Repetition into Fun

Take a picture of a subject that is not too complex.  For this example I used a picture of my tulips from our garden last spring.  Fill you page with tulips.  To provide variety I reversed the picture and drew the same tulip.  

Reversing the image gives variety to your practice

Why draw the same thing?

a.  Your drawing improves as you become more familiar with the subject

b.  Easier to focus on things like colour, values and mediums if you are comfortable with drawing the subject

Sketchbooking - TULIPS IN INK - Trying different mediums brings new ideas in focal points and composition. 

c.  Composition Skills are tested as you try different placements of your subject.  

d.  Inspirational thoughts will begin to bloom. "What if I make them . . ."

A Free bonus offer, I have prepared a Free Download of my Tulip Pictures to help you get started on your practice. ( I know you will have trouble getting tulip pictures at this time of year.) When picking pictures, you need pictures of your subject that show a few different views. They need lighting that shows shadow patterns. And enough information that allows you to build a few different kinds of compositions  (It is important that you inspire yourself with good references when working on a challenge.)  

For lots more ideas and inspiration check out my video: Repetition Can be FUN!! 

Take the Challenge and Enjoy your practice - You will be amazed how quickly you get caught up 'In the Moment' and your drawing becomes FUN. 

See you next week.  

Get Free Download of my Tulip Pictures HERE.

Christmas Shopping Online with FREE Shipping in Canada!!

HOLIDAY SPECIAL - 15% on all sales

FREE SHIPPING IN CANADA TIL DEC 15

Lots of One-of-a-Kind items, original art, art prints, art cards, jewelry, pottery, painted scarves, and more. Anything that inspires an artist to create.  
Get your Christmas Shopping Done and Shipped Free 

Art by Wendy Original Work, Art Cards & Prints, Memo Pads and Doodle Cards will be available   

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

  Online Coaching/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75)

Are You and Your Inner Critic looking to expand your discussions.  Here's how it works: Send me a few pictures of your paintings.  I will prepare material to facilitate a discussion.  We meet on Zoom for our sessions and discuss your work. I am a sounding board and coach with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to working with you.  

  
Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy