Lecon pastel no 3: Arcadia Art Studio

Esquisse du coucher du soleil.

Lorsque j'ai decide de transformer cette esquisse dans une peinture j'ai eu l'impression que la peinture serait plus interessante dans un format vertical, et travailler dans le rectangle.

J'ai "coupe" l'image et j'ai commence a esquisser l'horizon et la barque a voile.

Generalement, je prefere les pastel dur pour une premiere esquisse , mais dans ce cas la j'ai utilise du pastel plus veloute, "Rembrandt" pastel. (gris clair)

Ensuite, j'ai determine les zones majeures de couleur.

J'ai ajoute du rose pale en premier plan (l'eau), parce que je preferais plutot le rose que le gris du papier pour donner l'effet de lumiere lorsque j'allais poser le bleu fonce et les pourpres.

j'ai commence a ajouter des couche et a melanger les couleurs.

Au debut j'ai dessine des lignes paralelles avec le bout de mes pastels. Mais j'ai vite compris que je voulais une surface plus "active" et j'ai commence a utiliser le cote de mon pastel, changeant la direction apres 2-3 traits. Dans cette photo vous pouvez remarquer les traits obliques dans l'eau, et ulterieurement, la" couleur cassee" du ciel.

Materiaux pastel: lecon no 1

Pastels surfins extra-tendres pour artistes, série 17

• 400 couleurs brilliants et abondantes
• Les meilleurs pigments en forte concentration
• Une proportion minimale de liants
• Résistance à la lumière maximale


Les bâtonnets de forme cylindrique se composent uniquement des pigments broyés moyennement fins, juste ce qu'il faut pour qu'ils se laissent mettre en forme et ne s'émiettent pas. La fabrication est réalisée entièrement à la main. Dans un procédé de fabrication traditionnel et très long, les pigments auxquels on a ajouté un minimum de liants sont pétris (la consistance obtenue rappelle celle d'une pâte), et formés par haute pression en bâtonnets qui seront délicatement récupérés pour être ensuite coupés manuellement à l'aide de fils métalliques tranchants. Encore humides, ils doivent sécher à température ambiante environ 8 jours avant d'être étiquetés … là encore, à la main. L’assortiment total de la gamme de coloris représente 400 teintes en 80 séries avec chaque 5 coloris y inclus 5 teintes spéciales pour les effets nacrés. Les couleurs pastels doivent être fixées avec un fixatif spécial pour pastels. Nous recommandons le fixatif pour pastels de Schmincke (No 50 402)- utilisez le fixatif très légèrement. Sur le cartons pastel Schmincke „Sansfix“ une fixation n’est pas nécessaire.

Lecon pastel no 2: dessiner une pomme par Colin Bradley

Ce tutoriel va vous montrer comment dessiner une pomme en 6 etapes en utilisant des pastels crayons...plus

Lecon pastel de la semaine: Mike Mahon

I don't always have something to say, nor am I always inspired. Painting is enough of a struggle without the added burden of making a statement. Thus, I let the subject speak to me, and I simply serve as the editor and interpreter for my audience. The subject matter is usually more profound and interesting than I am. It is this realization that freed me from 20 years of a fear of painting...

Measuring and Proportions to Help Elevate Your Figure Drawings!

By: Todd Harris

Proportions and Measuring

Proportion is a word often associated with another word for artists, stress. But I’m here to share with you that it doesn’t have to be a stressful word.

Proportion…How big should the head be? How long should the legs? How long should I draw this line? These are questions, we as artists, face everyday. There are several tools and methods to help artists with proportions.

There are certain proportion formulas, such as the figure being a certain many heads tall, or the head of the figure being so many eyes wide.

I like to know these formulas and use them as a guide. The human form being so individual you can never go strictly off of these formulas alone. As an artist, it’s important to know these formulas to be able to recognize the deviations from the formulas in the model/subject you are drawing.

Measuring

Measuring is a little bit different for every artist. It is a tool for proportions not to overlook. Just as someone aiming a poolstick or firing a gun does it differently than the next person, so goes it for the artist. Some artists, while measuring, will shut the left eye and some the right, while others will keep both eyes open (just never keep both shut LOL). You’ll need to see what’s right for you. Then, hold your pencil between your thumb and fingers with your fingers wrapped around the pencil. Measure from the top of your thumb to the end of your pencil. You can hold your pencil vertical or horizontal for this technique, keeping it at shoulder high.

Your measurement from your thumb to the end of your pencil may only be ½ inch, but on your drawing it could be an inch or more. All of your measurements are comparative. For example, if an artist wants to know how long a leg is, he can compare it’s length with the length of the subjects head. Using the measurement method we discussed with the pencil, it’s easy to compare.

How To Contour Draw and Begin Reaping the Immediate Benefits

By: Todd Harris

How to Contour Draw and the Benefits…

Making a contour drawing may seem a little overwhelming or pointless to you. Let me say there are a great many advantages and lessons learned through doing these drawings.

First, let’s discuss what a contour drawing is. Before you can draw the human form, or anything else for that matter, you must be able to see it accurately. Contour drawing is a tool that helps artists develop this skill through the sense of sight and sense of touch.

The contour is the edge of the model in space, or in more simple terms, it is the outline or horizon of the form. Contour is more than the outline; it shows forms within overlapping other forms and so on. It creates the sense of 3D. It is curved lines representing specific forms along the silhouette of the form. Defining contour can be tricky but as we explain how to do the contour drawing, you will see a clearer definition.

How to draw the Contour…

Contour drawings should be handled carefully and delicately to see the great benefits in your drawings. To make a contour drawing, you must be able to see the different variations in the shape of the figure you are drawing. Put your pencil on your paper and fix your eyes to a starting point on the model. The starting point should be on the edge of the model. Starting on this contour, move your eyes and drawing hand slowly along the edge/contour at the same time. (A helpful hint is to turn sideways so you are not tempted to look at your drawing.) As you move your eyes along the contour, your pencil is moving along the paper to draw the contour. These are done synchronized. Don’t worry about your drawing! Just keep concentrating on the edge/contour/ as your eyes follow along the contour. Follow this edge/contour until it ends or changes direction. When it changes direction, establish a new starting point and begin the process again.

One note of caution…Try not to let your gaze get ahead of your pencil. Don’t get too concerned about the accuracy of the drawing. Use patience and practice and you will reap the benefits of this tool.

Benefits of Contour Drawing…

Contour Drawing is a great tool for helping artists to be able to see the model/human form accurately. It helps you develop this skill through the sense of sight and sense of touch.

Since childhood, we are sometimes taught to draw icons as certain shapes. Use a football shape for an eye, etc. Contour drawing helps us learn not to be iconists. We start seeing the subject correctly. In addition, contour drawing helps create a sense of 3d. Done well, it can stand-alone. Contour drawings help us get rid of biases that may have been ingrained since childhood.