Using a ground (background)
Who said drawings have to be on plain white pieces of paper? Try adding a ground to your papers to give your drawings something extra.
- Before you start your drawings prepare several grounds on 2 - 3 pieces of paper.
- These should be thin washes of colour. Don't make them too dark otherwise your drawings won't show.
- Once the ground is dry use a 4b pencil to accurately do an observational drawing of your subject.
- You can then use a white pencil to add highlights.
Using grounds part 2
So you've tried a basic ground using a coloured wash. This intriguing painting by artist Andrew Young depicts tightly controlled images of people bicycling across a ground of streaming drips and collaged materials. Here are the steps you can take to produce this drawing.
Start by adding some washes to several pieces of paper(always work on more then one drawing at a time as it will save time in the long run)
Then collage some pieces of pattered paper. This could include wallpaper, newspaper of pages out of a comic!
Now add some drips overtop.
If your ground is looking too dark you could add a layer of whitewash.
Now draw you subject overtop. The example here has several images which make for a very interesting composition.
Start by adding some washes to several pieces of paper(always work on more then one drawing at a time as it will save time in the long run)
Then collage some pieces of pattered paper. This could include wallpaper, newspaper of pages out of a comic!
Now add some drips overtop.
If your ground is looking too dark you could add a layer of whitewash.
Now draw you subject overtop. The example here has several images which make for a very interesting composition.
Using grounds with cartoons
This drawing uses the same basic techniques as above. This could be a great way to start off your folio.
- Collect whole page comic book images of your character. NOT SINGLE IMAGES GRABBED FROM GOOGLE IMAGES!
- Glue to paper. Get at least three pages ready.
- Paint your three backgounds with a coloured wash
- Lightly sketch out character
- Use white paint to block in some areas. Make sure you get some lovely drips!!!
- Use black in to draw the rest of the character.
Line drawings with impact
Line drawings by Ultima Thule: there is a slick contrast in this drawing between the sharp black lines and the dripping green. The application of colour to one area creates a dramatic focal point.
- Start by applying a ground. Could be white or slightly off-white.
- Draw your subject in pencil using only line. (DO NOT TRACE)
- Make sure your lines have different weights. This is when they are all slightly different thicknesses.
- Pick out an important detail and paint in. This could be flat colour like the picture or could even have tone.
Drawings with interesting spaces
Jim Dine always does interesting things with the spaces around his subject. Here he has used an tone and texture to emphasis the shape of the clamp. Interestingly he has also left some of the clamp unfinished.
- Start by applying a ground. Could be white or slightly off-white.
- Lightly sketch out the shape of the object.
- Using accurate observation to render the object. Be aware of the surface texture and lighting on the object.
- Now use texture, crosshatch, or tone to work on the space outside the object. This will help bring out the object.