Serene Scene

Ü DEFINE VALUES: The shading in this drawing is based on a value scale of seven different values.. The overall values are rendered lighter in the distant space than in the foreground to

Brenda Hoddinott

F-10 HATCHING: Sketching is an action word,

and you can only learn this skill by actually sketching To give you a feel for the sketching process, numerous illustrations and simple text take you step-by -step through the process of rendering a sketch from one of my sketches (much easier than

working from an actual scene)

The focal points of this tranquil scene are a palm tree, an island, and the reflection of the island

on the surface of calm water This lesson utilizes various beginner skills, including graduated hatching, atmospheric perspective, and sketching from a shading map

The instructions are broken down into the following three simple stages:

Ü SKETCH PROPORTIONS: You sketch the overall composition of the scene

proportionately correct and outline the shapes of important objects

Ü MAP VALUES: You decide where the light and dark values belong, by creating a shading

map A shading map (also called a value map), is a plan (or blueprint) for adding shading to a

drawing

Ü DEFINE VALUES: The shading in this drawing is based on a value scale of seven different

values Most of the values graduate into others, either from dark to light or from light to dark The overall values are rendered lighter in the distant space than in the foreground to create the illusion of three-dimensional reality

The language of sketching serves to faithfully document your formative years of artistic development Only a few simple lines can quickly and efficiently illustrate the important shapes and values of any scene

13 PAGES – 16 ILLUSTRATIONS

This article is recommended for both experienced and aspiring artists of all ages, as well

as home schooling, academic and recreational fine art educators

Published by Hoddinott Fine Art Publishers, Halifax, NS, Canada, December, 2005

SKETCH PROPORTIONS

The goal in this section is to very lightly render a proportionately correct map of where the different parts of the scene are in relation to one another

Proportion is the relationship in size of one component of a drawing to another or others A sketch (noun) is a simple drawing that captures the integral aspects of a subject quickly and efficiently To sketch (verb) refers to the process of rendering a sketch

ILLUSTRATION 10-01

1) Study the subject

Seeing is by far the most

important step toward

creating a proportionately

correct sketch

Pretend that this sketch is

an actual scene Look at the

contours and proportions

Contour lines are formed

when the shared edges of

spaces and/or objects meet

A contour drawing is

comprised of lines that

follow the contours of the

edges of various

components of a drawing

subject

Observe how all the

components within the scene

interact with one another

A scene can be separated into foreground, middle ground, and distant space by overlapping (or layering) objects in front of one another Identify which objects are closest to you, those that are farther away, and objects or parts of objects that overlap others

Overlapping refers to a technique for creating the illusion of depth in a drawing by drawing a subject so it visually appears to be in front of another (or others) The foreground is the part of the scene that is closest to you The middle ground is the space or section of the scene beyond the subjects in the foreground Distant space refers to the components of the scene that are farthest

away such as the distant mountain range and the sky

The focal points of this tranquil scene are a palm tree, an island, and the reflection of the island

on the surface of calm water

Focal point is a term used to identify the most important elements in a drawing Primary focal point is the most important center of interest (or focus) in a drawing Secondary focal point(s) is

a center of interest in a drawing composition that is significant, but not as important as the primary focal point

ILLUSTRATION 10-02

2) Follow along with the following four illustrations and render a sketch of the scene

With simple sketch lines, indicate the basic shapes and outlines of the objects

in your scene in proper proportion to one another

Fine detail isn’t as important as capturing the overall essence of the subject

ILLUSTRATION 10-03

As a beginner

to sketching, you may

want to draw slowly

Accuracy is more

important than speed

Your speed will

automatically improve

the more you practice

A few simple lines, along

with careful observation

of your drawing subject,

can visually describe

anything

For example, sometimes

one curved line is all you

need to record the curve

of a tree or a section of

land

ILLUSTRATION 10-04

The mountains in the background

appear smaller than the section of

the island (on the right), which is

actually much closer and smaller

Perspective is a visual illusion in

which objects appear to become

smaller the farther away they are

from the viewer

Pay close attention to the shapes

created by the positive and

negative spaces

Positive space refers to the space

occupied by the drawing subject

and/or its (or his or her) various

parts Negative space refers to

the background around and/or

behind a drawing subject such as

objects, people, or animals

ILLUSTRATION 10-05

Continue adjusting your drawing until you are happy

Check the relationships of objects to one another, and observe that angles, sizes, and proportions are accurate

At this point, the preliminary sketch

is complete and everything is where it should

be

MAP VALUES

In this section you identify where the light and dark values belong, by creating a shading map A

shading map (also called a value map), is a plan (or blueprint) for adding shading to a drawing

The locations and sizes of the shapes of various values are identified and/or lightly outlined

Values are the different shades of gray created in a drawing by various means

The shading in this drawing is based on a value scale of seven different values Shading (noun)

refers to the various values in a drawing that make images appear three-dimensional; (verb) the process of adding values to a drawing so as to create the illusion of texture, form and/or

three-dimensional space A value scale refers to the range of different values from light to dark or from

dark to light

The value scale in the next illustration is rendered with hatching Hatching is a series of lines

(called a set) drawn closely together to give the illusion of values The individual lines in hatching sets can be either far apart or close together Each different value is numbered from light to dark with numbers 1 to 7

ILLUSTRATION 10-06

Compare the completed drawing (on the left) with the value map Compare the numbers on the map (on the right) to the corresponding numbers of the values in the value scale (above) The palm tree isn’t illustrated in the map, but is shaded with several different darker values

ILLUSTRATION 10-07 ILLUSTRATION 10-08

DEFINE VALUES

In this section, the planned sketch is transformed into a completed sketch! Keep in mind that a full range of values gives contrast between the light and the shadow areas You can achieve different values by using various pencils, varying the density of the lines, and varying the pressure used in holding your pencils

Most of the values used to create the shading in this drawing graduate into others, either from

dark to light or from light to dark Graduated values (also called a graduation or graduated shading) is a continuous progression of values, from dark to light or light to dark The goal of

graduated shading is to keep the transitions between the different values flowing smoothly into one another (have a closer look at the graduated values in Illustration 10-07)

The process of shading is individual to each artist Some artists prefer to work from light to dark and others work from dark to light In this particular sketch, I worked from light to dark

The overall values are rendered lighter in the distant space than in the foreground to give the illusion of depth to the sketch This illusion is based on an element of perspective known as

atmospheric perspective Atmospheric perspective (also referred to as aerial perspective) refers

to the visual depth created by particles in the atmosphere The farther objects and/or people recede into the distance, the lighter in value they seem to become, and their edges and forms appear more blurred

3) Refer to the following ten illustrations, as you add shading to the sketch with hatching graduations and a full range of values from 1 to 7

ILLUSTRATION 10-09

Use various

pencils to help create a

full value scale, and

subsequently a strong

contrast of values

Contrast, the

comparison of different

values when put beside

one another, is an

invaluable tool for

heightening the effects

of a drawing

composition

I begin by adding the

lightest value (1) to the

sky and water with a 2H

pencil

ILLUSTRATION 10-10

The diagonal hatching lines of the upper section

of the sky (2) are graduated down toward the light values by progressively applying a little less pressure with the 2H pencil

The horizontal hatching lines, used for the water

in the foreground (2), help create the illusion of ripples

Remember to erase the horizontal line cutting through the island before you add shading

ILLUSTRATION 10-11

A few simple hatching lines indicate the values

of the mountain in the distant space (3), which is shaded with an HB pencil (press very lightly)

The three land masses are shaded differently

according to their positions in the drawing The island is shaded with both HB and 2B pencils, and the tiny section of land in the foreground is rendered with 2B and 4B pencils

ILLUSTRATION 10-12

The lighter values of the island (4) are shaded with

an HB pencil

Take your time If you begin to tire

or feel frustrated, take a break

When you return have a fresh look at your drawing and touch up anything you’re not happy with

ILLUSTRATION 10-13

The reflection of the island in the water (5) is rendered with an HB pencil The values used are slightly darker than the island itself at this stage

The hatching lines of the reflection are horizontal rather than angular

You may find it easier to add shading to the reflection by turning your drawing

sideways (I did)

ILLUSTRATION 10-14

A layer of dark values is added to the land in the foreground (7) with a 2B pencil

Currently, this style of sketching is

my personal favorite However, you are a unique individual with your own preferences Therefore, you need to experiment with various sketching techniques until you find the style that works best for you!

ILLUSTRATION 10-15

Use a 4B pencil to add a few squiggly lines to the tiny section of land in the foreground These lines represent small shrubs and foliage

The shading of the trunk

of the tree is lighter on the left, providing insight into the direction from which the light source originates (the left)

Light source is the

direction from which a dominant light originates

A light source identifies where to draw the light and shadow areas of a drawing subject

A 2B pencil works well to add shading to the dark shadow sections along the lower part of the island (6) The shading of the island graduates from light at the top to dark in the lower sections I’ve left a tiny horizontal sliver of light values to identify where the land meets the water Also, I’ve used a freshly sharpened HB pencil to draw a few tiny trees and shrubs on the island

The largest branches of the palm tree are added with curved lines and a 2B pencil

ILLUSTRATION 10-16

Use freshly sharpened HB and 2B pencils and curved hatching lines to complete the smaller branches on the upper section of the palm tree Refer to the close-up on the following page

Observe how some branches are lighter than others, especially the ones that are farther away In other words, the branches that are in the foreground are considerably darker in value This illusion of depth is a result of atmospheric perspective

ILLUSTRATION 10-17

Step back from your drawing and have a look at the overall values You may need to make some areas lighter and others darker To make a section darker, simply add more hatching lines in between the others To make a section lighter, pat the lines gently with a kneaded eraser molded

to a wedge or point

Sign your name, write today’s date on the back, and put a smile on your face

ILLUSTRATION 10-18

Don’t be afraid to try different shading techniques Drawings you don’t like, present opportunities to spot problems, and seek new ways of doing things Even a totally disastrous drawing can teach you not to try that particular approach again!

Keep in mind that the more you practice sketching the better and faster you become On a good day, you may be creating several different and wonderful sketches within an hour!

BRENDA HODDINOTT - BIOGRAPHY

As a self-educated teacher, visual artist, portraitist, forensic artist, and illustrator, Brenda Hoddinott utilizes diverse art media including graphite, technical pen, colored pencil, chalk pastel, charcoal, conté crayon, and oil paints

Born in St John’s, Newfoundland, Brenda grew up in the small town of Corner Brook She developed strong technical competencies with a personal commitment to self directed learning, and the aid of assorted “Learn to Draw” books During Brenda’s twenty-five year career as a self-educated civilian forensic artist, numerous criminal investigation departments have employed Brenda’s skills, including Royal Canadian Mounted Police and municipal police departments In 1992, Brenda was honored with a commendation from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and in 1994, she was awarded a Certificate of Membership from “Forensic Artists International”

Her home-based art career included graphic design, and teaching recreational drawing and painting classes As supervisor of her community’s recreational art department, Brenda hired and trained teachers, and designed curriculum for several children’s art programs In 1998, Brenda chose to end her eighteen-year career as an art educator in order to devote more time to writing, drawing, painting, and developing her websites

Drawspace http://www.drawspace.com incorporates her unique style and innovative approach to curriculum development This site offers downloadable and printable drawing classes for students of all abilities from the age of eight through adult Students of all ages, levels and abilities have praised the simple step-by-step instructional approach This site is respected as a resource for fine art educators, home schooling programs, and educational facilities throughout the world

LEARN-TO-DRAW BOOKS BY BRENDA HODDINOTT

Drawing for Dummies (2003): Wiley Publishing, Inc., New, York, NY, this 336 page book

is available on various websites and in major bookstores internationally

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Drawing People (2004): Winner of the Alpha-Penguin

Book of the Year Award 2004, Alpha - Pearson Education – Macmillan, Indianapolis, IN, this 360 page book is available on various websites and in major bookstores internationally