Figure Drawing and Expressing Light

Following the design of their sketchbook cover, students in Honors Painting embarked on a figure drawing project to hone their observational drawing skills.  
First, they warmed up by practicing gesture drawing for several days, capturing the essence of poses quickly. 
 


Next, a former student of mine posed for 3 days. Students drew the model in charcoal from their point of view, using comparative measurements and drawing the negative space shapes in order to try and capture the correct proportions. 

 

  
Next, we discussed the idea of value, and the students established the tone of their paper as a middle value. They then added white pastel for the highlights they observed and dark pastel and charcoal for the shadows and lower values. I showed the students many images of drawings, some dating back to hundreds of years ago, by artists who used this same technique to express contrast and form.