Today's Class- Today we continued our use of conte crayons in value drawing, but this time used the red and black together, and the subject was figural rather than simple objects. The red crayon adds a feeling of warmth that the black crayon doesn't provide, making it ideal for representing flesh, while the black crayon provides the possibilities of dark values that the red crayon can't achieve. We looked at a few slide examples of Renaissance era chiaroscuro drawing and chiaroscuro woodcut, processes that relate to what we did today.
Above is a student drawing from a different class, done more in the style popularized in the Renaissance. It uses a piece of solidly colored paper (in this case green, but other colors can be just as effective), and the artist draws with both white (highlights, done with conte or chalk) and black (shadows, done with charcoal or ink), and the medium value of the colored paper serves as the middle value. However, colored papers can be expensive and are not always stocked in local art supply stores, so our light will come from our white paper, our medium values from a sanguine (red) crayon, and the darks from a black crayon.
How to make this up- Today's subject was the human figure, more complex than what we've drawn before, but the next step for people who want to continue their study of drawing. The first half of class was spent working from a mannequin, and the second half working from a live model. Below is an example drawing from today's class.
There are two approaches that can be taken to this three-tone technique. The traditional method (similar effect to old fashioned chiaroscuro drawing) is to use the red crayon first to do a value drawing, then blend from red to black for the darker values and deep shadows. The drawing below and two above using red and black are examples of this process.
Another option is reducing the drawing to 3 solid tones representing light (white of the paper), medium (red) and dark (black) values in the subject. So instead of blending gradually from white to red to black, the drawing is made from hard edged shapes, the result looking more like a chiaroscuro woodcut. Below is an example. This option is more difficult, as everything must be planned in advance, and the artist must consistently assign values in the subject to one of the 3 tones.
The assignment- Complete two figure related drawings, each using a full sheet of your 18" x 24" paper and the two colors of conte crayons. The subjects can be a live human figure (dressed is acceptable), or figure-like object such as a statue, figurine or doll that is large enough to show details. Light the figure to create strong light and shadow patterns. Spend about 2 hours on each drawing. You may use either or both of the above styles for the two drawings.
Homework- We will return to our old friend, the shoe. In your sketchbook draw two shoes using the combined red and black crayons, one per page. Use two different shoes, or the same shoe from two different angles. Light the shoes to create light and shadows and try to match the values as closely as possible.
Reminder- we only have two weeks left of class, at which point everything is due, including the sketchbook and the museum paper. If you are behind on the homework sketches, you have until then to get them done. Use the blog archives to check on what you may have missed.
For next class 12/7/11- We will be doing the final still life drawing of the semester. You may use your choice of charcoal (vine or compressed), ink wash, or conte crayon (one or two colors) to complete the value drawing. Bring your medium of choice and related materials (brushes, kneaded eraser, fixative, etc), along with your 18" x 24" paper. You will have the whole class period to work on one drawing, or do more than one and choose the best one to turn in at the end of class.
