Page 50 - Australian_How_To_Paint

DEMONSTRA TION

materials to a minimum when I’m out
drawing with HB and 2B pencils, I like to
draw with a very fine point and the harder
STEP ONE the lead of an HB pencil will hold its point
longer especially on smooth paper. When
oughing out a sketch and then work back
through with a softer 2B, enhancing to
tones and over all composition. I prefer
Staedler Mars Lumograph pencils, the soft
wood encasing the lead, it is much easier
to cut back with a sharp knife leaving me
with a clear 10mm of lead which I refine
to an even finer point with the emery board
strips you can buy from any pharmacist
and are used for filing finger nails.
My sketch books are various makes,
but I like the smooth white paper, the
whiter the better as this gives a better
contrast with pencil or pen, a pliable
eraser and fixative are also an essential
part of my equipment and of course a
sharp knife. I never carry more than I
need to and if possible park my vehicle
close to the subject and often draw
STEP TWO from the comfort of the driver’s seat.
Once you have found an interesting
subject look for the light source if you
are to render a pleasing drawing, it will
be paramount when you have established
the basic composition, stand back and
observe the light, consider it carefully it’s
not always as obvious as you first think
and needs some planning at the outset.
Foliage is often the sketchers best friend,
and can be used in many ways to soften,
emphasise, dramatise or frame to great
effect, and I often invent extra foliage
to break up lines, filter out areas and
taper drawings at the edges, my drawing
would be classed as vignette as I tend
to leave a clean white area around the
subject and the framing mat, this tecniche

STEP THREE