Welcome to Drawing to See and Exploring Color
The first section is an outline of the course Drawing to See
Scroll down for Exploring Color
To quote Goethe, “We should draw more and talk less.”
This course outline is designed to be an exploration of both observational and expressive drawing. By studying subjects from the natural world in a series of exercises, you will learn to observe your surroundings with eyes that comprehend visual form and hands that are capable of rendering what you see. I recommend a wide variety of media so you will have the opportunity to explore different techniques, refine your technical knowledge, and seek out a creative voice. This course intends to help those both new and familiar to visual expression to hone their capacity for observation as well as their visual vocabulary.
Scroll down for Exploring Color
To quote Goethe, “We should draw more and talk less.”
This course outline is designed to be an exploration of both observational and expressive drawing. By studying subjects from the natural world in a series of exercises, you will learn to observe your surroundings with eyes that comprehend visual form and hands that are capable of rendering what you see. I recommend a wide variety of media so you will have the opportunity to explore different techniques, refine your technical knowledge, and seek out a creative voice. This course intends to help those both new and familiar to visual expression to hone their capacity for observation as well as their visual vocabulary.
Suggested Materials
Estimated cost $40-$80
1 hard cover Sketch Pad 9”x 12” or larger or similar, mixed media paper.
1 2H pencil
1 H pencil
1 2B or 4B pencil
1 small box hard willow charcoal
Assorted sizes paper tortillions and/or stumps for blending
1 set of “Micron” (or similar brand) permanent black ink drawing pens, nib sizes 01-07
1 set of assorted watercolor brushes, student grade (detail, round, small flat and wider flat not larger than 1")
1 set of “Derwent” (or similar brand) watercolor pencils (set of 12 or more)
4 Conte pencils (black, sanguine, sepia, white)
2 small Sumi brushes (round and flat)
1 small bottle black ink for drawing and writing (Black Cat brand or similar)
1 drawing and calligraphy pen with nibs (like Speedball brand C style nibs, Artist drawing nib, bowl nib and crow quill)
1 small pocket pencil sharpener (narrow and wide barrels)
1 kneaded eraser
1 “pink pearl” or similar type eraser
1 small 6” plastic ruler
1 inexpensive, unbreakable magnifying glass (optional)
A small, convenient tote for your supplies
1 hard cover Sketch Pad 9”x 12” or larger or similar, mixed media paper.
1 2H pencil
1 H pencil
1 2B or 4B pencil
1 small box hard willow charcoal
Assorted sizes paper tortillions and/or stumps for blending
1 set of “Micron” (or similar brand) permanent black ink drawing pens, nib sizes 01-07
1 set of assorted watercolor brushes, student grade (detail, round, small flat and wider flat not larger than 1")
1 set of “Derwent” (or similar brand) watercolor pencils (set of 12 or more)
4 Conte pencils (black, sanguine, sepia, white)
2 small Sumi brushes (round and flat)
1 small bottle black ink for drawing and writing (Black Cat brand or similar)
1 drawing and calligraphy pen with nibs (like Speedball brand C style nibs, Artist drawing nib, bowl nib and crow quill)
1 small pocket pencil sharpener (narrow and wide barrels)
1 kneaded eraser
1 “pink pearl” or similar type eraser
1 small 6” plastic ruler
1 inexpensive, unbreakable magnifying glass (optional)
A small, convenient tote for your supplies
Gallery of Student Works
Recommended Exercises
1. Understanding Line with Hierarchy of Line through thickness to express shape, form, and space
a. Memory
b. Blind Contour
c. Contour
2. Building Basic Shapes
a. Form through Wire Drawing
b. Proportion and Measurement with Compositional Principles
3. Values
a. Value Scales
b. Creating Space through Values
4. Value, Pattern, Movement, and Form
a. Using Wet Medium
b. Scale Micros to Macro
5. Perspective
a. Atmospheric Perspective in Field Sketching
b. Still Life Objects
c. Architecture
6. Artistic Anatomy
a. Proportion and Measurement in Relationship of Parts to Whole
b. Gestural Drawings
7. Artistic Anatomy in Detail
a. Hand and Feet
b. Portrait
a. Memory
b. Blind Contour
c. Contour
2. Building Basic Shapes
a. Form through Wire Drawing
b. Proportion and Measurement with Compositional Principles
3. Values
a. Value Scales
b. Creating Space through Values
4. Value, Pattern, Movement, and Form
a. Using Wet Medium
b. Scale Micros to Macro
5. Perspective
a. Atmospheric Perspective in Field Sketching
b. Still Life Objects
c. Architecture
6. Artistic Anatomy
a. Proportion and Measurement in Relationship of Parts to Whole
b. Gestural Drawings
7. Artistic Anatomy in Detail
a. Hand and Feet
b. Portrait
Recommended Drawing Texts and Visual References
Instructional:
Charles Bargue Drawing Course
Artistic Anatomy by Richer
Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters by Robert Beverly Hale
The Art of Calligraphy and Lettering
Classical Drawing Atelier by Juliette Aristides
Human Anatomy by Goldfinger
Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters by Robert Beverly Hale
Bridgman’s Complete Guide to Drawing from Life
Drawing and Sketching in Pencil by Arthur Guptill
Rendering in Pen and Ink by Arthur Guptill
Atlas of Animal Anatomy by Ellenberger
The Guild Handbook of Scientific Illustration ed. Elaine R.S. Hodges
Instructional and Inspiring:
Drawing to See by Goldstein and Fishman
The Zen of Seeing by Frederick Franke
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
Handy Examples From the Dover Publishing Art Library:
(inexpensive art/drawing reproductions, excellent resources for studio in paperback)
Self- Portraits
Degas
Van Gogh
Holbien
Old Mast Portraits
Sargent
Rubens
Schiele
Picasso
Great Drawings of Nudes
Hopper
Miro
Old Master Life
Steilen Cats
Leonardo Drawings
Leonardo’s Anatomical Drawings
Gustav Klimt
150 Masterpieces of Drawing
William Blake Works
Albrecht Durer
Dore’s Illustrations
Adolphe Menzel
Anatomy of the Horse by George Stubbs
Book of 100 Hands by George Bridgman
Andreas Vesalius
Albinus on Anatomy
Great Animal Drawings and Prints
Support for When You are Working On Your Own:
Participate in "Inktober" . https://inktober.com/
Participate in the Sketchbook Project . https://www.sketchbookproject.com/
Social Media Groups such as "Sketch with Me!", and "Nature Journaling Club"
Also, inquire at your local community college and arts center about drop in life drawing classes, and artists groups.
Participate in the Sketchbook Project . https://www.sketchbookproject.com/
Social Media Groups such as "Sketch with Me!", and "Nature Journaling Club"
Also, inquire at your local community college and arts center about drop in life drawing classes, and artists groups.