Last week we went over values a little bit and I gave you a quick exercise. I recommend doing that exercise with every drawing tool you use, especially if you are a beginner. If you have a set of pencils, do one with every single pencil. You will see the wide range of values available to you. For our purposes though, you only need one pencil or pen.
Next up is applying those values realistically to basic shapes. Almost everything is made up of the four basic shapes below: a cube, a sphere, a cone, and a cylinder. These are some very quick sketches and you should strongly consider practicing them before you do our next sketch.
CUBE
Basic Shapes, graphite on paper, ©ElishaDasenbrock2015
Cube, graphite on paper, ©ElishaDasenbrock2015
Cube Highlight, graphite on paper, ©ElishaDasenbrock2015
The highlight is the lightest part of the object. On the cube it is the side directly facing the light source.
Midtone, graphite on paper, ©ElishaDasenbrock2015
Midtone should be self-explanatory, especially after last week. This is the side that is not quite in the shadow, but also not in the light.
Shadow, graphite on paper, ©ElishaDasenbrock2015
The side farthest from the light. Easy peasy.
Cast Shadow, graphite on paper, ©ElishaDasenbrock2015
This is the part you normally think of when you think of shadow. Thanks, Peter Pan. Technically, I should have made mine a bit darker, especially closer to the box, so when you do yours, do that. You’re better than this.
SPHERE
Spere, graphite on paper, ©ElishaDasenbrock2015
I just wanted you to see the sphere before I mark all over it.
Sphere Diagram, graphite on paper, ©ElishaDasenbrock2015
It is color coded just like the cube, except it has reflective light. Technically, the cube would most likely have reflective light as well, but it depends on where the light is and what surface the cube is sitting on and what material it is made out of. This is where drawing from life and really looking at objects comes in handy.
Reflective light is the light that bounces off the surface and reflects, or shines on, the sphere from the underside. This can cause some very lovely effects, especially when the color of the surface shows up on your sphere. Ugh, I’m getting nerdy just thinking about it.
You can see how the cast shadow is darkest right at the base of the sphere and lightens as we move away from it. You can also see how all he values work a little better.
Now you can take another look at the cone and cylinder. These were all just very small and super quick sketches to show you how each shape should look. I hope they help.
For this week’s theme, I want to see you. Let’s do self-portraits! I know, I know, it’s intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Just get a mirror or a photo of yourself. Draw the basic head shape (an upside down egg). Now, draw in the large shadow shapes. Boom. You already have a likeness. Now you can do in and midtones and the darkest shadows. Then you can add some details if you feel it is necessary, but don’t get carried away. It’s a quick sketch.
Oh, don’t forget to add some lines for the neck and shoulders. Just something quick so you aren’t a floating head.