Deborah Velásquez - Drawing in Black & White: Creative Exercises, Art Techniques, and Explorations in Positive and Negative Design

CREATIVE EXERCISES, ART TECHNIQUES, AND EXPLORATIONS IN POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE DESIGN

DEBORAH VELSQUEZ

2017 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

Text and artwork 2017 Deborah Velsquez

First published in the United States of America in 2017 by

Quarry Books, an imprint of

Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to trace the copyright holders and ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.

Digital edition: 978-1-63159-343-7

Softcover edition: 978-1-63159-280-5

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Velasquez, Deborah, author.

Drawing in black & white : creative exercises, art techniques, and explorations in positive and negative design / Deborah Velasquez.

ISBN 9781631592805 (paperback)

1. DrawingTechnique.

NC730 .V45 2016

741.2dc23

2016029239

Design: Burge Agency

Cover Image: Deborah Velsquez

Photography: Glenn Scott Photography

Illustration: Deborah Velsquez

for Minted. Minted is a registered trademark of Minted, LLC.

I DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO MY BEAUTIFUL MOM, WHOSE DETERMINATION, STRENGTH, AND COURAGE MADE SO MUCH POSSIBLE. SHE ALWAYS SAID, LIVE LIFE WITHOUT REGRET AND DO EVERYTHING!

ALSO FOR JOHN, ELN, AND AUGUSTE, WITH LOVE.

Drawing in Black & White is about exploring simple drawing and creative play while using a limited palette. We will keep it simple and fun. With a few art supplies and basic creative exercises, you can create beauty. The projects explore line, shape, wash, stamping, and cut paper and their playful relationships with each other in positive and negative space. You will see how the integration of simple design principles, such as repetition, balance, space, and rhythm, give rise to beautiful, lively patterns. Your confidence and skill will build with each pen mark and with each exercise. Drawing in Black & White is simply presented, visually inspiring, and easy to follow. You will also find sixteen colored papers in the back of the book to use in your experimentation.

My love affair with pens and paper began in childhood. I was drawing every chance I got. I have always wanted to be an artist. Even today, I always carry a sketchbook and a handful of favorite pens with me wherever I go; I might see something I need to draw! This book was inspired by a personal challenge I undertook that I called the black and white sketchbook project. I thought that if I kept things simple and didnt overthink them, that I could make art every day. Making art every day has been a personal commitment since I returned to a creative career after having my boys. I was determined to make art no matter how limited my time was with small children. Even if I only had an hour a day, I was going to make that hour count. I started with a stack of 5" 7" (12.7 cm 17.8 cm) tan craft cardstock cards and a pen. Hence the keeping things simple mantra.

I had a design teacher in art school who said, If it doesnt work in black and white, color isnt going to fix it. I believe this to be true, and that is why I love sharing my inspiration and process with you. My hope is that you have fun, make art in its simplest form, and see how an easy warm-up exercise may just end up being a favorite framed art piece.

As you begin to draw and experiment with shape and line using just black and white, the contrast and the simplicity will be instantly evident. Black and white makes for a comfortable, low-noise creative palette. It allows your creative message to be quickly communicated. The results are clean and classic.

A limited palette lends itself to beautiful, strong, and sophisticated artwork. Dark backgrounds in black or gray with white paint make a bold statement. White pen or paint on a tan craft background has a modern yet rustic vibe.

It is restful to the creative eye to peel back color and create with less. This process returns the focus to basic yet important design principles and expands your creative process.

When creating art, everything is possible with just paper and pen. Theres no need to practice or sketch first. Just jump in and start creating. You will find sixteen drawing pages in the back of the book in gray, black, and tan to start your journey.

Try a few simple exercises. With a couple of supplies, you have all you need to challenge yourself creatively. Use the papers included to begin exploring your mark making, your lines personality, your hand, and your style. The key is to maintain a relaxed approach and do not feel like the materials are too precious to use. Draw and paint freely. Let accidents happen, such as paint drips, scribbles, and unintended linesthese may turn out to be your best work! I call it designing by accident.

In the beginning, you may want to replicate the designs you see on the page, but as you gain more experience and confidence, complete the exercises in your own style, with your own shapes, and with your own marks. That will be when the magic starts.

Use this book as a foundation, a place to grow your ideas and make your messes, mistakes, and masterpieces with confidence. Enjoy the process and be surprised by the art and beauty you create.

Your first task as you dive into this book is to get familiar with your materials. Set out all of your supplies and try each pen, each brush, and each paper type. Get ready to have your materials teach you. Practice making marks and scribbles with each pen. Do the same on different papers. Then repeat this exercise using a couple of different brushes and watercolor or gouache. Notice how the tools move with the papers. Notice how heavy or light the marks are. For example, I learned that it is easier to draw a straight line by pushing away from you with your pen or brush. I also learned that it is easier to make a circle with a nice edge by pulling your pen or brush toward you.