Alex Hillkurtz - Sketching Techniques for Artists: In-Studio and Plein-Air Methods for Drawing and Painting Still Lifes, Landscapes, Architecture, Faces and Figures, and More

ALEX HILLKURTZ

In-Studio and Plein-Air Methods for
Drawing and Painting Still Life, Landscape,
Architecture, Faces and Figures, and More

Cairoli Castello, Milan in the rain. Ink and graphite.

Marina Del Rey, California. Ink and graphite.

A sketch is an elusive animal. Sketches can duck and weave. They can hide in plain sight. They can taunt us when our vision exceeds our ability. Even when things are going well, just when we think weve got one captured, one false move on our part and they slip away, leaving us bewildered and frustrated.

A sketch is a memento. A quick jot to remember a place, listen to the birds, feel the breeze, let conversations wash over us in a language we may not yet know.

A sketch can be many things, and sketching can open doors to new experiences and places. Id like to share some of what Ive learned over the years about sketching. Ill offer tips and techniques, favorite materials, and also why I do certain things, and the thought processes behind them.

I come from a background in storyboarding and illustration for film. Ive always been fascinated with what happens behind the scenes. Every time I watch a movie or TV show, every time I see a concert, sporting event, or any sort of production, I want to know whats going on behind the scenes. How did the spectacle before me come into being?

I feel the same way about painting and sketching. I love looking at great art. I love leafing through sketchbooks of friends travels. And Im always curious about what it took to create what Im seeing. Why did the painter use this particular color? What about this location caught someones eye? What was going on behind the scenes that allowed this creation to see the light of day?

Id like to take you behind the scenes of my sketches and paintings. Ill show you how I achieve my results, and Ill explain the choices I made along the way. Sketches for me are like scenes in a movie. This book is the making of, and its my hope that shedding light on the process will be just as enjoyable as the final outcome.

Venice Canal. Ink and watercolor on handmade paper.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS

Pencil, ink, and paint can be applied to a page in many ways, each with its own purpose and personality. Tools are an extension of your hand, your arm, your imagination, and your soul. We could paint with our fingers, but an endless variety of art supplies have been invented to enhance our abilities and fine-tune our expression. Its worth spending time playing with these tools and getting used to the way they feel and perform.

A PERSONAL CHOICE

Tools used to express creativity can be a very personal choice. As you become more comfortable with different tools, youll find ones that best express what you want to say. For some, a cheap pen with a steel nib is sufficient. Others prefer something more expensive and stylish. Like most art supplies (and tools in general), you get what you pay for. Remember, the best brush is the one you have with you. The best set of paints is what you have with you. You can do a lot with minimal materials.

Pencils, Pens, and Inks

Making marks on paper is at the root of all sketching. Here are some of my favorite tools that get my sketches off to a good start.

PENCILS

I have a soft touch while sketching so I prefer a darker lead. For me, 4B and 6B pencils are best. Because these leads are soft, I use a mechanical pencil to maintain a fine line without constant sharpening. For highlights, I use a white Cont Paris sketching pencil. For quickly applying shadows, I like the dark wash (8B) Derwent water-soluble sketching pencil and ArtGraf graphite sticks.

INK PENS

Fine liners, fountain pens, dip pens, and bamboo sketching penseach tool is unique in its feel and application. I carry many options with me when I paint and sketch, so I always have what I need, depending on my mood and the subject Im drawing.

FINE LINER PENS

Fine liner pens are felt-tip markers that come in multiple widths, so its easy to apply variety to your sketch. Theyre a wonderfully simple tool for applying a clean, dark line. I use thicker pens for objects in the foreground, and thinner lines for those in the distance. By varying the line weight in this way, you create a sense of atmospheric perspective while using only black ink. Fine liners typically use waterproof ink, so adding washes of color later wont smudge your line. Sakura Pigma Micron pens sizes 05, 03, and 01 are my favorite.

DIP AND BAMBOO PENS

Dip pens and bamboo sketching pens give a much more dynamic variety of line. These types of pens have been used for thousands of years, and I cant help but feel the pull of history when sketching with such traditional tools. I use dip pens in the studio as its cumbersome to carry a bottle of ink while sketching outdoors. For me, the risk of one unfortunate spill isnt worth it.

FOUNTAIN PENS AND INKS

My favorite tool for sketching is a fountain pen. These pens are compact, easy to use, and if used properly, wont leak. Ive always been drawn to the appeal of fountain pens, with their elegance and artistry of construction.

GET A GRIP

Practice variety in your grip. Just like tennis players have many ways to get the ball over the net, you can build a variety of ways to hold pencils and brushes.