Gilbert - Artists Toolbox: Painting Tools & Materials: A practical guide to using a painters tools of the trade, including paints, brushes, palettes & more

A practical guide to

GRAPHITE, CHARCOAL, COLORED PENCIL,

and more

Basic drawing classes often serve as the gateway to an art education. Drawing involves simple tools and papers, so you can afford to start right away. The elements of art and principles of design can be learned through drawing media, allowing you to grasp everything you need before moving on to other forms of visual art, such as painting or sculpture. However, drawing is a discipline that yields beautiful, finished work in its own right that can reach impressive heights of both realism and emotional expression.

A long list of drawing media is available to artists today, from graphite and colored pencils to charcoal, pastel, and ink. The range of tools can produce smooth tones, expressive strokes, dramatic monochromatic palettes, and richly colorful pieces. In this book, youll learn about traditional drawing media through helpful lists, charts, techniques, and inspiring visuals. Youll also find instruction on drawing methods and concepts to simplify and enrich the drawing process. The final chapter invites you to follow demonstrations by accomplished artists as you get to know common media.

As you work through this book, its important to remember two things. First, youll always want to buy the best quality of materials that you can afford. Although student-grade materials are less expensive, artist-grade materials contain less filler, yield richer colors, give you more control over the medium, and are less likely to fade over time. Buying artist-grade materials upfront will likely save you frustration in the long run. Second, remember that the world of art materials is always growing. This book is a great way to broaden your knowledge of traditional and current materials, but always look to art stores and internet resources to keep abreast of new products on the scene. You never know what might fan the flames of inspiration!

A lifelong lover of the arts, Elizabeth T. Gilbert earned a BA in English from the University of San Diego in 2003, where she also studied art. Elizabeth spent the following eight years as an editor, a writer, and an in-house artist for Walter Foster Publishing, where she developed a fondness for experimenting with a wide range of art media. She is now a freelance writer, editor, and illustrator based in Colorado.

Like many artists, Steven Pearce got his start at an early age. His mother was an oil painter, and his father was an oil painter, a sculptor, and a master jeweler. He enjoys experimenting with other media, including charcoal, colored pencil, oil, and acrylic. Steven loves drawing portraits, still lifes, wildlife, and landscapes.

Alain Picard earned a BA in illustration from Western Connecticut State University and went on to study at the Art Students League of New York. He is a frequent workshop instructor and demonstrator whose work has garnered top awards and been featured in a variety of publications and instructional art videos. He lives in Southbury, Connecticut.

Paul Pigram originally trained in graphic design, which led him into the creative world of advertising. After a successful career, he returned to his love of painting and now works as a full-time professional artist and tutor specializing in pastel painting. Paul has perfected his own techniques to capture light and shadow. Working almost exclusively with soft pastels on sanded card, Paul demonstrates his techniques to art groups and societies across the United Kingdom. He also runs pastel-painting workshops throughout the year. He lives in North Wales.

M. Ramos is a Brazilian artist who has worked with pointillism and stippling since 2000. He currently lives in So Paulo, Brazil, where he works in a studio and spends his time drawing, teaching art classes, and creating a webcomic. His works range from editorial and scientific illustrations to commissioned art and are featured in private collections in Brazil, the United States, and Europe.

Nathan Rohlanders bright, vibrant paintings have been featured in magazines, in Super Bowl commercials, in numerous television shows, and even in MTV videos. Nathan graduated with honors and a fine arts degree from the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, and went on to earn a master of fine arts at California State University, Long Beach.

Eileen Sorg started her company, Two Dog Studio, in 2000 after graduating from the University of Washington and now spends much of her time creating custom artwork for her many clients. Eileen is a signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and a juried member of the International Guild of Realism and the Society of Animal Artists. Her work is represented in several regional galleries.

Before putting your pencil to paper, take some time to think about your drawing space. Designating an area for art is a great way to stay focused and organized. And you dont need muchcomfort, convenience, and good lighting are the most important elements of an effective art space. Once youve chosen your studio, fill it with tools and materials that will simplify your drawing process. In this chapter, youll learn about the following:

WORKING SURFACES

Working with dry media calls for a flat or slightly tilted drawing surface. Suitable surfaces vary widely, from tempered glass tabletops to portable boards. Sketching can even be done on your lap, using the hard cardboard backing of a notebook. Below are tips for choosing and preparing a drawing surface that suits you.

Beware of working on uncoated or soft wood, which can score easily.

Work on a surface that is larger than your paper to avoid creasing and damaging edges.

Avoid textured or seamed surfaces.

You may prefer to draw on a small stack of papers for a soft, cushioned feel.

Before laying your paper on a surface, use a soft brush to wipe away dirt and old eraser crumbs.

Make sure the surface is free of oil and moisture.

Before beginning a piece of art, test your paper on the surface using your medium.

Drawing and drafting tables feature a large, smooth surface that tilts to varying degrees. Often made of wood, composite, or tempered glass, these desks can feature ledges, compartments, and drawers for holding materials. Some also have wheeled legs.

A drawing board offers a sturdy, smooth, and portable surface for supporting your paper as you draw. You can use it in your lap and rest it against a table edge for a tilted surface. Drawing boards often come with clips or an elastic band to keep your paper in place while drawing.