David Webb - 101 Ways to Draw: A Field Guide to Drawing Mediums and Techniques

Drawing can be defined as the picturing of objects on a surface, and as such anyone can draw. This spontaneous childhood activity is often dropped as we grow up and become more critical of our efforts the gulf between what we can see and what we can draw seems too great and we give up in frustration. Drawing, however, can be learned and, as with most things, practise improves our skill even if it does not always achieve perfection.

Start by setting aside a short time each day for drawing. Always carry a small sketchbook and pencil with you and fill in the odd five or ten minutes by drawing anything you can see around you. Look at the scene or the object and draw what you see, rather than what you expect the subject to look like. Use exercises, such as drawing negative spaces, to make you look really hard at creating what is in front of you. As you improve, try to build up a collection of references for future compositions; aim to capture a movement, the essentials of an object, an interesting juxtaposition of elements in a scene. Your sketchbooks will soon become an invaluable resource.

Once you get hooked on drawing you will want to experiment with the many different media available. The physical differences between using crumbly charcoal, powdery pastels and greasy oil sticks will dictate what you draw and how you apply them to the support. For fine detail, pencils of all kinds, pens and ball-points cannot be bettered. Working large with bold sweeps and strong lines needs drawing tools such as charcoal, felt-tip pens or pastels. Some drawing media can be erased easily, others stain the paper; some demand you work quickly and confidently, while others are capable of delicate, precise lines where just a suggestion is enough to create an interesting image. What you draw on is as important as choosing what to draw with and matching the medium to the support can be the key to a successful picture.

Drawing accurately is not the only skill. Creating an impression or a feeling is equally important. When drawing from life try to work on the picture as a whole rather than concentrating on a small area. Use a variety of lines fine and light or dark and heavy, continuous or sketchy to keep the drawing interesting and lively. Introducing contour lines, building up the shading or adding a wash will make the composition three dimensional.

It is never too late to start drawing, the materials are as cheap or as expensive as you choose and the subject matter is all around you. Now pick up a pencil and begin. Keep your old sketchbooks and first drawings and after a few months look back to see how much you have improved.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

This is not a step-by-step drawing book or a book that tells you how or what to draw. Nor does it spend time exploring the whys and wherefores of each medium. Instead it is a visual directory of drawing techniques providing you with everything you need to explore and experiment with different techniques and mediums. Use it as a handy reference for when you want to know how to use a particular tool, or as a catalogue of inspiration when seeking new ideas to try.

As the techniques progress, youll explore the creative possibilities beyond one medium, and be encouraged to look at your work and style in a new light. Use this section as an aid to expression and skill development and to look at the myriad possibilities of mixed media, which have all been selected because of their compatibility.

GRAPHITE PENCILS

Choose a smooth drawing paper and HB, 2B and 4B pencils to experiment with different techniques.