Mark Willenbrink - Drawing for the Absolute Beginner: A Clear & Easy Guide to Successful Drawing

Holly
Charcoal pencil on drawing paper
12 9 (30cm 23cm) drawing portraits for the
absolute beginner
A Clear & Easy Guide to
Successful Portrait Drawing
Mark and Mary
Willenbrink

Materials Chapter 1
Techniques and Principles Chapter 2
Proportions Male Proportions,
Three-Quarter View Chapter 3
Features Chapter 4
Lets Draw Portraits! We hope this book will have the same effect on you that it had on uswe fell in love with people. Drawing portraits offers the artist a unique opportunity to observe people. Every person is unique with their own special features and personality. Portrait art captures the personality of the subject through the eyes of the artist. With simple tools and basic principles, this book will help you to develop your drawing skills. We will use some fun tricks and techniques to help you learn how to draw portraits, even if you are an absolute beginner.

Everyone is an artist, including you, so get ready to have fun! B.P.
Graphite on drawing paper
11 19 (28cm 48cm) What You Need Paper 9 12 (23cm 30cm) fine-tooth drawing paper 9 12 (23cm 30cm) medium-tooth drawing paper 9 12 (23cm 30cm) light gray and medium gray medium-tooth drawing paper 9 12 (23cm 30cm) sketch paper Pencils 2B, 4B, 6B and 8B graphite pencils 2B charcoal pencil black pastel pencil light gray pastel pencil (Stabilo CarbOthello 1400/110 ) medium gray pastel pencil (Stabilo CarbOthello 1400/724) white pastel pencil Other Supplies blending stump drawing board facial tissue hole punch kneaded eraser mirror pencil sharpener ruler scissors slip sheet white vinyl eraser Optional Supplies divider or sewing gauge lightbox pencil extender spray fixative transfer paper

There are many different types of pencils. Perhaps the most common drawing pencil has a core of graphite, carbon or charcoal encased in wood. Though pencils are not made from lead, the core is commonly referred to as lead. Graphite goes down smooth, but never gets truly black. If you want a really black color, use a carbon or charcoal pencil, but they can smear easily. Woodless graphite pencils are made of a cylinder of graphite coated with lacquer.

These pencils can make wide or thin strokes but can break in two if they are not handled with care. Graphite and charcoal sticks have no outer casing. Use the sides to make broad strokes, or use the ends for narrower strokes.

Standard colored pencils can be waxy and hard to erase. Erasable and pastel chalk colored pencils offer similar results but with more versatility than standard colored pencils. Mechanical pencils are an alternative to traditional wood pencils.

Though convenient, most mechanical pencils can only produce very thin strokes. Lead holders are mechanical pencils that grip a single piece of lead at a time. The graphite is about -inch (2mm) in diameter, wider than other mechanical pencil leads. Pencil Choices
Some of the different types of pencils and drawing tools available are standard lead encased in wood, woodless, graphite and charcoal sticks, colored and mechanical pencils. Lead Holders
Though characteristically similar to a wood pencil, the lead in a lead holder is prone to breaking if excessive pressure is applied to the tip. The Hard (and Soft) Reality
The rating of the hardness of pencil lead is usually stamped on the pencil. The Hard (and Soft) Reality
The rating of the hardness of pencil lead is usually stamped on the pencil.

H leads are hard compared to B leads, which are soft. F and HB leads are in between. Hard leads cant make rich darks like the soft leads; however, they hold a sharp point longer than soft leads.

To keep a sharp point on your pencil, you need to sharpen your pencil from time to time. Pencils can be sharpened with a pencil sharpener or by hand using a craft knife and sandpaper pad. Lead It Be A common misnomer is to call the core of pencils lead. Lead It Be A common misnomer is to call the core of pencils lead.

Pencil cores are made of different materials such as graphite, carbon or charcoal, but not lead. Trim the Wood
(Note: These instructions are for right-handed people. If you are left-handed, reverse the hand order.) With the pencil point directed outward, hold the pencil with your left hand, the craft knife in your right hand. Push your left thumb against your right thumb to create leverage so the blade cuts into the wood. Roll the pencil in your hand and repeat so the wood is trimmed and the lead core is exposed. Pencil Sharpeners
Many different types of pencil sharpeners offer a quick and easy way to sharpen pencils; the small types are especially good for travel.

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