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[Drawing] Made Easy March 21, 2011 |
| Hi I recently discovered a drawing website that has a fantastic newsletter!
 It's not very good but it looks like a nose and I'm pretty happy with it considering it was done a very short amount of time. What's New at AllAboutDrawings.comAs "Your Space" continues to grow and be popular, I become more aware of the common things that artists struggle with.Last month, Sue did a drawing of a ballerina and she admitted that negative space is something that keeps her guessing. If you don't start with a border on your page, it is hard to portray or see negative space. That's why some artists use their fingers to form a square -- they are actually framing the view before them and this helps them decide what portion of their view they are going to draw. They then proceed by drawing the border first. We can learn from past artists and do as they do, it makes things so much easier for us to understand. A Great Book For You: If you've made a commitment to learn to sketch this year, the How To Sketch book will set you on the right path. You are gently led step by step into the sketching world and you also learn tips and tricks for drawing or sketching. It's all in one handy online eBook and it’s easy to order - click here to read more. If you already have a copy, don't forget to keep referring back to it because it's a great way to remind yourself of things you have forgotten and to see things in a new light. I'd also like to thank you for your tremendous support, I appreciate it very much. Tip of the MonthUsing a frame:My Mum uses a border made from scrap cardboard to frame her paintings while they are a work in progress. When artwork is properly framed, it has a mat placed over the drawing and then it is placed inside a frame. Mum uses her cardboard to act as the mat inside the frame so she can see (ahead of time) how the painting will look framed. I realized we could do this too, for any drawings that we know are going to be framed. Even if you don't want to frame your drawing, the frame (or mat) can still be beneficial as your border and to block out the expanse of white on your paper, making it easier on your eyes as you work. It also helps you focus more on the right composition or layout of your drawing. You can keep it as a separate piece or you can tape the frame to the top of your paper and periodically flip it over and remove as necessary. There is a special tape you can buy at art shops that peels away from your paper without damage. How to make a frame: First, you need to decide on your border size so establish your drawing with light outlines and make sure it all fits within the border you pencil in. Once you are certain of the border size, get a spare piece of cardboard (I used the side of a cereal box) and first cut it to fit the size of your paper. Now measure and cut the hole inside the cardboard to be the same size as your border. It's better to make it a bit bigger than your border rather than smaller. A stanley knife or a craft knife can be used for cutting inside the cardboard. That's a tricky process so be careful! Handy LinksDrawing/art books are invaluable when you are teaching yourself to draw. I've bought several online art books so I can weed out the good from the bad. They all have a money back guarantee so there is no risk to you.For common drawing questions, please visit the frequently asked questions page. Learn which basic drawing supplies you need to start drawing today. The Drawings Blog shows you the last 30 pages to be added to the site. , thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read this issue. Until next month, have many happy creative days! Kerry. www.AllAboutDrawings.com How To Sketch eBook. "If an artist draws a subject over and over again in different ways, then he will learn something... " - Pudlo Pudlat |
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