Dan Thompson - A Drawing Demonstration: Light and Construction (Part 1)

This video tutorial: Dan Thompson - A Drawing Demonstration: Light & Construction, is part 1 of 3, and organized within my "Demonstrations" series on Patreon/danthompsonart. The lesson was filmed while I created a study of an animal skull – an inspiring subject which exhibited the kind of organic geometry that makes an exercise of this kind highly relevant to learning the skill of figure drawing. I drew this copy in graphite pencil (a detailed materials list follows this description) so that I could absorb insights from the complexity of my subject – like a game of interpretive drawing.

In part 1, my demonstration works toward the set-up: to establish a layer of fundamental mark making. My Block-In is, in this formative part, driven by a search for relative optical information. I proceed with a mindset of “draw first, measure second.” Overall, I attempt a holistic set of graphite marks, in “conversation,” as my linear angles coordinate and settle into positions which aspire to accurately relate the visual evidence within this scene.

The addition of shapes makes things more like a painterly study, while a pair of simple "lighted form" diagrams on the right inaugurate considerations of how variable your light's actual direction can seem to be.

Later, I discuss anchoring a tonal range. I contend that an “accent” value should emerge in several places within a drawing. Deepening the accent permits more variety in the light mass than may initially seem reasonable. You will find that, in fact, as you attempt a similar study, your drawing will differ. If a subject is set up in front of you, the unique conditions of light on form will reflect your environment. Ultimately, I hope that you enjoy this kind of drawing adventurism as much as I have in making the piece for you.

For a list of drawing materials, please click: patreon.com/DanThompsonArt