Intro to Graphite Pencil Drawing

We are going to start with composition and basic line drawing using measuring techniques.

In this video we talk about how to set up your drawing space. Make sure your photograph is parallel to your drawing. Look at the photo and place yourself there. 

In this video lesson we are going to be talking about measuring. You are going to learn to use your pencil as a tool to measure.

We will start by measuring and drawing the hills and main lines of the background. It's best to work back to front, and to do the biggest shapes first - adding in details later.

In this video we will lay down our foundation and outline the tree. Measuring techniques include distance and angle.

In this video we will be measuring and drawing the fence posts in the foreground of this image. For this you will need your 2H or 4H Pencil. After you’ve drawn your outlines, if they are too dark, you can lightly erase the lines so they are very light.

In this section we will be adding a range of values from light to dark.

We will now add the first, lightest layer of value, including textures. Look at the reference photo before beginning adding values. We will start the lightest shade (2H or 4H Pencil). Starting with the sky and working forward. 

Things of note:

• 07:45: Tip: note how to do shading around branches. 

We will now add middle layers of value, including textures.

Things of note: 

• 03:40 Tip: example of shading

We will now add the final layer of the mid tones. 

Things of note: 

• 00:15 technique: adding texture 
• 02:15 technique: flicking your wrist for natural-looking grass
• 05:15 technique: coloring in the tree

Now we will be using the 9B pencil for the darker layers and textures. 

In this video we will be adding more branches for texture. Use the 9B pencil for this. Note: Your drawing doesn’t need to be exact. Focus on big branches first and add small branches after.

Things of note: 

• 00:31: Tip: flick your wrist to get the whipsy edge to the branches
• 07:40: Tip: going fast at this stage adds a quality of loosens and life

Now that you've added all of your range of values, we will take a final look for any finishing touches to add: you can erase out any lighter areas, add darker areas, or add more branches.

We will now go back to add darker darks, and erase lighter lights. We can bring in accents to define the edges, and add more branches. The final step is to add your signature.

The last step which is optional, is to apply a spray fixative. This will preserve the pencil from smudges. Caution: only use spray fixative outdoors or in a well-ventilated area as it can be toxic to inhale. Hold about 12 inches from your picture and spray a light coating over your drawing.

In this course, you've learned how to draw a simple image from a photograph using measuring techniques, used graphite to represent a range of light and dark values, and learned how to create textures. I hope you've enjoyed the course!