Tutorials, Art and Website Design

This is the second part of a free online tutorial which guides you through the various steps taken to produce a classical figure drawing. I have learnt and adapted this particular method from studying at the Angel Academy of Art, Florence.

Construction Stage

The construct outline and shadow shapes form the next stage. The 2B pencil is kept sharpened like a needle of graphite, as it facilitates more precision. It is safest to work on the paper as lightly as possible so that there is room for adjustment with the putty rubber if needed.

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The straight lines used in the above construction stage have been exaggerated to be demonstrated more clearly.

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Once the line drawing construction of the shadow shapes is completed, these shapes are carefully shaded with a dark, flat tone. The below image highlights the shadow shapes, but the tone is not yet evened out.

Creating Smooth and Even Shading

A good method for smooth shading is to start with a very sharp 2B pencil with a long lead. With the pencil held at an obtuse angle, an even pressure is applied with some force, but not enough to indent the paper. Care is taken to constantly maintain the sharpness of the pencil with a sandpaper pad.

Once the area is filled, it is filled again, over the top of the first tone, but in an opposite direction. After this, the pencil is used at more of a perpendicular angle to the paper, carefully picking out any areas of lightness, as to smooth the tone. The putty rubber is used in the same way as the pencil to bring out areas that become too dark.

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