SKETCHING HANDS AND FEET

Not an aspect of mixed media, you might say? Many artists use faces and figures in their collages,
paintings, and other mixed media artwork.
But have you noticed how many people hide
the hands of their figures?

Practice drawing many different poses of hands

and feet, and you can't help but improve!

Charcoal study

This was done with Conte in several colors.

A good project for high school kids.





PROPORTIONS OF THE FACE - A Guide for the Novice

1. First, draw an egg shape. The chin portion should be more narrow than the crown.
2. Believe it or not, the eyes must be placed nearly halfway down! (Especially if you're drawing a young person.)

                                         

3. In the lower half of the face, divide the space into thirds (with the bottom of the chin being the bottom of the final third). The bottom of the nose is at the bottom of the first third, and the bottom of the lower lip as at the bottom of the second third. These are only approximate proportions, of course.

 

4. The ears in the front view should not protrude too far. The top ear tip is about at the eyebrow, and the bottom of the ear lobe is about even with the bottom of the nose.

 

5. Don't forget to add a neck, and not too thin, either!

 

Finally, add lots of strokes for the hair. TIP: Youngsters often begin the hairline too low on the forehead. Don't do that!



STUCK FOR AN IDEA FOR A COMPOSITION? TRY AN ALPHASKETCH!

I used charcoal directly on canvas.

You wouldn't even need to make the letters appear dimensional, as above, if you chose to simply break up the space with a variety of shapes and sizes. Use some overlapping or, at the least, make some edges touch.
Of course you can erase some lines and add others to improve the composition as you wish. Then paint and/or collage to your heart's desire. (Wish I had the finished work to show you, but alas.)

Now for the giveaway! This freebie will go to one of my followers, selected in a fair and random drawing. Simply leave a comment below this post, with the understanding that I must be able to reach you if you win the art book shown.
When the contest is over, I will announce it here and the winner's name will appear in my next post. Good luck!


Brand new copy!

MORE DRAWING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Part Two in an ongoing series just for young artists and those who love and care for them.

(Mixed media artists, please watch this blog for something tailored to YOU, coming soon!)

Note how the nails are set into the nail beds that surround them.

HAND IT TO YOU

Materials:

·        White drawing paper

·        Pen or fine-line marker

What to do:     

1. Rest your left hand on the desk—if you're right-handed—and not on the paper. The hand is to be observed, not traced. No pencil allowed! Use contour line (a line that follows the edges) to record the outlines of your own hand. As you look closely at this "object," move your marker in the same way your eye travels over the shapes and lines you see.
2. Draw all the tiny creases, the knuckles, and the skin around the nails, too. This is a very loose approach, so move your whole arm freely, not just your wrist and drawing hand.  Allow your pen or pencil to travel fluidly.  Add shading if desired.

For Your Understanding:

            Try posing your hand differently for another contour drawing. You can even hold a pencil or other small object in that hand to add more interest to your work.   

FROM WHERE YOU SIT

Materials:

·        White drawing paper

·        Pen or fine-line marker

           

            Quick, look down! What do you see? Your legs and feet may be partially or entirely in sight. Your clothing is creased or rumpled in places, isn't it? Each fold is another opportunity for you to practice using contour lines (drawn lines that mark the edges of forms).

What to do:

1. Draw what you can see of your lower body, including the feet.
2. Try to include every detail. Start right out with pen or marker (no pencil, please!). 

For Your Understanding:

            The contour line drawing method is perfect for this lesson because it allowed you to focus on the outlines of your figure.   

WITH A STRAIGHT FACE

Materials:

·        White drawing paper

·        Pencil or other drawing tool

·        Ruler

            Let's pretend to be Picasso! Can you portray a human head, neck and facial features using only straight lines?

            Cubism is a style of art that sometimes uses angled shapes to depict natural forms. Pablo Picasso was one of the first Cubists. In abstract art, the subject is broken down into its basic elements.

What to do:

1. Use a ruler and only straight lines to draw a portrait (a person) with no curves at all.
2. Besides the eyes, nose, and  mouth, remember to add ears, hair, eyebrows, and a neck\ 

For Your Understanding:

            By making the head and neck more simple in your drawing (by changing it into mere straight lines), you have abstracted it! 

This is the Cutest Watercolor Set Ever!

Just got this travel kit made by Sakura. It has a reusable waterbrush, lots of great colors, a palette, and sponges. Love it!

Who Doesn't Love to Draw Cartoons?

    Here's a very basic lesson, for all those students or art teachers out there, on creating expression.