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In practice, most artists do not draw by following a strict step-by-step process. However, when learning, having a clear process to rely on can take some of the guesswork out of drawing by giving you a repeatable and reliable approach. In this lesson, I offer two step-by-step processes to create finished drawings. These should not be thought of as the ‘correct’ way to draw, but rather as teaching tools.
The drawing processes are neatly divided into clear steps to help you isolate and identify specific issues. Each step focuses on a particular aspect of the subject, such as form, position, or light. If your drawing falls short in one of these areas, you will know which step you need to work on. You can then strengthen that skill by practicing the corresponding exercise from the previous lessons.
The Sketch Process
The sketch process is a line-based approach that focuses on communicating the edges and forms of the subject. The goal is to create a drawing that conveys edges and forms so clearly that the viewer can imagine touching the subject. This process works well with pens, pencils, and markers, but it can be done with any medium that produces a fine line.
The sketch process is the faster of the two drawing methods in this course. With practice, it can be completed quickly, though taking extra time allows for refinement and added detail. Its speed allows more drawings to be completed in the same amount of time compared to the slower rendering process.
Step 1: Position
Draw a gesture drawing of your subject. Use visual measurement to check and correct proportions.
Corresponding exercise: Checking a Gesture
Step 2: Form
Refine the forms of your subject by drawing contour lines. Observe the contours by moving your eyes along their edges. Pause to decide how best to describe each contour using C, S, or I lines.
Corresponding exercise: CSI Line Drawing
Step 3: Light and Form
Describe the light falling on your subject by using hatching and varied line weight. Cross-contour lines that are darker than the page can describe both form and shadow. Lighter lines can be used to suggest highlights. You can create darker or lighter values by increasing the number or thickness of lines.
Corresponding exercise: Cross-Contour
The Rendering Process
The rendering process is a slower, value-focused approach that emphasizes light and form. It gives you time to capture the subtle details of how light wraps around the forms of the subject, making it excellent practice for describing light and form with value. This method works best with mediums that allow smooth gradations of value, such as paint or conte.
Because the rendering process is slower, fewer studies can be completed in the same amount of time compared to the faster sketch process. It requires the subject to remain under consistent lighting for a long time. This works best when the subject is lit by a single light source that creates a clear distinction between areas that are lit and areas in shadow.
Step 1: Position
Start with a gesture drawing of your subject. Use visual measurement to check and correct proportions.
Corresponding exercise: Checking a Gesture
Step 2: Light
Divide the subject into areas of light and shadow. Then refine the light by adding two more values: a darker value within the lit areas and a darker value within the shadows. Keep the darkest values in the lit areas lighter than the lightest values in the shadow areas.
If your subject has multiple colors, such as surfaces made of different materials with varying brightness, you may need separate sets of values for light and shadow to represent the different colored surfaces.
Corresponding exercises: Three-Value Study, Five-Value Study
Step 3: Form
Blend the values from the previous step to describe the surfaces and forms of your subject. Rounder surfaces should have gradual transitions between values than more abrupt plane changes. Depending on your medium, you may need to blend some values as you apply them, combining this step with the later part of the previous step.
Corresponding exercises: Value Transitions, cross-contour
Lesson 9 Assignment
- Spend the first 30 minutes doing an exercise from a previous lesson. Choose an exercise that helps you improve the part of the drawing process you find most challenging. For example, if you struggle with form, you might practice the cross-contour exercise.
- Spend 50-55 minutes drawing your object using one of the processes in this lesson. If you finish before your study session ends, draw it again until your time is up. If you can’t finish within one session, continue working on it in the next. You can also take extra time if you want.
- Reflect on your results and write about what went well and what you could improve next time.
Optional:
- Share your weekly study plan in the #accountability channel on the course discord server.
- Post your exercise results in the #exercises channel if you’d like feedback.
- Share your drawing and photo in the #course-critique channel to get feedback from the community.
If you have any questions about the course, you can ask in the #course-help channel.