Pastels and Watercolors (and a few other art media)

[terri16]

Tried to paint a photo someone posted in my Milky Way chasers Facebook group. I still can't get the sky quite dark enough and I feel like I rushed this. I'm starting to worry that I don't really have the patience for any type of really detailed art. Is that something that comes with time?

View attachment 196943

I love your colors! If you want a darker sky, could you start by covering that part of the paper with a gray, and then layer it with your deep purples? Again, I hesitate to make suggestions that I know would work in my medium of oil pastels but may not be effective with watercolors. Barring any layering, can you dab your brush in black or make a mix with black and purple? That would certainly darken your sky.

I think the more you paint, the more comfortable you get, and reach a base painting faster. Then you might feel you have invested less time overall, and can tackle detail work.

 

[terri16]

This one was experimental. I have 3 or 4 different brands of oil pastels, and the larger sets always include near-useless (IMO) colors called metallics - shimmery gold, silver, aluminum, etc. I once used the metallic silver and blue when I did a butterfly, and that was it.

So here, I used nothing BUT the metallics, with a couple of regulars to round out the shapes. Mostly Sennelier, the creamiest, softest OP's out there. But a couple of my newer van Gogh OP's, too - they have neat looking metallics that aren't as bright and showy, which means they are more utilitarian.

Golden trees:

A close up of the sheen. Sennelier also makes an iridescent white, so I used that too. The tree trunks are all van Gogh metallics, and duller.

 

[zulu42]

I never had interest to pursue drawing or painting, but I like to doodle and cartoon my family on birthday cards and such. I usually give my wife a doodle on her napkin with morning coffee on weekends. This is a napkin doodle of her sneezing.

 

[terri16]

Ha ha, that looks great, Zulu! You should get yourself a cheap sketch pad and come play with us! Doodlers usually make the best sketch artists, you know.

 

[waday]

That looks great, @zulu42 ! Now, as Terri says, get some cheap paper and join us!

 

[Dean_Gretsch]

You guys are so talented. I used to draw a bit, but I had to be in the mood. If not, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't. Is it like that for you too?

 

[snowbear94]

There are some things I struggle with, such as people. I think most of it is observation and practice. Look at angles, apparent sizes, light & dark values, where the shadows are, relationship between "parts", etc. Then try to draw as often as you can. There are a number of exercises to try that will help you get some of the basics.

I'll post an in-progress of a simple exercise, after I get off from work.

 

[terri16]

You guys are so talented. I used to draw a bit, but I had to be in the mood. If not, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't. Is it like that for you too?

Oh, absolutely. You have to be in the right frame of mind, because - just like with our photography - you have to get prepared, think about what you're trying to do, and make sure there's nothing that's going to pull you away too soon. I'm drawing/painting more while doing less photography these days, mainly due to the chronic back pain - but also, my current home isn't very darkroom-friendly once I do get home from a shoot. But I can wander into this spare room where I have a tabletop easel set up anytime. Part of the reason I like using oil pastels is that they're like crayons - pick 'em up and start in, once I have a graphite sketch.

 

[waday]

Is it like that for you too?

Yes, absolutely. Sometimes I don’t want to draw, but I have an idea in mind. In that case, I might draw a quick sketch to start it. I have started using my eraser again, lol, so it doesn’t have to be perfect. My AOC portrait changed quite a bit from the first night I started it

For me, it can be any combination of the following:

• Wanting to draw
• Not wanting to draw
• Knowing what I want to draw
• Not knowing what I want to draw
• Drawing looks good
• Drawing looks like crap
• Knowing what medium I want to use
• Not knowing what medium I want to use

 

[snowbear94]

Here's a (relatively) quick exercise. Let's make it a challenge for any new folks and lurkers that say they "can't draw."
Three shapes: a cone, a cube and a sphere. The idea is to draw them in a way that they show dimension and light/dark values. I'm using a 4B pencil which is rather soft so the lines show up. Use what you have. I just drew these; I'd recommend using real objects if you are just starting out - a small paper or ice cream cone, a block, and a small ball.

1. Rough Outline. Just that - draw the outline of the shapes you want to use. It doesn't have to be perfect or look like a mechanical drawing. The idea is to get some shapes on paper.

2. Highlights and defining the 3-D shape. We're photographers, so: I am placing my key light at camera right and lightly above the scene (over my right shoulder). The highlights for each of these shaped should look something like this. My toning is really darker than it should be on the cone, but you get the idea .

3. Shadows. The shadow from a single light source will have a shape something like that of the object. We also know that the shadow will point away from the light source, so it shoots out to rear-left. Mine are probably not exact but if you use real objects (a paper cone, a block, a small ball), you can get a better feel for it.

4. Final drawing, without the outline. I redrew this without the heavy outline. You can do as well with drawing the outline very lightly - just dark enough to see it. Again, the idea is to draw something or try something new.

Let's see your results.

Bonus exercise.
I had to do this in art class. It helps you see how areas on and object relate when folded.
1. Draw a grid on a piece of paper. You don't have to measured and use a straight edge but the straighter the lines are and the more evenly spaced, the better. It is actually a little better if you make every third or fourth line a different color, like red or hot pink.



2. Crumple up the paper and draw that puppy. What you are looking for is how the lines appear when the paper is folded over.

 

[Vtec44]

Time lapse from my last drawing...

 

[SquarePeg19]

Stole this off Facebook.

 

[terri16]

That is hilarious! Mine always waffle the most between "Mistake" and "Not as envisioned." This is followed by "Could do better." Hey, if I end up with a color palette that I like, then I figure I'm ahead!

Just like with photography, we're always our own harshest critics.

 

[terri16]

Here's a (relatively) quick exercise. Let's make it a challenge for any new folks and lurkers that say they "can't draw."
Three shapes: a cone, a cube and a sphere. The idea is to draw them in a way that they show dimension and light/dark values. I'm using a 4B pencil which is rather soft so the lines show up. Use what you have. I just drew these; I'd recommend using real objects if you are just starting out - a small paper or ice cream cone, a block, and a small ball.

1. Rough Outline. Just that - draw the outline of the shapes you want to use. It doesn't have to be perfect or look like a mechanical drawing. The idea is to get some shapes on paper.

2. Highlights and defining the 3-D shape. We're photographers, so: I am placing my key light at camera right and lightly above the scene (over my right shoulder). The highlights for each of these shaped should look something like this. My toning is really darker than it should be on the cone, but you get the idea .

3. Shadows. The shadow from a single light source will have a shape something like that of the object. We also know that the shadow will point away from the light source, so it shoots out to rear-left. Mine are probably not exact but if you use real objects (a paper cone, a block, a small ball), you can get a better feel for it.

4. Final drawing, without the outline. I redrew this without the heavy outline. You can do as well with drawing the outline very lightly - just dark enough to see it. Again, the idea is to draw something or try something new.

Let's see your results.

View attachment 197173

Bonus exercise.
I had to do this in art class. It helps you see how areas on and object relate when folded.
1. Draw a grid on a piece of paper. You don't have to measured and use a straight edge but the straighter the lines are and the more evenly spaced, the better. It is actually a little better if you make every third or fourth line a different color, like red or hot pink.

View attachment 197180

2. Crumple up the paper and draw that puppy. What you are looking for is how the lines appear when the paper is folded over.
View attachment 197181

I've done similar exercises with the geometrical shapes, and shading. But I've been wondering about the "bonus exercise." You're supposed to sketch out the crumpled paper and just follow the bent-up lines that you get from your crumpled grid? Is it to train the eye on the bent lines, or are you shading the crumpled paper, too?

 

[snowbear94]

The main object is to work on the folds and creases; the lines help visualize what's happening with the paper. Shading, if you want, but the spatial relationships (the I go with work stuff) are key.

Going to Office Depot tonight and look through paper & other art-type stuff. This store closing as part of their restructuring.