Formal Requirements of Tonal Figure Drawing
For any assignments regarding the black and white rendering (shading) of the figure the following ideas will need to be considered; anatomical proportions, layering process, articulation of detail (and progressive lack of detail), different levels of high and low contrast, the strategic use of hard and soft edges, grayscale, full range of mark making will be required.
Anatomical Proportions (45%):
As in the line drawing assignment proportions of the figure will be very important for assignments in the figure study course.
Layering Process (15%):
Begin the drawing with basic planes of light and shadow, gradually build up drawing thinking about the flowing ideas below. Mistakes are inevitable, consider a layering and editing process as you gradually accumulate layers on the drawing. Consider additive and subtractive processes but do not obsessed with perfection during the early stages of the drawing. For gesture drawing you will need to rely on repetitive practice and instinctual processes more.
Strategic Use of Detail (15%):
Through practice the goal is for a refined rendering style that offers a strategic use of detail and high contrast in the foreground. Ideally the drawing will progressively decrease in detail and contrast as the viewer reaches the background. Do not get overwhelmed with the need to have detail and precision in the entire drawing.
Strategic Use of High and Low Contrast (10%):
Increased contrast can assist the edges in the foreground to appear sharper, while the edges of forms in the background begin to slightly dissolve if contrast is low.
Strategic Use of Hard and Soft Edges (10%):
Generally hard (sharply in focus) edges should be in foreground areas while edges progressively become softer (out of focus) as shapes progress to background
Full Range of Mark Making (3%):
Within the layering process of the drawing allow there to be different types of mark making where drawing strokes (and applications of drawing materials) will range from being loose, textured and expressive to controlled and smooth.
Strategic Use of Grayscale (2%):
Consider a range of grayscale in the work, particularly when there is a desire to create difference or similarity form one form to the next. This is related to strategic use of high and low contrast but focuses more on the gray tones between the extremely light and dark areas in the drawing. When using black and white materials a sensitivity of mixing black and white will be required.
The grayscale in a drawing is achieved by layering a black medium and allowing different levels of the white of the paper to come through in a drawing, OR a grayscale is achieved by mixing black and white mediums to achieve the range presented in the above grayscale. Often drawings use a combination of both methods (utilizing the white of the paper AND mixing the white with black drawing mediums together)
Creating your own grayscale for each drawing medium will assist in learning about each drawing materials characteristics, plus will allow you to practice depicting and to be more sensitized to the full range of grays in a drawing.
Keep in mind that for this course grayscale will emphasize depicting light and shadow. Generally translating colour into grayscale will not be part of the assignment requirements.
Drawing Material Choices:
Graphite Sticks or Woodless pencils:
Strategically using a full range of graphite from 2H to 6B, and having a kneaded eraser
Note: Graphite only used early on in course and will not be options for any homework assignments or for in class assignments after class 4.
Black and White Conte:
Strategically using a full range of mixing black and white conte. With this medium layering will be required. Eraser will rarely be used but if an eraser is required a rubber eraser with offer the most success. A needed eraser will tend not be successful with conte.
Vine Charcoal:
Is easily manipulated and erased but depending on the brand of vine charcoal can be difficult to get dark areas to create strategic areas of high contrast in drawing.
As an option white chalk or conte could be strategically placed and or mixed in vine charcoal drawing.
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