6 PAGES 21 ILLUSTRATIONS

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1 STUDY OF A (using the drawing techniques of Leonardo da Vinci) Brenda Hoddinott Z13 ADVANCED: DRAWING ON THE MASTERS In this project, you first sketch and outline a rosebud with contour lines that vary in weight, and then add shading with hatching. This drawing (and the flower in Lesson Z10) is based on a sketch by Leonardo da Vinci. The curriculum is divided into the following four sections: Review of drawing lines of different weights (Based on Lesson Z10) Sketching proportions: You begin as Leonardo did, with a lightly rendered proportional sketch of the outlines of a rosebud. Outlining with lines of different weights: You use various types of lines and different grades of pencils to create a contour drawing. Adding shading with hatching lines of various weights: Your goal is to duplicate Leonardo s hatching technique, which is comprised of straight lines drawn at an angle of around 45 degrees. Suggested drawing supplies include good quality white drawing paper, various grades of pencils, kneaded and vinyl erasers, and a pencil sharpener. This project is recommended for artists with good drawing skills, as well as students of home schooling, academic, and recreational fine-art educators. 6 PAGES 21 ILLUSTRATIONS Published by Drawspace.com, Halifax, NS, Canada November, 2010

2 - 2 - REVIEW OF DRAWING LINES OF DIFFERENT WEIGHTS The weight of a line can be especially helpful when you want to create the illusion that something is either close or far away. As an extra perk, creating an outline with lines of various weights makes the drawing much more attention-grabbing. I use the term weight to describe the value and width of lines. For example, a dark thick line is considered heavy, and can create the illusion that sections of a drawing are close to the viewer. In contrast, a light thin line seems to make sections of a drawing recede into distant space. The amount of pressure used on a pencil when drawing a line, affects its weight. For instance, if you press lightly, the line is light in weight. On the other hand, if you apply a heavy pressure to the same pencil, the line becomes heavier in weight. Figure 1301 demonstrates light lines created by applying only the weight of an HB pencil to the surface of the paper. (Hopefully, you can see my lines!) Much darker lines are created by pressing firmly with an HB pencil to increase the weight as you draw (Figure 1302). In Figures 1303 and 1304, I show you similar light and heavy lines created with a 4B pencil. As you can see, both lines are darker because the graphite is darker. Hence, you can also use different grades of pencils to adjust the weights of lines. Obviously, a 2H pencil can create a lighter weight line than a 6B. On the other side of the coin, a 6B can make much heavier lines than a 2H. Figures 1305 shows lines made with a variety of different grades of pencils by applying a similar pressure. Use a variety of grades of pencils to practice drawing lines with different weights. Figure 1301: Light lines created by drawing with only the weight of an HB pencil (no pressure). Figure 1302: Dark lines rendered by pressing firmly with an HB pencil. Figure 1303: Light lines drawn with only the weight of a 4B pencil. Figure 1304: By pressing firmly with an HB pencil, heavy lines are created. Figure 1305: Various light and heavy lines can be created by simply using different grades of pencils.

3 - 3 - SKETCHING PROPORTIONS In this section, you begin as Leonardo did, with a lightly rendered proportional sketch of the outlines of the rosebud. 1. Use feathered lines and an HB pencil to sketch a circular shape that is tilted to the left (Figure 1306). 2. Add a smaller circular shape below that overlaps the first (Figure 1307). 3. Sketch a curved line on the upper right of the large shape (Figure 1308). 4. Add another slightly curved line that cuts through the large shape (Figure 1309). Figure 1306 Figure 1307 Figure 1308 Figure Sketch a large petal on the left (Figure 1310). Figure 1310 Figure Add three leaves growing from the lower section of the large circular shape (Figure 1311). 7. Sketch the stem below the rosebud. 8. Lighten your sketch lines with a kneaded eraser.

4 - 4 - OUTLINING WITH LINES OF DIFFERENT WEIGHTS In this section, you use lines of various weights to outline the rosebud. 9. Refer to Figures 1312 to 1318 to neatly outline the rosebud with lines that vary in value and thickness. Use HB, 2B, and 4B pencils. When you need a thin line, simply sharpen your pencil. Thicker lines are added when the point of the pencil is slightly worn down. Use a 2B or 4B in sections needing bolder, darker accents. Figure 1312 Figure 1313 Figure 1314 Figure 1315 Figure 1316 Figure 1318 Figure 1317

5 - 5 - ADDING SHADING WITH HATCHING LINES OF VARIOUS WEIGHTS Leonardo is considered a master of hatching. Much of his shading is made up of straight lines drawn at an angle of around 45 degrees. Figure 1319 Figure Use a 2H (or HB) pencil to add light values with hatching. Refer to Figure If you are right handed, you may prefer to turn your drawing sideways as you work. 11. Add medium values with an HB (or 2B) pencil by adding more hatching lines in between others. Figure 1321 Refer to figure Take note that some hatching lines are thick and others are thin. 12. Use a 2B or 4B pencil to add dark hatching lines to create dark values. Touch up any sections that are too light or too dark. CHALLENGE Find a simple living rosebud, or a photo of a rosebud. Render a sketch incorporating Leonardo s drawing styles and techniques and using the same process used in this project. Remember to vary the weights of the lines in both the outlines and the hatching.

6 - 6 - BRENDA HODDINOTT Self-educated author, art educator, award-winning artist, and forensic artist (retired) My philosophy on teaching art is to focus primarily on the enjoyment aspects while gently introducing the technical and academic. Hence, in creating a passion for the subject matter, the quest for knowledge also becomes enjoyable. Born in St. John s, Newfoundland, Brenda grew up in the small town of Corner Brook. She developed strong drawing and painting skills through self-directed learning. During her twenty-five year career as a self-educated, civilian forensic artist, various criminal investigation departments employed Brenda s skills, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 1992, Brenda was honored with a commendation from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and in 1994, she was awarded a Certificate of Membership from Forensic Artists International. In 2002, Brenda retired as a forensic artist to devote more time to creating art, building her business, and writing books. In the style of illustrative realism, she paints in oils and acrylics on canvas and linen, and creates drawings in graphite, technical pen, colored pencil, chalk pastel, charcoal, and conté. Currently, Brenda is a curriculum designer and owner of Drawspace.com; a highly respected fine-art resource for art educators, home schooling programs, and educational facilities throughout the world. She is also the manager and owner of Drawspace Publishing (a Canadian publishing company for art-related books). In addition, she is the author and illustrator of Drawing for Dummies, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Drawing People Illustrated, Drawspace Guide to Getting Started with Drawing, and Drawspace Illustrated Dictionary of Drawing Words and Terms. She is currently writing and illustrating her fifth book.