BOOK OF ILLUSTRATIONS The following illustrations provide easy examples for you to copy. This type of practice is a great way to get your hand/eye co-ordination working automatically for you. All of the illustrations here are drawings from artists long ago so you can see what lines they used to express different elements within a drawing. You don't have to copy them exactly but they offer good guidelines. Quite a few of these images have been enlarged for your convenience. It doesn't matter that the actual image quality isn't very good, so long as you can see minor details and strokes. I hope you spend many happy hours copying these drawings. It's important that you pick and choose your drawing subjects, always draw/sketch things that are of interest to you otherwise you risk boredom and putting your pencils down for good. Please don't allow that to happen, if you draw continuously throughout your life, you will always find pleasure in the smallest of things. Drawing and sketching is a hobby worth pursuing. Don't judge your artwork harshly, simply learn from each piece and move on to the next. If you have a really fragile artist's ego, don't show anyone your creations until you are completely confident! Remember to ask what it is they like about your drawing, stay away from inviting negative comments if you're not ready for them. I wish you well with your artistic lifestyle and I hope you create many wonderful sketches. 1
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A brush has been used in this drawing but it still looks easy enough to copy in pencil. 3
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Copying these books will help you with using perspective in a drawing. 5
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This is in outline form only. See over page for the detailed version, using strokes to add character. 8
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These simple drawings are easy to copy and great for your confidence! 11
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The shed above looks to be done in willow charcoal and the artist has cleverly used the quality of the paper for extra effect, particularly on the trees. One for you to copy once you gain some confidence. 13
Notice the simple pencil stroke used to portray water. This is an enlarged image so some quality has been lost. However, you should see the details better and your copy of this drawing will look splendid! 14
Image enlarged for easier copying. 15
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Leaf Perspective. The drawing below represents leaves in foreshortened positions. The first step should be to draw the midrib, as shown in Fig 3. Fig 2 shows the position of the invisible edges. Fig 1 is the completed leaf drawing. 17
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This is good practice for drawing leaves in all sorts of positions. 19
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Drawing and sketching bits and pieces makes a fascinating sketchbook! 21
The barrel is good practice for drawing cylinders. 22
Note the perspective lines drawn towards the vanishing point on the horizon and how they guide the direction of lines used in the building. 23
Observe the use of simple lines in this great sketch. This is an easy way to sketch grass. Practice makes perfect! 24
Learning from the Masters... 25
The artist has put time and effort into this sketch - with great results. 26
This is a terrific example of how simple lines can make a great sketch. Your imagination fills in the rest. 27
Action is motion and tells about the movement of objects. Action is suggested by lines. Action suggests life and life is a vital element in drawing. Action is learned through copy and is expressed by the direction of lines. Action is best learned from pictures and drawings. Believe it or not, but a lot of established artists recommend learning to draw the human form by way of stick figures, drawing them fluently and in all poses. 28
Starting a life class drawing: 1. Mark top and bottom of figure and a line half-way between. 2. See where the widest part of the hips comes and indicate its slope. 3. Draw line of action of the supporting leg. 4. Draw a perpendicular line cutting through where the ankle will come. 5. Mark the position and slope of the shoulders. The center of this line (head of sternum) will cut the perpendicular line. 6. Sketch the head, note especially its poise and that the line for the neck continues into the line for the movement or action of the body. 7. Indicate the action of the other leg. The sketch so far ought to give a suggestion of the general movement of the pose. 8. Draw the lines for the arms. 9. In beginning to outline the body, note that the chest is sort of a bony box, and the region of the hips also a sort of box. The movement of the figure has a significant effect on the flexible part of the torso between the more or less fixed forms of chest and hips. 10. As you continue, keep in mind proportions and movement, and see that the figure stands with the feet well placed on the floor. 29
These are very old sketches (as you can tell by the clothing) but they should give you a greater understanding of how to sketch basic figures. 30
Use charcoal or 6B - 8B pencils, if you can't get your darks black enough. 31
If you're looking for a challenge, this image may well provide you with one! I hope these illustrations have provided you with hours of drawing and sketching pleasure. Please practice as often as you can, your improvement counts on that one little thing. With best wishes from Kerry 32