Combine Approaches for a Finished Drawing
Work out proportions with a structural sketch and placement of the elements in your composition. Add value changes to define form and shadow.
We’ve explored four different approaches to sketching and drawing. If you tried the value, black-and-white or contour sketch demos, you might be thinking your art didn’t turn out anything like you expected. Do not be discouraged and don’t give up! You are already growing in your observation skills.
You can combine some of the different approaches to achieve a more finished drawing. For instance, start with a structural line sketch and then add values. During the structural sketch stage, you should look for the basic shapes and proportions so you can be confident of their placement before you add the values.
A light box is a device that allows you to see the structural lines for a drawing without having to draw them on the artwork itself. First, create a structural sketch of your subject. Place the structural sketch on the light box, then tape a piece of drawing paper to the structural line sketch. The image will be visible through the drawing paper to provide a foundation for your value, black-and-white and contour drawings.
Combine Approaches for a Finished Drawing
Work out proportions with a structural sketch and placement of the elements in your composition. Add value changes to define form and shadow.
A Light Box Makes Combining Drawing Approaches Easy
Do a structural sketch of your subject, erase obsolete guide lines and add detail lines defining the form and shadows. Use this sketch as the basis for a value sketch, black-and-white sketch or contour sketch. Place the sketch on a light box and then place your drawing paper on top of the sketch. Turn on the light box so the image of the sketch will be visible through the drawing paper. This will provide a framework for your subject so you don’t have to sketch the structural guidelines onto the drawing paper.
Structural Line Sketch
These lines indicate highlights and shadows as well as the structure of the subject. To use other drawing approaches, erase any obsolete markings.
Value Drawing Using the Structural Line Sketch and Light Box
A light box was used to backlight the structural sketch as a guide for this value drawing.
Black-and-White Drawing (Chiaroscuro) Using the Structural Sketch and Light Box
A light box was used to backlight the structural sketch as a guide for this black-and-white drawing
Contour Drawing Using the Structural Sketch and Light Box
A light box was used to backlight the structural sketch as a guide for this contour drawing.