How to Draw Lips - Tutorial
Aug 13, 2009 Drawing, Tutorials
Here is my long awaited tutorial on how to draw the lips! I searched for a long time to find the right reference photo, but had no luck, so I made my own. Unfortunately my camera wasn’t co-operating, so this reference isn’t as sharp as I would have liked, but it works. I’ve gridded the reference in Corel Draw. I’ve also written a post that lists tips for drawing lips which you might find helpful.
1. Here I’ve drawn the grid using an F pencil. You could also use an H. The key is to draw it very lightly so that you can easily erase your lines afterwards and not leave any indentations in the paper. Using the reference image, I did a line drawing of the contours of the lips. Notice that I have not only done the outlines of the lips and nose, but the outlines of the shadows and highlights surrounding those features. Now you can carefully erase your gridlines, leaving only the lines of your drawing.
2. With a B pencil, start to shade in your basic shapes, using the reference image as a guide as to how dark. Notice in the reference image that the only pure white areas are the highlights. This should be the same in your drawing. Keep your shading lines close together, and build up the shadows slowly in layers. Notice that the bottom edge of the lip is not defined by a shadow; instead it’s defined by a series of highlights. For now, let the lip blend into the rest of the face, and pick out the highlights later.
3. Now it’s time to blend out your shading using a blending stick. Blending causes your drawing to lose some of its definition and look a little bit darker. It’s important to work from light to dark to keep your blending stick from getting too dirty. If you need to, roll it in your kneaded eraser or rub it on a piece of scrap paper to clean it. Try to blend into the highlights without blending over them. The white of the paper should show through.
4. Using a 2B or 4B pencil, to back into the drawing and darken up the deepest shadows. Here I have darkened the edges around the nose, the shadow between the lips and around some of the edges, and the dark area to the right of the face. Try to create shadows by building up layers rather than pressing hard. Pressing too hard with graphite will flatten the tooth of the paper and create a shiny, metallic finish. Blend your shadows into the rest of the drawing.
5. The last step is to go back in with your kneaded eraser and pick out the highlights. You may also need to adjust some of your shadows as they can sometimes grow or change shape as you blend. At this stage you need to pay very close attention to your reference to get all the details. Often something very subtle can make the difference! Pay attention to the highlights along the top edge of the lips and those on the curve of the bottom lip.
Willow Charcoal - Wingback Chair Drawing
Aug 11, 2009 On my Easel
Here is the latest in my attempt to get back into drawing in my sketchbook and working from life. This is the view from my couch!
The chair was a lucky find at Value Village. I’d always wanted a wingback and one day, there it was! It’s covered in a very retro blue velvet. Eventually, I plan on learning how to re-upholster furniture and then I will cover it in something more contemporary.
I did this drawing in willow charcoal. I love willow charcoal! It’s a very soft, delicate type of charcoal that gives a very richly textured gray. If regular charcoal is like wood or metal, willow charcoal is like velvet. It’s easy to blend and great for building up layers. If you haven’t tried it, I recommend you do!
There’s something about the simplicity and starkness of this composition that really strikes me. I find myself drawn to this image. It has an everyday sort of feel, but at the same time it seems a little unnatural and out of place.
I have an urge to paint this image. I did a series of still life paintings a couple years back that had simple compositions, and this reminds me of them. There’s a canvas on my easel right now that used to be an abstract painting. It wasn’t going well so I painted it out completely.
I think I’m going to go play!
The Dot: Inspiring Art Book for Kids (and Adults!)
Aug 10, 2009 Book Reviews
By Peter H. Reynolds
It’s too bad we couldn’t all have art teachers like the one of the heroine of this book. When Vashti complains that she can’t draw, her teacher suggests that she “just make a mark.” This sets Vashti off on a creative adventure, making every kind of dot imaginable.
This book teaches kids and grown-ups the importance of exploration and the unique creativity in something so simple as a dot. It proves the point that everyone is creative and unique in their own way. Maybe you can’t draw like Da Vinci, but what can you do? This story is a lesson about finding what interests you and diving into it head first, regardless of the consequences. Perfect for children, I think this story is even more relevant to many adults.
To me, this book expressed the importance of repetition and in-depth exploration of one subject. Each of Vashti’s dots, while only a dot, is a whole new experience.
Aside from a great story, Reynolds includes some wonderful illustrations.
Also, check out Ish, another book about art and creativity from Reynolds. I haven’t read it, but from looking at Amazon, it looks good too!
Tags: art tips, books, Creativity, getting started
Graphite Drawing - Water Glass
Aug 7, 2009 On my Easel
Well, here’s my water glass finished. It definitely has some issues…. but at least it got me drawing!
I will admit, I did this in front of the TV! Sometimes a little background noise helps me zone out and focus better.
I think I will try another version and see if I can’t fix some of those problems. Hooray for sketchbooks!
21 Ways to Kickstart your Creativity and Become a Better Artist
Aug 7, 2009 Art General, Creativity
We artists, more than those in any other profession, have to stay on our toes and continually challenge ourselves to go to the next level. Being an artist can be very isolating. Often, we are accountable only to ourselves and that means that we can be at risk of getting stuck in a rut. It is up to us to be critical of our own work to make sure we keep moving forward with our practice. Here is a list of some strategies you can use to get your creative juices flowing.
In the Studio
1. Challenge yourself to spend a certain number of hours in the studio each week.
2. Paint or draw something you wouldn’t normally. Different Strokes from Different Folks has great images.
3. Paint the same thing over and over again, improving or changing something each time.
4. Challenge yourself to a painting a day.
5. Paint or draw from life.
6. Paint with a colour that makes you uncomfortable.
7. Paint in the style of your favorite artist.
8. Paint in a style you don’t particularly like.
9. Paint or draw something in as many different mediums as you can.
10. Try a new medium.
11. Use a grid to work from a photo.
12. Spend ten minutes a day in your sketch book.
13. Try working very small, or very large.
Get Inspired!
14. Look through old artwork for ideas to re-visit.
15. Use an old drawing in a collage.
16. Copy an artwork you admire.
17. Visit local galleries.
18. Study your favorite artist and ask yourself what it is about their work that you like.
19. Join an online community. WetCanvas is a great one for inspiration and support.
Out and About
19. Carry a sketch book with you everywhere.
20. Attend gallery openings and visit with other artists.
21. Sketch or paint in plein air.
Tags: art, art tips, better drawings, Creativity, drawing tips
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