Developing mark making
…and giving drawings and sketches character
I love sketching from observation/life - especially outdoors.
There is something that I find invigorating about it and it can often clear mental blocks when trying to get back into one’s artwork. It is the process of doing where the inspiration often comes from.
A few years ago, when I was going through a difficult patch, I did a lot of sketching outdoors as well as drawings, and it really did help get me through it. One just gets so absorbed in it and it helps to take one’s mind off things, in a therapeutic way.
For me, the art of mark making from observation is magical. It is a process of really observing what is in front of you and interpreting it with marks and line; which gives the work life, character and personality. The observance sketching tends to stay in one’s memory. Working from photographs is just not the same experience, in my opinion. The camera can lie: the shadows are often flat and black, when in reality they are not.
We see with 2 eyes and the camera only sees with one lens and the photograph is 2 dimensional, compared to sketching a real 3D subject. A 1/125th of a second click of the shutter is not the same as being fully immersed in what you are sketching for 1/2hr - 1hr or more. It enables one to truly study and understand what is being observed with the process of intensity involved. Part of the struggle in trying to portray what is seen, with pen or pencil is very much part of the journey and helps us to learn and improve with practice. It is very human and often leads to interesting results.
When working from photographs there is always the risk of overworking the artwork and it becoming flat and lifeless; without the individual character and energy that would otherwise shine through. I personally like the drawing to show through, otherwise it just can become like a print of the actual photograph.
Don’t get me wrong. I love photography but it is a medium in its own right, as is drawing and sketching.
The beauty of mark making drawing is that one can make ordinary, everyday items interesting…
A challenge that I gave myself with my 110 daily sketches in lockdown.
I will always remember a tutor on my contemporary fine art course several years ago mentioning that art visitors admired a beautiful drawing, with the subtle marks, not realising that the subject was poo! It proves that one can elevate the mundane to a whole new and interesting level.
Mark Making Tips
Try using light to dark hatching in one direction for shading, expressing them as marks.
Try areas on cross hatching (hatching in 2 opposite directions on top of each other) for tonal contrast.
Try different pencils: HB - 3B
Remember to leave areas of white paper, for highlights and to help create space.