Drawing from observation, having your subject directly in front of you is the best way to improve art skills. We engage more of our senses when viewing the real thing and this translates into better art pieces.
Cameras do have a place in art, but IB students should not rely on photos as their main source for inspiration. Photos in themselves are 2-dimensional flat representations of 3-dimensional subject matter, so working from them puts an artist at a disadvantage right from the start. Seeing the real thing in 3-D provides the artist with more information about depth of space, form, texture, shadows and highlights, and the supporting area around your subject.
Another advantage to working from observation is that it forces the artist to think about composition. Most people working from photos simply copy what they see in the photo without thinking about how or why things are arranged as they are, and this robs the artist of learning how to compose art pieces.
A huge bonus of drawing from observation is that the finished art piece is uniquely original. It is 100 % yours, and a representation of the time you have given to the piece. Working from observation can also be a dynamic activity as things change and move you into unexpected directions in creativity. While sketching the lilies for this article, a grasshopper landed on a leaf, keeping me company for most of the sketch. He was more interesting than the flowers, so the little guy became the focal point of my drawing.
Sample drawings made by others can be seen at:
Pencil type
Harder graphite
Softer graphite
6H 4H
2H HB
2B 4B
6B
produce light lines
produce dark lines
Pencil drawings range from sketches to complete drawings that are art pieces in themselves. How far you take your drawing is up to you. For your workbook include drawings that work towards the development of your finished art pieces.
Things to consider when drawing from observation
- Approach drawing as a way to develop and improve art skills.
Your first attempts may not be as successful as you would like, but
do not give up. Your drawings will improve with practice, and as
they do, so will your art making.
- Find subjects and locations that interest you.
- Allot enough time to fully relax and enjoy what you are doing.
- Think about
composition.-
Youtube video
- Understanding the use
of lighting is extremely
important for creating great images.
Artists should take advantage of the sun whenever possible during
outdoor drawing exercises. By all means draw whenever the mood
strikes you but the best lighting for conveying form, shadows and
highlights is early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low in
the sky.
Actual hours vary depending on summer and winter seasons.
Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer used to arrange their subjects near windows to allow for light to shine in on them. Today photographers know lighting better than most people, and often use artificial lighting to bring out the best in their subjects.
