What is drawing?
It is the art of using lines to represent, define and describe objects visually. Drawing trains students to be more observant because to draw well is to be able to observe well and interpreted visually what you have seen by lines. Drawing is an exercise that should be carried out at all times even outside the classroom. 'Practice, they say, makes for perfection' constant sketching increases the artist's skill. Drawing is an invaluable method of improving the student's understanding of things through observation.
TYPES OF DRAWING
i. Drawing from Still-Life Objects:
This includes drawings from household utensils lantern, stove, pots etc), electrical appliances, musical instruments, mechanical objects, farming implements, among many others. They all help artists in understanding the construction, physical properties and textural qualities of the objects (Fig. 15). Good sense of observation is enriched through careful and analytical observation of the objects drawn.
ii Drawing from Nature and Plant Life:
This affords an excellent opportunity to observe nature and, plant-life into details.
Such drawing can be made from leaves, branches of trees, roots, growth of flowers, animals, birds, fruits, insects, bones, shells etc.
Painting from landscape and other natural objects help to improve the students' ability to observe and appreciate perspective, proportion, shapes, forms and movement of design in nature.
iii. Life Drawing or Drawing from Human Figure: Withdrawing from human figures, the students will be able to visually** observe, analyze and appreciate anatomical details, proportions, shapes, forms and character of the human figure both in the nude, semi nude and clothed states There is need to note that there are no formula or measurement that fits all human proportion, as human figures vary in forms, physique and mood.
However, some ideas about the possible proportion of one part of the human figure to another in most cases are as follows: -
i. The head goes 8times into a full length of a human being.
The waist and the elbow are approximately S heads down. ili. The knee is about 2 heads down. iv. The human height is about the same length of the tip of one stretched arm to the other sideways.
v. The face-length is approximately that of the palm.
vi. The man is broad-shouldered with narrow hip and more muscular in most cases.
vi. The female is narrow shouldered, wider hip, narrower waist and more subtle muscles; easily identified in most cases by the more developed breasts.
viii. The head is usually oval in shape with the two eyes halfway the facial length from the hair-line to the end of the chin.
ix. Horizontal line across the eyebrow rests at the upper tip of the ear lobe and a similar line drawn vertically across, will divide the nose and the lips into two equal halves. (It should be noted that some facial expressions, age as well as deformity could alter some of the above hint). in Drawing from imagination: The acquired knowledge from all the studies from still-life, nature and plant life and from human figure should equip the students in composing pictures from imagination.
It provides the students the greatest opportunity to express his ideas, feelings, emotions and needs.
Experiences of the individual can thus be translated into visual or pictorial forms.
Materials needed for drawing
A. Good quality drawing paper of various textures.
b. Pencils of various degree of softness- ranging from HB, B, 2B to 8B.
C. Charcoal, oil and chalk pastel.
d. Drawing board.
e. Drawing board clip - for holding the paper to the board.
The use of drawing pins or cellotape is meant as a substance for they may tear the paper.
f. Fixative - for charcoal, chalk and pastel drawing to prevent them from smudging.
*Note: - What is required mostly in the junior art class for drawing are moderate size sketch/drawing pad and HB or 2B pencil. You must have observed that ruler and eraser have been omitted. This is deliberate. In drawing, the coordination of the eye and the hand improves your skill with the handling of your medium. The use of an eraser weakens your keen sense of observation. It should be totally avoided unless it is needed for shading. The ruler should not 'rear its face' at all in a drawing session.
Getting Ready to Draw
i. Do not start your drawing immediately an object or model is placed before you.
Observe and study it for minimum of two minutes, and plot out point minimum of two balance.
il. Use a format that conforms to shape of object or the general set-up of objects e.g. placing the paper vertically or horizontally before drawing.
iii. Observe the effect of light on the object for it has to reflect on the thickness of your lines when sketching and in shading. iv. Relate objects to one another, most especially in the Area of shapes and sizes.
V. Maintain a permanent position when drawing. Do not look for objects that are not visible.
vi. Make the figure as large as possible to fill adequate portion of the paper but not for the object to flow out of the paper. vii. Start drawing from the top of the paper, and from the upper most part of the object or model.
viii. Concentrate more on the object itself, which is the main focus and not the stand upon which it is placed or the surrounding which of course should be treated lastly.
ix. Engage in sketches of the whole form before putting smaller details and tones on the object.
Avoid rushing, scribbling or making hasty and lazy lines. Draw with confidence. Do not be afraid of the paper and your medium; always adopt 'it is very simple' attitude to any object or model put before you. This will help build up your confidence.
Furthermore, as you draw use your pencil-quality to indicate tonal gradation to guide your shading.
In the next journal, we will examine how to bend tones in drawing to give the drawing a nicer and superb feel and make it a bit more realistic
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