“Look for the big shapes; then block them in.”

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“Look for the big shapes; then block them in.”

Posted by: Rob Court Tags: blocking-in, charcoal, drawing, faces, form, object drawing, proportions, sketches Posted date: August 21, 2011 | No comment

Even though students may tire of hearing these words, I use them often during lessons in observational drawing. They are, in fact, the keys that unlock the door to successful observational drawing.

This summer’s final Level 3 adult class focused on blocking in and measuring proportions, while striving for a likeness of the plaster bust. Also emphasized was to resist drawing contour lines until accurate, angular block-ins are sketched. The evening produced remarkable results as we prepared for our upcoming Object Drawing Workshop coming this fall (look for scheduling in our next eNewsletter). In the above photo Allison works with angular lines to find accurate proportions.

(Click on images to view larger details.)

Above left shows Judith’s block-in study of the plaster bust; to the right is her contour study.

“The beginning of a work is often the key to its success. The initial lines of the drawing form its structure and function the same way as the foundation of a house–dictating the shape and scale of the creation that will be constructed upon it.” –Juilette Aristeides, from her book Classical Drawing Atelier

Classical Drawing Atelier is highly recommended reading for Level 3 students. You can purchase a copy at Lenz Arts in Santa Cruz (shop local first!) or Amazon.com

Above left shows students lightly sketching the ‘envelope’ (the overall shape that contains key shapes of the bust); to the right Kirsten draws contour edges of the head’s profile. Students changed seats throughout the evening as they studied the bust from different vantage points.

Above are Allison’s studies showing her extensive use of angled construction lines to block in the form of the bust. Click on the photo to see details. Below, Kirsten finds the basic shapes that form the head.

During the course of the evening students explored using a charcoal lead. Everyone seemed to like the feel of the narrower stick and how it gave them more control in sketching thinner lines.

Looking forward to this fall’s Object Drawing Workshop

About the author

Rob Court
Drawing coach and founder of the Scribbles Institute.

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