Giving life to a sketch! Is it ART or SCIENCE!?

This post is for budding artists to whom I wish to demonstrate in a few simple STEPS that "Bringing life to a sketch is NOT only just ART but also a SCIENCE"  

STEP 1 - The Foundation
Sometimes when we look at a scene or a photo, we think, " Hmmm...This will be interesting to sketch." But when we sit down with a pencil, we will keep staring at the paper wondering where to make the start.

TIPS-

• If the face is straight like a passport photo the sketch will be boringly stiff. If the face is tilted and the look is elsewhere, the picture will be dynamically natural.
• Decide how much space the picture will occupy on the paper. Based on that, if you fix your approximate measurements, it will be simple.

Since the subject in this sketch is extreme close-up, I took my base measurement scale as the forehead height, hairline to middle of eye-brows.

Some artists prefer to draw a grid of squares and base measurements on that grid. But. learning to visually judge measurements holding the pencil is a good practice.

Courtesy - http://www.beginnersschool.com/2015/05/04/measuring/

STAGE 2 - CONSTRUCTION

Once the measurements are fixed, you can start sketching the outer-lines of each element. DON'T FOCUS ON BEING 'PERFECT' at this stage. Now your objective is to understand the important elements of the final image.
After sketching the outlines, mark the DARK AREAS of the image.

The objective of marking the DARK AREAS is to add dimension to the flat pencil sketch. The sketch now acquires a 3D feel, which will increase your energy and confidence.

TIPS - 2 Artistic Devices 

1. ANGLE OF LINES 

If you observe the lines defining the dark areas, you will notice that they run in the same direction as the slope of the raised areas. This enables us to feel the VOLUME of the parts we draw. The sketch also becomes alive by rising from the surface of the paper.

2. ENERGY LINES 

The other subtle and mature artistic device are what I call the ENERGY LINES.  These lines help us to understand the flow which connects the various elements and make the whole image function as one unit.

You can draw these lines to understand the flow and later erase them before or after finishing the sketch.

When we look at the ENERGY LINES separately we can appreciate the lyrical life of the image. Here they are. Have a look!

These ENERGY LINES are like the basic musical Raga which underlies all the elements of a song.

STAGE 3 - POLISH & FINISHING 
Now we have all the elements in our control. It is time to drop the pencil and pickup the pen or brush to apply confidently.

STAGE 4 - GIVING CHARACTER
Define the dark areas and bring them out in full contrast. If you hesitate at this stage the image will fall flat and become insipid. The CONTRAST is a major catalyst in giving an unique CHARACTER to the image.

You can wrap up and close the sketching at this stage. Or you can continue to add a few flourishes if there is a specific need or if  your are in a mood to experiment.

Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan ! Pen & Pen-Brush. by KravMaga SreeRam

........................................
NATHAN'S MEDIA GROUP
Mobile: 0 9380000555
Email: nathansmedia@gmail.com
MARCOM BLOG -  http://marketing-communications-ksr.blogspot.com/
FACEBOOK - http://bit.ly/nmg_fb
LINKED IN -  http://in.linkedin.com/in/ksr960
TWEET - @kravMagaSreeRam