如何繪製基礎知識：材料與價值

When you walk inside your local art supply store, you may feel amazed and overwhelmed with all the fun stuff packed into the shelves. Who knew that pencils come in a variety of grades? What is the difference between charcoal sticks, pencils, powders, and vines? Why are there so many different types of erasers and which ones do I really need? Or maybe you received an art kit from a friend or family member and have no idea what half the tools in there are. If this sounds familiar, then look no further! How to Draw Basics: 101 Materials is designed to teach you about drawing materials: what you really need and what you don’t basic care, and how to use the materials. No background knowledge is required for this class. In fact, come with questions! 

How to Draw Basics: Materials will teach learners through a combination of lecture and hands on experience. Together, we will go through a PowerPoint lecture to help explain and visualize all our different materials and their basic care. While some of these materials, such as pencils, may seem self-explanatory, some are more complicated than they appear. For example, graphite drawing pencils are not the same as the #2 pencil your learner is used to using. They vary in hardness and color and have a tactile difference on the page. Once the materials are explained, students will begin a value study or scale with the help of their value study print-out. Creation of scales teaches learners about values: what they are, how to create them, and, eventually, how to apply them to drawings. Learners will have the opportunity to create both a graphite and charcoal scale that will allow them to practice drawing with a variety of materials. 

Learners should come away from class with a wealth of knowledge on basic drawing materials, understand how to care for and respect their tools, and a sense of artistic responsibility. They will also come away with a graphite and charcoal value study that they will be able to use for reference in their art. Time permitting, students may have the option to practice an observational drawing of an object or two. 

***I recommend taking my one-time How to Draw Basics classes in the following order: 
#1: Materials and Value
#2: Contours
#3: Light and Value 
#4: Composition