Backlighting
© 2019 A Bankrupt Math Student- Did not show the texture of the clothing
- The contrast between light and shadow is too simple
Konst54
Atmospheric!
Maybe you can try playing with the outline - instead countouring whole drawing, you can leave thick line as sort of shadow on some planes, and just a liner on the others. Also you can play with states of line in between - going from thick to thin and even to no line at all (Sometimes I try as excercise drawing with minimum of the lines, and if right lines are catched - it makes spectator catch the whole thing). Actually you have some sort of this alive line here and there, and it gives quite dramatic shadow. As for me adding some lighter outlines also would do.
A Bankrupt Math Student
Thanks for you reply! I agree that it will help if reduce the use of line, but I am not sure what you mean by lighter outlines. Do you mind providing some examples?
Konst54
Ok, actually the ideas are following:
1. You can think that there is no "line" in the real world, but spots, objects. Line is virtual thing on the border.
2. Of course you draw lines (however drawing from spots is useful too), but the thing is that lines you percieve are not on 2d paper, but on the 3d border of the object. So the way you percieve borders changes in the distance and light.
3. So, if you percieve some shape which is going to horizon - it's nearest part lines will be bold, and farest - lighter and thiner. For example, on your drawing right side of the torso is closer to us, so it's border will be bolder than the other one, which will be lighter.
4. Also outline can be treated like mini-shadowing - when it's going from lightened part to the dark, by growing bolder it will give feeling of the shadow.
5. Detalization of the line will also change - you see more fine details of the side of the object which is close to you, and also on the parts which get more light.
6. Sometimes we can even don't draw some side of the object - and it will be ok, if it has logic
Anyway, these are just ideas you can experiment with and figure out, if you whant to use them or not. Even you can break them for some purpose. Not sure, maybe you knew all that :) You have good examples of that thing here: https://line-of-action.com/art/view/2498
Here are examples from my drawings:
1. Leaves of salad more detailed and bold on the front and vague and soft in the distance
2. Lines of the hat go from bold to weak in the distance, and even vanish there. And the button also
3. Here is some freestyle using of minimum line idea
A Bankrupt Math Student
Sorry for replying late and thank you so much for your suggestions! I tried to apply them on my new practice here. https://line-of-action.com/art/view/2553
It is still not very good and the thickness of line is still too boring. I will try to fix it in the future.
Konst54
Yeah, there are nice variations in facial traits and hair!
The other thing I like in that work are your expressionist style tone variations in cloth - ones in the middle are very flowing and natural.
Are you using brush markers by Faber? As for me, as they are very soft, I can accurately control it's line thickness mostly when I draw slowly - making fast studies here pushes to quicker pace. So maybe applying this will flow a bit better without timer ticking :).
Or trying different materials helps to crystalize common things. Charcoal is a bit similar to these markers as for me, maybe you'll like (natural, not pressed). Or pencil, it gives somewhat more freedom when drawing quick - you can do things in harsh manner without getting similar lines.
A Bankrupt Math Student
I use this https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=ZEBRA_ZENSATIONS_BRUSH_PENS.
The reason why I use ink pens instead of pencil and charcoal is I don't have place to draw. I usually draw on my desk in living room so I can't really make the house too dirty...
Really nice !
Thanks!