I used two grades of graphite pencils, an HB and a 3B. I sharpened the soft pencil into a chisel tip, which helped with the treatment of the window details..
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Blackfriar Pub
Here's a pencil sketch of The Black Friar Pub in London. What attracts me to a scene like this is the weird juxtaposition of elements. The wedge-shaped art nouveau landmark stands alone, surrounded with stark geometric postwar forms.
I used two grades of graphite pencils, an HB and a 3B. I sharpened the soft pencil into a chisel tip, which helped with the treatment of the window details..
I used two grades of graphite pencils, an HB and a 3B. I sharpened the soft pencil into a chisel tip, which helped with the treatment of the window details..
This is such a beautiful sketch. I always have a hard time sketching complex scenes in graphite using tone because I have a hard time laying down flat values quickly enough and making the right judgments when it comes to adding line for detail. I guess I'll practice more with the chisel tip.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Victor. My inspiration for this way of pencil sketching is "Pencil Broadsides" by Ted Kautzky
ReplyDelete. As you probably know, he was the master of the broadstroke technique, which was used not only for landscape sketching, but also for quickly suggesting images and lettering in advertising comps.
a marvelous sketch; very real - yet surrealistic, an illustration in which something is always happening.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful drawing.
ReplyDeleteJim:
ReplyDeleteStapleton Kearns told me that he considers you the finest sketcher alive today. Quite a complement! And I must say, I agree.
Wow, Mary, that's a huge compliment coming from Stape; thanks to you both.
ReplyDeleteI first met Stapleton Kearns about 20 years ago at an artist party. He came in with about three gorgeous wet oil paintings he had done that morning, while the rest of us were just stuffing our faces with potato chips and talking about art. Follow this link to see his work and read his blog.
Masterful sketch Jim!
ReplyDeleteYour talent at judging values astonishes me. Not to mention your ability to suggest detail so deftly.
kev
In addition to "Pencil Broadsides", Arthur Guptil's "Sketching and Rendering in Pencil" is another great book featuring chisel point technique.
ReplyDeleteYes really beautiful sketching, and the blimp gives it the added interest thanks Jim. Paper is I find, although I'm lazy, an added quality that aids the sketch.
ReplyDeletemy friend Sam Clayberger at one time put together papers and had them spiral bound to make a super sketch book.
beautiful, so well balanced.
ReplyDelete