segment drawing To gain a lot of drawing practice without the feeling of being overwhelmed by large, finished projects, begin a segment drawing notebook.This is a page taken from one of mine. Create a viewfinder with a two-inch opening. Go through magazine pictures to find interesting subjects to draw. Select pictures that will give you a variety of challenges and learning experiences.
Use some graphic border tape around each drawing for a cleaner-looking presentation. (This can be purchased in a variety of sizes from your local art store.) Start your own segment drawing notebook as soon as possible and try to draw at least one image a day.You can do it.They are small exercises and don’t take very long, but the experience you gain is huge!
Practice with spheres and overlapping surfaces.
Practice creating distance.
Practice with light against dark and dark against light.
Practice seeing a human being as just shapes, lights and darks.
things to remember
Using Your Viewfinder ■
Apply the five elements of shading to everything you draw.
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Use the five-box value scale to judge the depth of your tones. Compare everything to black or white.
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Keep your blending smooth and gradual.
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Always use your tortillion at an angle to keep the tip from collapsing.
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Look for the basic underlying shapes in everything you draw.
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Look for dark against light and light against dark.
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Always think of lifting as drawing in reverse.
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Anything with an outline around it will appear flat and cartoon-like.
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The cube’s flat surfaces will capture light differently than a rounded object.
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Anything with a lip, an edge or a rim will have reflected light along those edges.
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Look in magazines for photos similar to those in this chapter and practice drawing them using the grid method.
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