(Example)

Kristen Ruble's Online Sketchbook

 

>6 May 2004<

 

I am currently studying faces and realism in my work. My plan is to produce a detailed piece using a rapidograph pen to create tiny dots that will comprise the image. This piece will be entirely black and white, and will be completed on bristol board. This is the photograph I have chosen to work from for my piece. It was taken of a man in a psychiatric ward. I am very interested in psychology and would like to explore elements of this interest in my artwork this year.

The first thing I need to do is crop the photo so that it brings the face more into focus for this project--also, I want the image to be approximately 4"x 6" for this piece, to more closely resemble a photograph. Then I think I'll work with the values of the photograph before I start the final piece. I need to do some studies on different ways of shading to decide on what I would like to use and what I think is most successful for this figure.
   

Study #1:

To determine basic values of the piece/ gradual transition, especially in shading in the wrinkles and folds of the coat.

Study #2:

Working with values, different types of shading. Gestural marks provide an interesting, more stylized effect, and lend character to the drawing. But I need to find a way to make the figure stand out from the background.

Process: make a tracing of contour lines from original image, transfer lines onto bristol board by going over other side of tracing paper (pencil transfer.) Lines signal transition in value.

Study #3:

Contour drawing in pencil to determine which lines are most relevant. This would be easier in pen for the actual image transfer process.

Study #4:

Contour drawing used to transfer the image to bristol board.

The final part of the process will be to transfer the image onto bristol board for the final piece, using the above final contour drawing and tracing over it on both sides with pencil. Then I will begin to (carefully) shade using dots made with a .005 rapidograph pen.