Texture

 Texture

When it comes to hand rendering, especially interior spaces, it is critical to display the correct texture of a surface or object. Without this, all surface and objects can easily be portrayed as solid and smooth when, however, that is not always the case. Learning how to resemble different textures with different mediums and techniques is as equally vital for an interior designer.

Texture with Pencil

When drawing with pencil it is best to keep your hand light and hold your pencil a bit further from the tip than usual. Pencil allows an artist to build value and complexity within a drawing over time. The more times you go over something, obviously, the darker it will become – with pencils. Take windows, for instance, and how adding details creates interest within these features. Due to the fact that pencil is the chosen medium, it is good to understand that there is considerable variation in the tonal values, especially within the windowpanes. Also note that the sunlight greatly effects the values portrayed on your page. This means they can be of a lighter value or even pure white. The values, in general, can be varied by the way the strokes of your pencil are rendered and by leaving white on your page. When discussing interior views of a window, understand that the window panes are typically left white or a very light value of grey, and the mullions are grey with emphasis in black (sometimes).

When drawing masonry, like stone or brick, know that you do NOT need to draw every little detail or slab of brick. Rendering masonry, overall, with the right technique is very important for sketching because, when done right, it gives the true appearance – even when not every painstaking detail is included. Also know that broad strokes help in providing the piece with some character or nuance to the wall or surface. The same guidelines can be attributed to roofs, too. Focus on drawing the most detail on the objects that are closest to the viewer, especially when ceilings are intricately detailed and complex. A variety of colors is key in drawing roofs because it is one of the most effective tools in creating a sense of distance.

Texture with Ink

When moving away from pencil and experiencing new and different mediums, such as ink, different techniques and perspectives are considered more often. While it is a favored medium for artists, it is not preferred for beginners. Therefore, mastering strokes is the first step because without it, it is impossible to further develop drawing techniques, making practicing these fundamentals very important. Essentially, they are your building blocks.

Shadows are critical to a drawing because they give an object or space a three-dimensional quality. While creating shadows with pencil is easier than ink, it can still be done. Like any other new hobby, it is important to first develop and master the techniques for drawing shadows and openings. Otherwise, your drawing will appear stiff and lack the vitality needed to bring life to your page. Shadows, ultimately, can be created using a technique called crosshatching. Crosshatching can create various values and is done by varying the direction and density of your strokes. This means that the denser your strokes (the closer together your lines are) and the different directions they go in (crisscross, vertically, horizontally, both, etc.) the darker the shadow will appear.

Sketchbook #7