Course content:
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First video lesson: leaves clump
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First video lesson: leaves clump
With 26 minutes long, this video lesson
teaches in detail and step by step how to establish several depth planes in a
pictorial scene by using tonal differences. It is the same process used to
establish the tonal perspective in landscape pictures, except that it is
reversed: in this exercise, the background planes are darker, and therefore
responsible for providing more contrast to the whole, whereas in landscape
pictures, the background is less contrasted and tends to be the most
light-toned.
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Amazon Forest and its multiple depth planes
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Though apparently simple, this practice
entails a series of challenges that when overcome may lead to a good
development of one’s drawing skills. Despite all this simplicity, this is the
same process that allowed me to establish with certain clarity the depth planes
in the somewhat chaotic scene of this forest.
This same practice constitutes the theoretic
basis that aids us to define the different depth planes of the various dried
leaves in this illustration’s clump of leaves. Each leaf or group of leaves
here is localized in a different layer within the whole perspective. Each of
them must get the right tone of shade so that each individual leaf is well represented
while also playing its part in the entire clump of leaves, thus giving us the
impression of three dimensions.
Second video lesson: dodecahedron
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| Second video class: dodecahedron |
With 42 minutes long, this lesson is a
tutorial with a detailed step-by-step demonstration for the study of tonalities
and the process of filling in with shade. For that, we use a geometric model:
the dodecahedron, as seen beside. The importance of this practice while
studying biological illustration is to make us able to better determine the
differences between the tones of shade, hence rendering the illusion of
luminosity. It helps us also to recognize how the reflected light behaves
inside the shadowed areas and to avoid representing that light with excessive
brightness. This practice also brings on the challenge of uniformly shading the
smooth areas and of respecting and preserving the precision of contours while
shading. Third video lesson: qualities of luminosity
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Third video class: qualities of luminosity
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With 78 minutes long, this lesson addresses
the luminosity features of the objects and the particularities on how they
reflect the light. After having accomplished the tasks proposed by the previous
exercises, the student is then able to work with natural models like a leaf, a
fruit, a seashell, an insect etc. The
precise recognition of the qualities of
the reflection of light in any object is essential when one wants to correctly
represent its tones, its form, and even the sensation of its texture.In the video, I explain the luminosity
features of objects using numerous examples and I demonstrate, in detail and
step-by-step, the rendition of drawings of two objects with different qualities
of luminosity, one reflective and another matte: a seashell and a fruit,
respectively – as seen beside. For this exercise, the student chooses the
objects and sends me some photos so that I can assess the material and then
offer advice during the practice.
General information about the course:
Open for registration (updated for 2021)
Purchase independent classes or the package with full module
You can have the course (or independent
classes) either with the teacher’s assistance during your practice or solely with
full access to the videos, thus practicing by yourself.
For free:
1- First video lesson already available (remember to TURN ON closed captions on YouTube).
2- Guidebook on the Graphite technique - download it now
Here you can find detailed information and
frequently asked questions.
Send me an email to sign up for the course
