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PENCIL TECHNIQUES

▲ From Donna and Andrew’s Garden

20 x 28 cm (8 x 11 in)

For this sketch I used a 2B pencil, which allowed me to draw thin branches on the trees.

The most versatile and convenient sketching tool is the pencil, and it is ideal for making quick 30-minute sketches. Pencil sketching has been done for centuries by world-famous artists; John Constable, England’s most renowned landscape artist, took sketchbooks as small as 5 x 10 cm (2½ x 4 in) on his travels.

The best thing about pencil sketching is that if you haven’t got any equipment with you, it is always possible to get a pencil and some paper to work on no matter where you are. I have sketched on the back of envelopes and even a long till receipt! In this chapter I will show you how to get the most out of your pencils.

Using pencils

To get the most variety of line and shading from a pencil when you are sketching there are a few simple things to learn, the most important of which is how to hold your pencil. With the three methods of holding it shown below, your pencil will do whatever you want on your sketch. However, your pencil must be sharpened with a sharp knife to give you a long point, not with a pencil sharpener.

Following the simple exercises shown here will help you to use your pencil effectively. As you do them, practise varying the pressure you put on the pencil to give stronger or lighter lines.

You can also use your eraser as a drawing tool, creating lighter areas in your pencil shading.

▲ The short hold position that you use when writing gives you most control.

▲ The long hold drawing position allows more freedom over a large area.

▲ The flat hold position allows you to work large shaded areas with fast, free, broad strokes by using the long edge of the lead.

▲ These exercises show definite strokes, made with a 2B pencil. When you can control these, practise more irregular strokes such as the ones in the sketch opposite. Scribble away and enjoy what a pencil can do.

▲ These lines and shading were done with a 6B pencil. Compare the effect with the exercises done with a 2B pencil opposite.

▲ A plastic eraser can be used to rub out a thick line from shading made with any pencil. An eraser can be as important when sketching as a pencil.

▲ I made this sketch of a windmill with my 6B pencil, which allowed me to work quickly when shading areas but was not suitable for putting in any detail.

PROJECT

Comparing pencil grades

The pencil grade you decide to use when you are sketching will depend upon how much detail you want to include in your picture and the overall effect you want to achieve.

Choosing the right pencil

When you are out sketching, time could be against you for all sorts of reasons: the weather, the journey, or perhaps you just want to sketch as many scenes as possible. Therefore speed is essential. The answer on these occasions is to use a 6B pencil. This is also a great way to help you learn to simplify your subject (see here). You can’t draw in fine detail easily, so you work for a quick overall visual image, not looking for detail. Above all, using this pencil will teach you not to fiddle!

I did these three A4 sketches of a Norfolk lane to show the difference between a 2B, a 3B and a 6B pencil. For the first one I used my 2B pencil and it took 20 minutes plus experience! The second, using a 3B pencil, has less detail, because the pencil is softer and can cover areas more easily. The last sketch is done with a 6B pencil, and the difference is clear. Because the 6B has a very soft lead it is not easy to draw detail, but it is very easy to shade in areas quickly to give a simplified image. This sketch took minutes to do.

In this first project, sketch with your 2B pencil, then do the same sketch again with your 3B and 6B. Copy any of mine in the book, and try some of your own. I know you will enjoy it. Don’t work them smaller than A4 size, and don’t worry about time for the moment – working quickly will come.

▲ 2B pencil

For this sketch I used a 2B pencil, which allowed me to draw some detail in the trees.

▲ 3B pencil

Here I used a 3B pencil. Because the lead is softer it’s a quicker but less detailed way of sketching.

▲ 6B pencil

Using a 6B pencil, I could block in areas in minutes but it wasn’t possible to show any detail.

▲ Steamroller

This was drawn on A3 paper with a 6B pencil. There is no fine detail in the steamroller, but its bulk and strength are very evident.