This is one of a three piece self-portrait series. In the fall of 2008, I switched to Rotring pens so this piece was done with these pens. It was completed on a 22" by 30" of Swathmore acid-free drawing paper.--------------------------
The photograph below was used for this drawing. Photoshop CS4 was used to create a black and white image. The image was also cropped to include only my figure. As the pants are black, the folds did not appear. Photoshop was used to lighten this portion of the image until the folds of the cloth in the pants showed up.
Photoshop was also used to enlarge the photo to the size of the paper. The computer image was then sliced into smaller pieces that could be printed. These were literally (with scissors and scotch tape) together. This image was not only used as reference, but the image was traced onto tracing paper and then transferred to the larger sheet of Swathmore paper.
----------------------------
After the image was transferred, it was then outlined faintly with F lead. However, these lines were used only as reference.
After the image was transferred, it was then outlined faintly with F lead. However, these lines were used only as reference.As can be seen in the close-up to the right, the images in the final drawing do not have edges defined by solid lines. Instead, the images are defined by the cross-hatching marks on either the object itself or the background for the object. This technique gives a wonderful "sense of motion" to the drawing.
-----------------------------
The "edge-less" technique of cross-hatching is particularly apparent in the folds of the fabric of the pants. The above close-up shows the folds. Also shown are the multiple layers of cross-hatching used to create the darker areas. Most of the drawing was created by a .25 point. however, the lighter areas were created by using .13 and .18 points. A .35 point was used for some of the darker areas of cross-hatching.
------------------------------------
For years, I used cross-hatching that consisted of straight across hatches. i changed this method after reading Gary Simmons "The Technical Pen". Simmons recommends using a cross-hatch that varies in length creating a simple texture in the ink surface. I think it works very well. Several close-ups show this technique, including the one below.
------------------------------------
For years, I used cross-hatching that consisted of straight across hatches. i changed this method after reading Gary Simmons "The Technical Pen". Simmons recommends using a cross-hatch that varies in length creating a simple texture in the ink surface. I think it works very well. Several close-ups show this technique, including the one below.
