Topic 2 : Composition of Art in Line Drawing
Composition of Art in Line Drawing
In line drawing, forms, shapes of the drawn objects must be composed suitably on a plane or on a piece of paper; that is, they should not be too small, too large, or tilted to the left or right, or even to the top or to the bottom, to make it beautiful. Therefore, the principles of art composition can be helpful in the layout. They consist of
1. Unity layout drawing (Unity)
Unity layout drawing is a drawing which many scattered objects are grouped or united in the drawing, in terms that the highlight point (the main subject in the drawing) and the secondary point are not scattered into two pictures.
Ways of unity layout drawing are as follows:
Unity layout drawing “Lotus” by Wiwatchai Chansukon, drawn with pencil on fabric pattern paper, image size 19*21 cm. on 3 July 2554
1.1 Unity layout drawing
by overlapping
“Still life sketching by Saritchai Siriporn, drawn with pencil on a white paper, image size 20*20 cm., on 9 August 2554
Image shows a unity layout drawing by overlapping
1.2 Unity layout drawing by using the contour lines of the image to define the composition as a cluster
Image shows unity layout drawing by using the contour lines of the image to define the composition as a cluster. “Jatukamramtep” by Chaiyan Maneesa-ard, drawn with black ink pen on a white paper, image size 16*20 cm., in 2550
1.3 Unity layout drawing by using a line connecting 2-3 masses
Image shows unity layout drawing by using a line connecting 2-3 masses “inside the room” by Aree Suthipan. 2519:21
2. Balanced image layout drawing (Balance)
This is to draw a picture with shape, form of a picture drawn that appears approximately equal both on the left and right. There are two ways to draw a balanced picture.
2.1 Equally balanced left and right images
Image shows an equally balanced drawing of left and right images
2.2 Visual sense balanced is to create unequal left and right balance, but by the lines of weight, shapes, stories, etc. in the picture and can be counterbalanced with the senses of left-right balancing.
Image shows a left-right imbalanced drawing, but senses balanced.
3. Dominance and Emphasis layout drawing
Dominance is an important part in the picture which is clear and noticeable. There are 4 methods of dominance layout drawing.
3.1 Dominance with form (Form) is to draw a dominant shape with a volume larger than others in the picture.
Image shows the dominance of the shape larger than others
3.2 Dominant figure in the middle of the picture means the figure in the middle is the main subject, others on the left and right are secondary.
Image shows the dominant figure in the middle of the picture
3.3 Dominance with line leading eyes to the highlight part of the picture
Image shows the use of line leading eyes to the highlight part of the picture
3.4 Dominance with the value of light and shadow
Let the light and shadow fall on the most highlight part in the picture, others will receive less.
Image shows the most highlight part in the picture with clear light and shadow.
Emphasis is to specify or intend to emphasize the area.
Summary
Art composition in line drawing is to lay out the shape, the form of the object onto a plane suitably and beautifully. Methods of art composition are Unity layout drawing by overlapping, by using the contour lines of the image to define the composition as a cluster, by using a line connecting 2-3 masses. Apart from unity layout drawing, there are Balanced image layout drawing by equally balanced left and right images or by visual sense balanced, and Dominance and Emphasis layout drawing by form, by dominant figure in the middle of the picture, by line leading eyes to the highlight part of the picture and by the value of light and shadow.
Tools and materials
Tools and materials used in line drawing are
1. Pencil There are 2 types of pencils.
1.1 Soft pencil with soft lead, the level of darkness is ranging from light dark to most dark, from grade B up to 6B or EB or even to EE (the darkest). This kind of pencil is for sketching, weighing light and shadow value in line drawing.
Image shows EE pencils in line drawing
1.2 Hard pencil with hard lead, the ranging level is from grade H to 9H, suitable for drawing the outer lines rather than weighing light and shadow value. There are 2 methods of holding a pencil in line drawing.
Regular basic grip. This method is similar to regular holding in writing. A pencil is among the tip of the thumb, index and middle fingers to keep the pencil firmly in place and the little finger is laid on the paper.
Image shows the method of regular basic grip.
Over hand grip This method is used in roughly sketching or for determining the weight of light and shadow. A pencil is grasped lightly among thumb, index and middle fingers and the palm upside down, while the ring and little fingers help keep the pencil steadily.
Image shows the over hand grip for roughly sketching
Pencil extension holder is used for connecting pencil which is shortened after long drawing or inconvenient to hold, this can continue drawing till used up. It can save the budget in buying pencil.
Image shows the pencil extension holder.
2. Colored pencils are available in 2 types:
2.1 Colored pencils are used to draw lines and apply the weight of light and shadow in line drawings.
2.2 Water soluble pencils are used after finishing drawing lines, and applying the weight of light and shadow, then a paintbrush is dipped in water to dissolve the paint.
3. Charcoal stick is a long soft loose, stick. The thin stick is suitable for sketching, and the big chunk one is ideal for quickly drawing in large area. The charcoal powder is stained easily, so after drawing with charcoal, coating is recommended. Drawing with charcoal stick needs to grip over hand, the charcoal stick and the little finger tips are placed on a piece of paper, then start drawing.
Image shows charcoal stick
Picture drawn with a charcoal stick by Banjongsak Pimthong. 2554:164
4. Conte Crayon is like a charcoal stick. It is a rectangular bar, ¼ inches wide and 2-3 inches long. It comes in soft, medium and hard types, more difficult to erase than charcoal sticks when drawing. It comes in a variety colors such as black, reddish brown, white, dark brown. Drawing with conte crayon is like drawing with charcoal stick; that is, over hand grip, using the flat side to draw a light-dark weight or a wide area, the edge to draw a line. It is popular to draw on different color paper such as light or white.
Picture of conte crayon
Image drawn with conte crayon, referencing the origin of the picture
5. Pen and Ink
5.1 Ink popular used in line drawing is black ink or called Indian ink. Black ink is used as a medium that uses a pen, brush or paintbrush.
5.2 Pen is a tool for drawing line and letter writing, used with black ink. There are 2 types of pens.
5.2.1 Handmade pens including
Picture of a reed and cane pen
Picture of a quill pen
5.2.2 Metal tip pens are
Picture of fountain pens
Picture of dip pens
Picture of lettering pens
Picture of a ballpoint pen
6. Brush
In line drawing, it is used for writing, painting, spreading with paint or ink on the surface of the desired paper plane. Brushes can be divided into
6.1 Stiff brush with flat tip, suitable for painting with oil paints
Picture of stiff brushes with flat tip
6.2 Round brush with sharp tip and soft bristles, there are 2 types: one is a round fur brush from pig hair, cow hair or squirrel hair, used for oil painting, water color painting; the other is a round synthetic fiber or nylon brush used for acrylic painting.
Picture of round brushes with sharp tip
7. Paper is made from plant fiber such as wood fibers, linen fibers, and cotton, etc.
Paper has 3 textures:
7.1 Smooth texture paper is suitable for line drawing which requires weight, light, shadow and fine details, soft and exquisite. This kind of paper is bond paper, glossy art paper, card paper, proof paper and copier paper (for practicing).
7.2 Medium rough texture paper (Tooth texture) such as smooth 80lb paper, slightly rough.
7.3 Rough texture paper suits for water color painting.
Choosing suitable paper for drawing.
Paper suitable for pencil drawing It is advisable to choose smooth texture paper which adds weight, light and shadow and details well such as smooth bond paper, proof paper.
Paper suitable for color pencil drawing It is better to choose smooth or medium rough texture paper (tooth texture).
Paper suitable for charcoal drawing is white textured paper, which easily stick to charcoal powder; that is from medium smooth texture to rough.
Paper suitable for pen and ink drawing It is recommended to use white smooth texture, tight texture compressed paper, moderate water absorption.
Paper suitable for brush and ink drawing should be rough texture paper.
8. Sketch books are available in many sizes: small size 4*6 inches, medium size 9*12 inches, and large size 14*17 inches or 18*24 inches.
9. Drawing board Plywood or smooth texture compressed paper is popularly used with rectangular angles, about 3-4 mm. thickness and 40*60 cm. width and length or more. It is used as a drawing board.
10. Eraser is used to erase pencil lines and various stains on the paper. A good quality eraser is made from rubber, it doesn’t damage the paper surface.
11. Bulldog clip is used to clip the drawing paper onto the drawing board by clipping the four corners or the top two corners to make the paper smooth for drawing. The clips should not be too large, they are inconvenient in drawing due to the drawer’s hand getting stumble while drawing.
Picture shows a bulldog clip
How to clip paper Leave a little space when clipping paper onto a drawing board. While drawing, hold the side of board to prevent from stains.
Picture shows clipping paper with the edges left holding the drawing board.
12. Knife or cutter is used to sharpen the drawing pencil to shade light and shadow in the picture.
13. Sand paper is used to fine sharpen the drawing pencil lead. It is convenient, saves time in sharpening, and it’s suitable for drawing lines emphasizing the sharpness as well as the light and shade of the drawing. Sandpaper can help sharpen the pencil tip.
14. Pencil box is used to keep pencils, erasers, knives and cutters.
Picture shows a pencil box for pencils, erasers, knives and cutters.
Summary
Tools and materials used in line drawing consist of pencils with soft leads starting from grades B-6B or EE, suitable for drawing lines, shading light and shadow; on the other hand, their hard leads which starting from grades H-9H, suitable for drawing outlines more than shading light and shadow. There are 2 methods of holding pencil: regular basic grip or regular writing method and over hand grip. Other materials in drawing are colored pencils, charcoal sticks, conte crayons, pens and various kinds of ink, brushes, several types of drawing paper such as smooth texture paper suitable for pencil drawing; smooth texture and medium rough texture paper (tooth texture) suitable for charcoal stick drawing; white smooth texture paper suitable for pen and ink drawing; rough texture paper suitable for brushes and ink drawing. In addition, a sketch book, a drawing board, an eraser, bulldog clips, knives and cutters, sand paper for fine sharpening the pencil tip and a pencil box are also necessary materials used in line drawing.