Drawing from Life with Charcoal: Tips and Techniques from Douglas R. Graves' Book
Life Drawing in Charcoal by Douglas R. Graves: A Review
Life drawing is one of the most fundamental and challenging skills for any artist. It involves observing and capturing the human form with accuracy, expression and creativity. Life drawing can help you develop your visual perception, your sense of proportion, your anatomy knowledge, your composition skills and your artistic style.
Life Drawing In Charcoal Douglas Graves Pdf Download
Charcoal is one of the oldest and most versatile mediums for life drawing. It can produce a wide range of tones, textures and effects, from delicate lines to bold strokes, from soft shading to dramatic contrasts. Charcoal can also be easily erased, blended and manipulated, allowing you to experiment and refine your drawings.
Douglas R. Graves is a renowned artist and instructor who has taught life drawing for over 40 years. He has written several books on drawing and painting, including Life Drawing in Charcoal, which was first published in 1971 and revised and enlarged in 1994. In this book, he offers a unique and innovative approach to life drawing in charcoal that focuses on seeing and thinking in terms of tonal masses rather than lines.
In this article, I will review Life Drawing in Charcoal by Douglas R. Graves and discuss its content, style and impact. I will also provide some information on how to download or buy the book, as well as some other books or resources on life drawing in charcoal that you might find useful.
The Content of the Book
Life Drawing in Charcoal by Douglas R. Graves consists of 176 pages divided into eight projects, each with a specific theme and objective. The projects are:
Project 1: Materials and Exercises
Project 2: Seeing Tonal Quality
Project 3: The Difference Between Lines and Edges
Project 4: Objects as They Are
Project 5: The Traditional Use of Plaster Cast Figures
Project 6: Keying a Drawing
Project 7: Translating Color to Black and White
Project 8: Some Basic Figure Proportions
The book covers a variety of topics and techniques related to life drawing in charcoal, such as:
The types and properties of charcoal, erasers, blenders, paper and fixative
The exercises and practices to improve your observation, coordination and control of charcoal
The concepts and methods of tonal value, value scale, value key, light and shadow, contrast and harmony
The difference between line and edge, and how to use the middle tone to create form and depth
The importance of thinking about what you see rather than what you know, and how to avoid the influence of the mind on the eye
The use of plaster cast figures as a traditional way to study the human anatomy, structure and gesture
The process of keying a drawing, or adjusting the values to create a desired mood or effect
The challenge and skill of translating color to black and white, and how to judge color intensity and tone
The basic figure proportions and measurements, and how to use them as guidelines rather than rules
Some of the benefits and features of the book are:
It provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to life drawing in charcoal for beginners, as well as a valuable reference and inspiration for intermediate and advanced artists
It teaches a novel and effective approach to life drawing in charcoal that emphasizes tonal masses over lines, which can help you draw quickly and accurately without the need for a line drawing first
It offers step-by-step demonstrations and over 200 examples of the author's own drawings that illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed in the book
It encourages you to experiment and explore your own style and expression with charcoal, rather than following a rigid or formulaic method
It includes an index for easy reference and navigation
Compared to other books on life drawing in charcoal, Life Drawing in Charcoal by Douglas R. Graves stands out for its originality, simplicity and depth. It does not rely on complex theories or rules, but rather on practical exercises and demonstrations that show you how to see and draw with charcoal. It does not overwhelm you with too much information or detail, but rather focuses on the essential principles and skills that you need to master. It does not limit you to a specific style or genre, but rather inspires you to develop your own voice and vision with charcoal.
The Style of the Book
Life Drawing in Charcoal by Douglas R. Graves is written in a clear, concise and conversational style that makes it easy to read and understand. The author uses an informal tone, personal pronouns, simple language, engaging examples, rhetorical questions and analogies to communicate his ideas and instructions. He also uses humor, anecdotes and quotes to add interest and personality to his writing.
The book is illustrated with high-quality black-and-white drawings by the author that showcase his skill and versatility with charcoal. The drawings range from quick sketches to finished works, from realistic to abstract, from portraits to figures, from nudes to clothed models. The drawings are accompanied by captions that explain the purpose, technique and effect of each drawing.
Some of the strengths of the book's style are:
It appeals to a wide audience of readers, from beginners to experts, from students to teachers, from hobbyists to professionals
It conveys the author's passion, enthusiasm and expertise for life drawing in charcoal
It motivates and challenges the readers to practice and improve their skills in life drawing in charcoal
It demonstrates the beauty, diversity and potential of charcoal as a medium for life drawing
Some of the weaknesses of the book's style are:
It may be too informal or casual for some readers who prefer a more formal or academic tone
It may be too brief or vague for some readers who prefer more detail or explanation on some topics or techniques
It may be too subjective or personal for some readers who prefer a more objective or universal approach to life drawing in charcoal
It may be too dated or outdated for some readers who prefer more contemporary or updated examples or references on life drawing in charcoal
The Impact of the Book
The Impact of the Book
Life Drawing in Charcoal by Douglas R. Graves has had a significant impact on the practice and teaching of life drawing in charcoal since its first publication in 1971. It has been widely used as a textbook, a reference book and a source of inspiration by many artists and instructors around the world. It has also received positive feedback and reviews from readers who have benefited from its approach and guidance.
Some of the ways that the book has influenced the art and culture of life drawing in charcoal are:
It has introduced a new and effective way of seeing and drawing the human form in terms of tonal masses rather than lines, which can help artists achieve more realistic, expressive and creative results with charcoal
It has demonstrated the versatility and potential of charcoal as a medium for life drawing, showing how it can produce a wide range of tones, textures and effects that can enhance the form, depth and mood of a drawing
It has encouraged artists to experiment and explore their own style and expression with charcoal, rather than following a rigid or formulaic method
It has provided a clear and comprehensive introduction to the essential principles and skills of life drawing in charcoal for beginners, as well as a valuable reference and inspiration for intermediate and advanced artists
It has contributed to the appreciation and recognition of life drawing in charcoal as a form of art that requires observation, imagination, technique and artistry
Some of the testimonials and reviews of the book by other artists and instructors are:
"The guidance to be found within these covers reflects the author's inspired ability as a teacher and artist of the highest magnitude. It is probably the finest book on the subject of drawing the human form that I have ever seen." Irving Shapiro, A.W.S., Director, American Academy of Art
"This book is a must for anyone who wants to learn how to draw with charcoal. It teaches you how to see and think in terms of tonal masses, which is essential for creating realistic and expressive drawings. The author's drawings are amazing and inspiring, and his explanations are clear and concise. I have learned so much from this book and I highly recommend it." Amazon customer review
"I have been teaching life drawing for over 20 years, and this is one of the best books on the subject that I have ever used. It offers a unique and effective approach to drawing from life that focuses on tonal masses rather than lines. The students love it because it helps them draw quickly and accurately without the need for a line drawing first. The author's drawings are stunning and illustrate his concepts and techniques beautifully. This book is a gem." Google Books review
Conclusion
Some Basic Figure Proportions
The last project in Life Drawing in Charcoal by Douglas R. Graves deals with some basic figure proportions and measurements that can help you draw the human form more accurately and realistically. The author emphasizes that these proportions are not fixed or universal, but rather average or typical, and that they can vary depending on the individual, the pose, the perspective and the style. He also advises that you should use these proportions as guidelines rather than rules, and that you should always check and correct them by observing the actual model.
Some of the basic figure proportions and measurements that the author discusses are:
The average human body is about 7.5 heads tall, including the head. This means that the length of the head is about 1/7.5 of the total height of the body. However, this proportion can change depending on the age, gender and ethnicity of the person. For example, children have larger heads relative to their bodies than adults, women have slightly smaller heads than men, and people from different races may have different head shapes and sizes.
The ideal human body is often drawn at 8 heads tall, including the head. This proportion is used when aiming for an impression of nobility or grace, as it creates a more elongated and elegant figure. However, this proportion is not realistic or natural, and it should be used with caution and moderation.
The head can be divided into four equal parts: from the top of the head to the hairline, from the hairline to the eyebrows, from the eyebrows to the base of the nose, and from the base of the nose to the chin. The eyes are located halfway between the top of the head and the chin. The width of the head is about 5 eyes wide. The mouth is located halfway between the base of the nose and the chin. The ears are aligned with the eyebrows and the base of the nose.
Some Basic Figure Proportions
The last project in Life Drawing in Charcoal by Douglas R. Graves deals with some basic figure proportions and measurements that can help you draw the human form more accurately and realistically. The author emphasizes that these proportions are not fixed or universal, but rather average or typical, and that they can vary depending on the individual, the pose, the perspective and the style. He also advises that you should use these proportions as guidelines rather than rules, and that you should always check and correct them by observing the actual model.
The average human body is about 7.5 heads tall, including the head. This means that the length of the head is about 1/7.5 of the total height of the body. However, this proportion can change depending on the age, gender and ethnicity of the person. For example, children have larger heads relative to their bodies than adults, women have slightly smaller heads than men, and people from different races may have different head shapes and sizes.
The ideal human body is often drawn at 8 heads tall, including the head. This proportion is used when aiming for an impression of nobility or grace, as it creates a more elongated and elegant figure. However, this proportion is not realistic or natural, and it should be used with caution and moderation.
The head can be divided into four equal parts: from the top of the head to the hairline, from the hairline to the eyebrows, from the eyebrows to the base of the nose, and from the base of the nose to the chin. The eyes are located halfway between the top of the head and the chin. The width of the head is about 5 eyes wide. The mouth is located halfway between the base of the nose and the chin. The ears are aligned with the eyebrows and the base of the nose.
The neck is about 2/3 of a head long. The shoulders are about 3 heads wide. The chest is about 2 heads wide. The waist is about 1.5 heads wide. The hips are about 2 heads wide. The arms are about 3.5 heads long, from the shoulder to the wrist. The hands are about 3/4 of a head long, from the wrist to the tip of the middle finger. The legs are about 4 heads long, from the hip to the ankle. The feet are about 1 head long, from the heel to the toe.
The author illustrates these proportions with several examples of his own drawings, showing how they can be applied to different poses and perspectives. He also explains how to use alignment, foreshortening and overlapping to create a sense of depth and dimension in a drawing. He stresses that these proportions are not meant to be rigid or mechanical, but rather flexible and adaptable to each situation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Life Drawing in Charcoal by Douglas R. Graves is a remarkable book that offers a novel and innovative approach to drawing from life with charcoal. It covers a variety of topics and techniques related to life drawing in charcoal, such as materials, exercises, tonal quality, lines and edges, objects as they are, plaster cast figures, keying a drawing, translating color to black and white, and some basic figure proportions. It provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to life drawing in charcoal for beginners, as well as a valuable reference and inspiration for intermediate and advanced artists. It teaches a new and effective way of seeing and drawing the human form in terms of tonal masses rather than lines, which can help artists achieve more realistic, expressive and creative results with charcoal. It demonstrates the versatility and potential of charcoal as a medium for life drawing, showing how it can produce a wide range of tones, textures and effects that can enhance the form, depth and mood of a drawing. It encourages artists to experiment and explore their own style and expression with charcoal, rather than following a rigid or formulaic method.
In my opinion, this book is one of the best books on life drawing in charcoal that I have ever read. It has helped me improve my skills and confidence in life drawing in charcoal, as well as my appreciation and enjoyment of this art form. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to draw with charcoal or improve their existing skills.
If you are interested in buying or downloading this book, you can find it on various online platforms such as Amazon.com, Google Books , or Archive.org. You can also check your local library or bookstore for a copy. You won't regret it!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about life drawing in charcoal and the book by Douglas R. Graves.
Where can I download or buy the book?
You can download or buy the book from various online platforms such as Amazon.com, Google Books , or Archive.org. You can also check your local library or bookstore for a copy.
How long is the book and how much does it cost?
The book is 176 pages long and has a paperback format. The price may vary depending on the seller and the edition, but it is usually around $15 to $20.
What are some other books or resources on life drawing in charcoal that you recommend?
Some other books or resources on life drawing in charcoal that you might find useful are:
Drawing the Head and Figure by Jack Hamm
The Artist's Complete Guide to Drawing the Head by William Maughan
Drawing People: How to Portray the Clothed Figure by Barbara Bradley
Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters by Robert Beverly Hale
Figure Drawing for All It's Worth by Andrew Loomis
Proko's YouTube channel
Line of Action website
Quickposes website
How can I improve my skills in life drawing in charcoal?
The best way to improve your skills in life drawing in charcoal is to practice regularly and frequently. You can practice by drawing from life, using models, photos, videos, or yourself as references. You can also practice by copying or studying the drawings of other artists, especially those who use charcoal. You can also learn from books, videos, courses, or workshops that teach life drawing in charcoal, such as Life Drawing in Charcoal by Douglas R. Graves. You can also seek feedback and advice from other artists or instructors who are experienced in life drawing in charcoal.
What are some tips and tricks for using charcoal effectively?
Some tips and tricks for using charcoal effectively are:
Choose the right type and quality of charcoal, eraser, blender, paper and fixative for your purpose and preference.
Use a sharpener, knife, or sandpaper to shape your charcoal stick or pencil to a point, chisel, or wedge, depending on the effect you want to create.
Use different pressures, angles, and directions to vary the thickness, intensity, and texture of your strokes.
Use a kneaded eraser, a chamois cloth, a paper towel, or your finger to lift out lights, blend tones, create highlights, or correct mistakes.
Use a fixative spray to protect your finished drawing from smudging or fading.
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