Lesson 1

The purpose of the lesson was to experiment with varying line weight, not just to add character to the drawing, but as an illustrative tool, to add dynamism and emphasis to a subject.

The lesson was in two parts.

Part 1

Draw a figure and use line weight to emphasise something about the character such as pose or action.

I used the lesson to try creating drawings using a Molotow Brush Pen after being inspired by the brush and ink drawings of Dave McKean.

The first couple of images were made during Zoom meetings. I was interested in keeping the drawing sparse, letting the line form and weight do the work.

Fig 1 – Zoom portrait 01 (2022)
Fig 2 – Zoom portrait 02 (2022)

The second couple were made on a Friday evening drawing trip to The National Gallery. My intention had been to use line weight to emphasise posture or movement. I think I largely failed.

Fig 3 – National Gallery cafe, pair of drawings (2022)
Fig 4 – Commuter on train, pair of drawings (2022)

Part 2

Apply the same approach to two further drawings:

  1. A scene from a garden or park
  2. A street scene

Include thumbnails showing design decisions.

The first two drawings were made during an evening walk along the River Ember, close to where I live. It was dusk and time was short, so I went straight to drawing and didn’t create thumbnails.

I enjoy drawing plants, trees and foliage and have developed a visual language that works well with expressive gestural lines.

Fig 5 – The River Ember (2022)
Fig 6 – An ivy laden tree (2022)

The National Gallery was my subject for the street scene. I thumbnailed different views and decided on one that included groups of people in the mid ground and background.

This is something I would usually shy away from so provided a good challenge.

Fig 7 – Trafalgar Square thumbnails (2022)

I think I achieved drawing the people believably but at the expense of have a well designed image.

Fig 8 – The National Gallery (2022)

References

List of illustrations

Figure 1 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Zoom portrait 01 [Brush pen] In possession of: The author

Figure 2 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Zoom portrait 02 [Brush pen] In possession of: The author

Figure 3 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) National Gallery cafe, pair of drawings [Brush pen] In possession of: The author

Figure 4 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Commuter on train, pair of drawings [Brush pen] In possession of: The author

Figure 5 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) The River Ember [Brush pen] In possession of: The author

Figure 6 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Ivy laden tree [Brush pen] In possession of: The author

Figure 7 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Trafalgar Square thumbnails [Brush pen] In possession of: The author

Figure 8 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) The National Gallery [Brush pen] In possession of: The author

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