Gesture Drawing, Part 6: Gesture Gallery

  More than a practice, exercise or a process, Gesture Drawing defines images in many beautifulways. From simplicity in single media to mixed combinations it creates both technique and art style. These are favorite VA examples of diverse methods for presentation and applications from students in advanced levels.

Click on images for full views.

Gesture Drawing is a visual training skill which can be expanded by diverse methods, complexities and materials. Different media enhance appearance, color blends and textural effects.

PENCIL--is a favorite practice medium and with softer leads exciting shade and linear blends can be effected.(2nd and 5th)

CRAYON--an erroneously lowly regarded media, may be humble, but it's ageless for productivity. With tips or side swipes it offers smooth tonal qualities. Heavy applications build "mass" (volume) and rough textural surfaces with easy color blending.(8th)

PASTELS-- provide smooth blends, rough mass or fine line combinations as seen in the shell and vase examples. Drawing pastels into wet paper widens color contrasts and partially "sets" the medium.(4th)

INDIA INK --effects heavy black linear qualities controlled by a variety of open and tightly closed spaces for its value levels and changes. Black MARKER can also be used in a similar manner.(3rd & 7th)

WATERCOLORS--and watercolors plus INK have unique features and together make an exciting marriage. With ink, a rich black contrasts the colors when dry, and when wet, water makes unusual movements of each. One needs to both enjoy and control the exciting, random flows.(6th)

COLORED PENCIL--is most satisfying to the artist who demands more realism. It offers more precision and has great color blends. It can effect very exciting loose interpretations as well.(1st)

MIXED MEDIA --opens wide doors to creative interpretations. Ink and crayon, crayon and watercolor, pastels and ink, ball point pens and watercolor, and collage papers with each offer special effects. Bright overlapped tissue papers can stain backgrounds for color changes and contrasts well with other media. However, mixed media should augment gesture drawing skill and not substitute for it. Practice single media until confidence in visual and hand coordinations are well developed. With perseverance you will be well rewarded!