# General Drawing **URL:** https://www.smartermarx.com/c/core-topics/general-drawing/33.md [Latest](https://www.smartermarx.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://www.smartermarx.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://www.smartermarx.com/tags.md) --- ## [Drawing](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing/86)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2017, 2:43pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing/86 "2017-02-09T14:43:42Z")
This section is for “all things drawing.” :slight\_smile: --- ## [Drawing-Practice-Basic Bargue Plate Walkthrough](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-practice-basic-bargue-plate-walkthrough/440)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 1:56pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-practice-basic-bargue-plate-walkthrough/440 "2025-06-30T13:56:34Z")
The following walk-through is adapted from the Da Vinci Initiative Lesson Plan, ”Bargue Plate”, written by Mandy Hallenius (www.mandyhallenius.com). This same walkthrough can also be found in the Visual Language III pro… --- ## [A Recent Critique of the Sight-Size Method By Seymon Bilmes](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/a-recent-critique-of-the-sight-size-method-by-seymon-bilmes/1984)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2025, 12:47pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/a-recent-critique-of-the-sight-size-method-by-seymon-bilmes/1984 "2025-02-06T12:47:30Z")
(Illustration from “Charles Bargue. Drawing Course” by Gerald Ackerman, and Graydon Parrish) This morning, I came across an interesting article, "The Sight-Size Method, a Critical Overview," by Semyon Bilmes. Mr. Bl… --- ## [Drawing-Charcoal-Materials-Gradation Tapers by Phil Kidd](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-charcoal-materials-gradation-tapers-by-phil-kidd/107)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2017, 5:56pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-charcoal-materials-gradation-tapers-by-phil-kidd/107 "2017-02-12T17:56:13Z")
For those struggling to find the right taper length for a particular gradation: --- ## [Drawing-Portrait-Rodney O'Dell Davis' "The Last Dance", WIP Images](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-portrait-rodney-odell-davis-the-last-dance-wip-images/113)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-portrait-rodney-odell-davis-the-last-dance-wip-images/113 "2017-02-12T19:13:56Z")
Here are a few of the “Work in Progress” images for Rodney O’ Dell Davis’ epic charcoal and pastel work, “The Last Dance, 27 x 36 inches, Charcoal and Pastel on Paper”: You can see much more of Rodney’s efforts… --- ## [Drawing on the wall](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-on-the-wall/1869)
**Author:** [@Second\_Nature](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/Second_Nature)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-on-the-wall/1869 "2024-02-25T16:24:09Z")
I’m a beginner and just started the LOD programme. I don’t currently have space for a sturdy easel. My current solution is a large piece of grey board Velcro’d to the wall with my drawing paper attached to that with Blu-… --- ## [Perception and the Ever-Elusive Ellipse](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/perception-and-the-ever-elusive-ellipse/816)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/perception-and-the-ever-elusive-ellipse/816 "2019-01-11T15:12:11Z")
Perception and the Ever-Elusive Ellipse For many visual artists, the ellipse remains one of the most challenging shapes to draw or paint successfully. This deceptively simple, symmetrical oval has infuriated countles… --- ## [Drawing-Practice-Bargue copies](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-practice-bargue-copies/1259)
**Author:** [@SiBreen](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/SiBreen)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2021, 6:26pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-practice-bargue-copies/1259 "2021-05-02T18:26:04Z")
I thought I’d start up a new thread where people can post their Bargue Drawing Course efforts (and keep the Basic Bargue Plate Walkthrough thread clutter-free). Please feel free to post…!! --- ## [DRAWING:VIDEO: Drawing Paper Surface Burnish Fix](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-drawing-paper-surface-burnish-fix/1296)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2021, 7:35am UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-drawing-paper-surface-burnish-fix/1296 "2021-04-03T07:35:42Z")
Below is a method to establish a usable tooth to a drawing surface that will no longer accept material due to the diminishment, or “burnishing,” of the paper’s tooth. Paper used: Canson Mi-Teintes Drawing Paper (98lb pre… --- ## [Why are these Charcoal Drawings so good? Can they be replicated with only pencil and Carbon?](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/why-are-these-charcoal-drawings-so-good-can-they-be-replicated-with-only-pencil-and-carbon/957)
**Author:** [@thomas](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/thomas)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2020, 12:18am UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/why-are-these-charcoal-drawings-so-good-can-they-be-replicated-with-only-pencil-and-carbon/957 "2020-06-15T00:18:38Z")
One of the amazing talents of the AniArt Academies is to consistently pump out students capable of producing such a high quality of charcoal drawing that they perennially outclass the other drawings on show in the Art Re… --- ## [Drawing-Charcoal-Finished Work-Still Life](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-charcoal-finished-work-still-life/1096)
**Author:** [@daniel](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/daniel)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-charcoal-finished-work-still-life/1096 "2020-05-14T17:57:10Z")
I wanted to title this “Finished drawing but be aware”. Just finished this last night it’s called “Chocolate Dessert” 5 x 7 charcoal. It came out nice BUT BE AWARE and do not draw your reference lines to dark. “Ahhhh”…I … --- ## [Creativity in Mimesis](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/creativity-in-mimesis/1040)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2020, 11:06pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/creativity-in-mimesis/1040 "2020-01-30T23:06:07Z")
Many people are quick to pit mimetic tasks against creativity where early artistic training is concerned. However I would argue that creativity plays a significant role in even the most strict, convention building mimeti… --- ## [Cornsweet Consideration for Edges](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/cornsweet-consideration-for-edges/1041)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2020, 9:07am UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/cornsweet-consideration-for-edges/1041 "2020-01-22T09:07:24Z")
While many representationalists take great care in defining the shapes and contours of their subjects—fewer tend to consider how the nature of those edges may impact values or colors that populate the territories they de… --- ## [Making a Grid in Photoshop by Rodney Davis](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/making-a-grid-in-photoshop-by-rodney-davis/117)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2019, 4:52pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/making-a-grid-in-photoshop-by-rodney-davis/117 "2019-10-01T16:52:24Z")
\[image\] \[image\] \[image\] \[image\] \[image\] \[image\] \[image\] \[image\] \[image\] \[image\] --- ## [Drawing-Portrait-In Progress](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-portrait-in-progress/915)
**Author:** [@bedwardewald](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/bedwardewald)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2019, 11:56pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-portrait-in-progress/915 "2019-07-30T23:56:19Z")
Here are the first couple stages of a picture I decided to dive right into tonight that would be a gift for my grandmother who is dying soon. I don’t have long to bang it out, so I’m attacking it in a much more cavalier… --- ## [Drawing-Graphite-Materials-Frightfully pointy pencils](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-graphite-materials-frightfully-pointy-pencils/806)
**Author:** [@sigrid](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/sigrid)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2019, 9:44am UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-graphite-materials-frightfully-pointy-pencils/806 "2019-07-14T09:44:00Z")
curious to hear whether any of you peeps uses pencils sharpened to a very long point for drawing. the idea is to remove wood from the business end of the pencil, using a cutter, to expose a few cm of the graphite core. t… --- ## [Sketchbook Skills](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/sketchbook-skills/634)
**Author:** [@jason1508449](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/jason1508449)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2019, 8:57pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/sketchbook-skills/634 "2019-07-11T20:57:47Z")
Hi all! The LoD is the first formal art training I have ever embarked upon. I have been working on it slowly but consistently in my home on the evenings and its structured approach resonates well with my personality. How… --- ## [Why Learn to Draw When You Can Trace? by David Jamieson of Vitruvian Studios](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/why-learn-to-draw-when-you-can-trace-by-david-jamieson-of-vitruvian-studios/840)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2019, 2:41pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/why-learn-to-draw-when-you-can-trace-by-david-jamieson-of-vitruvian-studios/840 "2019-02-18T14:41:13Z")
Why Learn to Draw When You Can Trace? by David Jamieson from the\[Vitruvian Studio\] (shared with permission by David Jamieson) Original Article here: Can tracing help you develop your drawing skills? Learning to dr… --- ## [DRAWING:VIDEO:Addressing a Paper Burnish with Sandpaper](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawingaddressing-a-paper-burnish-with-sandpaper/771)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2018, 1:13pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawingaddressing-a-paper-burnish-with-sandpaper/771 "2018-10-12T13:13:24Z")
It is not uncommon for artists working with dry media to use excessive pressure and friction when developing a drawing. As such, they may find the paper/sizing “breached” which often results in a significant number of r… --- ## [Griz and Norm Tuesday Tips](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/griz-and-norm-tuesday-tips/756)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2018, 8:16pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/griz-and-norm-tuesday-tips/756 "2018-09-09T20:16:05Z")
Norm and Lemay and Griselda Sastrawinata-Lemay (a.k.a. Griz and Norm) is a husband and wife team whose currently working as feature animation artists at the Walt Disney Animation Studio. In their free time, they enjoy… --- ## [Drawing-Materials-Surfaces](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-materials-surfaces/298)
**Author:** [@elizabethc](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/elizabethc)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-materials-surfaces/298 "2018-04-03T21:01:42Z")
Being fairly new (as I’ve said before), I’m exploring various drawing surfaces, trying to find one that is budget friendly enough that I don’t mind “screwing up” I find I don’t like most sketchbooks. I’m left handed s… --- ## [Proximity Alert!](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/proximity-alert/527)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2017, 2:49pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/proximity-alert/527 "2017-10-05T14:49:22Z")
(Originally posted at www.anthonywaichulis.com on October 3, 2017. link: http://anthonywaichulis.com/proximity-alert/) \[flag1\_Smaller\_FEATURED\] It can seem like the cards are always stacked against the artist who is co… --- ## [Perceptual Adaptation: Undershooting and Overshooting Values](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/perceptual-adaptation-undershooting-and-overshooting-values/499)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2017, 2:10am UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/perceptual-adaptation-undershooting-and-overshooting-values/499 "2017-09-02T02:10:00Z")
While many seemed to enjoy my recent post on the role of perceptual adaptation in “overshooting” reflected lights—it is also important to keep in mind that the same mechanisms can lead to significant “undershoots” in ver… --- ## [Overshooting Reflected Lights Exercise](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/overshooting-reflected-lights-exercise/496)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/overshooting-reflected-lights-exercise/496 "2017-08-19T16:09:50Z")
One of the most “overshot” family of values is what is often defined as "reflected lights.” These values, often observed most prominently within the realm of shadow, tend to be perceived as far, far lighter then they tru… --- ## [3 Things You Don’t Want to Forget When Drawing Heads and Faces by Austin R. Williams](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/3-things-you-don-t-want-to-forget-when-drawing-heads-and-faces-by-austin-r-williams/413)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/3-things-you-don-t-want-to-forget-when-drawing-heads-and-faces-by-austin-r-williams/413 "2017-06-05T15:01:44Z")
3 Things You Don’t Want to Forget When Drawing Heads and Faces By: Austin R. Williams | May 13, 2017 --- ## [Line... DFT aka Differantly](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/line-dft-aka-differantly/375)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2017, 11:55am UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/line-dft-aka-differantly/375 "2017-05-04T11:55:57Z")
DFT aka Differantly is a French mixed media creative duo working between Paris and Berlin. The duo’s practice ranges from art direction to wall art, sculpture, installations, product design or illustration. With th… --- ## [Executing Seamless Gradations in Charcoal/Pastel (e.g., LoD Gradation Blocks)](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/executing-seamless-gradations-in-charcoal-pastel-e-g-lod-gradation-blocks/108)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/executing-seamless-gradations-in-charcoal-pastel-e-g-lod-gradation-blocks/108 "2017-04-19T22:41:12Z")
\[image\] Gradation Development First, take a moment to determine the 'value range and rate of change' of the gradation to be executed. How light or dark are the values to be? Is it a fast or slow transition from light … --- ## [Practical Application for a Knowledge of Perceptual Mechanisms](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/practical-application-for-a-knowledge-of-perceptual-mechanisms/330)
**Author:** [@AWaichulis](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/AWaichulis)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 12:51pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/practical-application-for-a-knowledge-of-perceptual-mechanisms/330 "2017-04-05T12:51:07Z")
\[image\] I am often asked how an awareness of the our perceptual mechanisms might contribute to a observational realist effort. Let’s look at an issue that some are having in my studio this week regarding our challengin… --- ## [Translucent/thin fur](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/translucent-thin-fur/311)
**Author:** [@elizabethc](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/elizabethc)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2017, 11:57am UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/translucent-thin-fur/311 "2017-03-21T11:57:50Z")
Hi All, working on a mix charcoal/graphite piece and I'm struggling with thin/translucent fur. Below is a zoomed snip of the reference picture trying to show what I mean: \[image\] This is a gorilla, and I'm struggling… --- ## [Drawing-Charcoal-Materials-Fixative - question](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-charcoal-materials-fixative-question/305)
**Author:** [@Bert](https://www.smartermarx.com/u/Bert)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://www.smartermarx.com/t/drawing-charcoal-materials-fixative-question/305 "2017-03-20T18:16:42Z")
I recently bought fixative for charcoal and such and used it on my charcoal and white chalk sketch: Before: After: I tried keeping distance. Fortunately, this just a sketch, but what have I done wrong and/or is … [Next page](https://www.smartermarx.com/c/core-topics/general-drawing/33.md?page=1)