It is a medium that lends itself well to contrasts. Contrasts that range from the bold textures of a dramatic study to the delicate tones and finer detail needed in portraiture and other realistic studies.

Unlike other mediums that use colour to define the study, the pencil artist has only black and white with a range of the two between. Consequently, the important of contrast in tones and textures become central to the creation of a pencil study.

For that purpose a major part of this site has been dedicated to the importance of that rationale.

Galleries

      •   Pencil Portraits is a collection of commissioned Single Group &
          Montage studies.

      •   Pencil Nudes is a selection of nudes from an array of different
          series.

      •   Mixed Media is a variety Pencil & Oil paint mixed media studies.

Tutorial

To push pencil art beyond the sketch requires techniques not commonly used. For that purpose a tutorial section has been structured to demonstrate and assist the artist with these skills.

      •  Pencil Art deals with the tools needed and how various grades of
         graphite will produce different results.

      •  In Pencil Shading you will be shown how techniques such as
         hatching, toning, layering and masking can create tone, textures
         and some interesting details.

      •  Online drawing is a set of tutorial videos that demonstrate much
        of what is covered in Pencil Shading with a number of extensions.

      •  Pencil Drawing is structured as a starting point to Online Drawing
         and a up and coming series of videos on the composition of a study
         and a number of ‘How to Do’ topics.

      •  The Glossary is a page on ‘In context terms and definitions’
         used in pencil art.

This site is continually being up-graded and new topics and extensions to existing are added as when they become available. To see a breakdown of these additions review the page on Future Topics.

It is not solely the methods of application that give the graphite studies its unique enduring quality but rather the way it is seen, or the way it is preserved. The mystique of the black & white study has qualities that extend beyond the obvious. Qualities that are open to interpretation, and play to the realm of sentiment, mood and character.

Composition

      •  This is a pending series of videos and articles on the
            composition of a study.

      •  The composition and structure of the study can be greatly changed
          by subtle differences in movement, direction and the value of
          spaces. Here we will review the possibilities and how they can
          influence the viewer’s perception of the study.

‘How to do’

      •  In this pending series of videos and articles on ‘how to do’, the
         composition and techniques needed in particular studies such as
         pencil portraits, wildlife, landscape and nudes will be covered.

The Artist

Much of the above would be meaningless it if where not for the artist.

The artist is the source of creativity. He, or she, is an individual, one of a kind with the ability to produce a piece of art that is unique.

It is said the life is a journey, and so is creating art. It is not the masterpiece that creates the artist, but rather the road travelled.

      •  Artistic Creativity is an article on the varying differences
          between Technical and Artistic Creativity.

Commissions

      •  If you wish to commission a pencil portrait, please review the
          section on pencil portraits and gallery. Pencil Portrait Artist

Information

      •  Links or Related Sites

      •  Future Topics reviews existing, additional and extensions to
         existing topics.

      •  Contact me if you require any further information on the topics on
         this site.