Winter Woodland
Charcoal is a big, blunt and fairly crude medium, and for the best effect you need to work large. A photograph taken in Germany’s Black Forest was used as the starting-point. In a composition such as this, where the shadows are so important, the decision about the light source should be made at an early stage. Putting in the very dark and very light areas early helps to give shape to your composition; if you find the contrasts are too stark it is easy to modify them later.
The original Photograph
Step one
With both chalk and charcoal, sketch in a few preliminary planning marks
Step two
Looking at how the composition works from a tonal point of view, block in the very dark areas
Step three
In this picture the light is coming diagonally from the top right of the picture. Put in the large areas of white as bold statements, making marks which are sympathetic to the direction of the elements
Step four
With chalk, add a small waterfall
Step five
Using charcoal held lengthways, work up grey washes to modify the tonal effect of the background
Step six
Start to add the mid tones, noting the effect of the charcoal over the white chalk of the rock
Step seven
Using charcoal, extend the prominent triangle shape
Step eight
The triangle shape has been extended and passed behind the tree, which has the effect of pulling the tree forward and making it appear to stand out from the background
Step nine
Soften the outlines of the tree with chalk to suggest foliage and grey tones
Step ten
With charcoal and varying the pressure and angle, add lines to suggest the branches and twigs of the background trees
Step eleven
With chalk, add snow to the central section, building it up in layers to eliminate the textures of the paper. Use the charcoal held lengthways for the shadow effects
Step twelve
With chalk, harden the edge of the snow drifts
Step thirteen
Another design decision: the tree almost in the centre of the picture now looks unbalanced. I have decided to rub the lines out with a putty eraser before redrawing it in a more pleasing shape
Step fourteen
With charcoal, draw in the clump of trees in the foreground, then use chalk to add snowy accents to the V-shape made by the branches
Step fifteen
With charcoal, sharpen up the definition on the clump of trees in the foreground
Step sixteen
With chalk, begin to put texture into the rocks
Step seventeen
Sharpen some areas and soften others to create the illusion of depth on a flat surface
Step eighteen
Start to work on the area of water, thinking about the tones and reflections as you draw
Step nineteen
When the picture is almost finished work over it with your fingertips using a circular, rubbing movement, to soften the details
Time taken: 2 hours
This demonstration is taken from the book by Ronald Swanwick, Drawing Landscapes, published by Search Press
Comments
Login or register to add a comment