by Bob Bahr
Here are the basic art materials drawing.
Drawing
Graphite pencils
A graphite pencil usually consists of a
long, thin cylinder of graphite enclosed in a hexagonal wooden
sleeve--the standard pencil. But solid graphite is also available in a
pencil form that is wrapped in plastic to keep the graphite off the
user’s hands. Graphite pencils come in degrees of hardness, and artists
use the varieties to achieve different effects. Most draftsmen keep at
least 6B, 4B, 2B, and HB pencils in their toolbox. The graphite in a
pencil has clay in it to make the graphite more cohesive. The higher
the clay content, the harder the lead in the pencil. A very hard pencil
lead will make precise marks; a softer lead will leave pigment in a
more flowing manner.
|
Charcoal is
available in
three different
forms: vines,
willow twigs,
and pencils.
From the New
Artist's
Handbook (DK
Publishing,
Inc., New York,
New York.) |
Charcoal
Charcoal is slowly charred wood. Large vines are
charred in an airtight environment to make bigger sticks of charcoal,
while thin willow twigs are charred for other applications when a thin
stick is needed. Like graphite, charcoal comes in degrees of hardness.
Charcoal is also sold in pencil form.
Conté
Conté crayon is a popular drawing material that is
similar to chalk but waxier. It is available in sticks of black, white,
sepia, bistre, and sanguine. It is difficult to erase.
Kneaded eraser
The soft, slightly sticky surface of this
pliable, puttylike eraser allows an artist to precisely lift up a lot
of pigment from a drawing without generating “crumbs.”
Paper
Draftsmen have worked on virtually every kind of
paper produced. Some papers, like Bristol board, are more difficult to
erase from. Others, such as newsprint, are not archival. An artist’s
choice in drawing paper should reflect the goals of the drawing. Is it
meant to be purely a preliminary work in preparation for another piece?
Is precision important, and are fine details required? Should the paper
be toned in a middle value, or does the artist wish to have the drawing
pop off a stark white background?