Weekly Class

KAC Drawing Session2 R

Instructor: Chris Maggio

Session Summary: Mixed/Varietal Mediums 

Day 1: Markers & Pens. Simple tools we took for granted as a kid can make for a fantastically expressive tool in the hands of an artistic explorer! Using firm, fine-line markers or ballpoint pens, we will discover serious life and motion in illustrations and sketches, unlike any other medium. The elimination of dark and light replaced by thick and thin, pattern, repetition and volume of lines are the mainstay of marker/pen art. Useful as a refined and clean line-making device it also has the power to excite and carve forms with the precision of a knife. Let’s get used to this freedom of expression! Note: You can use markers OR pens, you don’t have to have both.

• Supplies needed: Paper – Bristol  (11×14 pad or larger, smooth finish). Ballpoint pens – any color(s). You probably have a dozen of them in your junk drawer! Markers – Fine line/hard tipped markers are what we want, variety of COLORS. I prefer Micron or Stabilo as they stay firm and keep a line well (but they are not the cheapest). There are some store brands (Michael’s or Hobby Lobby or ??) which come in variety packs of colors and those are just fine! Look for a firm tip/fine line indication on the package. Avoid soft tip or brush tips… for now.

Day 2: Marker/Pens with Watercolor. You have your fine line markers and some experience in making them sing! Now we add the beauty and unpredictability of watercolor washes and color bleeds. By learning layering techniques, patience, and accepting unexpected interactions, we find great freedom in applying values and color. Our goal is practical experience that you will find relaxing and sensual, as well as dynamic and a bit cosmic! 

• Supplies needed: Watercolor paints in the little round cake-forms, just like you used as a kid except a bit nicer. These are easy to find at your local art store. Look for an 18+ color pallet in the store brand and grab a packet of Watercolor Brushes (also store brand and not too expensive). Paper – that pad of Bristol Paper you got for last week is fine. This is great for marker and light washes! And those Markers/Pens from last week

Day 3: Drawing on Midtone Paper! The gift of contrast becomes so evident when you begin with paper of tone or color. Pulling highlights and pushing back darks becomes a wonderful dance of give and take, of depth and foreground. We will explore the methods and techniques that make this a favorite among many artists. In a sketch-style we will make our images lift from the page and instill life in an otherwise 2-D object. 

• Supplies needed: White Prismacolor pencil– These are the round Prismacolor pencils available in any art/hobby shop. Soft Graphite pencils (2B-6B) These graphite pencils are just the standard “drawing pencils” you find in a variety pack or individually in the same stores. White rubber eraser. I will provide the paper and some eye-opening techniques!

Day 4: Graphite Pencil. Coming off of our midtone sketching class we will build wonderful skills without the aid of the toned paper and learn all the subtly of monochromatic (single color) creativity. The smooth blending of tones, heavy linework, soft subtle sketch work, and defined color blocks allows for recreation of any image or form. All we must do is learn to manipulate the tools and be patient! Bring a picture for reference if you would like or create from your endless imagination. I will guide and instruct on the techniques and methods to help get you closer to the skill level you desire, and we will have a blast doing it! 

• Supplies needed: Graphite pencils in 2B, 4B, 6B. You can often find them in sets that go anywhere from 6H all the way to 8B! You don’t need all that… Buy the individual pencils, or a small set which includes them (sets with HB through 8B is common). A White Eraser and a Kneaded Eraser (often in a set with the pencils!) Blending stumps, which look like thick paper pencils (a pack of various sizes is great) and are usually near the pencils in the art store or in the drafting section (by the rulers and triangles). Eraser Shield which is a thin metal credit card-sized item with shapes cut out, and it’s usually by the pencils or the drafting supplies. Store brands are just fine. Paper – your pad of Bristol, plus I will provide practice and work paper.

Day 5: Color Pencil. This is fun… We begin with some warmup artistic exercises, find the best method for application, observe the inherent colors, and using the image you bring with you we develop layer by layer until we have an awesome illustration in full color! Step by step like a recipe, you will add and build and critique your way to a wonderful Drawing that will make you proud. While you create I will do some color mixing demos and show some easy techniques.

• Supplies needed: Color Pencils – There are endless brands and colors, with different firmness and blending abilities, but most art store brands of mid-to-high quality pencils is what we need here. If you buy the cheapest (usually made by cheap crayon companies) you will find them a very poor quality and they will not perform as we need. If you wish to invest in a good set then the Prismacolor brand is my personal choice. Professional quality = professional results. Also maybe look for SARGENT, or Arteza, or a store brand with 24 to 72 colors. Bristol pad (if you have any paper left by week 5!) I will also have paper available.

A lot of art can be accomplished in five weeks, and when it prepares you for an artistically healthy & positive life of creativity, it is a sweet thing! See you in class. Chris