Mark Making
Pencil Drawing and Mark-Making
In this pencil drawing lesson, we'll focus on the importance of markmaking. Mark-making is the expression we use to describe the process of
applying pencil to paper. You can improve your pencil drawing skills by
carefully considering your pencil and how it hits the page. Controlling and
exploiting the possibilities of the mark is an important step in developing
as an artist.
Keep Your Pencils Sharp
Chisel-point or blunt pencils are useful for some techniques, but for most
pencil drawing, keep your pencil sharp. Don't worry about 'wasting'
graphite in the sharpener - better than wasting your drawing efforts!
Brighten the point by rubbing the side of the pencil on scrap paper between
sharpenings. If you need a darker line, use a softer pencil, and be aware
that a softer pencil goes blunt quickly.
Use a Variety of Lines
When drawing lines, either in a linear drawing or within a texture in a
tonal drawing, note that you can vary the weight of the line by lifting the
pencil or pressing harder. This might seem obvious, but it is important,
and most people don't exploit line weight enough. Note the example above,
which shows how lifting the pencil towards the end of the stroke can be
used to give a grassy or fluffy effect. It can be useful to reduce the weight as
the pencil is applied at the start of the stroke, rather than dropping it
straight into full pressure.
Achieving Even Shading
A mechanical side-to-side shading motion, with each stroke ending below
the last as the hand is moved down the page creates unwanted bands of
tone through the shaded area. To prevent this, work back and forth over
the same area, randomly varying the spot where the pencil-point changes
direction. Or, try using a fine circular motion. This gives a different texture.
Control the Direction of Marks
Don't let your shading just follow the curve of your arm as you move it
across the page. Use direction to describe your object. Follow the form, or
create an edge using contrasting direction in two planes. A casual-looking
but carefully executed effect of shading everything in one direction can
also look effective. Direction directs the viewer's eye or creates energy.
Even randomness is often carefully considered, in order to look 'artfully
disheveled' rather than 'scruffy'. Where are your marks going?
The Art is in the Mark
The marks you make on the paper are like the notes played by a musician.
No matter how good the written music, if the 'notes' are carelessly played,
the result will be ugly. Likewise, by thinking about the kind of mark on
your paper, you can make your idea as beautiful or dramatic as you choose.
Is it a lyrical, gentle, flowing idea? Let your pencil strokes reflect that
feeling. Often the subject (a spiky dried flower, or a curving vase) or model
(a wrinkly older person, or a smooth-faced child) will imply a certain kind
of handling. Take a critical look at all the little marks you make, as well as
your overall composition. Those marks are your notes. Make them sing