Artists & Illustrators 45notebookBlind contour drawing is a staple of introductory drawing
classes, and for good reason. It is a quick exercise that
encourages you to focus on process, not outcome.
You could pick anything as your subject: your surroundings, a
model in a life class, yourself. Time three minutes, or draw for
the length of a song. Settle down comfortably and rest your eye
on your subject as if the point of your focus was your pen-tip.
Without looking down, touch your pen to the blank page.
Slowly trace your eye over the edges of your subject and as you
do so, let your pen trace the journey of your eye on the page.
Keep your eye fi xed on your subject, drawing with a continuous
fl owing line. When the time is up, stop and take a look at the
page. The drawing will look peculiar, but it will be made with a
confi dent fl owing mark – the result of hard observation.
Jake Spicer’s book ‘DRAW’ is published by IIex Press RRP, £17.99.
http://www.jakespicerart.co.ukHOW TO DRAW
BLIND CONTOUR DRAWINGS
Jake Spicer on finding your line without looking at the pageSelf portraitJake Spicer’s book ‘DRAW’ is published by IIex Press RRP, £17.99.
http://www.jakespicerart.co.ukThe view from your windowContents of your deskBOOK OF THE MONTH
Oil Painting Essentials: Mastering Portraits, Figures, Still
Lifes, Landscapes and Interiors by Gregg Kreutz
There are so many oil painting tutorial books out there, but
fi nding one with demonstrations across a broad range of
subjects is a different story. This beautifully-produced new
book by New York art instructor Gregg Kreutz tackles a range
of studies, and outlines his ‘essentials’ for the medium:
accuracy, design, depth and drama. The step-by-steps are brief
and ideal for beginners, but seasoned artists may just fi nd
some ideas for new paintings here too.
Watson-Guptill Publications, £16.99PICK OF THE CROP
Congratulations to Julia Rigby, who won a six-
month illustration contract with our sister
magazine, The English Garden, after entering a
competition in our April issue. Using a mix of
black ink, watercolour and digital techniques,
Julia impressed the judges with her
lighthearted style. http://www.juliarigby.comsketchbookTOP TIP
If you are left
handed, begin your
drawing on the
top right hand
corner of the pageMaterials: 2B
pencil, eraser,
sharpener,
cartridge paper43 Sketchbook KM.indd 45 12/05/2016 14:04