Art in FocusChapter 19:
Baroque ArtAdditional Studio ProjectsCHARCOAL FIGURE DRAWINGComplete a series of charcoal drawings of figures in action. Each of the figures will fill a large sheet of drawing paper and will be spotlighted so that contrasts of light and dark values are clearly indicated. These light and dark values will add drama to your drawings.
INSPIRATIONExamine the Baroque paintings by Caravaggio, Gentileschi, Rubens, Rembrandt, Ribera, and Velázquez illustrated in this chapter. What do these works have in common? How has each artist used light and dark value contrasts to increase the dramatic effect of his or her picture?
WHAT YOU WILL NEED- Pencil
- Several sheets of white drawing paper, 18 × 24 inches
- Charcoal
WHAT YOU WILL DO- Take turns acting as models for this series of drawings. Each model should stand on a raised platform or table and assume an active pose (throwing, chopping, pulling, pushing). Complete a large drawing of the model lightly in pencil, concentrating on contours and the action noted in the model's pose.
- Darken the room and direct a spotlight on the model, who continues in the same action pose. Use charcoal to shade in the dark areas.
- Vary the pressure on the charcoal to obtain a range of dark and light values. Use the tip of the charcoal stick to indicate the most important contour lines of the figure.
- Complete several other drawings of figures in action poses. When you gain skill and confidence, eliminate the preliminary pencil drawing and use charcoal exclusively. Select your best drawing for assessment.
EVALUATING YOUR WORKDescribe Is your drawing easily identified as a human figure in action? Does this figure completely fill the paper on which it is drawn?
Analyze Did you use charcoal to create areas of dark value? Do these contrast with areas of light value? Does the use of these value contrasts show that the figure was illuminated by a spotlight?
Interpret Is the action of the figure easily identified? Do the contrasts of value in your drawing add to its dramatic impact?
Judge Do you think that your drawing is successful? Is its success based mainly on its literal qualities, design qualities, or expressive qualities? Compare the first drawing you did with the last. In what ways have your figure-drawing skills improved?
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