STILL LIFE DRAWING

Gesture drawing is many things: a way to "see", a technique of drawing, an exercise, a defined "scribble", and a finished style. In the sequences of pages that follow, gesture drawing will be demonstrated in many of its facets.
What Is Gesture Drawing?
Basiclly, it is a method of training hands to quickly sketch what the brain has already seen. Staying "focused" means sustained concentration. Once you start drawing, don't stop--there's only 10-30 seconds to finish! As you proceed in skill development, drawings should be "grouped" with overlapped shapes and time extended up to 2 minutes. This is still life drawing practice.
Steps to Success
1. FOCUS and OBSERVATION
constantly. The eye, a wonderful camera estimates proportions,compotition contours, movement, and contrasts quickly. Determine contours first,interior shapes and shadows.
2. DRAWING SKECTH
for the 1st "layer" as a rough draft; darker for the 2nd drawing corrections right over the 1st layer adding contrast; then, the darkest 3rd layer with deep shadows and final contours.
3. DRAW QUICKLY
The entire image is viewed in a blink. Make the pencil follow content flashed to the brain. Keep the pencil/pen in constant circular and linear motion. Catch the form, not the details.
4. CONSTANT MOVEMENT
is a necessity. Quick, light drawing makes for easy clarifications in succeeding layers. Move eyes with quick returns without moving the head. Accuracy takes patience, perseverance and lots of practice.
5. TIMED DRAWINGS
from 10-30 seconds for skill practices of single shapes and 1-2 minutes for grouping objects together. It's a challenge only in the beginning.
6. NO ERASING
Step 2 is the key. Gesture drawing's purpose is to develop visual skills which will affect expertise. Erasing breaks focus and wastes time.
focus on a still life object selected and complete a series of, whole page, still life drawings using the following medias:
a) 4B pencil (5 mins)
b) 2B pencil
c) Eraser
d) Paper drawing
e) Here are 4 examples of gesture drawings using different media.
f) Water colur
g) Oil colour