Drawing is one of the oldest and most essential forms of artistic expression, dating back to prehistoric cave art. Over centuries, it has evolved into a complex discipline that blends observation, emotion, and technical mastery. From quick sketches and charcoal studies to precise ink drawings, artists have used line, light, and shadow to capture the world around them.
Leonardo da Vinci said about drawing that " its function was and remains, in many cases, subordinate, having the role of preceding and preparing the execution of works of painting and sculpture, engraving, tapestry, of expressing the conception of architectural plans, of providing projects and models in decorative art and handicrafts ". (Dictionary of Art, Meridiane Ed., Bucharest, 1995, p.150)
Drawing appears since primitive art, in the caves of Africa, Spain and France, more than 25,000 years ago BC. Human and animal figures are illustrated here, which amaze with the expressiveness of the line and its power of suggestion. In the Neolithic, ceramic vessels decorated with anthropomorphic or geometric motifs appear, with various signs and symbols that were based on the linear suggestion of a highly refined drawing. Starting with the Renaissance, drawing will establish itself as an independent genre and several schools will appear, which will define certain stylistic particularities in drawing.
" We therefore understand, by drawing, the possibility of rendering an image with the help of line, through which we can identify the shape, volume, and character peculiarities ." ( Techniques and technologies for easel painting , Nicolae Suciu, Ed. Universităţii de Nord, Baia Mare, 2009, p.120)
Tonitza said that the purpose of drawing for a painter is: " to initiate us in the art of logically constructing a painting. " In drawing, three important elements will be taken into account, which will help us understand and correctly render volumes: light , shadow and reflections. Light plays a decisive role in the study of drawing, because it will highlight the particularities and characteristics of the model, will delimit very precisely the areas of shadow and light . The shadow is generally rendered with the help of hatching, aiming to emphasize the volume, taking into account the fact that a shadow carried is stronger than the shadow of the object itself . Reflections " On bodies placed in light, reflections are not the areas directly illuminated by the light source, but the areas illuminated by the projection of the light of a body in its immediate vicinity. " ."( Techniques and technologies for easel painting , Nicolae Suciu, Ed. Universităţii de Nord, Baia Mare, 2009, p.124)
When we talk about drawing, we will see that it can fall into several genres, which also depend on the technique in which they are executed.
SKETCH It is a simplified representation, a free drawing, which will contain only a few content markers, which will constitute the final form of the painting. It is executed quickly, the line is only suggested and can be accompanied by possible touches of color.
Sketching
SKETCH The sketch differs from the sketch in that it is usually executed from nature, quickly, being just a synthesis of a few lines, without insisting on the details.
Human figure sketch 1
DRAWING IN CHARCOAL – Charcoal was the first material used in drawing representations. It is cheap, light, and can be manufactured by the painter himself. It is quick to work with, and the results of such a drawing can be very spectacular. It adheres easily to paper, provided that it is sufficiently porous, and is easily erased with a cloth or bread crumb. Charcoal drawing can be done both with hatching and using a smudge (made of blotting paper, suede, etc.)
Charcoal drawing
PRESSED CHARCOAL DRAWING – This type of charcoal is obtained by mixing charcoal dust with vegetable glue, which is commercially available in the form of sticks. Finally, this technique is preserved by applying a layer of fixative solution.
Drawing in pressed charcoal
DRAWING IN SANGUINE – Sanguine is obtained from red iron oxide. The pencils or sticks had different tones, the darkest ones are also known as sepia. Drawing in sanguine was also combined with the white or black Conte Pencil.
Drawing in sanguine
GRAPHITE PENCIL – It is made of natural carbon, protected with a wooden casing, having different intensities, which are marked on the wooden casing with the letter B – the softest, and with the letter H – the hardest.
Graphite drawing
INK DRAWING or INK- This technique requires a sure hand in the work. The Chinese have used since Antiquity an ink obtained according to a secret recipe, but with an extraordinary intensity of black. Ink differs from ink in that it is based on carbon black with shellac as a binder.
Drawing in ink (Xu-Beihong)
PEN DRAWING – The pen has been a tool for both writing and drawing since Antiquity, initially made of reed, goose feather (tip cut obliquely), then steel. It is worked with ink, leaving an expressive and modulated line. It can be combined with watercolor, thus obtaining a colorful drawing.
Pen and brush drawing
BRUSH DRAWING – Tonitza said that this drawing technique is considered the most pictorial. It was practiced by the Chinese in ink or inks. In the case of this technique, a brush with harder hair is used for rough paper, and a softer brush for smooth paper. This type of drawing requires a sure hand and a lot of skill.
Which technique do you prefer?
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