Line Quality

                                                                                                                                                

Experimenting with line quality, through drawing from reference

I continued to use Hippies as a theme, and have been experimenting with different line qualities to evoke different moods. I tried various different techniques, some obvious and straightforward and others less so and have a selected a few of may favourites below.

I particularly enjoyed the constraint of using a thick brush as it meant I had to omit a great deal of detail and draw with only essential lines with the ink. I also just enjoy the feeling of using a big, thick lines. The fact that I know I won't be able to create as detailed or defined a drawing puts me in a more carefree and relaxed mood.

This drawing is very different in approach, the lines I have made are basic, fine liner marks. I essentially drew the image a second time but slightly offset. It's created an effect like old fashioned 3D glasses and in combination with the simplicity of the figure I think it creates quite a nicely stylised drawing with a slightly psychedelic feel which of course is nicely in keeping with the theme.

This drawing is again a very simple one and, actually, I have decided since completing it that it isn't really an excercise in line quality it's more about shape. I attempted to reduce an image down to very clean lines and very precise, considered depictions. I tried this because usually I like to work quite loosely and I wanted to increase the amount of time I actually spent looking at what I was drawing from, Although it is slightly difficult to tell what is depicted in the drawing I still really like the simplicity and deliberation of it;'s aesthetic.


 

This drawing I completed using ink and the wrong end of the paint brush which is something I hadn't tried before but since beginning my exercises in in line quality, have found myself really enjoying, This technique creates very delicate and expressive drawings I feel, and it is difficult to predict how the ink will move from the brush handle to the paper, making the drawing feel very spontaneous.

    

I really like the texture of line created through the use of dry brush acrylic paint. There is also a nice inconsistency to the line which creates some nice depth and dimension to the drawing as well.

This drawing was created by finger painting using acrylic paint. I was surprised by how much I like the result. Again I was forced to simplify the image greatly but I feel the image still retains quite a lot of character and the thick black paint has a nice tarry quality to it,