Man on train
Posted: January 21, 2013 Filed under: Uncategorized 13 Comments »A friend gave me a gift of a Sumogrip pencil and I used it for this drawing. The lead is a 0.9 mm which is a bit thicker than I usually use but I quite like it. I think it helped my normally one-dimensional people drawings be a little less flat. Sketched in my really small Moleskine Watercolour book.
If I buy one, will I be able to draw like that?
What grade of lead were you using?
Of course you will be able to draw like this. Just touch the pencil to the paper and your hand will move automatically.
It’s funny about the lead. The specs only say what width the lead is but not the softness of it.
I think this is a B because it is quite greasy.
You did get some very nice darks on this drawing… I’ve never heard of these pencils. I do like using a 5b when I draw with a pencil.
It is a soft lead but not as soft as 5B. Yes, I was able to get really nice darks with the pencil.
You do realize that if you keep doing these clandestine sketches of people you are going to get very good at drawing ears.
Oh, and before I forget… Shari, you drawings of people are sooo good and definitely not “one-dimensional”… I think that was the compliment that you were asking for… I thought that I had better say it, in case everyone else missed your cue. : )
I like to use an Aristo 3fit pencil which has lead which is a bit thicker… 1.3mm. I use a grade 2B and I am finding this pretty responsive and the grip is comfortable for my hand. You can see it at…
http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Aristo-3fit-Mechanical-Pencil.html
Believe it or not Ross, I was not fishing for compliments like I usually do : )
I have done many people drawings in the past few months (perhaps haven’t posted most of them!!) that are really awful and flat. I think part of the reason is that the pen is too fine and doesn’t respond to pressure like a pencil would. Sometimes it is a line that goes from thick to thin that indicates the weight of an arm resting on a table or a foot on the ground. That may be what I felt I was missing by using a harder pencil or a Micron pen. This pencil is much more responsive to that kind of pressure.
Your Aristo pencil looks really nice but I have never seen that one here. That’s an even thicker lead that you are using so it must be wonderful to draw with. I will keep my eyes open for it although the last thing I need is another pencil!!
So you have finally realized that the pencil can be more expressive than the pen… haven’t I been telling you this for some time? : )
I am finding the 1.3mm lead a good balance between not having to continually sharpening the lead and being able to press hard without breaking. I hate stopping drawing to sharpen the point… or “wedge” which I also like to use. Also, I find the scale of the line thickness suits sketchbook size… if I am using a larger A2 size I revert to a “normal” pencil.
I also “roll the pencil” if I am not using a wedge point… an old architectural drafting techniques that I learned as a boy… before drafting required a keyboard and mouse.
Hey Shari, do you have an opinion on tortillions?
Well Lee, first I had to look up what that is. I have to admit I have never heard that word or seen it in print. Of course I knew what it was once I saw the photo. Never knew what they were called. In my head I probably called them smudging sticks. I think they are great but I don’t use them often. You must have an opinion about them.
Years ago in school, we called them Smudges, but since you live in Quebec Province, I just KNEW you would know the T word! Anyway, I find them OK for messing about with gesture drawings. Here is an example of what I am talking about: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sketchrboy/8356078102/in/photostream But I think it can become a bit of a crutch, so use only two and call me in the morning.
I like what you can do with them Lee. I probably have a few in the back of a drawer somewhere. I will dig them out.
Having drawn a person or two on a train, I really like this sketch!
Thanks Jason!!