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Subject: "A sharper image?"

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Study and Teach Fine Art Techniques Charcoal and Pencil Drawings - Techniques by J.D. Hillberry Topic #194

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triton25

Member since Oct-30-02
26 posts, 2 feedbacks,

Dec-03-02, 02:12 AM ()

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"A sharper image?"

Hello all,
Well, I have a simple question for you experts out there. So far, just about every work I've seen here on this forum has been excellent. They all seem to share one characteristic. They all seem to be extremely clear. All lines and edges seem to be perfectly clear. I've noticed this especially with Mr. Forest and Mr. Hillberry's works. How do you guys maintain such "clarity" as you work? My drawings seem to remain cloudy and kinda fuzzy, even after using extremely sharp pencils throughout. One guestion in particular. When using soft leads and charcoals, how do you achieve a really sharp, crisp edge? I've had to "fill in" with a harder lead pencil after applying a softer charcoal stroke in order to get a sharp, straight line. Any thoughts? Thanks everyone. Had a problem uploading my latest picture, or I would have had an example of what I'm talking about...

Tony P.
Manns Harbor, NC

Marc Forest

Member since Aug-23-02
285 posts, 14 feedbacks, 27 points

Dec-03-02, 02:48 AM ()

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1. "RE: A sharper image?"

Hey Tony. I'm not sure what your asking, is there some example you can post so I can better understand and I'll do my best to answer.

Cool?
Marc Forest.
http://www.marcforest.com

triton25

Member since Oct-30-02
26 posts, 2 feedbacks,

Dec-03-02, 10:19 PM ()

2. "RE: A sharper image?"

Hi Mark,
I've got an example here. Well, maybe not. The site won't let me upload an image...weird. Anyhow, Mark, you can see one of my recent drawings in this forum under the "more nascar". It's a drawing of Ricky Rudd. Check it out. Maybe I need to be using darker pencils, say, more charcoal or something. What I'm trying to allude to is that my drawings lack the sharpness that your drawings do. Could it be as simple as using darker pencils? Common sense I guess.....I'm still relatively new at this, so I guess it'll come to me in time. By the way, I love that wedding portrait you did. Those flowers are something else!!

Take care...

Tony P.
Manns Harbor, NC

Marc Forest

Member since Aug-23-02
285 posts, 14 feedbacks, 27 points

Dec-04-02, 12:49 PM ()

3. "RE: A sharper image?"

OK! I think I understand, Here goes. I use charcoal and graphite on all my drawings, I love the combination of both mediums together because it gives me the contrast I want.

Below I have posted a couple of pics that I hope demonstrate my thought process on all my drawings. The scale represents how I choose my tools. I always use graphite in my highlight area's and I always use charcoal/carbon in my shadow area's these are my two constants. The midtone area is where I have to choose which medium is going to produce the end result I'm looking for. Example: In the roses of "The Bride" drawing I used charcoal on the roses and Graphite on all the leaves, I know you can't see the difference in the scan but the leaves have a graphite gray look and the roses are a charcoal black, both have similar density and I needed to seperate them. This is where the artists eye has to come in, before you start your next piece sit back and visualize the end result your looking for and choose the tools before you start. I've also included a section of my Ted Williams drawing to show where i used each pencil. I hope this is what your looking for, if not we can keep digging!

Peace!

Marc Forest.
http://www.marcforest.com

J D Hillberry

Member since Aug-21-02
107 posts, 8 feedbacks, 16 points

Dec-04-02, 01:14 PM ()

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4. "RE: A sharper image?"

Good explaination and example Marc. You are much more organized than I am. I think you should have written the book. Maybe someday?
J. D.

J. D. Hillberry
http://www.jdhillberry.com

Marc Forest

Member since Aug-23-02
285 posts, 14 feedbacks, 27 points

Dec-04-02, 01:21 PM ()

5. "RE: A sharper image?"

Quote Good explaination and example Marc. You are much more organized than I am. I think you should have written the book. Maybe someday?
J. D.

Thanks J.D. That's a great compliment I appreciate it. I have trouble spelling my name though!

Marc Forest.
http://www.marcforest.com

Melissa_M

Member since Aug-23-02
326 posts, 6 feedbacks,

Dec-04-02, 05:37 PM ()

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6. "RE: A sharper image?"

Marc, you don't need to spell really well to write a book! (And you seem to spell well.) A word processor will help you with spelling, & so will an editor - if you ever want to write a book, that is. I'm sure we'd all like to buy your book.

- Melissa (aka: Honey Bee)

Jess

Member since Aug-25-02
109 posts, 4 feedbacks,

Dec-05-02, 08:23 AM ()

7. "RE: A sharper image?"

I'm with Melissa on the book Marc, thanks for the tips it helped me too, I think I'm getting the way you guys draw

Marc Forest

Member since Aug-23-02
285 posts, 14 feedbacks, 27 points

Dec-05-02, 11:56 AM ()

8. "RE: A sharper image?"

Quote I'm with Melissa on the book Marc, thanks for the tips it helped me too, I think I'm getting the way you guys draw

Wow! I couldn't ask for a better compliment. Thanks Ladies!
I honestly wouldn't know how to start. Maybe someday though, that would be pretty tight! Maybe something on my website...

Peace!

Marc Forest.
http://www.marcforest.com