An Old Friend

When looking back on my artistic endeavors it is interesting to look at the materials I used most frequently. (Note: digital drawing tablet is included under pen). There is a slight exaggeration of my graphite use as I cannot remember my first drawing ever. Thus I will just assume that I've been drawing all along, even at age 0. For the vast majority of my life I have been using graphite which I fell out of favor with once I fully entered art school.


Problems with Graphite: As far as drawing materials go graphite can be a wonderful drawing tool imho, aside from several things. Graphite does not have as wide of a value range as charcoal, pen, pastels, or crayon (except for maybe 9Bs). Graphite smudges like a motherfucker. Charcoal does as well, but with the way I personally hold a graphite pencil (tight) versus a charcoals tick (loose) I actually smudge less with charcoal. Graphite is also very difficult to erase, especially when you're dealing with very dark values. A dark graphite pencil and eraser will tear my piece of paper a new one.

Bonuses of Graphite: Graphite is an amazing line tool. Very small details can be achieved with a sharp tipped pencil. Whereas one's charcoal stick will go flat within a series of strokes a pencil can retain its sharpness for much longer (although frequent sharpening is a good idea imo). In addition cross hatching is ideal with a pencil. Along with pen, graphite pencils allow for some amazing cross contour hatching to describe the planes of any form. Posted here is my most recent and best yet use of cross hatching with graphite. I decided to do my last in-class drawing with my old friend graphite.


Recently (past couple years) I've fallen in love with charcoal and oil paints. Mainly because I've been forced to use them, but they do provide a whole new world of visual possibilities. I love their feel and their wide range of abilities (value, texture, fluidity, etc).

Happy Holidays and Happy Drawing!