Unit 5
Texture
total points: 125
Texture
You know line. You know value. Now it's time for the next big step; adding texture. Once you add this final detail to your drawings, your work will acheive level 10 REALISM.
When I mention the word "texture," what comes to mind? Hopefully you think about things like rough tree bark, smooth glass surfaces, soft faux fur jackets and bumpy fish scales. All of these are examples of texture. Did you notice how I described them? All the adjectives I used had to do with touch. Rough, smooth, soft and bumpy describe how these objects FEEL. But these words also bring to mind images, right? We can SEE how something FEELS. So that means that we can draw something and make it LOOK how it FEELS, right? I can draw a bird with line and value. But when I add more lines and value to simulate how its feathers look, then I am adding texture. We call this "implied" texture becuse it is only visual. It is the ILLUSION of texture. Let's explore this idea a bit more...
Step 1: Texture Video & PDF (5 points)
Watch the following video and look through the PDF. Take some notes. (Google Doc).
Examples
We start with a photo (#1)
1.
We sketch with line (#2)
2.
We add
value (#3)
3.
The steps for creating realistic hair texture. See how the line that was added is later blended so it looks softer?
Then, using more line and value, we create texture (#4)
4.
Step 2: Texture Scavenger Hunt (20 points)
Let's find and reproduce some textures. You have two choices for finding textures. You can flip through the National Geographics and use their pictures to find your reference images, or you can go out and find textures around campus, take pictures of them, and use those pictures as your reference images. Which ever way you choose, you will need to collect TEN textures. You will then recreate these textures in your sketchbook using value and line to make them. Let's break this down.
What you will need:
- Your sketchbook
- A ruler
- Drawing pencils
- A blending stick
- An eraser
1. Set up your sketchbook. Get a new page in your
sketchbook. Label it "Textures", and draw in 10 boxes,
each about 1 inch x 1 inch. See the example at right and
below:
2. Let's make some textures! Watch the videos to help you
get started. Make sure you also read through the
list of Do's and Dont's
Do:
-Use value! The more levels, the better.
-Remember to put down an overall value first.
-Remember that you are creating an illusion. It doesn't have to be a photocopy.
-Zoom in to your texture.
-Choose a good variety of textures.
-Blend Blend Blend
Don't:
-Zoom out.
-Use only line.
-Draw an entire scene.
-Leave lines unblended.
*CHECK IN!! Done with steps 1 & 2? Great! Now come show me for your points!*
----You are now ready for STUDY DRAWING 3: The Bird (with value & texture)----
take some time to work on this and turn it in at your own time.
Remember that we are studying texture, so choose a photo of a bird in which you can really see all
of its feathers.
*CHECK IN!! Done with s.d. #2? Great! Now come show me for your points!*
Step 3: The Texture Still Life (55 points)
Now let's practice applying texture to what we see. Find an image online that you like. It should have at least three different textures in it. (Get the picture approved by me). This drawing should be done in graphite (use those fancy pencils!) but you absolutely LOVE charcoal, you can use charcoal. Just note that using charcoal to create textures can be difficult, so it definitely counts as a "challenge level."
Don't choose anything too complicated. I don't want this to take weeks. It's just a little more practice in applied texture.
Some Examples:
What you will need:
- Your sketchbook
- Drawing pencils
- A blending stick
- An eraser
- Your reference photo (approved
by me)
*CHECK IN!! Done with step 3? Great! Now come show me for points!*
Step 4: Mythological Creatures (60 points)
Time to do something fun! Let's take what you've learned so far (line, value & texture), and apply it to something more imaginative. You are going to design and illustrate your very own mythological creature. We will start will an orverview of the history of mythological creatures, reviewing some of the things they have in common. You will then brainstorm, and try to come up with some ideas. You will draw a few thumbnail sketches to try out your ideas, then you'll choose one and draw it out, full size, with a complete background. Obviously, these final drawings will have a full range of values, and will have texture everywhere.
What you will need:
- Your sketchbook
- Drawing pencils
- A blending stick
- An eraser
- Plenty of reference pictures
1. Let's learn about mythological creatures! The video on the left is my powerpoint presentation. The video on the right desribes the animal combinations of
some of the most well known mythological creatures. It's full of inspiration, but the guy who narrates it is a little cheesy. Sorry! Please watch both videos.
2. Time to brainstorm. Get a new sheet of paper in
your sketchbook. Divide it into four, and try out
some ideas. (You must combine at least 3
animals.) A rough sketch is all you need.
Remember, we are practicing TEXTURE, so plan
what you will do in each area. (fur, scales, hair,
slime?) Anything goes!
-When you are done sketching out some ideas,
come and show me what you've come up with. I
will ask you what textures you plan to use, and
what background you will include.
Tips:
-Remember to consider your composition. Don't draw
your creature in the middle of your paper, facing the
viewer! That would be too basic. A 3/4 view is
always best (inbetween a profile and straight-on
view).
-Use a pose that suggests movement.
-Create a background that works with your
composition.
3. Collect reference images to draw from. (DO NOT SKIP
THIS STEP OR I WILL MAKE YOU START OVER!) For
example, if you are going to draw a lion/slug/pig, find
pictures of each of those animals, preferably from the
same angles as you would like to draw them.
Helpful idea: Put your pictures together in a Google Doc
like this example:
-Use a new sheet of paper in your sketch book and
draw everything in. You will use graphite for
this assignment. Sketch first, keep it light, then build
up your values and textures. Fill in the bachground.
Click on the gallery to the right to see examples. (Sorry,
the texture isn't too visible in the examples).
Challenge Level Ideas:
-Work bigger (I can give you the paper).
-Use a different medium.
-Use mixed mediums.
-Have another idea? Come
talk to me!
The
Button
4. You will now write a little, one-page, story about your creature. Tell me everything about it! Some questions you can answer are...
Where does it live? What is its history? What does it eat? What does it do? Is it good or bad? Is it friendly?
This story does not have to be serious. It can be completely silly. (I just want you to exercise your creativity).
Example:
Here is my story for the example creature that I did a while back (left). This was when I let students make up their creatures, and we did them in charcoal.
But check out all that texture!!!
This guy is called "The Oddly Gobbly."
Click here:
*CHECK IN!! Done with step 4? Great! Now come show me for points!*
----You are now ready for STUDY DRAWING 4: You can choose from any of the prompts on the list now. (Go to the "About" menu, then click on "study drawings." Or click the button below. The prompts are listed there.) Remember that I expect full value & texture in all your work from now on----Also, be creative! Yes, you can draw a car if you choose "mode of transportation", but you can also draw a UFO, a portal, a time machine...etc.)
Take some time to work on this and turn it in at your own time.
You have reached the end of Unit 5