Rule 5 | Highlight the line

Lesson 4 | Leaves and lines to highlight

40 min.

We take things like leaves from trees, whose natural panicles and contours we can follow with our eyes and pencil, because it is easier to concentrate on the stroke. And whenever the line changes, we also emphasize the stroke.

Step 1 | Select at least four pictures of autum leaves from below

Or even more, get and grab some leaves in your garden to sketch from nature.

While selecting have an eye on the composition of the square to be mastered. Try to follow the gesture of the lines of the leave. Is it an open hand? Or dies it look like it would be sad ..?  

5 min.  1 | Highlight the line | Leaves and lines to highlight

Step 2 | Knowing where to highlight is like knowing how to pronounce text

You chose your leaves and you had criteria why you chose this or that one. That’s good. Now it’s time to sketch and you have to decide where to place the line. And even more: you have to decide where to emphasize. Basically, you accent a line where it changes direction. Because that is exactly where the important information for the recipient is: he has to know where the picture has more information. This can be shown with the accent in pencil.

Such places where you stress with the pencil are changes of direction, or the beginning of a new visual event like the beginning of a leaf panicle, the beginning of a bend or the overturning at the edge of a leaf. It may also be an important little detail like a crack in the leaf.

As so often you start with little lines -tick – tick – tick … to approach the shape and then sketch it out. It needs some training, but with time it improves. 

Always remember: In order to get you started really well, you have to be ready mentally. That means, get your work environment ready, tidy it up. Get in the right mood and swing. Only when you have the feeling of tranquillity, only then shall you start sketching.

ASSIGNMENT | Make your four sketches and upload them

Upload a photo of your sketching desk with leaves and sketched leaves laying on the table. Everybody should be able to recognise what kind of leaves your sketches are from.

Then press the button competed. And head over to the next lesson.

45 min. | 5 | Highlight the line | Leaves and lines to highlight

After having uploaded your work, press Click to complete going to the next lesson.

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