DRAWING MEDIA

Drawing is the process or technique used, while the medium is the actual material used to create the artwork. There are a variety of different drawing media that can be used to create drawings. Each medium has different characteristics and produces different effects. There are also different drawing techniques associated with each medium. Many of these techniques are explored in the video art lessons listed above. (Remember that this drawing lesson list is constantly being added, so if an art or drawing lesson is not listed above, it may be arriving soon. Please check back often.)

Graphite: more commonly known as pencil or lead. Graphite is a grayish material that is available in a variety of different grades. “HB” is more commonly called n pencil. 2 and is in the middle of the grades. The softest graphite pencils are called “B” pencils and range from “B” (soft) to “9B” (extremely soft). “B” pencils tend to make darker marks due to the smoothness of the graphite. One disadvantage of “B” pencils is that they dull easily. The “H” pencils are made of harder graphite and range from “H” (hard) to “9H” (harder). The “H” pencils make lighter marks but maintain a sharp point for a longer period of time. Graphite also comes in large chunks that are not in pencils. This graphite is used to cover large areas of a surface quickly.

Charcoal – While graphite has a greyish value, charcoal provides rich, dark blacks in the creation of drawings. Charcoal is burned organic material and is usually some type of wood. Charcoal comes in a variety of different types. Charcoal is smooth, leaves lighter marks, and rubs off easily. Compressed charcoal is harder, leaves darker marks, and is more difficult to erase. Charcoal is produced in both pencil and stick forms.

Colored Pencils – Colored pencils are made from a pigmented stick that is held together with a wax binder. Colored pencils vary in quality and brand price. They are available almost anywhere.

Chalk Cakes – Chalk cakes are powdered pigmented sticks held together by a rubber binder. Drawings finished with pastel chalk can look like paintings and are often referred to as paintings.

Oil pastels: these are colored bars that are held together with linseed oil. They can be thinned and spread using traditional oil paint solvents. Oil pastel finished drawings are also known as paintings.

Pen and Ink: Ink that is applied to a surface by applying a feather is considered pen and ink. Inks come in a variety of different colors and can be applied in a variety of different pens. Hatching, cross hatching, and stippling are the most commonly used techniques in pen and ink drawing.

Markers – Markers are commonly used for design work. Markers are generally not permanent (despite what you may say on the marker). Therefore, markers are used in fashion design, graphic design, industrial design, and illustration. Markers are rarely used for what is considered “fine art.”