Direct-to-Ink Exercises: Part Two: Tone Shapes
April 21, 2015
This is the one of three exercises from the Richmond workshop : 01 Single Line | 02 Tone Shapes | 03 Post and Rail Panoramas
Direct to Ink Exercise: Tone Shapes
- Every scene can be thought of as three values: Light, Middle and Dark.
- In this exercise, we will create the silhouette shapes you see, with masses of accumulated pen marks.
- Think of it as simply scribbling in the dark shapes. working from left to right in a continuous ‘blob’.
- This exercise will develop your ability to see the composition as a big shape.
- You’ll find this skill invaluable as a painter. But even if you stay with drawing, you’ll benefit from a better sense of mass and volume.
- This time, do not outline. Instead, build values shapes from the inside out with passages of pen hatching.
- Merge the shape of cast shadows into connected mid-tone shapes. High key passages can be left as negative space.
- Foliage and trees, or dark rooftops can be seen as solid dark shapes.
- Try to imply internal structure by varying your mark making.
- It’s ok to ‘color outside the lines’. Just approximate what you see – try to interpret reality into simple shapes.
- Dark masses (windows, contact shadows) can be done with the brush pen.
- These tonal drawings should have more solidity and sense of three dimensions than the previous line drawings. Compare your linear sketches vs. your tonal ones at a distance. Stand back a few feet. See how the big tone shapes hold up?
- This is why paintings work on the wall, and drawings work in a book. You read a drawing, you view a painting.
- When you’ve tried a few of these ‘shape only’ exercises – add back in the Single Line Drawing.
- Use the line for detail, the tone shape for masses.
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Citizen Sketcher 
I have tried drawing several time but always have difficulty with tones. What do you suggest is the best way to recognise them?
If you start just by looking at shadows – and drawing that strong dark shape – that is the best way to start learning to see shapes. Its also great to learn this in a museum lookong at the dramatically lit sculpture.
That’s a brilliant idea! Thank you
Thanks Marc! Your Richmond workshop was very helpful and enjoyable! Your book is great too!
Thanks for the exercise Marc. I’m going to put this to practise today.
Hi Marc, just spent a great afternoon with part 1 direct to ink, loved what I did, thanks for all the enjoyment of your posts. I have your book too.
Hey – that is really great to hear! Awesome :)
Thanks so much Marc. I’ve been improving by leaps and bounds because of you! I’m amazed with my own improvement, haha! You’re a great teacher. The exercises that you give are spot on and bring my work to a higher level. Thank you.
Well – thank you for saying Sylvia :) Glad to be of help :)