For every piece of artwork I create, I lay in a solid underdrawing which provides an important foundation for the steps that will follow. I enjoy carefully drawing in the outlines of shapes with a pencil and seeing the image slowly start coming into focus. This takes patience, persistence, and determination, and it is crucial for producing a good piece of art in the end. I always freehand any drawing that I do. I never use a grid or trace or use projection techniques for any of my artwork. Using a freehand drawing approach forces me to closely study the subject and it keeps my drawing skills sharp. Below are some examples of underdrawings paired with the finished piece to show how the underdrawing helps me get good final results. The quick snap shots I took of the underdrawings are not perfect, but I think they are good enough to illustrate my point.
The underdrawing for the painting below was a lot of fun. I was eager to start laying in the washes for this striking image right away, but I knew I had to take some time to lay in the groundwork first. I would never have been able to get the relationships of shapes and values correct during the painting stages had I not done this foundational underdrawing first.
Lion with wreath; Watercolor on paper, 15” x 20”
For the drawing below, I wanted to build the values up using toned paper, white colored pencil, and an array of graphite pencils. As I laid in the underdrawing, I aimed to create a sound structure onto which I would build my shadows and highlights. I don’t necessarily put in every last detail before I start filling in the values. I put in sufficient information to give me confidence I need to dive into the next stage of the piece.
Self-portrait; Graphite and white pencil on toned paper, 11” x 14.5”
The subject below captivated me with its interesting shapes, colors, and of course the atmospheric light. My excitement for the subject made it easy to meditatively take my time with the underdrawing and enjoy the process. As with all of my artwork, inspiration was a driving force compelling me to create the illusion of three dimensional space on a daunting blank sheet of paper. It did require some time to get the drawing correct, but I think the end justifies the means.
Sunlight on stone owl; Watercolor on paper, 18” x 18”