Fellow art lovers,
Bill Sawczuk here. I want to talk to you about a subject that is not as
dear to many artist's hearts as it should be... sketching. Sketching
is one of the most important tools that an artist has in the pursuit of
good work, and yet it seems to be the most under appreciated and unused
skill that any artist should have. Why? Speaking with artists tells me
that there are, of course, reasons for this.
"I don't need a sketch to
paint."
"Sketching is too time consuming."
"I don't like pencil
work."
And the real reason,
"I don't wish to spend the time practicing to
sketch."
I'd like to try and answer some of these concerns about
sketching. I think that the definition of sketching is unclear to
many.
The dictionary describes sketching as a "hasty or un-detailed
drawing or painting made as a preliminary study." This is true, but a
sketch can be much more than that definition. A sketch can be a stand
alone piece of work that will illustrate the artist's feelings about
what he is trying to say. A sketch may be so descriptive that nothing
more need be done. A sketch can also be a beautiful piece of art that
often takes many hours to complete. A sketch may be done in any
artistic medium: pencil, charcoal, crayon, pen and ink, ink wash,
watercolor, oil, clay, etc. If an artist is comfortable in any or all of
these mediums, they can be used for sketching.
I
have included here
some very quick sketches in pencil, Conte crayon, and ink wash of an
old, falling down log building here in Jackson, Wyoming. I have also
included a finished oil
painting of that same building. All of these renderings of the subject
tell the same story.
I think that the resistance to
pencil work stems from the fact that many
artists tend to take a pencil sketch too far. They labor at technique
and finish. The feeling of spontaneity and freshness is gone, and an
overworked sketch is the result. Look at the sketches that Sorolla did
of people sitting in restaurants in New York and Chicago. These were
very quickly done, but capture the attitude and character of the
people. Many artists that you are familiar with did very descriptive yet
simple renderings of buildings world wide in pencil. A pencil is a
handy tool, easily obtained, easily carried, and quick to use (if you
practice!). Carry a nice soft pencil and sketch pad with you... no
eraser! Using an eraser might cause you to correct too much, thus
negating
the time saving benefits of the quick sketch. Your subject can be
anything, but the purpose should be learning. If you are fortunate to
have the opportunity to draw from a model, take advantage of your
chance to quick sketch. You will be surprised at how quickly your
sketching will improve.
I enjoy using soft vine charcoal and Conte crayon for sketching because I
can use the side of either of these to get broad value strokes. Conte
and charcoal also lend themselves to very nice finished sketches that
stand alone in their artistic quality. Since I am predominantly a pleine
air oil painter, I often use oil as my sketching medium to do a quick
study on 8-weight museum quality paper board. The major pleine air
advantage of this material is its ability to soak in the oil paint which
allows you to keep painting on a relatively dry surface. This oil
sketch was completed in one hour and it could have been quicker if I
hadn't dipped my brush in my coffee. (I like to keep a cup of coffee
around me when I'm working but I have been cured of keeping it on the
palette!).
There is very much more to be said about sketching, and all of you will
have something to add to this discussion. I have given you some of my
thoughts based on my experiences in the field and in the studio. We
should all agree on the idea that sketching WILL make a better artist of
you, and it will enable you to better express the joy you feel in
representing in your work our beautiful, blessed world.
Thanks for listening,
Bill
Bill Sawczuk
"The Sketch"
Behind the Brushes