Task 4: The Object of my Affection (Charcoal + Sanguine & Sepia)

Task 4 will commence on Tuesday, 4th May 2010.

Task 4 will see us continue in the drawing arena but this time using charcoal and white, sepia and sanguine tones if you wish.

Charcoal - Produces black
White - Used for highlights or to lighten medium or dark tones
Sanguine - A reddish/brown terracotta colour
Sepia - A brownish/yellowish colour

Moving away from all things living, this month we will focus on drawing man-made objects. Ideally, things that you love and desire or simply finding aesthetically appealing. This is your chance to immortalise that outrageous shoe collection or your must-have kitchen utensils and knickknacks. Time to start thinking about the objects of your affection....

like this fabulous footwear from here :

or a collection of items such as chairs from here :

or a range of vessels and vases:

Essential and optional equipment:
1. Charcoal or black & white soft pastels
2. Charcoal pencils. Black and/or white. White can be used for highlights.
3. Sanguine and sepia tones in pastels or pencil
4. Sandpaper for sharpening charcoal to a point
5. Putty Eraser. This is a crucial piece of equipment that removes charcoal without leaving a mess.
6. Brushes, cottonwool buds, cottonwool balls, chamois
7. Paper - white, black or assorted tints
8. Wet ones

This is pretty cool. Check it out:

Task 3: Portraits (Chalk Pastels)

Task 3 commenced on Tuesday, 30th March. 

This month we are exploring the wonderfully messy medium of chalk pastels. The challenge for this month is that the picture you produce actually has to look like a person. Not necessary a real person known to you or me, but a person nonetheless. Unless of course, you wish to pursue the strangely ugly and terribly tacky avenue of pet portraiture. The internet, along with regional markets seem to showcase this in abundance! Really, there should be laws against such folly!


I have inserted a short video showing one technique of creating a portrait with pastels. It may be useful for those needing a bit of guidance with shading.

pastel portrait progression tutorial from kevin bentley on Vimeo.

Suggested equipment:

- Paper

- Chalk Pastels

- Fixative or cheap hairspray

- Tissues, cotttonwool balls, blending sticks, cottonwool buds

- Wet Ones

My personal portrait challenge:
I've decided to try and create a tryptic showcasing the 1920s cloche hat. This era of grace and elegance certainly deserves to be celebrated. I've tracked down a variety of images from the internet. Now to put chalk to paper!