Chapter 1
Thought Processes and Techniques for Rendering Mass - By Eric K. Wallis - 1.1
Standing Front View
his chapter will disclose how mass drawings differ from line drawings and the thinking behind the techniques. I'll demonstrate step-by-step the drawing on the left and how it seems to have light even though no white charcoal has been used. I'll explain what I am thinking and how I am trying to achieve what I want including massing shapes rather than drawing lines. I'll also explore the differences in working from photos rather than from life. Let's get started!
Below right is my photograph and a diagram done in line to illustrate how I am thinking. I am concerned not with drawing a woman, her torso or legs or face, but with the shapes that make the woman. I am now not seeing her as a woman at all; but more as a collection of shapes made by light and shadows on the form.These shapes make a puzzle that when re-assembled correctly on my paper will create the image from my photo. If you step back a bit from the photo, you will note that the shapes become generalized and larger. In the first stages of the drawing it is important not to focus on small, detailed shapes. Get the big, general light shapes and dark shapes first, and how they fit together and that, in itself, will be a strong foundation to support the small shapes later.
