DRAWING MEDIA

The drawing is the process or technique used, while the medium is the actual material used to create the artwork. There are a variety of different drawing mediums that can be used to create drawings. Each medium has different characteristics and produces different effects. There are also different drawing techniques associated with each medium. Many of these techniques are explored in the video art lessons mentioned above. (Remember, this list of drawing lessons is being added all the time, so if an art or drawing lesson isn’t listed above, it may be here soon. Check back often.)

Graphite: more commonly known as pencil or lead. Graphite is a grayish material that is available in a variety of different grades. “HB” is more commonly called a #2 pencil and is found in the middle of the grades. The softest graphite pencils are called “B” pencils and range from “B” (soft) to “9B” (extremely soft). “B” pencils generally make darker marks due to the softness of the graphite. One downside of “B” pencils is that they dull easily. “H” pencils are made from harder graphite and range from “H” (hard) to “9H” (hardest). “H” pencils make lighter marks but keep the point sharp longer. Graphite also comes in large chunks that are not found in pencils. This graphite is used to cover large areas of a surface quickly.

Charcoal – While graphite has a grayish value, charcoal provides rich, dark blacks in drawing creation. Charcoal is burned organic material and is usually some type of wood. Charcoal comes in a variety of different types. Vine charcoal is soft, leaves clearer marks and erases easily. Compressed carbon is harder, leaves darker marks, and is more difficult to erase. Charcoal is produced in both stick and pencil form.

Colored Pencils – Colored pencils are made from a pigmented stick held together by a waxy binder. Colored pencils vary in brand quality and price. They are available almost anywhere.

Chalk Pastels – Chalk pastels are powdered pigmented sticks held together by a rubber binder. Finished pastel chalk drawings may look like paintings and are often referred to as paintings.

Oil Pastels: These are sticks of color that are held together with linseed oil. They can be thinned and spread using traditional oil paint solvents. Finished oil pastel drawings are also known as paintings.

Pen and ink: Ink that is applied to a surface by applying a ballpoint pen is considered pen and ink. The inks come in a variety of different colors and can be applied in a variety of different pens. Shading, cross hatching, and stippling are the most commonly used techniques in pen and ink drawing.

Markers – Markers are typically used for design work. Markers are generally not permanent (despite what it may say on the marker). Therefore, markers are used in fashion design, graphic design, industrial design, and illustration. Markers are rarely used for what is considered “fine art”.