Workshop 2 – Sketching on the Dark Side

David Roberts

Description

Stretch your visual art muscles by learning how to sketch on black paper in Sketching on the Dark Side, a workshop that presents challenges to traditional visual interpretation. David Roberts returns this year to show you how to create a vibrant colorful sketch with drawing exercises on black paper. We will learn how to look at our subjects in reverse and build the sketch beginning with light edges, surfaces and reflections. Traditionally we use dark pencil/marker/paint to fill in shade and shadow on white surfaces to describe our subjects; when working on black paper, we use white and light colors on a black surface to describe light on or from our subjects.

Distance to sketching location: 0.1 mile
Average walking time: 1 minute

Learning Goals

In this workshop, participants will:

Exercise and stretch our visual muscles by looking at subjects and sites in different ways.
Observe and explore sketching of light, color, shade, and shadow in the reverse.
Use negative space to describe form and objects.
Tell a story with a vibrant colorful sketch.

Supply List

Black drawing paper: listed types will work well, and there are other quality black papers available.
Be aware! The cheapest black paper available does NOT yield quality results, and will fade quickly
Blick Art typically stocks several brands and sizes.
- Canson Mi-Tientes – pad or single sheets. Paper has a nice texture for soft pencil layering and shading
- Fabriano – pad; various sizes. High quality paper has a smooth surface for a harder pencil application
- Stillman & Birn – bound sketch book. High quality paper has a surface in between the other options. It comes bound in a sketchbook format.
White pencils
- White pencil – my favorite is Caran d’ache SupraColor II soft. I like a pencil that bites well and can also softly shade using the side. Bring several types of white pencils if you can, and you will discover your own sketch eye and style.
Color pencils – Caran d’ache SupraColor II soft. Note: Any quality color pencils will work well
White pens
- White GellyRoll Pen Sakura – 8 or 10 for occasional highlights/accents
- Faber Castell – Pitt Artist Pen – White 101 – bullet nib and/or brush tip
Black pen/market
- Micron or equivalent small/medium/large tips. For occasional editing of white marks.
Eraser
Pencil sharpener and razor blade

NOTE: I suggest testing pencils and pens in store on black paper before buying when possible.

Optional Supplies

Color Pens
- Color GellyRoll Pen Sakura – 8 or 10 yellow, green, red, blue. for occasional highlights/accents