Demo in pencil - Apple & 2 knives

by Steve Hawkins (Jack)

An apple and two knives were used for this demonstration and are placed near a window to take advantage of the best light source.

Supplies/Materials needed for the drawing:

4B pencil
0.05 mechanical pencil
eraser
white Tack
1"paint brush
Staedler Rolling Ruler 

Instructions:

1. To begin, I drew my object outlines freehand lightly in pencil.

2.  Squinting eyes (eyes half closed), I was able to determine the light and shadows on the objects.

3. Lightly draw in the shade on the apple and the cast shadow, which diffuses farthest away from the object.  Will be darkest on the shadow    side beneath the apple and beneath the knives.

4. Tidy up the edges with the eraser and use your finger to lightly rub on the shadow to blend and darken.

5. Use the paint brush to clean or sweep away any debris that is created when using the eraser as you want to keep the surface of the paper clean.

6. Taking one knife at a time, look hard to see the light, mid, and dark grey tones that make up the reflections.  You will be surprised at what you notice when concentrating on one bit at a time.

7. Use the mechanical pencil and a ruler for the clean edges of each knife and the dark shadow beneath them.

8.  Continue using more pressure until drawing is complete.

9. Once complete, if you wish to add colour, you may do so as shown below.  Colours used are Red, Light Brown, Blue and a Dark Grey. (Example might be - Spectrum Blue and Gunmetal on the knives and Terracotta and Vermillion on the apple (Gunmetal for the shadows)

Points to remember:

1.  In the beginning, do not apply too much pressure when using your pencil as you want your marks light.  By doing so, mistakes are easier to rectify.

2.  Take note to how the apple reflection on the knives are not one line and uneven.  This is due to the fact the metal is not completely flat and are two objects.

3. White tack is invaluable to sketching as it can be moulded to points or sharp lines to easily get into fine areas that cannot be reached with an eraser.

Personal Note:

There is more to what one might thing is a simple sketch of an apple and two knives.  If careful observation is used, a fairly realistic drawing can be achieved.  I hope this demo and explanation is of help.  Although this can be traced, freehand practice is a very satisfactory past-time for the artist.  And as with anything and stated many times……practice and then practice some more.