Chapter 4 | DRAWING FROM NATURE

When drawing something from nature, like a still life, buildings or a landscape, it can be difficult where to begin. One option is to focus purely on shadows, just as painters sometimes focus solely on color.

In the example just a few shadows have created the suggestion of three bushes.

By drawing only shadows, the shapes of the objects often emerge naturally on your paper. Even a not very imaginative group of objects (photo) can still be the inspiration for a drawing. You immediately realize the enormous difference between a photo and a drawing.

Exercise 1: Compose a small still life with a few not too complicated objects (e.g. cups, bowls, rolls, boxes, sponges). Create a light source with clear shadows. Draw only the shadow shapes.

Who cares, afterward, whether the following two impressions of shadows in a backyard and a park accurately match a photo taken at date X and time Y? Already the sheer slowness of drawing from nature is completely different from taking a photo.

Exercise 2: Draw your own free impressions of shadowed parts of a garden/park/view from your window. If necessary, use a view finder to help you determine the part you want to draw (Handy drawing tips part 2, chapter 1, level 2).

Suggestion: If you don’t feel comfortable drawing outdoors in public, you can always take photos first and work at home from the one you select (possibly converted to grayscale first). Artists often use photos as a stepping stone and a tool as well.