Joshua Nava Arts

Mini Demonstration

A structural sketch helps you see how a subject is constructed. Look for basic shapes such as squares, rectangles and circles. Now ask yourself how they relate to one another. Before you pick up your pencil to sketch your coffee cup, take a minute to study your subject.

Must-Have Materials

4H graphite pencil Drawing paper Kneaded eraser

Straightedge (optional for the first step, absolutely prohibited for the rest of the steps)

Structural guideline

Sketch the Basic Form and Structures

Use a 4H pencil to sketch the outer forms of the mug and the most relevant structural guidelines, such as those that will indicate the placement of the rim, the bottom of the cup and the handle.

Add More Structural Lines

Sketch the rim of the cup and the handle. Use the lines you drew in step one to help you add these additonal lines. Look for points where elements line up such as the rim of the cup and handle.

Add Detail Lines to Finish

Add details such as the inner lines of the rim and handle. Erase any unnecessary guidelines with a kneaded eraser.

Structural guideline

Values are the degrees of lights and darks in a drawing or painting. A value sketch is used to observe a subject without much regard for structural or proportional accuracy. Here you focus on the lights and darks of your subject. One way to visually separate the structural lines from the values is to squint at your subject.

This blurs the structural lines and makes the lights and darks more noticeable. For a finished drawing that employs values, it's a good idea to do a structural sketch first to make sure the elements of your subject are in the right places. See page 24 for more explanation of combining drawing approaches.

Use Layers of Shading for Value Sketches

Begin a value sketch by first locating the areas of highlights, which will be left white. Then lightly shade the areas of overall values. The next step is to add more layers of shading for the middle values. Finally, add the darkest shading.

Use Layers of Shading for Value Sketches

Begin a value sketch by first locating the areas of highlights, which will be left white. Then lightly shade the areas of overall values. The next step is to add more layers of shading for the middle values. Finally, add the darkest shading.

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Using ar Erasing Shield

If you want to erase in a specific area of your drawing, use an erasing shield. Place the erasing shield over the region that is not to be erased. Gently begin erasing with a kneaded eraser. Use a white vinyl eraser if the kneaded eraser doesn't fully erase the first time.

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