I'm new here and have taken up drawing again for the first time in 20 years. The tools I had before have long since disappeared I'm afraid, so I'm starting fresh.
My question is this:
What type of drawing boards do you use? Was it store bought, or did you make it yourself? Do you find a tilted board better than a flat one,(one that sits on a table), or do you use an easel?
Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Hi there weeble!
There is a topic about this in the General Chat Forum that may help you a bit. (entitled "Easels")
I have always worked on an ordinary table, so I can't advise on whether it's better or worse than a slanted surface. I have a drawing table on order, so I'll be able to let you know my personal preference when it arrives!
Maybe someone else can give you more info!
Do you work in graphite or colour, by the way?
I've begun to work with graphite. I actually drew the face of a celebrity about 2 months ago (Rowan Atkins a.k.a. Mr Bean) but, I was not all together happy with it's outcome. So now I am trying to teach myself the proper technique (using a book). The book suggests a slanted surface, so I thought that I would give it a try. I have always worked on a flat table as well, but I was just wondering what methods other artist used.
Thanks for your quick response.
weeble a.k.a. Eileen
Re: Drawing board
Hey Eileen, I love Mr Bean!
Hope the book helps you - which one is it? I've bought a few books lately, but I find that I read them and think 'what great ideas', but when I get to work, I still do it all my own way!! But they are good for a few tips, I suppose!
The book is "How to draw Life like Portraits from photographs" by Lee Hammond.
I thought that my portrait of Mr. Bean looked a little 'flat', so when I mentioned to my Mom that I was interested in the book, she bought it for me as an early Christmas present.
Some really good advice in there. My plan now is to practice each facial feature until I get them right.
I just finished building my drawing table yesterday and today I begin with the 'nose'...wish me luck. I'm pretty much self taught, and thought that some actual intruction couldn't hurt!?
This really is a great place!! How long has this site been available anyway? I have to admit...I stumbled upon it purely by acident. (thank goodness )
Re: Drawing Board
Hi Eileen. I built my own drawing board too ,and it is great ,but I still prefer to lie on the lounge floor and do my artwork,thats where I just did the picture of my granddaughter.And welcome to the group,,,,,,,,
,,Nige.......
Thanks for the warm welcome!! I read in one of the other forums here that you drew while lying on the floor. Gee, I can't imagine doing that for too long myself, but, I suppose it all depends on what you have been accustomed to.
Re: Drawing board
Eileen ,yes I do most of my drawing on the floor if I think it is not going to take more than about 3hrs,but if a drawing is going to take longer I will use my drawing board at a table where I can leave it for any length of time and go back to it.
Re: Drawing board
Hey, Eileen, are you still around?
I just wanted to let you know that I've been using my new drawing table for about a week now, and it's soooo comfortable!! I didn't realise how much strain I was putting on my neck, hunching over to see all of my work on a flat surface, until I tried a slanted one! The difference is really noticable and I'm SO glad I splashed out on this great table!
Couldn't resist putting in my 2 cents...
I've had an evolution of drawing surfaces over four decades. According to Mom and some evidence, my first drawing surfaces were the refrigerator and kitchen cabinets. Oddly enough, they were pretty recognizable for a yearling with a crayon...
Generally, my drawing tables have been anything vaguely hard and flat that was available at the moment. In the last year I bought one of those oversized clipboards with a handle and a big rubber band, and I have a few other clips added to it. I find it moderately handy.
In the last 15 years, there is an added factor... I've used drafting boards. That is my training, after all. Unfortunately, my drafting table is in storage right now. I bought it off the last company I did hand drafting for, for a grand total of $25. It's an industrial drafting table (Think of an executive desk, with a drafting table stuck on the back of it), and it's a beast! We moved into a second floor apartment, in an old building in Southern New England. The thing wouldn't even fit in the hallway, let alone around the winding staircase and through the front door! I'm not pleased, but looking for more suitable housing (as I have been for the last year and a half).
Granted, my training on how to use a drafting board has helped me to see the benefits of using one, I do find them quite comfortable to work with... and I miss having one at work. Do you know how little space engineers think a CAD drafter needs? You still have those bloody big drawings! You still have to stand there with and engineer and cuss and discuss a drawing - and it's much easier when you can have them laid out flat!
Ok never mind... I'm getting off subject and whining about work.
Upshot is: If you can find a drafting table, and fit it into your home, they're a good way to go. It gives you a chance to work from different angles - with either a drafting chair or standing up. Keeps the legs from falling asleep.
Re: Couldn't resist putting in my 2 cents...
Don't know if this will help, but what I do is....I just grab my lap board or my sketch book and just sit Indian style in my lazyboy and work that way. I have all my supplies right there next to me on the end table.
But, I think more importantly than that, is the mood you set for yourself when you are creating. I know for myself...I have to be alone, and I have to have headphones on. Once you set your mood, I think you will find that what you draw on really is quite trivial compared to getting yourself "in the mood" so to speak. Your atmosphere is more important I think.Hope this helps...try the headphones and some Pink Floyd...you'll be in a different world b4 you know it.
Re: Couldn't resist putting in my 2 cents...
I don't know how to word this question well, so bear with me. Why is it so hard sometimes to get in the mood to draw? I don't mean just once in a while but it is always difficult for me to the point where I haven't drawn a thing in years. When I draw I am problem solving and usually I do not think visually, it is much more verbal, so it is very difficult to take an object into my mind to where I can put it down on paper in 3-D accuratly (at all). So for me I am having to switch the way I think and at least distract the verbal side of my mind. It is so unpleasant at first, though once I achieve that of course it is bliss. What else can I do to make this transition easier? *thank you Ryan for the tips you just gave*
Oriana
I'm not pleased, but looking for more suitable housing (as I have been for the last year and a half).
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