This document outlines the steps to create an attractive ink sketch. It begins by selecting an object to sketch and choosing appropriate materials like various pencil grades, ink pens, paper and other tools. The next steps involve getting proportions correct using references, doing a light pencil draft, then darkening and adding details. Key sketching techniques like hatching and stippling are described. The sketch is then finalized through ink contouring and shading using different pen tips. Optional final steps include adding color or brushing ink lines with water. Producing quality sketches requires understanding genres, conveying messages effectively, and regular practice to improve one's skills over time.
1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
FOUNDATION IN NATURAL BUILD ENVIRONMENT
NAME: RYAN KERRY JEE JIN YIING
STUDENT ID NO: 0318715
WORD COUNT: 1081 words
ENGLISH 1 (ELG 30505)
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 1: PROCESS ESSAY
LECTURER: CASSANDRA WIJESURIA
SUBMISSION DATE: 2ND
MAY 2014
2. A Process Writing On How To Make An Attractive Sketch
What exactly consists of a sketch? With many different varieties and
categories, a sketch is simply defined as a rough or unfinished drawing, which
eventually becomes the finished product. How can we produce a unique and an
attractive sketch? There’s always a time whereby we are all asked to do one, but
whenever that time comes, many might object for their personal reasons. For this
essay, I would like to touch on steps of how to produce an attractive sketch
specifically emphasizing on inked sketches.
First things first, you have to identify the object that you would like to do a
sketch on. Understanding the types of sketch which is the most suitable to be used
for the object you selected is an important step which cannot be diminished. One
must fully understand what he or she would like to convey the visualized ideas and
imaginations they have in mind. Take note on small details such as texture and
toning effect, among others. After selecting the genre of sketches, you have to select
the right material for that specific sketch. For most common inked sketches, one
would usually go for a black waterproof drawing ink whereby other colours are
optional, a clutch pencil with a 7mm HB lead, pencils ranging from 9H to 9B, 0.1 and
0.2 Artline Inked Pen, a box of tissues to mop up any ink if any error occurs, an old
rag or hand towel would be useful but optional, a light clipboard, masking tapes to
secure the drawing paper onto the clipboard, electric eraser, and most importantly a
block paper with a gram per square meter of at least 180gsm to avoid the sketches
from smudging easily. After getting these materials ready, you are basically good to
go. Moving on, the next step is to get the proportions, distances and dimensions
right. You can basically get these done by measuring the proportions of the scene
either from a printout copy or from any references that you are using.
3. After you are done with the approximate measurement, getting the
dimensions and proportions right, it is time for you to start a rough and light draft on
your sketch. By using a light toned lead pencil like the 2H pencil, you can simply just
draw a basic shape of the object of the scene according to your measurements,
proportions and also dimensions. At this stage, it is not necessary for you to add any
details whatsoever as it is just a rough draft. Avoid pressing the pencil hardly onto
the paper as this will be difficult to erase and the marks will greatly affect the
upcoming procedures on finishing the sketch. After you are satisfied with your shape
for the object of the scene, darken the shapes of your draft with a darker ton of
pencils, for example a B lead pencil or a 2B lead pencil. During this stage, you can
start adding the simple details. It is highly recommended that you experiment the
kinds of techniques and strokes you want to apply onto your sketch as to avoid
ruining the actual sketch. This little experimentation of yours can be simply done
onto a rough paper. After this step, you can proceed on to apply further details onto
the sketches. Here, I would like to share with you a few techniques which are highly
recommended by artists. For beginners, the hatching method is often used as it is
the simplest sketching technique by using fine parallel lines to fill an area to create
an optical illusion when it is viewed from afar.
After you are done darkening the sketch, you can move onto finalizing your
sketch by ink sketching. At this stage, it is highly advisable to apply the contour
hatching technique whereby an individual uses different layers of hatches place at an
angle (most common used angle is 45 degrees), in order to create a moire-like
effect. This technique will enhance the contrast and the saturation of the sketch and
as a result making it appear to become more 3-dimensional. Use a 0.2 Artline pen to
ink the outlines and the details of the sketch to further enhance the texture and the
4. ton of the sketch. During the shading process, it is encouraged to use an inking pen
with a finer tip, like the 0.1 or the 0.3 Artline ink pen. It is also important to make sure
the strokes and motion are standardized and consistent as different strokes can
jeopardize the sketch. For this procedure, one is also encouraged to apply the
stippling method, which is better known as the dotting method. For this method, you
use tiny dots to further create a value of toning, contrast and saturation. The closer
the distance between the dots makes the shading appear to be more concentrated.
For this step, you are often advise to use a thicker tip to create bigger dots which can
cover a wider surface area. Avoid pressing the nib of the pen hardly as this will spoil
the pen, the sketch and the drawing paper. For the last step, it is optional. Some
would prefer to just leave it to dry and end the sketch as it is while others may
consider using a brush to add in colours to the objects of the scene or maybe using a
brush and brushing the sketch with a little amount of water. Use a paint brush with a
finer tip and dip it with a little bit of water, slowly and patiently paint through the inked
lines to create finer and lively effect to the sketch. After leaving it to dry, your sketch
is completed.
In a nutshell, sketching is indeed a very interesting and a useful way to spend
time wisely, enhance and explore the creative and innovative side of our minds. As
we all know, these are just guidelines to produce a basic yet attractive sketch
whereby the steps are not standardized as it is very subjective. Everyone of us has
our own unique way in producing different yet attractive sketches. Just be sure to
understand the genres of sketches you selected and how you could convey that
visualized messages to the public. Just always remember that success cannot be
achieved within a single step. Practise makes perfect, hence it is only logical that we
5. must practise during our free time in order to produce attractive sketches that could
convey positive messages.