Similar to how the famous American artist Georgia O'Keefe created close up drawings and oil paintings of animal skulls and flowers in an extremely large scale. We too will examining objects close up in detail and enlarging what we see to create an interesting composition that runs off our paper.
Observational Drawings
Drawing from observation is the key to improving your drawing skills and your ability to perceive in detail. An essential part of drawing is being able to translate and describe what your eyes can see using your hand.
This drawing of the Lock and key is an Observational Drawing, you can see the reference object and photo of the lock and key.
Work with a 2H pencil first then move to darker pencils such as 2B for mid-tones, finish your shadows and darkest areas with your darkest pencil 6B or Ebony.
Your background should improve your drawing!
Notice how the artist expertly treats the background with a sweeping curved line showing a varieties of values.
All of the simple drawings above have the required: highlights, various values for the core shadows or object shadows, cast shadows on the table and a table line to show the difference between the wall and table. Notice how the drawing with garlic has a diagonal table line that is more dynamic and adds more interest.
Close Up Drawing
cropping objects for interest
Choose a few small objects to photograph close up and then draw, odd numbers look best. Three is often a good look.
Metallic objects, reflective objects, glass objects or objects with an interesting texture often work the best.
Photograph your objects close up zooming in and shooting from many different angles and positions making sure to add a nice strong light source to create shadows. A cell phone flashlight placed at a slight angle will make your shadows look longer and often more dynamic. Creating dark shadows adds interest with highlights, object shadows, and cast shadows that will aid in your composition of your design.
Draw 3 preliminary sketches in your 9” x 12” sketch book. Focus on an interesting composition that enlarges the objects so much that it goes off the page on at least 3 sides of the paper. Be sure to sketch in the highlights, object shadows, and cast shadows into your composition.
Enlarge the best sketch onto a 12” x 18” piece of paper and shade it very well darkening shadows and the darkest areas with your 6B pencil. Remember to leave crisp clean white highlights, and use an eraser shield or piece of paper to create highlights that are straight.
Protect your drawing by using a piece of paper under your hand while you draw. 6-B pencils blend easily and you do not want you hand to smear the dark values into the bright white highlights. The protective paper will prevent your hand from smearing the graphite that you have already applied to your paper.
Below is a photo example demonstrating a close up composition of two metallic objects, going off the page on all four sides. You should choose metal objects or shiny objects to create strong contrasting highlights and object shadows that make the drawing look more 3-D and more realistic.
Hand in your three photos and three sketches together placed in a Microsoft Word document with your name, class, and hour in the top left corner.
Hand in your finished drawing as a jpeg file, make sure your file is under 1 MB in size so it works with Schoology.
1. Take a series of close up photos of your objects with an angled light source to create shadows.
2. Draw 3 sketches if the compositions you like best. Add some shadows and show direction of light source. If enlarging to 12" x 18" paper remember your composition on paper will be longer than your photo.
Divide your paper into 3 areas about 3 1/2" x 5 1/2 " (printer paper) or 4" x 6" (sketchbook paper) to represent the long 18" x 12" paper we will be drawing on.
3. Recreate your best sketch into your final drawing on your large paper.
When done hand 3 photos: 1. A photo of your three sketches. 2. A photo of the image you are working from to create your final drawing. 3. A photo of your final drawing.
Three sketches with different compositions & best photo.
by Ava Clark
Drawing by Ava Clarke
More examples of close up photographs of objects.
Close up photographs below with strong cast shadows and highlights and the objects and shadows running off the edge of the design.
Notice how side of objects are cropped to add interest.
When you are done with your sketches, you will turn your best sketch into a large 12" x 18" Masterpiece in graphite or charcoal or a mixture of both.
Charcoal Safety Pins
Charcoal Open Lock
Graphite drawing of a reading glasses, and a watch.