WEEK 3 ASSIGNMENTS

Beginner ’s Guide to Drawing

Notes: For the best learning outcome, we highly recommend that you attempt this
assignment using traditional tools. Some of the techniques lectured and demoed
in this lesson do not transfer well digitally.

In-class Assignment 1
Creating 3 and 5-Value Scales

Fig. 1 For the non-blending scales, utilize the side of Fig. 2 You can use a sheet of paper to block your Fig. 3 For the blending scales, you can use a brush,
your pencils to hatch in the desired values. hand from smearing the swatches while working. a stump, or chamois to help soften the mark-making.

Create three (3) and five (5) value scales using charcoal, graphite, and a non-black You can find the handout pdf under the
material of your choice. On your paper, set up the swatches following the Page 1 References tab in this lesson. Please read
template on the handout pdf provided in this and Joshua's instruction. You will divide the instructions, then come back to the
the swatches into two (2) portions. On the left, create the value scales without any lesson page to follow along with Joshua
blending, while on the right, utilize the blending technique. Start from the three (3) as you tackle this assignment. No graded
value scales, then make your way down to the five (5) values. Remember to take your pencils are permitted on this page. You
time to develop these tones evenly. Make corrections as needed. These are crucial should use the softest versions of the
fundamental exercises, so don't rush through them. Try to establish the values as pencils and control your hand pressure
best as you can, but don't worry if they are not perfect. In Assignment 3, you will use to achieve the result.
your shadow scale to calibrate the accuracy of your value scales and make necessary
adjustments.
Materials: Graphite, charcoal, any non-black pencil, newsprint papers, erasers, blend-
ing stump, brush, chamois

New Masters Academy 1

Beginner 's Guide to Drawing

In-class Assignment 2
Creating a Shadow Scale in Sketchbook

Fig. 7 Leave the first swatch blank to make up the Fig. 8 The third value should be as dark as the shad- Fig. 9 The same method applies to the rest of the
lightest value. Create the second value to be as dark ow casting on the second value. values.
as the shadow casting on plain white paper.

With a pencil of choice, create a shadow scale in your sketchbook. First, utilize the ruler Please read the instructions, then come
to set up eight (8) swatches for your shadow scale. Pick a non-reflective dark object to back to the lesson page to follow along
cast the shadows and a small object to prop the other one up. Develop the values to with Joshua as you tackle this assign-
look the same as the shadows of the object casting on the page. Pay close attention to ment. Take your time to double check
Joshua's lecture as he demonstrates every step of this exercise. and blend the values of the shadow
Materials: Graphite, charcoal or polychromos pencil, sketchbook, erasers, ruler, blend- scale.
ing stump, brush, chamois

Assignment 3
Using Shadow Scales to Calibrate the Value Scales

Fig. 4 First, create a shadow scale with the same Fig. 5 Calculate and title the percentages of your Fig. 6 Make corrections to your value scales as
materials, paper, and technique used for the value shadow scales, then begin to calibrate. needed. Turn in these final versions of your value
scale you wish to calibrate. scales.

Create as many shadow scales as needed to calibrate the accuracy of your value scales Make adjustments to your value scales
made in the In-class Assignment 1. Remember to utilize the same paper, drawing as needed after calibrating. Turn in
materials, and technique you used for your value scales to make these shadow scales. at least one (1) shadow scale for this
assignment.
Take your time to render the values of each shadow scale. Then, calculate the value
percentages based on the method Joshua explained in this lesson. Put the appropriate
shadow scales by each swatch of the value scales to check the accuracy.
Materials: Graphite, charcoal, any non-black pencil, newsprint papers, erasers, blend-
ing stump, brush, chamois, ruler

New Masters Academy 2