Home assignment:

Tonal Relationships

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Photo Reference

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Instructions

  1. Draw the outline of your photo reference.
  2. Once you've finished your outline, look at your photo reference to see which areas are darker and which are lighter. Remember to use the comparative gaze.
  3. Push and pull on your drawing to make the outline disappear into whatever area is darker.  When an area is darker, add charcoal. If it's lighter, leave it white paper.
  4. Optional: If you want to take this exercise further, go to section B.
  5. Continue until you're done.
  6. Sign it!

Section B: If you want to challenge yourself:

  1. Pay attention to the difference in tonality of the tonal relationships and express these differences with the greyscale.
  2. Express the entire range of tonal values (white, light grey, medium grey, dark grey, black) in your piece while also pushing and pulling.
    1. For example, the darkening of the background on the right side of the white vase will not be as dark as the shadow of the pear.
  3. Continue shading your drawing until done.
  4. Sign it!

Click here to learn how to spray your drawing with workable fixative.

Artist Examples

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Group Photos

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