Sketching From The Middle

I like to start a sketch with the "middle" value so I can lift out highlights and hatch in shadows to create the shape or texture.

Sometimes I use a value scale to find the lightest highlights and darkest shadows and then decide on a value in-between those extremes, and sometimes I just squint my eyes to see an averaged value and use that.

Then I make hatches with different pencils to see which one makes the middle value without too much pressure. For this pinecone drawing, I decided to use an HB pencil.

Line Drawing and First Hatching

• I measured the length and width with my pencil and drew the main shape. Using an overhand grip, I used the side of the pencil to add hatching in the middle value I chose.

• Since this was an opened cone, I erased bites out of both sides to represent the opened scales with the kneaded eraser. I tried to place them at about the right points with the right spacing, but didn't try to be exact.

Erased Highlights

• Using a kneaded eraser shaped into a big rounded shape, I lifted out the general highlight shapes with a firm tapping motion.

• Again, I was not very precise but I did try to match the placement, pattern and size of the scales.

Hatched Shadows

• I used the side of a 2B pencil to define scales and hatch in shadow around each. All of the scale's value patterns were basically the same. There was a "sharp" highlight line on the tip of each scale that graduated into darker shadow as it angled back to root.

• I added the cast shadow with the side of a 2H pencil.

Defined Shadows and Highlights

• Next I switched to a writing grip to make the shadows darker. To make the scale edges look sharper, I shaded with a firm line around each tip and then graduated that shadow out onto the tip of the next scale.

• Since left side of the cone was in shadow, I darkened the entire left side by lightly hatching over it with the side of a 2H pencil.

• I pinched the kneaded eraser into a rounded wedge, placed it along the tip of each scale, and lightly pulled it into the shadow. This lighted the edge a little and also smooth and graduated the shadow more too.

• Then used my stick eraser, which I keep cut into a wedge, to do the same thing. This helped sharpen and highlight the edge of each scale even more.

Final Thoughts

Sketching is an abbreviated form of drawing from life where you concentrate on the most important parts of the drawing first, and then add details if you can see them and have the time. Starting with a middle value ensures that you'll have at least the basic averaged value in place if you run out of time.

Most important qualities to capture:

• Shape (proportional line drawing)
• Averaged value (squint eyes to see)
• Biggest highlights and shadows
• Details as time and the situation allows.

Supplies Used:

• 2H, HB, and 2B pencils
• Kneaded eraser
• Stick eraser
• Smooth drawing paper.