Drawing Texture

Question by Yuri Magalhaes

I have a question about drawing textures. Say, for example, that I’m portraying an old man, or a scene that shows some concrete or a wall: how do I show the textures and irregularities of the surface under the layers of hatching?

Thank you

Hi Yuri,

Many thanks for your question.

Texture in drawing is determined by two aspects:
– pencil marks;
– paper tooth.

Of course, paper tooth alone will not solve your needs. Your drawing style is much, much more important.

Below are some drawings by Russian artists of the 19th century, portraits by V. Savinskiy and figures by Alexander Ivanov.

(Click images to enlarge)

You will note that these drawings are very natural, even though their textures are not photo-realistic. You can feel these artists’ style and hand and recognize certain drawings as theirs, even if you have never seen a particular piece before. That’s what counts in art – being unique and having your own style.

So, it is not about copying the irregularities on a concrete wall exactly, or including every pore and wrinkle on an old man’s face, but rather suggesting textures and letting the viewer make his or her own mental picture of what you trying to portray.

Of course, the pencil hatching method has to vary depending on the texture you are drawing. The gamut of pencil marks can vary greatly, from short to long, from delicate and almost invisible to strong and dark, from curved to straight, to depict different textures. Also, you need to consider the contrast of tonal values on the same texture.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Vladimir