Pencil Drawing Fundamentals - The Detail Phase

Each drawing effort starts with the Preparatory Phase followed by the Line Drawing Phase. After that come the Shading Phase and the Blending Phase. Finally, almost as an afterthought, the procedure ends with the Detail Phase.

The Detail Phase consists of judiciously adding small accents in such a way that they enhance the drawing. Here are some guidelines to follow during the detail phase:

* Structure - During the Line Drawing Phase we by and large limit ourselves to drawing the contours of the large forms. We do this without paying too much attention to the details. The main objective of the Line Drawing Phase is to create a structured picture of the overall scene. This structure must above all be geometrically accurate.

A line drawing can then be seen as a collection of smaller pieces of drawing paper. The contour of each large form represents the edge of one of those separate smaller pieces of drawing paper.

So now we can add the necessary details to each of the forms one at a time. We already know that the forms themselves are in the right place and have the right orientation. Therefore you need only to worry about the correct position and orientation of the details we put inside each of the empty forms.

In effect, the line drawing, when done right, divides the entire drawing task up into a number of smaller drawings. These smaller drawings consist of adding the details into each independent form or shape.

* Relative Intensity - It is very important to make sure that the details fit into the overall picture in terms of intensity and value. In particular, make sure that the intensity of the details is not too strong so they do not stand out like a sore thumb. This is easy to do and is often seen in the work of beginning artists.

* Restraint - It is also good not to add in too many details unless this is the specific objective of your drawing effort. Most of the time it is much better to limit yourself to a few important details.

These few details tend to give your drawing more artistic value. If you have too many details then individual details tend to get lost in the big ocean of details and soon become meaningless.

* Composition - Details are an important element in the context of the composition of your drawing. A typical composition will have at least one focal point, i.e., the particular area in the scene that is meant to stand out and attract the attention of the viewer.

This focal area is also the place where the most detail should be present. Adding more detail to such an area is one of the elements that make this area a focal point in the first place. All the rest of the structure in your drawing should support this focal point. That means the less detailed areas in your drawing should point or lead the way towards the focal area.

* Clarity and Interest - In general, the addition of details should serve the purpose of adding clarity and more necessary information to your drawing. It should also serve the purpose of providing surprise, extra interest, and a certain amount of artistic value. If a particular detail does not seem to serve any of these purposes then it is better not to add that particular detail at all.

It is, however, a delicate undertaking and should be done with some forethought. Practice and experience will also serve well. Too many or awkwardly placed details can quickly destroy a drawing and make it look overworked. On the other hand, when applied judiciously, details can add quite a bit of glamour to your work and change it from some dull looking effort to a really exciting one.

The above guidelines should give you enough information to deal with the drawing of details. Remember, the detail phase should add to the vibrancy of your drawing and give it extra pizzazz.