Mixed technical drawing
Considered a very ancient art form, drawing has undergone many evolutions since its appearance. ;s are partly due to the different artistic movements born throughout history. Of the artistic movements that appeared, mixed media was and remains to this day the prerogative of several designers. The latter knew how to exploit it well by highlighting the great potential of its use.
Story about drawing and mixed media
Described to Fine Arts students as the basis of any artistic work, drawing is however far from be a simple foundation. He started in caves and underground shelters during prehistory. This form of visual representation has evolved considerably. after having experienced multiple changes during antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
But in the 20th century, several artist-designers began to create new designs. use different mediums to design their works. This is mixed technique. This artistic method therefore refers to art. any piece made by the combination of two or more different artistic techniques. For example, drawing, painting and collage can be integrated into one and even &elig;work.
Mixed technique in drawing: why and how?
Each artist has their own working materials and their own reasons for combining different mediums. But, generally speaking, the mixed technique is used in drawing for several reasons and requires the use of specific tools.
The reasons for mixing techniques
In drawing, mixing mediums allows you to take advantage of the strengths of each technique. For example, the brightness exceptional painting oil, combined with speed drying of acrylic; the softness of the technique of watercolor reinforced by the rigidity of the technique. from pencil... The mixed technique allows shapes to stand out by superimposing different materials: pastel and paint, above all.
In addition, the adoption of different techniques by artists is an original approach to create contrasts that would not be possible in a traditional way. starting from the same technique. For example, since the 16th century, the method of drawing with three pencils has been based on the combination of three complementary supports: red chalk, black stone and white chalk.
For mixed media application in a drawing, dry mediums and paint can be layered provided the drying time is be respected. Furthermore, the dry techniques match each other perfectly thanks to their uniqueness. certain shared properties: graphic or blurred production, possibly dilution... The same remark is made with wet mediums: gouache, watercolor, pastel or watercolor wash ink, etc.
Mixed media drawing materials
The fact of combining different mediums on a single drawing allows you to benefit from their respective strengths to achieve a creative result. a singular work. Watercolor pencils, felt-tip pens, gouache, felt-tip pens and graphite pencils are easily combined following a logical sequence of use.
Indeed, the graphite pencil is ideal for sketching a mixed media drawing. Since it cleans quickly using a white eraser, the designer therefore uses it freely to retouch the sketch. Using this pencil, his creations are well marked. To color the sketch precisely, it uses a colored watercolor pencil. With a dipped brush in water, the designer standardizes the texture of his pencil on the support and produces blurring effects.
As for gouache often used by designers, it is a water-based paint. water that mixes well with watercolors. Thicker and less refined than watercolor, this paint brings out the brilliance of watercolor when certain portions of the sketch are hidden while others are colored. Given As the gouache is applied with a brush, the designer applies his spontaneous brush strokes to create more compact patterns.
To underline tone on tone the parts painted with gouache after drying, the latter uses felt-tip pen containing light ink. Thanks to the tip of his brush, the artist arrives at draw fine lines. However, the outlines of the lines are very precise with gouache and watercolor. Therefore, felt-tip pens with a brush-shaped tip are reserved for details.
When it comes to refining a mixed media drawing, draftsmen use sharpie pens. black ink with fine tip. This type of marker accentuates the particularities of the sketch and connects the different mediums. By emphasizing the particularities of the drawing and the elements of the foreground while retaining blurred parts, the artist obtains an effect of transparency and depth.
Famous drawing artists and mixed media drawings
Today, the number of artists using mixed media to enrich the lines of their drawings continues to grow. In their skill mixing mediums, several designers have made their mark art history with extraordinary designs. Among these, there are:
In addition to his hats as a sculptor, painter and engraver, the Spanish artist is the designer par excellence of the 20th century and one of the best in art history. Pablo Picasso knew how to bring to life He took advantage of the various techniques he had at his disposal to create exceptional works. Among these, we can cite: « The Charnel House », directed by in black pencil, red chalk and watercolor on paper and « Man Reading», done in black pencil and watercolor on paper.
- Pierre Soulages
The French designer created more than a hundred works on paper with different mediums to choose from. namely: charcoal, Indian ink, walnut hull and gouache. One of his famous creations is the drawing « Nut husk ».
Founder of tachism and great defender of abstract art, Hans Hartung is also a designer . In his post-war artistic period, he made a lot of mixed media drawings.
- Norman Rockwell
The famous American designer is known for his illustration « Our problem at hand all », a drawing made by for Look in 1964.
- Keith Haring
This contemporary sketch artist uses a variety of designs. He used mediums for his drawings, never making sketches or prior corrections, even for his most important works. Among his most emblematic sketches, we can cite: «Radiant Baby» and «Free South Africa».
