Conte.... it controls ME!

[Newmember]

Hey folks! In my figure drawing classes, I've been constently trying to get used to conte. My instructors told me that it is great for control, shading and line variety. After a few weeks of using it, I can see where they're going with it. Its been like... 2 years now (Not constently Life drawing here.) and I STILL can't get used to it, I almost feel like I get a random result when I try to use it a certain way... When I want nice thin lines, I get something a little more thicker, when I want to shade, my values are all off its really ANNOYING ME! >:{

Anyways, does anyone else seem to have problems with Conte? Does anyone have any advice or tips? Thanks!

[Odds]

hmm... when you want a thin line, just lightly stroke it on there. make sure it's sharp, of course. a nice taper that smooths into a broad area is the best. with that, you can use the taper to draw thin/thick lines, and the broad area to shade with. just keep practicingm it'll come :)

[jetpack42]

for best results, sharpen it out straight so you get strokes anywhere from a line (by using it perpendicular) to a soft broad edge (by using the sharpened part flush against the paper).

as seen here http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=33505

[Nicolás Uribe]

you know... you don´t HAVE to use conte crayons... if it´s not your thing, it´s not your thing... i´m sure there are other materials that you feel more comfortable with... maybe you should post some pics and we could help a little more...

chances are that some techniques are going to work better for you than others... it´s that simple. don´t kill yourself over it...

[Drunken Monkey]

I feel your pain. It was horrible for me too... just keep pushing, be light on it. Its now at the point where i am finally more comfortable with it than with anything else.

[Dizon]

I think it's understandable that you're not used to it yet since you're not consistently life drawing. But if you have some time then do some drawings at home or somewhere else and practice with it.

What Jetpack said is great. Sharpen your conte's and charcoals to a tip and use that to your advantage since you can get all kinds of lines with those. If you haven't done so then I think you'll be suprised how it helps.

Don't give up cause you don't really know if something works for you or not since you're new to it. It's once you master your craft that you know what works or not.

[Newmember]

yeah I tried that Jet.. but not THAT sharp (like how you do it there in that link) I'll try that, thanks and thank you everyone for your tips ^_^