sanguine? chalk? their practical use

[barnest]

Dear group,

Regarding not-very-eraseable mediums like sanguine or "white charcoal," do people usually start with something else first? Or are they just that good by the time they switch to sanguine over charcoal?

So, I've been starting with a block in, and then main lines, the contour, etc., etc. Lots of intermediate or incorrect lines that ultimately will be erased. So when drawing on black paper, say, do you use chalkboard chalk initially to set it up? And then when confident, switch to compressed chalk, and wipe off the original dusty stuff? Or when using sanguine, lay it out in vine charcoal, and then switch to the sanguine?


thanks!
~Bernard Arnest

[Seedling]

I’m of the opinion that most drawing mediums are strictly for practice and preparation for more permanent media. So, specifically with wax-based mediums like sanguine, conte, or crayon (which are all basically the same thing), or pen; the purpose of these is in part to train you not to erase. They teach you to either get it right on the first try, or they teach you how to make the necessary adjustments without undoing what you have already done.

With wax-based media, try drawing very lightly at first. If the lines are in the wrong place, then ignore those and put lines in the right place. Repeat as necessary. Then go back over the right ones to make them stand out.

[max xiantu]

Awesome answer Seedling.
The less I erase the more confident my linework becomes.
Pen and conte are quickly becoming two of my favorite mediums as I use them more and more.

[tensai]

the nice thing about sanguine, conte, charcoal etc that it gives you the opportunity to put your line down with such subtlety in its lineweight. within one stroke you can be very gentle and light, and then very dark and heavy. you can do this with brush or brush pen as well but with sanguine etc you have more grip and resistance on the paper - which makes it a bit easier. i would just practice putting them strokes down. if you miss, just start over...

although its a great drawing tool in itself, i never erase. and like max says, i think it does a lot for my lines.

[barnest]

When will I be ready, then?

Obviously when I was an utter beginner, not being able to erase would be a disaster. Sortof like my quick-pose class when I didn't yet know how to see; just lots of frustration :-P

But at the right time, conte will help me grow in skill? How do I know when it will be beneficial?


-Bernard

[Idiot Apathy]

Barnest,

Decide what it is you want to learn. If it is indeed not erasing and proper placement on the 'first' try that you want to learn, try these. Decide if now is a beneficial time to learn this, or if you should start elsewhere.

Personally, and it's probably different for everyone - I'd stick with pencil or maybe charcoal for a bit until you can produce something you are happy with. Then bounce around and experiment with different media to learn different things. Morale is pretty important I think, so you can't study forever - you have to produce things you like no?

-Rereading your question, you will know that it will be beneficial when you know where your deficencies are.