Nature Study with Pencil and Colour MODULE - 1
Nature and Object Study
1
Notes
NATURE STUDY WITH PENCIL
AND COLOUR
The word ‘Nature’ is derived from the Latin word, ‘Natura’ which means birth.
Within the various uses of the word today nature’ often refers to geology and
wildlife; it is often taken to mean natural environment or wilderness. In nature
study, it is important to find the essential forms and give it a visual shape on
a picture. The purpose of nature study is to train the eye and mind see and
comprehend the common things of life and capture the beauty of nature. Nature
has every possible colour, texture, form, proportion, balance and a beautiful
rhythm which synchronises these elements in a proper way. So it is merely
impossible to put the vastness of nature on paper. But only an attempt to
understand nature through elements of art practice.
OBJECTIVES
The learner will be able to:
z make free-hand drawings of objects like trees, flowers etc.;
z observe and compose different forms of nature;
z differentiate the right proportion, balance and rhythm when observing part
of nature;
z identify the difference of colour and tones;
z paint the source of light through light and dark shades;
z explain the importance of the space, balance and perspective in the
composition;
z differentiate the difference between decorative and natural forms.
Painting 1
MODULE - 1 Nature Study with Pencil and Colour
Nature and Object Study
1.1 PERSPECTIVE
It is a very important aspect of drawing. It creates an illusion of 3 dimensions
on a 2-dimensional surface. In a simpler way, we can say as the distance from
the observer increases, the object gets smaller, and also, the size of the object
becomes smaller along the line of sight. We are going to take up three different
types of perspectives and also going to see their application in nature study from
Notes the point of view of the artist.
(a) One-point perspective
(b) Two-point perspective
(c) Three-point perspective
Before we start the exercise, we need to know line of sight, or eye level, or
horizon. It is an imaginary axis where our eyes rest parallel to the ground, it
depends upon a person’s height, or we can say it is a point of reference to judge
the scale and distance of objects in relation to the viewer..
1.1.1 One Point Perspective
Let’s imagine an artist is standing in the middle of a straight road or railways
track and is looking into the distance and tries to capture the nature on a piece
of paper. You will notice that the edges of the road or the railways track appear
to merge and disappear at a point the line of sight; not only that, the trees in
Fig. 1.1: Railway Track, One-point Perspective
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Nature Study with Pencil and Colour MODULE - 1
Nature and Object Study
both sides behave in the same manner, the farthest the smallest, the nearer the
biggest. The point at which they appear to meet is called a vanishing point.
Vanishing Point
Notes
Line of sight
Fig. 1.1(a): Road, One-point Perspective
1.1.2 Two Point Perspective
For example, looking at the corner of a house or looking at two forked road
shrinks into a distance it means if two sides of an object are visible the two
vanishing points are necessary. This kind of perspective we will find while
drawing a cityscape.
Fig. 1.2: Cityscape, Two-point Perspective
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MODULE - 1 Nature Study with Pencil and Colour
Nature and Object Study
Vanishing Point
Vanishing Point
1 2
Notes Line of sight
Fig. 1.2(a): Shoe-box, Two-point Perspective
1.1.3 Three-point Perspective
This kind of perspective is usually used for buildings seen from above or below.
In addition to two vanishing points of each wall, there is now one for how those
walls recede into the ground or space.
Fig. 1.3: Building, Three-point Perspective
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Nature Study with Pencil and Colour MODULE - 1
Nature and Object Study
Vanishing Point
Notes
Vanishing Point
Vanishing Point
Line of sight
Fig. 1.3(a): Drawing of a Building, Three-point Perspective
1.2 BALANCE
A good composition depends on the balanced arrangement of forms in the given
space with the correct proportion. Here the space refers to the area which will
to be used in the painting. How we are going to use the space depends on our
mental calibare. For example, if we give space to ten different people, all will
use space differently, which means their pictures will differ from each other.
Look at the pictures given below; you will be able to understand the well-
balanced and proportionate composition from the following.
In Fig. 1.4 you will see that the flower is much bigger according to the given
space, and in Fig. 1.4(a), the flower is smaller than the given space but, in Fig.
1.4(b), the flower is proportionate and well balanced according to the given
space.
Fig. 1.4
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MODULE - 1 Nature Study with Pencil and Colour
Nature and Object Study
Notes
Fig. 1.4(a)
Fig. 1.4(b)
1.3 PENCIL SHADING
The most common and easily available drawing tools are lead pencils. There
are colour pencils also available in the market. Graded from H (hard) to B (soft).
The use of each pencil is based mostly on paper. The best drawing would
combine the use of many different grades of pencils. But first, we need to
understand that sketching and drawing are two different things. We start with
sketching to observe the subject matter and try to understand the values,
proportions, and structures, and slowly progress towards the more detailed
drawing. Then we can shade accordingly as per the light source or colour the
same. The technique is the same with lead pencils and colour pencils, but in
colour pencils, the colour tones can be adequately seen which cannot be seen
in the monochromatic drawing and shading of the lead pencils.
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Nature Study with Pencil and Colour MODULE - 1
Nature and Object Study
1.3.1 Materials Required for Plant Study
A student should have the following materials for plant study.
1. Drawing board or hardboard
2. Drawing paper
3. Drawing clips or thumb pins
4. Colour and lead pencils HB, 2B, 4B, 6B Notes
5. Eraser
6. Pencil cutter or sharpener
EXERCISE 1
Plant study in black and white (lead-pencil shading)
There are different types of plants, flowers and leaves in nature. Choose any
one plant, to begin with. Before sketching observe each and every detail
minutely. Then start sketching, with HB pencil on the paper placed before you.
While sketching, keep in mind the softness and the structure of the plant. Then
with a 2B pencil, complete the line drawing with utmost detail.
Fig. 1.5
The outline only cannot bring the solidity of the object. Therefore the application
of light and shade is required. For that, you need to understand the value i.e.
Painting 7
MODULE - 1 Nature Study with Pencil and Colour
Nature and Object Study
the degree of light and darkness in the drawing. This will create additional depth
and 3 dimensions in the drawing. Slowly this will enhance the form of the leaves
and their impact.
Notes
Fig. 1.5(a)
Always begin with a soft line with light pressure on the fingers, which makes it
easier to erase. Try to get different tones with a pencil on paper. Use your 2B
pencil with light pressure on the paper to get soft tones. For darker tones, use
a 4B pencil and put more pressure and to get a very dark tones, use 6B pencil.
Fig. 1.5(b)
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Nature Study with Pencil and Colour MODULE - 1
Nature and Object Study
EXERCISE 2
Flower study in colour (colour pencil and shading)
The beauty of flowers has always fascinated the artist. Let us draw a rose flower.
Before sketching, observe every detail minutely. Then start sketching the flower
with a red-colour pencil on the paper placed before you. Then with a green-
colour pencil, complete the line drawing of the leaves with utmost detail. Notes
Fig. 1.6 (Rose)
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MODULE - 1 Nature Study with Pencil and Colour
Nature and Object Study
Then try to understand the tonal values of red and green, try to shade the flower
with the shades of red in the light and middle tone areas and do the same with
the greens in the leaves.
Notes
Fig. 1.6(a)
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Nature Study with Pencil and Colour MODULE - 1
Nature and Object Study
In the final stage, apply the darker tones in flower and leaves to create depth
and dimension.
Notes
Fig. 1.6(b)
All vegetation is green, but we have to create and use different tones of green
for the maximum effect .There are many techniques of watercolour application
but most common technique are opaque (poster colour) and transparent
(watercolour).
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MODULE - 1 Nature Study with Pencil and Colour
Nature and Object Study
Poster Colour (Opaque Technique)
Poster colour is opaque. They conceal the colour over which they are applied
on. White or light colour is used for tone variations. This technique is easier
to handle because you can apply many coats or colour layers to it and rectify
your mistakes. Since the poster colour is opaque, the colouring should start with
lighter tones.
Notes
Watercolor (Transparent Technique)
There are numerous applications of watercolour techniques, many of which
depend on moisture or lack of it. Add adequate water to the paint to create
a thin, translucent layer of colours. When the second colour is spread over the
first, the impression is clearly visible under it. Therefore after demarcating the
white area, the lighter tone of colours should be used first.
Materials Required for Landscape Painting
A student should have the following materials for landscape painting
1. Drawing board or hardboard
2. Drawing paper
3. Drawing clips or thumb pins
4. Pencil HB
5. Eraser
6. Pencil cutter or sharpener
7. Watercolour tubes or cakes
8. Colour mixing tray
9. Watercolour brush no. 2,4,6,8,10,12
10. A cloth piece
11. A bowl full of water
EXERCISE 3
Landscape in Water Colour
Complete the sketch with pencil and demarcate the white area (light) and keep
in mind to keep the white area unstained.
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Nature Study with Pencil and Colour MODULE - 1
Nature and Object Study
Notes
Fig. 1.7 (landscape)
Apply light tones of colours and slowly apply the second layer of middle tones
on semi-wet surfaces, keeping in mind the light and shade of the landscape.
Fig. 1.7(a)
In the final, stage apply the dark tones to create depth, i.e. more colour and
less water, and then apply the lighter tones in the white area (highlighted part).
Painting 13
MODULE - 1 Nature Study with Pencil and Colour
Nature and Object Study
Notes
Fig. 1.7(b)
WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT
Nature Study
Explain
Line Perspective Colour Space Balance Techniques
Uses of Lines Uses of Colours Maintain
Made Aware Correctly Use Use Proper
Draw and study
Proportionately
and correctly
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
1. Choose a simple potted plant and draw it on a sheet, keeping in mind the
light and shade of the plant.
2. Create a composition of flowers and pencil shade it with the help of 2B,
4B and 6B.
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Nature Study with Pencil and Colour MODULE - 1
Nature and Object Study
3. Draw an imaginary landscape and paint it with poster paint in opaque
technique.
4. Outdoor choose, or select a spot, draw the landscape and colour it with
water colour (transparent technique).
GLOSSARY
Ancient old Notes
Wilderness an area essentially undisturbed by humans
Illusion Something that deceives or misleads visually
Vanishing point a point at which receding parallel lines seem to meet or
merge
Opaque through which light cannot pass
Demarcate define
Tones shade of colour
Painting 15