Admin Post: Drawing Challenge #34 - Toned Paper

[goss]

This month's drawing challenge is all about materials and technique, so the subject matter itself is completely open. Many thanks to mekare for sharing this prompt at our Prompts and Ideas post. :)

Challenge #34 - Toned Paper

Create a drawing on Toned Paper, using black and white only.

Your drawing's background should be mid-tone (any colour), and try limiting the colour palette to only black and white. Explore creating a variety of values with black and white pigments, using pencils, ink, paint, etc. This challenge can also be done digitally by adding a tint to the background before drawing.

What is 'Toned Paper'?
Toned paper is any paper used for drawing that is tinted. Toned paper, or Mid-Tone paper comes in a variety of greys, browns and other shades of colour (blues, greens, etc.). As an alternative to sketchpad paper, you can use brown packing paper, coloured craft paper, or any type of paper that's not purely white.



Youtube Tutorials:
Here's an interesting collection of Toned Paper Drawing Tutorials, using both Digital and Traditional media.

Other Related Links:
- How to Make Toned Paper (using charcoal)
- Making Hand-Toned Paper
- 5 Tips for Drawing on Toned Paper (NSFW: nude drawings)
- Shake Up Your Watercolors with Toned Paper
- Toned Paper and Painting
- Kevin Keele's Toned Paper Illustrations
- Abstract design on toned gray sketch paper

A round-up post for submissions to this challenge will be done on the last day of the month: Wednesday 31st March, 2021.

Happy Drawing, everyone! :)

Comments

[mekare]

OMG my brain just did a turn. I read Toned Paper and Painting and finally figured out something that has been bothering me for some time.

Similarly, often pictures look better in the drawing phase, and weaker by the addition of color (which simultaneously introduces value). Because, though drawing is the foundation of painting, good drawing skills do not automatically grant painting skills, as what typifies painting is value control and organization.

I knew lighting wasn’t my strong point, but I think the problem might actually be the midtones and their relation to the lights and darks. I am so excited to try this challenge and develop new skills (hopefully). Actually that entire article was super helpful, especially all the example paintings and drawings.

[goss]

Glad to know you found the article useful! :)

*nods* One thing that helped me was to use just a single colour watercolour to try to paint 3D objects. A monochromatic colour scheme sort of forces you to focus on re-creating varying levels of value to make them pop out of their surroundings, otherwise the entire thing just end up looking like a flat fill.

I'm also looking forward to working with a mid-tone background for this challenge, since my normal shading/watercolour technique (on white paper) usually involves only building up dark tones, not the light ones.

[mekare]

my normal shading/watercolour technique (on white paper) usually involves only building up dark tones, not the light ones.

Yes. I also liked how one article said that it makes you see light differently as a watercolourist because in this technique light is a choice that can be created and not an absence/a gap. I also never would have thought to try this with watercolours (my mind went immediately to pastels) but now I definitely will!

[yhlee]

Oh, this sounds so fun! I hope I am able to do this one (if only digitally - I don't think I have any toned papers at home right now).

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Hullo. I am not an artist but this prompt gave me an idea for a fill for another prompt, specifically the comment that you could use brown packing paper. Here it is (in the Sherlock Holmes fandom, I put some dancing men code on brown paper): https://holmes-minor.dreamwidth.org/187532.html. I have enjoyed watching the comm posts.

[goss]

Hee. Cute! :D

I'm so glad you're enjoying the comm, and absolutely delighted that you got inspiration from our prompt post. :)

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thanks!

Yes, lovely to see how talented folks are.