When teaching art, I often encourage students to use what I call "ghost lines." These are light, soft lines that allow for exploration and adjustment before fully committing to the final form. It helps ease the process of drawing and allows flexibility in shaping the subject. My approach emphasizes being economical with strokes, ensuring that each line carries meaning and intention. This method is a hallmark of the academic style of drawing, where precision and careful thought are prioritized.
However, I always remind students that this is just one way to approach art. There are many other styles and techniques, each with its own unique strengths. For instance, some artists use multiple lines and layers to gradually build up their final image.
A great example of this is artist Cody James who creates intricate doodles with a ballpoint pen. Instead of aiming for perfect strokes from the outset, they allow the drawing to emerge through repeated lines and a more intuitive process. This shows that while a structured, economical approach can be effective, there is also beauty and value in more freeform, exploratory methods. Let me share a sample of this artist's work so you can see how different techniques can lead to captivating results. Click here.
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