Monochrome pencil drawing - stones
This tutorial shows you how to quickly and easily create a monochrome pencil drawing. Stones come in all shapes and sizes, making them a very simple motif. Furthermore, drawing stones is very good practice for better understanding light and shadows on objects. This image is not only suitable for catching the eye in your own four walls, but it also looks wonderful on a gift card or greeting card.
An article by Richy
- Direct to:
- Tutorial video
- Material overview
What you need
| Product | Article no. | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| STAEDTLER® 5427 Eraser - Single product, size: 40 x 40 x 11 mm | 5427 | 1 |
| STAEDTLER® 5426 Blending stump - Blistercard containing 4 blending stumps, size: 1, 4, 6, 8 | 5426-S BK4 | 1 |
Additionally required:
- Drawing paper: e.g. HAHNEMÜHLE sketch pad “Nostalgia” DIN A4 (light ivory colour) or HAHNEMÜHLE sketch pad sketch 190, A4 (pure white colour)
- Smooth underlay (if the table is a little rough and no block is used)
Print out the template of the stone stack and shade the back completely with a soft pencil (STAEDTLER Mars Lumograph, 4B).
Now you can place the stencil (with the motif facing upwards) exactly on the actual drawing paper and, if necessary, fix it to the tabletop with a small strip of adhesive tape. This ensures that the stencil does not slip. Now trace the outlines with a sharpened pencil. This transfers the motif to the paper. Then unfold the stencil upwards and make sure that all lines have been transferred before you remove it.
Note: Stones come in a wide range of sizes, shapes and surface textures. You can't make any “mistakes” in the shape and proportions here – because anything is possible! So you can create your very own stack of stones without a template and get creative. Simply combine flatter and more rounded stones and stack them together in a drawing.
You can go over the traced edges lightly again with the HB pencil. Then shade the stones with the 4B pencil over the entire area. Place the pencil on the paper at a rather flat angle and make irregular, circular movements. This creates an even but grainy texture.
Note: Some stones may be darker, some may be lighter. You can add some variety by pressing down less or more firmly or by using different pencil thicknesses when crosshatching.
Create a three-dimensional effect by adding shadows to each stone at the bottom. In simple terms, stones are actually balls (flat stones are crushed balls), which means that the lower half is no longer so well lit. Perform the same hatching technique as in Step 3, but press a little harder and try to create a smooth transition.
Now, the lower edge of the stones is emphasised a little more by pressing down relatively hard with a soft pencil (4B or softer). Try to draw a nice sharp outer edge. If you hatched slightly beyond the edges, you can simply carefully rub away the “excess”.
Optional: This example shows stones with a rather rough surface. If you want it to appear a little smoother or “wet”, you can now smudge the hatching with the paper wiper. Just try it out and see what effect it has.
Unlike the shaded lower sides of the stones, all the upper curves face the light. Where the light hits the stones directly from above, you can now use the kneadable eraser to brighten up these areas again, simply by dabbing them. The kneadable eraser is great for gently rubbing out, so you can achieve smooth transitions to the lower darker areas.
Last but not least, each stone also casts a shadow on the top of the stone below. Draw a relatively narrow shadow strip, depending on how far the upper stone protrudes.
Optional: If you like, you can indicate a line on the ground and draw a slight shadow or perhaps even a little grass, let your creativity run wild!
