D02 graduating squirkles

Brenda Hoddinott D-02 BEGINNER: SQUIRKLING

In this lesson you explore squirkle shading in drawings and then render graduated values with squirkles. By varying the density (drawing the lines either far apart or close together) of the lines, you can achieve many different values. Light values tend to have noticeable curved lines with lots of white space showing. In darker values, the lines are drawn more closely together, filling in most of the paper with squirkles.

This lesson is divided into the following two parts:

EXAMINING SQUIRKLE GRADUATIONS IN DRAWINGS: The beauty of squirkling, and its ability to produce an infinite range of values and a variety of textures, is demonstrated in various drawings.

SHADING GRADUATIONS WITH SQUIRKLES: Step-by-step illustrated instructions guide you through the process of rendering graduated squirkles.

Suggested drawing supplies include 2H, HB, 2B, 4B and 6B pencils, vinyl and kneaded erasers, good quality drawing paper, a pencil sharpener, and a sandpaper block.

6 PAGES – 11 ILLUSTRATIONS This lesson is recommended for artists and aspiring artists, of all levels and abilities, with an interest in learning the textured shading technique of graduating squirkles, as well as home

schooling, academic and recreational fine art educators.

Published by Hoddinott Fine Art Publishers, Halifax, NS, Canada - 2007

Copyright to al l art ic les, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the wri t ten permission of Brenda Hoddinott .

E-mai l bhoddinott@hoddinott .com Web si tes http: / /www.f inearteducat ion.com and ht tp: / /www.drawspace.com

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Squirkles refers to a method of shading incorporating randomly drawn curved lines to create textured values and graduated value scales. I chose this name based on the method of morphing squiggles with circles to create shading. Squirkling refers to the technique and the process of adding shading to a drawing with squirkles. Shading (noun) refers to the various values that help make drawings look three-dimensional; (verb) refers to the process of adding shading to a drawing. Curved lines are created when a straight line curves (or bends). Examples of curved lines include the letters C and U. A curved line can become a circular shape when the ends meet as in the letter O. Texture is the surface detail of an object, as defined in a drawing with various shading techniques. The senses of touch and sight help identify the surface texture of drawing subject. Values are the different shades of gray created when you draw by varying both the density of the shading lines, and the pressure used in holding various pencils Form, as applied to drawing, is the illusion of the three-dimensional structure of a shape, created in a drawing with shading and/or perspective. Graduated shading (also known as a graduation or graduated values): is a continuous progression of values from dark to light or from light to dark.

EEXXAAMMIINNIINNGG SSQQUUIIRRKKLLEE GGRRAADDUUAATTIIOONNSS IINN DDRRAAWWIINNGGSS Squirkling is an easy method of shading in which randomly drawn curved lines create textured values. The beauty of squirkles is its ability to produce an infinite range of values and a variety of textures. Densely rendered graduated squirkles appear less heavily textured than loosely drawn graduations.

ILLUSTRATION 01

Graduations with squirkles are incredibly versatile.

When rendered very tiny and close together, they look very smooth, as in this intricate drawing of a tiny section of a portable telephone.

ILLUSTRATION 02

This cartoon drawing of a sheep demonstrates the wonderful wooly, (knobby or bumpy) texture created with loosely rendered squirkles.



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ILLUSTRATION 03 Squirkles work beautifully for rendering foliage and shrubbery in a nature drawing.

Both high and low contrast shading can be rendered with squirkles. Contrast is the comparison of different values when put beside one another. ILLUSTRATION 04 A full range of values from white to black is used in this high contrast drawing a dark haired young lady, named Anne. High contrast is created when very dark values are drawn close to the lightest values.

The texture of the fleece fabric of her jacket looks very realistic when rendered with squirkling.

ILLUSTRATION 05

With the exception of the pupils of the eyes, the graduated values, in this low contrast drawing of a baby (my niece Claire), range between light to medium. Low contrast shading has a limited range of values.

Graduated squirkles work nicely for rendering both the texture of her terrycloth hat, and the delicate texture of her beautiful face.

Specific sections of a drawing subject frequently need customized approaches to graduating values.



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ILLUSTRATION 08

ILLUSTRATION 06 ILLUSTRATION 07 Some sections of a single drawing can have a full range of graduated values from very light (or white) to almost black. Another section of the same drawing may have a graduation from light to middle values only. A graduation in a shadow section can range from a dark middle value to almost black.

Graduations often need to be drawn within a compact space. Examine the graduation (Illustration 07) and Claire’s eye in Illustration 06. The values around the outer edge of her iris are dark, but graduate lighter toward the pupil. The iris is the colored circular section of the eyeball. The pupil is the dark circular shape within the iris.

Conversely, some subjects require values to graduate smoothly over a relatively long distance (Illustration 08) Illustration 06 shows an entire side of Claire’s face, rendered with squirkling graduations that range in value from light to medium.

SSHHAADDIINNGG GGRRAADDUUAATTIIOONNSS WWIITTHH SSQQUUIIRRKKLLEESS Squirkles are simple to draw, easy to control, and can produce a full range of values. In a graduation, squirkle lines are lighter and farther apart for lighter values, and gradually get darker and closer together toward the dark sections.

Pencils play a huge role in the smooth progression of a graduation. In general, a 2H works well for light values, an HB or 2B is great for middle values, and a 4B or 6B is good for dark values. In addition, you draw fewer lines, farther apart for the lighter values, and more lines, closer together for darker values. The amount of pressure you put on your pencil as you draw also affects the resulting value. Press very lightly for a light value and harder for a darker value.



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1) Draw a long rectangular drawing space in your sketchbook. Drawing space (sometimes called a drawing format) refers to the area of a drawing surface within a specific perimeter, outlined by a shape of any size, such as a square or rectangle.

2) On the left side of your drawing space, press very lightly with your 2H pencil to draw the lightest squirkles. The lines curve in different directions all over your paper, with lots of white space showing. Some lines cut across themselves creating lots of different shapes.

Graduations are best rendered by layering darker values over lighter ones. The goal of graduated shading is to keep the transitions between different values flowing smoothly.

3) Make your shading a little darker as you move towards the right until you are close to the middle of the rectangle. Switch to an HB, draw your squirkle lines closer together, and press a little harder on the pencil.

ILLUSTRATION 09

4) Add the middle values. Continue making your shading darker and darker until you get almost to the end of your drawing space. Use HB and 2B pencils. Many more lines, drawn closer together, make up the middle values.

If the transition between your squirkle values doesn’t go as smoothly as you like, you can improve it by adding a few more short curvy lines in between some of the other lines.

ILLUSTRATION 10



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5) Draw the darkest values toward the end of your graduation. Approximately two thirds across your space begin making your lines closer together. Continue pressing a little harder with your pencil until the end of your graduation is very dark. Use 4B and 6B pencils. In the darkest value, most of the paper is filled in with the texture of squirkles; very little of the white paper is still showing.

ILLUSTRATION 11

CCHHAALLLLEENNGGEE Draw the following sets of graduating squirkles:

Another graduation from light to dark

A similar graduation from dark to light

A full range of values that graduate within a very short space; draw one from light to dark and another from dark to light

A long graduation with only light and middle values

A long graduation with a range of values from middle to dark



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BBrreennddaa HHooddddiinnootttt As a self-educated teacher, visual artist, portraitist, forensic artist, and illustrator, Brenda utilizes diverse art media including graphite, technical pen, colored pencil, chalk pastel, charcoal, conté crayon, and oil paints.

My philosophy on teaching art is to focus primarily on the enjoyment aspects while gently introducing the technical and academic. Hence, in creating a passion for the subject matter, the quest for knowledge also becomes enjoyable.

>Brenda Hoddinott<

Biography Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Brenda grew up in the small town of Corner Brook. She developed strong technical competencies with a personal commitment to self directed learning, and the aid of assorted “Learn to Draw” books. During Brenda’s twenty-five year career as a self-educated civilian forensic artist, numerous criminal investigation departments have employed Brenda’s skills, including Royal Canadian Mounted Police and municipal police departments. In 1992, Brenda was honored with a commendation from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and in 1994, she was awarded a Certificate of Membership from “Forensic Artists International”.

Her home-based art career included graphic design, and teaching recreational drawing and painting classes. As supervisor of her community’s recreational art department, Brenda hired and trained teachers, and designed curriculum for several children’s art programs. In 1998, Brenda chose to end her eighteen-year career as an art educator in order to devote more time to writing, drawing, painting, and developing her websites.

Drawspace http://www.drawspace.com incorporates her unique style and innovative approach to curriculum development. This site offers downloadable and printable drawing classes for students of all abilities from the age of eight through adult. Students of all ages, levels and abilities have praised the simple step-by-step instructional approach. This site is respected as a resource for fine art educators, home schooling programs, and educational facilities throughout the world.

Learn-to-draw books Drawing for Dummies: Wiley Publishing, Inc., New, York, NY, this 336 page book is available on various websites and in major bookstores internationally.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Drawing People: Winner of the Alpha-Penguin Book of the Year Award 2004, Alpha - Pearson Education – Macmillan, Indianapolis, IN, this 360 page book is available on various websites and in major bookstores internationally.