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To draw our Cross Contour Apple we will use a range of drawing pencils.
F - H - HB and 4B
We will start with the harder or lighter graphite pencils F and H.
First we measure the proportion height and width
of the Apple. In this case are Apple is roughly one unit wide
by one and a quarter units tall.
We will make this Apple about eight inches wide and 10 inches tall
to fit comfortably on our 18 by 24 inch paper.
This is our rectangular Apple placement on our paper.
It helps if we visualize placing the Apple within an imaginary rectangle.
This helps to locate the correct perspective and planar analysis of the apple.
After drawing this vertical rectangle,
we locate the bottom corners of the Apple and we draw the rest to the plane
proportions using only straight lines.
In doing so, we discovered that the Red Delicious apple
actually has five sides to it. We must correct
and draw these planes in.
We locate the stem area and draw the distinct planar shape
and outer contours of the Apple. The inner contours of the Apple are also
located and drawn in.
Then we draw the cast shadow of the Apple.
We also locate the correct perspective of our tabletop.
Using the light and dark areas to locate the major planar changes in structure,
we begin to draw in the correct shape and curves of the Apple.
We must correctly wire-frame our drawing using the planar analysis of the
previous drawing and read the Apple.
Thus, mapping out the Apple.
Finally, using only the tip of the pencil, we begin a careful cross-hatching
or shading of the Apple adhering to strict cross-contour wire-frame we have established.
Using a light graphite pencil, H or HB, we slowly crosshatch our drawing
going from light to dark.
We must draw our lines going in only the two directions of the wire-frame.
This structural volumetric way of drawing
creates a dramatic three-dimensional rendering of the Apple.
Step-by-step, we proceed towards our finished result.
Finally, using a softer, darker graphite pencil B to 2B to 4B,
we finish our drawing being careful to leave the lighter highlights
intact or erasing them. Our darker graphite pencil drawing is only used
for the darkest core shadow
or cast shadow areas. We must not use these softer pencils in the lighter areas
of our drawing.
And here we have our finished cross contour Apple exercise with tabletop shadow.
Here are examples of finished student still life drawings demonstrating the
Cross Contour process.