Uploaded March 2015 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Significance: It is important to control the marker to achieve the desired gradient effects and to indicate shaded areas of a sketch.
Intent: To become familiar with handling markers. To apply an even and smooth gradient in light gray marker. To apply masking in order to make clean outlines. To use unidirectional arm motion when shading. Process: 1. Use the handout template. 2. Lightly trace blocks of areas to shade. 3. Work on 14 x 17 marker paper with 10%-40% gray markers. 4. Use a set of either warm or cool grays but do not mix the two sets together. 5. Use masking as necessary: straight edges, tape, post-its, or paper. 6. Apply a smooth, even gradient from 10%-40%. Experiment working from dark to light or from light to dark. Use one marker at a time. 7. Make the gradient in the appropriate direction for each area. 8. Move your arm evenly, rhythmically, perpendicular to the gradient direction, while shading. 9. Do not cross hatch, swirl or feather the marker. 10. Work over the masking: do not stop where the masking end. 11. Draw a thin dark border with black marker or pen around the gradient areas. 12. Add a border around your sheet. 13. Draw a title block and letter your first and last name, the assignment number, the assignment title (short title if necessary), date.
Additional notes: 1. For lighter values, use colorless blender first. 2. Do not use blender for darkest area. 3. You can get the next step in a series of values by applying a second coat of the same value after drying. For example, two layers of 30% gray will result in 40% gray. 4. Use lighter value marker to blend the boundary between that value and a darker value. 5. For additional marker tips see p. 49 of Mike Lin's book Drawing and Designing with Confidence.
Significance: It is important to control the marker to achieve the desired gradient effects and to indicate shaded areas of a sketch.
Intent: To become familiar with handling markers. To apply an even and smooth gradient in light gray marker. To apply masking in order to make clean outlines. To use unidirectional arm motion when shading. Process: 1. Use the handout template. 2. Lightly trace blocks of areas to shade. 3. Work on 14 x 17 marker paper with 10%-40% gray markers. 4. Use a set of either warm or cool grays but do not mix the two sets together. 5. Use masking as necessary: straight edges, tape, post-its, or paper. 6. Apply a smooth, even gradient from 10%-40%. Experiment working from dark to light or from light to dark. Use one marker at a time. 7. Make the gradient in the appropriate direction for each area. 8. Move your arm evenly, rhythmically, perpendicular to the gradient direction, while shading. 9. Do not cross hatch, swirl or feather the marker. 10. Work over the masking: do not stop where the masking end. 11. Draw a thin dark border with black marker or pen around the gradient areas. 12. Add a border around your sheet. 13. Draw a title block and letter your first and last name, the assignment number, the assignment title (short title if necessary), date.
Additional notes: 1. For lighter values, use colorless blender first. 2. Do not use blender for darkest area. 3. You can get the next step in a series of values by applying a second coat of the same value after drying. For example, two layers of 30% gray will result in 40% gray. 4. Use lighter value marker to blend the boundary between that value and a darker value. 5. For additional marker tips see p. 49 of Mike Lin's book Drawing and Designing with Confidence.
