STUDY OF A

(using the drawing techniques

of Leonardo da Vinci)

Brenda Hoddinott

Z13 ADVANCED: DRAWING ON THE MASTERS

In this project, you first sketch and outline a rosebud with contour lines that vary in weight, and
then add shading with hatching. This drawing (and the flower in Lesson Z10) is based on a
sketch by Leonardo da Vinci.
The curriculum is divided into the following four sections:
Review of drawing lines of different weights (Based on Lesson Z10)
Sketching proportions: You begin as Leonardo did, with a lightly rendered proportional
sketch of the outlines of a rosebud.
Outlining with lines of different weights: You use various types of lines and different
grades of pencils to create a contour drawing.
Adding shading with hatching lines of various weights: Your goal is to duplicate
Leonardos hatching technique, which is comprised of straight lines drawn at an angle of
around 45 degrees.
Suggested drawing supplies include good quality white drawing paper, various grades of
pencils, kneaded and vinyl erasers, and a pencil sharpener.

This project is recommended for artists with good drawing skills, as well as students of
home schooling, academic, and recreational fine-art educators.

6 PAGES 21 ILLUSTRATIONS

Published by Drawspace.com, Halifax, NS, Canada November, 2010

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REVIEW OF DRAWING LINES OF DIFFERENT WEIGHTS

The weight of a line can be especially helpful when you want to create the illusion that
something is either close or far away. As an extra perk, creating an outline with lines of various
weights makes the drawing much more attention-grabbing.
I use the term weight to describe the value and width of lines. For example, a dark thick line is
considered heavy, and can create the illusion that sections of a drawing are close to the viewer.
In contrast, a light thin line seems to make sections of a drawing recede into distant space.
The amount of pressure used on a
pencil when drawing a line, affects
its weight. For instance, if you
press lightly, the line is light in
weight. On the other hand, if you
apply a heavy pressure to the
same pencil, the line becomes
heavier in weight.
Figure 1301 demonstrates light
lines created by applying only the
weight of an HB pencil to the
surface of the paper. (Hopefully,
you can see my lines!)
Much darker lines are created by
pressing firmly with an HB pencil to
increase the weight as you draw
(Figure 1302).
In Figures 1303 and 1304, I show
you similar light and heavy lines
created with a 4B pencil. As you
can see, both lines are darker
because the graphite is darker.
Hence, you can also use different
grades of pencils to adjust the
weights of lines. Obviously, a 2H
pencil can create a lighter weight
line than a 6B. On the other side of
the coin, a 6B can make much
heavier lines than a 2H.
Figures 1305 shows lines made
with a variety of different grades of
pencils by applying a similar
pressure.
Use a variety of grades of
pencils to practice drawing lines
with different weights.

Figure 1301:
Light lines
created by
drawing with
only the weight
of an HB pencil
(no pressure).

Figure 1302:
Dark lines
rendered by
pressing firmly
with an HB
pencil.

Figure 1303:
Light lines
drawn with only
the weight of a
4B pencil.
Figure 1304:
By pressing
firmly with an
HB pencil,
heavy lines are
created.

Figure 1305:
Various light
and heavy lines
can be created
by simply using
different grades
of pencils.

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written
permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com

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SKETCHING PROPORTIONS
In this section, you begin as Leonardo did, with a lightly rendered proportional sketch of the
outlines of the rosebud.

1.

Use feathered lines and an HB pencil to sketch a circular shape that is tilted to the left (Figure
1306).

2.

Add a smaller circular shape below that overlaps the first (Figure 1307).

3.

Sketch a curved line on the upper right of the large shape (Figure 1308).

4.

Add another slightly curved line that cuts through the large shape (Figure 1309).
Figure 1306

5.

Figure 1307

Figure 1308

Figure 1309

Sketch a large petal on the left (Figure 1310).

Figure 1310

6.

Add three leaves growing from the lower section

of the large circular shape (Figure 1311).

7.

Sketch the stem below the rosebud.

8.

Lighten your sketch lines with a kneaded eraser.

Figure 1311

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written
permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com

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OUTLINING WITH LINES OF DIFFERENT WEIGHTS

In this section, you use lines of various weights to outline the rosebud.

9.

Refer to Figures 1312 to 1318 to neatly outline the rosebud with lines that vary in value and
thickness.
Use HB, 2B, and 4B pencils. When you need a thin line, simply sharpen your pencil. Thicker lines are
added when the point of the pencil is slightly worn down. Use a 2B or 4B in sections needing bolder,
darker accents.
Figure 1312

Figure 1313

Figure 1314

Figure 1315

Figure 1316

Figure 1318

Figure 1317

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written
permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com

-5-

Figure 1319

ADDING SHADING WITH HATCHING

LINES OF VARIOUS WEIGHTS
Leonardo is considered a master of hatching.
Much of his shading is made up of straight lines
drawn at an angle of around 45 degrees.
Figure 1320

10. Use a 2H (or HB)

pencil to add light
values with hatching.
Refer to Figure 1319. If you
are right handed, you may
prefer to turn your drawing
sideways as you work.
11. Add medium values with an
HB (or 2B) pencil by adding
more hatching lines in
between others.
Figure 1321

Refer to figure
1320. Take note
that some hatching
lines are thick and
others are thin.
12. Use a 2B or 4B pencil to add dark
hatching lines to create dark
values.
Touch up any sections that are too
light or too dark.

CHALLENGE
Find a simple living rosebud, or a photo of a
rosebud. Render a sketch incorporating
Leonardos drawing styles and techniques and
using the same process used in this project.
Remember to vary the weights of the lines in both the
outlines and the hatching.

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written
permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com

-6-

BRENDA HODDINOTT
Self-educated author, art educator, award-winning artist, and forensic artist
(retired)
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.
Born in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Brenda grew up in the small town of Corner Brook. She
developed strong drawing and painting skills through self-directed learning.
During her twenty-five year career as a self-educated, civilian forensic artist, various criminal
investigation departments employed Brendas skills, including the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police. 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. In 2002, Brenda retired as a forensic artist to devote more time to creating art,
building her business, and writing books.
In the style of illustrative realism, she paints in oils and acrylics on canvas and linen, and
creates drawings in graphite, technical pen, colored pencil, chalk pastel, charcoal, and cont.
Currently, Brenda is a curriculum designer and owner of Drawspace.com; a highly respected
fine-art resource for art educators, home schooling programs, and educational facilities
throughout the world. She is also the manager and owner of Drawspace Publishing (a
Canadian publishing company for art-related books). In addition, she is the author and illustrator
of Drawing for Dummies, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Drawing People Illustrated, Drawspace
Guide to Getting Started with Drawing, and Drawspace Illustrated Dictionary of Drawing Words
and Terms. She is currently writing and illustrating her fifth book.

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written
permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com