Mixed Media: Value & Color

Mixed media drawings can have a fresh, dramatic, or surprising quality. Also, the process of working in mixed media can be very helpful in learning to draw realistically, in its combining study of light and shadow with exploring color in drawing. In this class we will explore this transition from drawing just in black and white to drawing in color, using graphite, charcoal, soft pastel or pastel pencil, and colored pencil.

As we draw from observation of a still life we will be aiming primarily for accuracy toward what we are seeing; through curated processes involving each of these media we will build a sense of connecting value and color that can help develop realistic drawing and painting skills. In this process color can be used to create dramatic effects.

Work in this class can be the basis for further experimentation with combining different media in a drawing. In order to get the most out of the class, students should expect to combine patience and willingness to revise drawings with interest in experimenting with drawing media.

Prerequisite: Having experience taking a beginning drawing class and some familiarity with the practice of drawing light and shade in graphite and charcoal is needed.

SUPPLIES: The following supplies or their equivalent are recommended for this class. If you have questions or concerns about purchasing supplies, please let us know prior to the class start.

Note: Bloomington Fine Art Supply, a local, independent art store located at 207 S. Rogers Street near the corner of 4^th and Rogers Streets, has a copy of this list and is a recommended resource for supplies for this class. Bloomington Fine Art Supply’s website is bfasupply.com, their phone number is 812-369-4013, and their email is bfa.supply@gmail.com.

Required
- Graphite art pencils: 8B, 4B, 2B, HB – brands other than Faber Castell preferred (Faber Castell pencils are of good quality but are relatively harder than other brands)
- Coates Willow Charcoal Medium - willow and vine charcoal are natural, irregularly shaped sticks. Uniformly shaped rectangular or square charcoal sticks are different and will not work for this class. We will discuss this in class.
- Charcoal pencil
- Set of 12 or more colored pencils
- Set of 12 or more soft (or hard, e.g. NuPastel) pastels, or pastel pencils
- 18”x24” Strathmore 400 Series drawing pad, or other drawing pad (not sketch or newsprint)
- Snap blade cutter (if you already have a sharp box cutter or utility knife that will work)
- Kneaded eraser
- Pink eraser 
- Workable fixative 

Optional
- Coates Extra Thick Willow Charcoal Stick
- Mechanical pencil style eraser – Tombow Mono round or rectangular - recommended
- Drawing board with clips and large rubber band approx. 20”x26” (This is useful for drawing on the 18”x24” pad at home. Drawing boards and clips will be available for use in class.)
- Sketchbook - 9”x12” suggested
- Vinyl Erase