How to draw a reed: a step-by-step pencil drawing technique

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Usually reeds are called cattails - a herbal plant with a brown cob at the end. In fact, reeds belong to the sedge family. It is a tall plant with a trihedral thick stem. It has an inflorescence in the form of an umbrella or a panicle.

The ability to see and convey accurate forms is the key to the success of any draftsman.

The photo shows the inflorescence of this plant.

How to draw reeds with a pencil step by step

It is best to draw plants in nature, in their real habitat.

In order to correctly depict the shape of an object, one must draw from life, this process is called artistic knowledge of the real world.

Goals of artistic knowledge:

• development of visual perception;
• mastering composition skills;
• development of spatial thinking;
• reinforcing cognitive skills in graphic lines (in the figure).

Preparing for class

In order for the drawing to turn out, it is better to draw in natural light.

If notthe ability to draw in the natural habitat of a plant, you need to prepare several branches of cut reeds, arranging them in the most natural way and according to growing conditions.

Required:

1. A4 paper for drawing or sketching;
2. flatbed with paper clip;
3. graphite pencil TM or HB;
4. white eraser;
5. pencil sharpener.

Subtleties of drawing technique, or How to draw a reed

As soon as the materials for drawing are prepared, the paper is fixed on the tablet, you need to start analyzing the selected nature.

Reeds, like any other plant object, is a single whole, harmonious and created by nature according to its own laws. It has a trunk, leaves, an inflorescence in the form of a panicle.

Take a closer look at the plant:

• The trunk expands towards the base, looks like straw at the top.
• Leaves are long, pointed at the top and wide at the bottom, growing upwards, usually bending at the end due to length.
• The inflorescence is fluffy, consists of spikelets.

In the photo, compare the plant in nature and the one that is drawn, the stylization of some elements is noticeable: leaves, flowers.

Drawing and its arrangement on paper

First you need to think about how many plants you want to draw. If one, then determine the place on paper.

It is important to determine exactly how the picture will be located, it will be large (that is,approximate plant) or not.

Do not forget that the drawing of the reed should fit on a sheet of paper so that there is "air" around it - free places from the drawing along the edges of the paper.

Where to start

Before drawing a reed, first a linear drawing is made, and then a tonal drawing - with hatching:

• To do this, the linear images of leaves, flowers, trunks are conditionally divided into the illuminated and unlit part (into two parts).
• Shading the shadow part, giving volume to the picture.
• Usually begin to draw, as if growing a plant, that is, from the bottom up.
• Carefully convey the size of the inflorescence and leaves, keep the proportions.

First of all, draw the stem of the reed, drawing two parallel lines from bottom to top, trying to repeat the real plant. At the tip of the stem we designate an inflorescence in the form of a panicle.

Then draw the leaves. Use ready-made sketches of reed leaves, these blanks can be used to obtain the desired proportions.

Pay attention to dried leaves or flowers, they curl and thin, try to display this. Then the drawing will look more natural.

It is quite possible, if you turn on the fantasy, to depict a pond around the plant, and other grassy coastal grasses nearby.

In the photo below - a drawing of reeds (left) and cattail (right)

Look at the result of the work. If something does not suit you, add strokes orfix the drawing. Achieve the accuracy of the image of the form. You can turn the drawing upside down and look at it, then it is easier to notice inaccuracies and correct them.

Fix inaccurate lines with an eraser, work with a pointed end so as not to smudge the graphite or rub the paper.