Drawing Together Episode 36: Freeze Flame
this episode is Part of the Drawing Together live video series – learn more here
I’m burning to get started on this image! For this episode, we’ll tackle drawing the flames of a bonfire. To help manage the values, I’ll attempt this using toned paper.
Follow along using this reference image: https://bit.ly/2YpStyV
We want to see your drawings! Share your finished pieces and any tips with us below.
Today, I’m working with:
- Toned Drawing Paper
- Charcoal (vine, compressed, and charcoal pencils)
- Kneaded and Rubber Erasers
- White Charcoal
In this session, we’ll cover:
- Drawing fire
- Realistic drawing techniques
- Drawing light
- Capturing details
I love this! Thank you for sharing!
Yes! Thank you for posting this, Karen. It looks great!
Here’s a blast from the past! I can’t believe I’ve been wanting to draw this bonfire for nearly a year!
This was fun! I thought I would put color in it…I like it better without?
I used green tones charcoal paper, thinking it would help get enough depth for the night scene, but then my flames weren’t bright enough, so I guess that backfired. Lol. The branches were tough at the bottom. I really enjoyed working on the flames though! Great lesson though, as always!
This is beautiful!
I like your interpretation
I had to drop off during the live, but was able to get back to it the next day on the recording. It took forever (and a lot of charcoal dust) to get this as dark as I wanted. Toned Strathmore paper and assorted charcoal. I couldn’t get the charcoal to stick to the paper – I feel like you could blow the drawing off of the paper with a good sneeze ?.
Bonfire. I didn’t have toned paper so used a white sketch paper. Looks kind of flat to me but a good exercise as are all the drawing classes. Thanks for doing this!!
Hi Scott..so happy to have found your class! I joined in a couple weeks ago but this is my first time sharing. I have never worked in charcoal (too messy!!) but I am learning a lot from the experience. Thanks for sharing your amazing talent with us!
Hi Scott thanks for the wonderful class. I just have graphite pencils and white student’s Sketch book. But I did it.
Excellent! Wonderful value control. You captured the energy very well!
Wonderful work, Jaci! I’m so glad you added the color here. It works beautifully on the toned paper.
I love this, Irene! Great job! This was definitely a tough one and one for which I’m glad I had a chance to practice in advance. You captured the fire beautifully!
Scott, you make it look so easy. This is my attempt which is not the finest thing I’ve ever done. Looking forward to the Peony. Thanks for another great lesson
This was fun. I love toned and black paper…but, for some reason, I just couldn’t get…satisfied with it. I’m not sure why. I think part of it for me was using the white…it was too stark. So…something took hold of me and said…”get out something…something else…maybe two pastels…” and I did..yellow and orange and I do think I like it better.
I didn’t have my toned paper sketchbook, so I used a white one. I actually drew it as you taught it, and I didn’t go back and add anymore contrasts-which I would if I had more time. Thanks!