Thumbnail Sketching
Thumbnail sketching is the first stage in my art process before working on a final painting. It's a typical art practice for many artists in their creation process. It's an essential part in mine, as it determines key aspects of an artwork, like placing subjects, value, and even color. I adapted to sketching thumbnails after a brief season of redoing final paintings. I ended up painting over areas of the artwork because I didn't like how they looked. I would get so eager and would jump to a final piece without testing the painting first with a brief sketch.
So what are thumbnail sketches? They are simple, quick sketches that test composition and value within a frame. They take no longer than 15 minutes to do. They have no details and can be messy. They can be mini-sized (I typically do 2x2 inches. You don't have to do that small, but I wouldn't go larger than 4x6 inches). You don’t want to spend hours on one. Think of them as "thinking sketches" where you can explore what you imagine or what you see on paper. Imagining in your head is different from drawing/painting it onto paper. When you sketch on paper, you can physically see the image and decide if it aligns with the vision you had in mind. You should aim to create at least seven thumbnails and each one should be different. They are a bit time-consuming but are very helpful. At this stage remember to not worry about tiny details. Again, they are just drafts. Mistakes are welcomed at this sketching stage! It's okay if they aren't perfect! No one is going to see them (rarely does any artist show their thumbnail sketches on social media! Haha). Remember to paint loosely with no pressure and have FUN!
This prep time has helped make my painting time go smoother. Having most figured out before coming to my final painting has helped me to focus more effectively on mixing color and working on details and texture in my final painting.
How do I create a Thumbnail Sketch?
To start a thumbnail sketch, all you need is paper, a pencil, and a reference (whether in person or a photo) You can sketch in any medium you wish. The example below shows how I create thumbnails using acrylic paint. I divided the thumbnail design into three steps.
Step 1. Draw the first lines of the box or rectangle, and draw the shape of the final piece in mind, whether that be canvas, paper, board, etc. You can't mess this up! (If you don't know yet, you can always switch the shape and make more thumbnails as you go).
At this step, I also think of composition. There are many ways to arrange your painting within the frame and there are many examples of different compositions to aim for. One commonly known is the rule of thirds. This composition is also used in photography and is the easiest to get started on. It has two lines going vertically and two horizontally, creating a nine-square grid. Paint/draw in this light grid first as a guide. You want to place your subject where the lines intersect. This creates an interesting composition versus having your subject in the dead center.
Step 2. I add my main lines. For the landscape, I like to start with my horizon line (where the sky meets the ground) I then sketch other main lines and shapes. This places where the main subjects are within the frame.
Step 3. Value: values are the darks and light in your painting/drawing. Values define form, bring balance, give dimension, and make an object 3D. If you're just starting, you can focus on only 2-3 values. Here I will show an example with 3: the lightest value is white, the mid-tone is grey, and the darkest is black. Values help in sketching because if you paint outside, the light constantly changes, so having your values established is great for referencing back when the sunlight gets blocked by clouds and you need to finish your painting. The weather is unpredictable!
If you find it difficult to see the values in color, don't worry, there are tools to help. If you are using a photo reference, then you can put a filter over it in black and white. If your reference is in person, you can use an artist tool called a viewfinder; some viewfinders have a red film on the surface, which acts like a black-and-white filter.
Thumbnail sketching is easy and anyone can create one! You won’t always like your thumbnails and that’s okay, because they are just a quick rough drafts. If you would like to see a video on how that supplements this blog, you can watch my recent YouTube video on How to Create a Thumbnail sketch.
Comments
Post a Comment