AuthorTopic: proper way to hold a pencil while drawing..  (Read 16421 times)

Offline Froli

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proper way to hold a pencil while drawing..

on: September 24, 2006, 12:33:13 am
I've read about 3 ways like the underhand, overhand and modified writing, but i like to know how do you execute this properly, do you just use your arms for directing each pencil strokes? fingers not moving and letting the wrists do the work? or combinations for effective result etc.. Please enlighten me because I'm sure some of the old timers here do traditional drawing.

Thanks in advance.

Offline AlexHW

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Re: proper way to hold a pencil while drawing..

Reply #1 on: September 24, 2006, 12:52:27 am
whatever works for you..
if you don't have anything that works, try different ways.
if you want some hard lines, hold the pencil near the tip, if you want some lighter lines hold near the end of the pencil.
if you want thicker lines, try holding the pencil on an angle so the lead scrapes near its side.
altering the pressure can help, and being able to use both your fingers and arm can be good. mix it up a bit and experiment and see what works.
could also try different types of pencils.

Offline ndchristie

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Re: proper way to hold a pencil while drawing..

Reply #2 on: September 24, 2006, 12:56:45 am
anyone concerned with proper pencil holding would avoid me like the plague; i have a quadrupedal grip (as opposed to the normal tripedal)

but yeah, do what works for you.  arm motions will be looser, finger motions tighter.  the wrist is great for quick curves, the arm necessary for larger.  i sketch standing, refine seated (though when painting i simply never sit unless working with aquarelle). 

oh, and clenching your lower arm muscles can get and interesting jitter effect
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Offline Faktablad

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Re: proper way to hold a pencil while drawing..

Reply #3 on: September 24, 2006, 01:51:19 am
anyone concerned with proper pencil holding would avoid me like the plague; i have a quadrupedal grip (as opposed to the normal tripedal)
Mine's almost quintipedal.  It's horrendous.  I hold the pencil near the end with four fingers (my thumb, index, middle and pinky) and then sort of rest my ring finger on the other two fingers next to it.  I get a lot of control, however it's easy to press down too hard (combined with the fact that I play piano, so have a lot of strength in my lower arm) and I have a lot of problems with smudging.

Offline ptoing

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Re: proper way to hold a pencil while drawing..

Reply #4 on: September 24, 2006, 01:56:13 am
I hold my pens with 4 fingers as well :B Child grip. Whatever is comfortable.
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Offline Sohashu

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Re: proper way to hold a pencil while drawing..

Reply #5 on: September 24, 2006, 06:19:15 am
IM quadraple due to the fact that I draw small and I need a lot of fine control.  But yeah, what works for you. 
Back from hiatus, just remembered how excellent this community is at forming technique in a fledgeling artist of any kind.

Offline Froli

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Re: proper way to hold a pencil while drawing..

Reply #6 on: September 24, 2006, 08:02:17 am
Thanks for the replies, I'll keep this tips in mind.. since I'm trying to restart everything back to basics  :y:

Offline Helm

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Re: proper way to hold a pencil while drawing..

Reply #7 on: September 24, 2006, 08:06:49 am
hum, strange, I hold my pen or pencil with index and thumb, and provide fine control with middle finger, like an evolved mammal  :P

Offline Panda

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Re: proper way to hold a pencil while drawing..

Reply #8 on: September 24, 2006, 08:09:35 am
I hold mine with thumb + index and use my middle finger for support, moving it depending on when I want to do hard strokes or not :X

Offline Godslayer

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Re: proper way to hold a pencil while drawing..

Reply #9 on: September 24, 2006, 01:06:01 pm
hum, strange, I hold my pen or pencil with index and thumb, and provide fine control with middle finger, like an evolved mammal  :P

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