Line First

[Ronald Morgan]

I agree with you completely! For the first 2~3 years of my drawing and painting lessons, I was taught to copy from photographs exactly. And I did it exceedingly well, but it took so much time and effort. And yes, my personality/air failed to show through any of those works.

Now, I have a new art teacher who teaches me exactly what you have just said. Well actually he puts the order of importance like this: point > line > plane. So getting the right, precise point is more important than line, which is more important than plane (sorry if plane is not the right word... what I mean is like, the shaded bits). And his way (also yours) IS a lot faster.

Thanks for sharing this with us all! And I love Paul Kalle's works.

[Lon Haverly]

Points would only apply to construct lines, not lines which are part of a mass. Point to point sounds like he connects the dots. That is a weak way to draw. The dot needs to be in your head, not on the paper. The line needs to happen spontaneously. It comes with practice.

[Steven Sweeney]

In pencil and charcoal, I've been forever grateful for discovering the dark accent and the powerful effect such a small effort has on the overall piece.

I find the black sliver of shadow on the cheek, under the middle finger, to be an anchor in this piece as strong as the eyes. I find that value shape to be the most important--actually, perhaps the only "value shape"--in the drawing.

[Allan Rahbek]

Originally Posted by Lon Haverly

Point to point sounds like he connects the dots. That is a weak way to draw.

Lon,
Eva could be referring to "placement". It would make sense to emphasize precise drawing over line and plane, i think.