Craig Elliott Gallery

This isn't a post about how to walk down stairs, don't worry!  By stairstepping, I mean a way to see subforms on any shape.  This way of seeing forms is based of the simple shape of stairs, and when taken to a more sophisticated level resembles the ridges and steps in a shale rock face.  One of the artists who most clearly uses this idea is the american illustrator Dean Cornwell. His drawings show this very clearly, and he uses this in his paintings as well, but blends the simple geometry more to create a more finished realistic look.

The basic concept is to imagine a tubular or other basic solid and then carve steps into it that will be in shadow. This technique is great for all sorts of subjects such as trees, rock, buildings and the shapes on an animal or human.

Below are some of the basic steps of this technique as applied to a human figure:

Figures drawn, and basic outline of steps drawn in line

Steps filled in with shadow valueThe shadow areas are blended where the edges are softHighlights and smaller details are added

One way to simplify the process and not become overwhelmed by all the parts of what you are trying to draw is to do something I call "Sculpting" the form.  So named because it is the same proceedure that you would use if you were sculpting something out of clay. Starting with the most simple masses you can see in what you are drawing you gradually, step by step, add more masses from large all the way down to small.  

I have seen the students of Howard Pyle, the father of American illustration, use this technique very often and believe he must have taught something similar in his classes.  N.C. Wyeth, Harvey Dunn and their students use this all the time.  In addition to this being a drawing proceedure, it is also a way to indicate things further in the distance.  The earlier in the process (largest forms and least detail) the drawing is the further away it will appear.  

I have chosen a head from a Dean Cornwell painting to illustrate this idea:

1. The left sketch shows the first stage with very large masses, basically an egg of clay with a shelf on it for the eye area.  this would be a good stage to stop at for distant figures and crowds.  Only 2 values are used here.

2. The next sketch shows the addition of the nose, mouth and cheek subforms.  There is also 1 slightly darker value introduced.  The best use of this stage of figure is any mid-ground figure of medium importance. 

3. Here the same values as the last drawing are used, but smaller forms like the eyes and lip subforms as well as details around the neck are added. Local values (such as the lips, pupils of the eyes and eyebrows) are added to some degree as well. This stage would work well for foreground figures that are not the main focus of the piece. 

4. This is the final stage used for close up or focal point figures in paintings, with the final addition of a accent dark and light highlight value.

Dean Cornwell head study by Craig Elliott

Here is another recent piece from my studio-  all Prismacolor and Faber Castell on paper. about 11" x 17" Enjoy! 

I have a piece in the "Power in Numbers" show this weekend opening Saturday Dec. 12th. All the Pieces are $100 and go FAST!  Come by and say hi, and buy some art from the show!  
 

Power In Numbers (PIN) combines a love of art with philanthropy for our biggest event of the year!

Our 4th Annual Power in Numbers (PIN4) event aims to be more epic than ever as we invite artists and illustrators from all backgrounds, industries and aesthetics to take part in creating art for a cause. Having been consistently well received in the past, the PIN exhibit features over 100 international and local artists creating 5" X 7", 2-dimentional, original artwork in the desired medium and theme of their choosing. 

Each artwork piece will be priced at $100.00 and a selection of artworks will be auctioned.  A portion of the night’s sales will benefit the American Red Cross (San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter) on emergency response efforts. 

Graphic Collectables is selling 3 original paintings of mine (until they're gone of course!)  The three pieces are all done in different media- Watercolor, pastel and a combination of watercolor and pencil.   Swing by and check them out or pick up a few!