Sketch

Author: Gao Jinlong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Sketching accounts for asmall proportion in the additional exams for art majors in current universities. Most standardized art exams do not test sketching, and in some art academies, sketching remains a part of the drawing exam. As sketching in art major exams gradually decreases, many candidates are also abandoning practice in sketching. However, with the continuous expansion of enrollment in art academies, if an exam includes a sketching section and candidates rush to take it without prior training, they are often held back by their sketching performance. In past sketching exams, most schools tended to assess and evaluate slow sketching, with a time limit of about half an hour. Some required drawing one or two sketches, while others demanded more in quantity. Regardless of the requirements, the purpose of a sketching exam is to test candidates' ability to accurately shape the basic proportions and structural features of a subject in a relatively short time. Even in dynamic sketching, a certain level of accuracy and liveliness is required. It is not difficult to understand that sketching refers to relatively slower drawing compared to slow sketching, not completing the portrayal of forms at thefastest speed. In normal training, it is also a gradual process from slow to fast. Some beginners do not fully grasp the meaning of sketching and, during their initial learning phase, use rapid description as a training method. As a result, their sketches become so illegible that they lose confidence in their practice, making it impossible to master the fundamentals of sketching. This is essentially entering a in learning sketching.
Generally, sketching training is based on slow sketching. A more complete sketch is usually best completed within 30 to 40 minutes. When starting to sketch, one should first use the shaping method of drawing to determine the basic form of the subject, and then proceed with detailed rendering. In the actual rendering process, it is not necessary to pursue the aesthetic appeal of lines at the beginning but rather to ensure the accurate proportions of the form. Even if straight lines are used to shape the image, as long as the proportions and structure are accurate, it can still be considered a good sketch. With frequent practice, sketching skills improve, and appreciation also rises. At this point, it is perfectly normal to pursue the expressiveness of sketching. Gradually, within a shorter time, one may also complete a lively character sketch—all of which follows the principles of learning sketching. Therefore, it must be emphasized again that sketching practice must start with slow sketching. After becoming proficient, some time can be gradually compressed, but speed must be increased only on the condition of maintaining a certain level of quality. Otherwise, it deviates from the essence of sketching training.