Article: Try to see which tones in your drawing match the tones on the scale. Important - use your scale, not the one here! If you think your drawing lacks something, probably the only tones you can match are in the middle range, say 4 to 6. So what does this tell you? To give your drawing dynamism, you must be able to see the dark tones - whether it's 8, 9 or 10 on your tonal scale, it needs to have, somewhere, the darkest, strongest tone you can make. It often only needs to be a small area that has this darkest tone, but it makes all the difference to the result. 1, the darkest, No 10 (or whatever it is on your scale), and one or two in the middle range - say 4 and 6. Don't be too worried about the middle ranges, they usually look after themselves -it's the lightest and darkest which seem to cause problems, and that's the purpose of this exercise - to make you aware of them. Although it's vital, somehow it doesn't cause a anything like the anxiety to beginners that the dark tones do! "I'm scared!" is a common cryWell, it's a sheet of paper - you won't kill anyone or drown or cause an accident - so just do it!
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Find some drawings you've done, and compare them to the scale. Equally important is Tone Number 1, pure white - this, and the darkest tone, give you the complete tonal range to use in your drawings. Important - You don't need all these tones - 1 to 10 - in a drawing, but you do need the lightest, No. Look at pure white tone No 1 for a minute. Beginners often make a superb tonal scale, but somehow are afraid to re-create that darkest tone on their actual drawings. Good quality pencils and paper will definitely help - the next article will show you the pencil grades, and how to get the most from them. Happy drawing!