Pencils - The Spirit of Matter - Orbach and Galkin, 1997
- nonaorbach
- Feb 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 18
Medium Characteristics
A pencil is a simple linear medium. The graphite lead (indicated by a number marked on the pencil) and the pressure used when drawing determine its shade and density. "H-series" are hard pencils designed primarily for sketching; "B series" are darker and softer for drawing.
Therapeutic and Spiritual Significance
The "H series" hard pencils create an unobtrusive line, which relates naturally to sketching realistically, to content, to an image, and to drawing based on inner or outer observation. Pencils call for theoretical conceptual work, preparation of designs and sketches towards the "real thing". It is an intimate mediator utilized for organizing internal visual images as preparation for painting. People tend to use it when it is important for them to feel control over the situation. It is associated with the skills and knowledge of drawing and history of art, and to "What is drawn" and not so much to “How it is drawn”. An aura of great artists lingers.
Pencil lines that deal with metaphoric and descriptive content are typical to the linear stages of childhood development and to youth who draw surrealistic images. The value of the line, its intensity, diversity and sensitivity, do not occupy the artist much, although the manner in which the pencil is used reflects his personality and excitement while creating.
The "B series" soft pencils contain emotion and cultural expression. Creating with soft pencils requires slow, cumulative work and delayed gratification to develop hues and shades, as this process requires a lot of time and effort, while ultimately forming surfaces and rich textures. Cumulative work brings an internal concentration, a meditative state, and deep feelings of satisfaction, while the artist connects with world culture.
Historically, the pencil was considered a means of processing visual thoughts and making sketches for murals or oil paintings. Only in the 20th century was it accepted as an independent medium unto itself. This modest tool holds within it a wide expressional range, from intellectual and theoretical to expressive and sensual. It can be found in many artistic works.
Surfaces and Tools
Paper – various kinds of paper work well with pencil, but in order for the work to include shadows in a classical sketching process, it is necessary to work on smooth paper with no lumps. Naturally, pencils can be used on papers in various colors.
A kneaded eraser – the eraser functions with thin lines and colored areas. It has another significant role - constructing the light in the drawing. In order to create a gleam of light on a relatively dark area, a kneaded eraser tip can be used to lighten the area and produce the desired brightness.
Fixative - will affix the pencil drawing on the paper.
Working with Pencil (HB-9B)
In classical sketching, based on the construction of a composition and color shades, work with the pencil in ascending order of softness. Start the series from H to B and outline the general composition by sketching lines. Sketch the lines using only the weight of the pencil on the paper and not the pressure of the hand, so as not to create any "grooves" in the paper or flatten it. When making general plans for the drawing, build the general tones of the structure, using nets that go in all different directions, turning the paper. The nets should be accomplished accumulatively and not by using pressure. Make sure that the pencil is always sharpened to a pinpoint, preferably by carving it with a blade, so it is possible to make the tip long (0.5-1 cm) and clearly see its edge on the paper while working. When the tone produced with the HB pencil (only by pencil weight) has reached its maximum, move on to the B pencil. Again, work with nets to specify other areas until getting to the desired amount of darkness with the 8B pencil, step by step. This process takes time and patience. The feeling at the end is that the image was hidden in the paper all along and is gradually revealed.
Initial Encounters
Everything the pencil can do: fill out a paper with doodles and different markings – lines that are gentle, strong, flowing, fragmented, soft, curling, slow, fast, in different rhythms, with different pressures.
Work with your weaker hand. What can it do?
Work with both hands together.
Work with your eyes closed.
Create different textures with the pencil and use nets.
Construct cumulative grid lines that form an arrangement or an image.
Draw an object in a room with strong light from only one direction.
Please read Colored Pencils as well.
The text is based on The Spirit of Matter / A Database Handbook for Therapists, Artists, and Educators Nona Orbach and Lilach Galkin, 1997
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