The Art of Sketching

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Sketching and drawing are highly related because sketches are in fact a type of drawing. Drawing is a basic skill and can generally be divided into two categories: “slow drawing” in which a painter meticulously depicts a subject and “quick drawing” in which the depiction is rapidly executed. Both are derived from life drawing.

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As for how drawing is accomplished, three methods are commonly adopted. The first is by observing the subject from a fixed angle and drawing exactly what is seen. This is named the “linear perspective” as the drawing only has one fixed focal point. The second method is by observing the subject from different perspectives and recording its various forms, known as the “scattered perspective”. As such, “linear perspective” only presents a single form of the subject while “scattered perspective” depicts not a fixed but multiple forms. Consequently, an expanded scene is created since the image of an object is interpreted from different angles.

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Painters practising Western painting often use the “linear perspective” to draw a direct replica of what is seen while those practising traditional Chinese painting prefer the “scattered perspective” and draw lines using ink. This is called bai miao (“plain drawing”), similar to drawing in Western art. However, bai miao does not show varying gradations of ink while drawing gives rise to a three-dimensional effect through the light-dark contrast.

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Chinese painters emphasise the essence of a sketched subject. They conduct a comprehensive observation and then render all the multiple forms in one drawing. Hence, bai miao is usually a “slow drawing” with “scattered perspective”.

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Today, drawing has evolved into an independent art form. In addition to sketching on the spot, a painter often captures the subject in his memory and then reproduces it through changing its form or the whole composition, turning it into his own creative work. This is termed the “painting method”, the third method of drawing. In most cases, “quick drawing” is rendered by the “linear perspective” or “painting method”.

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Hong Kong painters have been employing diverse methods while incorporating both Western and Chinese painting. They are not limited to sketching sceneries nor only using a monochromatic pen; they also employ different colour tones such as watercolour, ink or oil paints to rapidly compose a drawing. In terms of style, their sketches are mostly realistic, some combining the meticulous and expressive styles, but seldom abstract.

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Modern sketching is not just a preliminary practice, nor is it necessarily categorised under drawing. It is considered a complete painting. A painter must possess great techniques in order to quickly finish an artwork. At the same time, the painter needs to grasp the key feature of the subject within a short time and render it expeditiously. Thematically, a good sketch highlights the atmosphere of a landscape, the essence of a person or that of an object. Such sketches may appear simple or as a form of doodling yet they adequately reflect a creator’s artistic attainment. Hence, we must learn to wholeheartedly appreciate sketching.

YEUNG Chun Tong

Director, Sun Museum