Handling the Tools

I’ve noticed in my freehand drawing workshops lately that although I supply and explain the use of all six of the essential tools required for freehand drawing the same basic handling errors come up over and over again. Despite their having been two articles already concerning the actual drawing gear (Materials and Equipment- parts 1 & 2) it occurred to me that an article devoted entirely to very specific details on the actual handling and use of the tools themselves could be very helpful to a wider audience. To do the hyper-realistic representational style I favour most there are only six tools. They are; 2B pencil, pencil extender, pencil sharpening knife, scratch board, vinyl eraser, and rubber trimming knife.

2B pencil

To hold the pencil for sketching (off the shoulder) place it just above the middle of the fingerprint on your index and little fingers with your fingers slightly spread and your middle and ring fingers lightly placed on the pencil where they are comfortable, usually just above the first joint. The tip of the thumb should be lightly placed on the other side of the pencil where it is most comfortable, for me this is between the index and middle fingers but this varies from person to person as everyones hands are different in size and shape (fig 1). What doesn’t vary is the fact that