DRAWING 101
Blending
Module 5 - Lecture
In drawing, blending is often achieved through the use of blending tools such as blending stumps, tortillons, brushes, or even fingers. By gently smudging and layering graphite or charcoal, artists can create smooth transitions between light and shadow, enhance dimensionality, and evoke a sense of depth and realism in their drawings.
Watch this video on the basics of the blending technique. The segment ends at about the 7.11 mark.
So, what are these tools for blending in drawing? This blog entry sums it up pretty well. Be sure to watch the video at the top of the page as he goes into great detail as to the method of blending.
Here are two videos that discuss the use of blending tools that were discussed in the blog entry.
Leonardo da Vinci was notorious for using blending in his artwork. He dubbed it “sfumato” which means the lines that define the form or shape of the subject are “vanished” or “evaporated” like smoke.
Here is a great article regarding da Vinci’s use of sfumato in his work.
