A charcoal portrait of Ethel Grenfell by John Singer Sargent, drawn with a combination of subtractive and additive techniques.

Subtractive drawing is a technique in which the drawing surface is covered with graphite or charcoal marks and then erased to make the image.[1] This technique is often used to add texture, establish tonal shapes, or create the appearance of reflected light in a drawing.[2][3] Artists commonly use a kneaded or putty eraser for this type of drawing, due to its ability to absorb pigment and be manipulated into custom shapes, including fine tips.[1][2][4] Charcoal figure drawing commonly uses a combination of subtractive and additive drawing techniques.[3]

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b Pepper, Rob (2021). The artist's manual : the definitive art sourcebook : media, materials, tools, and techniques. New York, NY: DK. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-7440-3376-2. OCLC 1286627592.
  2. ^ a b Taylor, Angie (2011). Design essentials for the motion media artist : a practical guide to principles & techniques. Burlington, Mass.: Focal Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-08-095392-2. OCLC 668196258.
  3. ^ a b Spicer, Jake (2020). Figure drawing : a complete guide to drawing the human body. London. ISBN 978-1-78157-818-6. OCLC 1263809315.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ South, Helen, The Everything Drawing Book, Adams Media, Avon, MA, 2004, pp. 152-3, ISBN 1593372132


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