Silverpoint

The pressure ramp and layering

A single continuous band that goes from almost nothing to full dark using pressure alonePRESSURE RAMP · ONE 2B, SIDE OF THE LEADfeather touchfull weight of the handincrease pressure smoothly, never in stepsDo ten of these a day for a week and your hand learns to dial tone like a volume knob.
FigureThe pressure ramp
FoundationLine + Mass

The pressure ramp and layering

Dialling tone like a volume knob, and why layers beat force

Produce a smooth pressure ramp and understand in the hand why value is built in layers.

Difficulty
Time
about 0.5 h
You draw with
2B, 6B, 2H
The pressure rampLayering, not pressurePaper and tooth

Why this one

  • Unit 1 of the program: Instrument Control.
  • A ramp with no visible steps.
  • Two grey squares, one shiny and dead, one matte and alive, with your note about which took more tone.

From your kit

The whole kit →
  1. 1Grafwood 2H, 2B, 6B 2H for layout and line; 2B, 6B for the darks. Long points from the Blackwing on everything up to B.
  2. 2Kneaded eraser and the Mono Zero press-and-lift corrections only; the Mono Zero for a single sharp light.
  3. 3Alpha sketchbook 9 x 6 draw at the book's size and keep the proportions; date the page.
In general, this study asks for
  • Copier paper
  • 2B, 6B, 2H

Watch first

All videos →

Tripod and overhand grips, and drawing from the shoulder. Watch before Foundations session 1.

YouTube
How to sharpen a pencil with a knife (for drawing)Jake Bussell Art · The long point, step by step, with the sandpaper block.How to sharpen a pencil with a knife (like an artist)Fine Art Tutorials · A second angle on the same skill; useful if the first one did not click.

The plan

4 stages · ~41 min
  1. 1

    Ten ramps

    12 min

    2B on its side, overhand grip. A band an inch tall and eight inches long, starting with a touch so light it barely marks and ending with the full weight of the hand, with no steps. Count to eight as you travel and let the pressure rise with the count. Do ten. The tenth will be much better than the first.

    A single continuous band that goes from almost nothing to full dark using pressure alonePRESSURE RAMP · ONE 2B, SIDE OF THE LEADfeather touchfull weight of the handincrease pressure smoothly, never in stepsDo ten of these a day for a week and your hand learns to dial tone like a volume knob.
    FigureFeather to full weight, continuously.
    Checklist0 / 1
  2. 2

    Reverse and compare grades

    12 min

    Five ramps dark to light. Then two ramps with the 6B: notice how little pressure the dark end needs. Then two with the 2H: notice that the dark end never arrives, however hard you press, and that the paper dents.

    Checklist0 / 1
  3. 3

    The two greys

    12 min

    Make a two-inch square of middle grey by pressing hard with the 2H. Beside it, make the same grey with three light layers of 2B, changing direction between layers. Tilt the sheet to the lamp. The first shines. Now try to darken each one with a 4B: the pressed one refuses; the layered one takes it. You have just learned the most important rule in pencil drawing in your hand, not your head.

    Two swatches of the same middle value: one made by pressing hard with a hard pencil, which grooves and shines, and one made by light layers of a soft pencilWRONG · 2H, PRESSED HARDgrooves, shines, cannot go darkerRIGHT · 2B, THREE LAYERSmatte, keeps tooth, can go darkerRule: reach a value with a softer pencil and lighter touch, never a harderpencil and more force.Pressure is a one-way door. Layers are reversible.
    FigureSame grey, opposite futures.
    Checklist0 / 1
  4. 4

    Self-check

    5 min

    Tick each item honestly. If one is a no, the session is not finished; go back to that step.

    Checklist0 / 3

What it should look like

  • A ramp with no visible steps.
  • Two grey squares, one shiny and dead, one matte and alive, with your note about which took more tone.

Where it goes wrong

  • Ramps with three or four distinct bands. Thinking of the pressure in stages. Count continuously and move faster; speed smooths pressure.

Log this session

Start the clock when you pick up the pencil. Stop it when you put it down. Log it. Every session counts toward the box.

00:00of ~30 min

Status

How did it go?

Up nextThe nine-step scale, properly