Anatomy Sketching with Water Soluble Graphite

[@tinakoyama8258]

As much as I love color, my first and true love is drawing and especially rendering form (of anything)! So you can imagine how thrilled I was when this video popped up for me! More, please! And I love water-soluble graphite, too!

[@KellyLockwood-w2l]

I’m a retired doctor just getting back into drawing and starting brand new with watercolours. This is fantastic inspiration for me as I know and love anatomy. Thank you! Always love your videos and your presenting/ teaching style and painting style really speak to me 😊

[@skoog1973]

Thank you again Steve...I just discovered this video, and loved it. I learned my anatomy in nurses training 63 years ago by drawing muscles and bones and insertion points, especially on the spine. (Just did it myself) Yes, it was a long time ago, and art was not encouraged as a major interest...so now I am finally doing what I want, and your work and teaching are an inspiration to me. I also just received my Caran d' Ache graphite set with another brush this past week and am looking forward to learning more about working on beige tinted paper.

[@pjlewisful]

Thanks for this. You're covering 2 of my favorite things...people and soluble graphite.

[@catherinelevison3310]

I liked it. I sketched along with you. I like a wide variety of sketches. I can probably only be as good as my teacher. Your skill and experience give me something to stretch for. Thank you!

[@joanporter916]

I have two sets of water soluble graphite pencils and enjoy using them. Your work is always great and inspirational. Thanks for the demo

[@ginnysullivan7392]

Finally sketching anatomy studies. Thank you. First time ive seen tinted graphite.. Will check out the link.

[@marystauss4340]

Yes, please do more of these type of videos. I’m especially interested in drawing the head and face.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Will do.

[@lorraineclark3517]

Thanks Steve for great content video. Usually I use graphite pencil or charcoal but not water soluble pencils for weekly life drawing studio practice. Refreshing and will give it a go this week.

[@bettysadoway24]

I love your figurative work Steve....I definitely lean that way myself, in fact I've been doing portraits daily now for over a year on Sktchy (which you turned me on to - thanks very much) One of the best courses I did on Sktchy last year was Anatomy of the Face with Tiffany S DaVanzo. Understanding the anatomy under the skin really helps with sculpting the face with pencil and brush. I would welcome any portrait or figurative work you do on Patreon.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Well said Betty. Glad you've gotten into it so enthusiastically. You probably can't tell from my channel but portraits are probably my most favorite subject.

[@maryclairevilla6389]

Love this!! Please do more videos like this!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes, definitely will. Thanks!

[@naturesketches126]

Very kind of you to keep your channel child friendly. I really appreciate that.

[@geraldineconway1865]

The human body is child friendly, they even have bodies of their own! We really shouldn’t mix up sexualized imagery with art. In fact being secretive about the body or shaming it makes it a bigger deal than it is and causes curiosity for kids to look in places you really wish they wouldn’t.

[@brickhouse7401]

@@geraldineconway1865 Well said. Totally agree

[@marlenekluper428]

I'd love to watch more of your Soluble Graphite work. I have these pencils, now I feel motivated to use them! Thanks Steve for all you do with your videos.

[@eilidghmacdowell3204]

Steve, you inspire me! When I was in med school I sketched out crudely the anatomy I was memorizing for exams. I wasn't a very good artist back then but sketching helps me learn. I sketch now for my patients when I'm explaining their condition & I think the visual description helps cement what I'm discussing with them. I just got some water soluble graphite so will try that next. I've been sketching ballerinas in motion from the internet. Now if I could only do hands!!!! So hard.

[@mattw4546]

I don't normally comment, but I'm a major fan of figure drawing and wasn't aware you do that. I would like to see more videos like this and going more in depth into figure drawing as well as book reviews.

[@AyaSmith]

Water soluble graphite?!!! 😱😱 I had no idea! I’m totally sold. Off to buy some now and to forever change my life!

[@samanthawilson4037]

I enjoy all your videos Steve. Thank you again. Like others, you channel helps me focus and find areas of interest. I am self taught and at the beginning of my journey, so you channel is a favourite. Thanks also for the quotes at the end. SammiG, Adelaide South Australia

[@maryanharrell5642]

Loved this, Steve. I am mostly self-taught, and never had an anatomy drawing class. I loved it. Yes, I would love to see more, and I plan to watch this one several times. I remember selling Bridgman's when I was a bookseller. We always kept it in stock because all the art students used it and I am sure that they still do. That was 30 years ago! Thanks for all you do!

[@xTK421x]

me two. I took 1 art class in college but I did not like it. Not that my cup is full. I just wanted a different flavor. So many ways to create beautiful art, that I am only limited to my choices. That is freedom. to me. choices. Sensible choices.

[@divamagpayo6377]

Yes yes please do more of these! It’s fun to sketch along with you!

[@penniecormier8770]

I love this! I like it when you draw and paint people and study anatomy . More, please!

[@ginnysullivan5507]

I've learned so much from the watercolor videos, but this video by far is the most interesting, for me. I've had some life drawing classes but was overwhelmed. Very little is available on L. Drwg. so this video is inspiring and the content is doable. Please more figure drawing. Thank you sincerely

[@dreamchaser003]

I would love to see more! Anatomy is something that is a bit of a daunting task and I'd love to see more of how you handle it. Thank you!

[@tracylj5128]

Having several ruptured discs in my neck and lower back I found this study fascinating. It is very interesting how the bones, nerves and muscles coordinated. Thank you for sharing your views. My issues became so much clearer. Thank you ❤️

[@cassiescreations9828]

I love this stuff! I'd like to see you draw more of the body in motion, particularly the arms and legs (such as you did with the sketch of the arm raised) and especially the bend of the elbow or the bend of the knee and foot. I can't really explain it but when I draw an arm, I have trouble, if it's bent at the elbow, with the length and angle - that's where these drawing really help. Drawing a body in motion is difficult. Drawing faces with expressions is difficult. It's all very difficult for me!!! I'd certainly love to see more of these type of sketches.

[@juliemcd444]

My husband brought me a couple of quilter's water soluble graphite pencils and they dissolve completely. I find I really like them for doing shading.

[@brickhouse7401]

Supportive husband! Clone that man! I will try a quilters' pencil. Sounds intriguing! I had no idea. You guys are very resourceful.

[@cindyhorton6980]

Can't wait for the watercolor pencils!!!!

[@BushcraftEurope]

Double like !! This is what I needed to watch , so glad that you have it on your channel , supporting you totaly!

[@noreenkellett3863]

Yep love watching whatever it is you want to do. Love those tinted pencils, I love my Derwent ones too.

[@JodiSones]

You never cease to inspire and bring out the creative me within. Thank you so much for every single thing you bring to us.

[@moonram2569]

Awesome is the word :) Thanks for links to books. Maybe u could include some inktense and neocolor ii into the sketching series?? YAAY for more sketching !

[@brickhouse7401]

Superb! Thank you!! Recently I bought (had to go to artists' store because I 'didn't have enough art supplies') a couple of chubby Lyra water-soluble graphite crayons. Same as a crayon, no wood. Easier to be expressive in life-drawing sessions, because such a thick line can happen..Then, if I don't like a subsequent pose, I spend that time putting water on the Lyra drawing. You are right about simplification! Definitely one of the most difficult things to do. And not only while doing art!

[@wizkidsvideos]

Steve, you could do a KZbin video on how to draw and paint a snowman, and it would be Phenomenal. Loved this drawing but am a fan of all your subject matter. ❤️❤️❤️

[@ThatLazyStray]

It's kind of funny that you just posted this. This week i started university for osteopathy and i thought it might be fun to do anatomical study pictures while learning. This was a fun coincidence!

[@jennifernewmanart]

Excellent video , I love the water soluable graphite and charcoal, your studies turned out fantastic 😊

[@suzyg7716]

I appreciated this video, Steve and encourage you to do more. I bought an anatomy book (used) but was overwhelmed by the detail. After watching you, I feel more confident that I can use it to practice and gain a better understanding of the human form. I think, however, that I will always find landscapes to be more my style! Thanks much!

[@jobell7356]

Not thought about the idea of using soluble graphite pencils in this way before but it is an excellent way, as you say, to not only study form but also shadow as well. the concept of proportion is always a problem for me and I can lose it with the fi8ck of the brush. This would be a good discipline to use to develop my eye in this regard. Yet again, Steve, you've hit some valuable nails on their heads for me. Thank you.

[@paulbugnacki7107]

Thanks for doing this one. I find that going back to simple, core study techniques it just help me improve my overall work.

[@sandyt6092]

Using my set of Derwent graphite pencils, I really like using them as a sketching pencil, and have found, like you, that you are able to "drag" or pull the graphite from the line into areas with more shadow. It's great for quick snapshots/value studies before doing an ink & wash. The only drawback, is that once it's wet and activated, it cannot be removed. But again, it's great for value studies and practice of forms. Thanks for sharing your reference materials!

[@patsmith8236]

Also loved this. Great stuff. Please consider more of this !

[@dalehallmark9174]

To get better at drawing or art it makes perfect sense to draw and study everything. For me personally I have no interest in anatomy per se and any people I put in my drawings or painting are impressions only so it is like studying something I will never use. Now animal anatomy I have a use for. I liked the video anyway, Thanks for your hard work. Regards from Texas!

[@geraldineconway1865]

I absolutely love this video Steve and adore those subtle tints in the graphite pencils. I’d love to see more of these anatomy drawings. Edited to add that I just got my set today from Jacksons after seeing your video. I absolutely love that subtle colour.

[@beckiepalmer]

You are so talented. It is a joy to watch your process. I was immediately inspired to dig out a water soluble pencil from the back of my art supplies that I have never used and give it a try. Thank you! I really enjoyed watching the sketching process, please do more like this!

[@nanschifris8734]

Thank you, Steve!! I’ve been wanting to try tinted graphite and now I’m sold on giving it a shot. I always appreciate the thoroughness with which you review products. I find that to be a tremendous help in deciding where to invest my art budget. While I’m not - yet - ready to tackle portraiture or figures, I love the idea of using anatomy to practice shading. I added that to my lesson plans for the coming week. :-)

[@brucenunn3268]

Loved the Video, an those Graphite Pencils. I will be looking Into Buying some.

[@desireehouse]

Yessss! I enjoyed this video, Steve, and would love more like this.

[@essietangle9931]

This looks very interesting and I love it when you say fast. I just purchased the Derwent ink pencils..... thought they would be fun for Inktober. They are easy to put down on paper, you can move it around with water and a brush but when it dries it’s permanent.

[@inkswampmedia2577]

Really enjoyed this video, I have just started properly learning to draw so am just wrapping my head around gesture and simple forms so it's great to see the fun stuff I've got to look forward to!

[@dianeandbrad529]

this is super interesting - and sooo valuable and logical to sketch from anatomy book to get better understanding for drawing people!! such a good idea!! I am really intrigued by the water soluable pencils - a fun way to combine sketching with a tad of water color... definitely gonna go on my wish list! I like the Caran ones you showed - I could see how those muted tones would be super nice to have to sketch before doing my watercolor paintings.

[@charlottealexander2329]

Thanks for the great video. Hope you’ll do more with these and the other water soluble pencils. I have the derwent set and really like the way they become smear proof after you wet them. I hate my sketchbook getting smudgy. Yes a little ocd. :)

[@katherinebeattie2596]

I very much appreciate this video! I have had some drawing classes, and would like to do more anatomy and portraiture. And dogs...! So this helps. I also have just discovered water soluble graphite and love watching you work it. Helps me learn. Thanks you!!!

[@victoriatexasgal8130]

Great info! Like to see your practice sessions! Thanks Steve!

[@cynthiarichter792]

Getting ready for Inktober and these pencils or the Derwent would be great for me. Thanks for doing these two videos.

[@reneeaubuchon6683]

Just today I picked up anatomy book for artists. I find when I want to put people in my paintings I lack the skill to get the hands to look natural and my people look more like cartoons. I really want to get better at drawing people and very much appreciate this video. Thank you!

[@irishknitter7]

I loved this video. Wise words. Would love to see similar lessons. Again as a teacher myself I appreciate your teaching style. Sometimes during this video sounded like you surprised yourself. So encouraging to us! My Mother was a portrait artist and she stressed sketching the basics to my sister and I from the time we could hold a pencil or crayon. I can not express how very Glad you did this video. Thank you.

[@mindofwatercolor]

I love discovery in art. It drives me forward. So yes new discoveries often delight (and sometimes surprise) me.

[@timtamt5662]

Beautiful!! Love faces, figure study and faces...more please

[@HB-ir5ov]

This was really nice, very helpful

[@kimlivengood5916]

My husband & I have both been wanting the Graphatint. I really likee these by Caren Dashe. What a great look for sketches. They really brought life to your sketches. I love just the hint of color or tone these produce after wetting them. We both have birthdays this month, mine is the 10th, his is the 9th. Maybe we will share our birthday present & get a set. I know I will use them a lot. I really like the subtle tone of color. May have found a new favorite medium? TYFS

[@edwinaquintero6700]

Love this... I would love if you could make videos on how to draw heads faces.... Thank you for sharing your talent with us .

[@jessicasobel4287]

Love it steve!!

[@jenniferadkins7637]

I really loved this one. Your an amazing artist.♡

[@PaintingStepByStep]

Incredible. This is great tutorial i have ever seen especially in Sketching.

[@melodeeclaassen5443]

Loved this, Steve! Thank you.

[@SuperXrunner]

Love, love, love it!!

[@cheralynn4417]

Please, please keep including portraits, sketches, animals, landscapes, cityscapes, whatever you like. I’m learning a lot from your use of tools and how you approach sketching and painting. Also, how do you feel about the range of tones compared to the Faber Castells?

[@mindofwatercolor]

These are different not intended for that much color.

[@johnnylamonte3451]

I'ma give this a shot! I want to draw characters but anatomy is so overwhelming but I got a spare mixed media sketchbook so I might as well try. I'll start simple though 😉

[@mindofwatercolor]

It is overwhelming but break it down into simple pieces and overall proportions first. Bit by bit it will fall into place.

[@stephanejohnston9945]

One of my favorite mediums! 😄. When you use brushes, do you use your regular watercolor brushes or designated ones for this purpose?

[@liliawebb9377]

Thanks so much for this. I can see my next direction of study. Going to the bookshelf to see what I have and then move on. - - -hmm- - -maybe combine some of this with InkTober?

[@michaelmcewan432]

Excellent tutorial again 😁

[@marisagilardi144]

Loved so much, bere useful!!!

[@nilawarriorprincess]

I'm SO HAPPY to see you do figure studies!!! This is the perfect video is an answered prayer. I just purchased my 1st water-soluble graphite. I want to draw/paint realistic figures in watercolor, & I've been looking for books to help me improve drawing realistic figures. The first video of yours I watched was about painting the figure so I happily subscribed but was quickly disappointed to find your videos mostly lean towards landscapes. I only decided to stay subscribed to support a fellow Christian (I LOVE seeing the scriptures at the end of your videos). I'm so glad I did because I've learned so much from you. I hope to see a few more figure drawings in the future. ( I hope my grammar isn't too horrible. I don't feel well so my thoughts are rather jumbled #sicklecell). THANK YOU!!!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks, stick around. More figures for sure!

[@robertagriffus4311]

amazing love,,,,,,Hands are not hard! Either right or left, you have your own model...just look at the shape...and draw the outside, then fill in with shadows, or put your hand, palm down on paper, and outline it. If you want hard, use the opposite hand than what you normally use. (As in hand surgery). As always; PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and then practice again.

[@pjlewisful]

I really enjoyed this one.

[@HerradaJulio]

Thanks, I like it, could you try the steadtler water-soluble graphite?

[@simosimo7560]

Hi Steve, whatever you do is always interesting. Do what you like, the passion you put in your work is an imput to try something else. I did a sketch of a biblical scene, a passage that I love, Jesus on the ship during the storm. I tryed to draw the apostoles on the ship in many positions, I tryed to show panic, but I can't draw a human figure in different positions. My work is a bit childish. I'd like learning how to draw human figure in different position, it's difficult above all to maintain the proportions of the various parts of the body.

[@deborahthompson3847]

Enjoyed this very much.

[@don9133]

As informative as always Mr. Mitchell.

[@starvingartistscollective]

Excellent reminder video Steve! Learnt life drawing at art school and loved it. Wish I could do more now but model fees are expensive. I still wanted to life draw and found a KZbin resource that I now use that might suit your PG rating called (NON-NUDE SERIES) Daily Life Drawing Sessions: Free Timed Art Model Reference for Figure Drawing and Figure Painting on a channel called Masters Academy. .I run my computer through my TV screen and I can get almost life size images, allows me to use large paper and charcoal which is my favourite for life drawing. Great vid, Steve TFS!!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Oh yes, I've been there. Good site, I agree. Thanks!

[@heartchitect1960]

never heard of colored graphite. Interesting. Want some. lol

[@kaas2597]

The end result from using water soluble graphite looks really cool. I like to do finished drawings with just pencil, so I am really interested in this type of product, it looks like a pencil drawing enhanced, brought to a next level. Question: what is the difference between water soluble graphite and watercolour pencils? Does dark watercolour pencil work the same way as the pencils you used here, or would it be stronger?

[@mindofwatercolor]

One has graphite, the other doesn't. Watercolor pencils don't have any and the pigment is more pure resulting in vibrant colors. Colored graphite is more subtle and gray or dusty looking.

[@indigodande4345]

@themindofwatercolor have you thought about interviewing or teaming up with laurel hart here on KZbin? You both have such a different style of painting I would love to see a team up where you both paint half a painting and complete it together.

[@BethPeppersCoats]

Awesome!

[@glenisepearson7407]

Love this. Thank you.

[@BeardedBarley1]

Great video.

[@brucenunn3268]

Steve is that Book Holder you use in this video A good Product.? Have been looking for something similar. Noticed the one in this Video. Great Set of pencils, I have them as well. Great Products like always. Nice looking Anatomy Study’s. 👊😎

[@mindofwatercolor]

Not so much. I got it cheap in a clearance sale and rarely use it.

[@dianeo]

Thank you! I've been curious about water soluble graphite. One question: Aside from the pigments used, how do watercolor pencils and the tinted water soluble graphite differ both visually and with technique?

[@mindofwatercolor]

Much less vibrant. As the name suggests, mostly graphite with subtle tints. Activates pretty much the same.

[@dianeo]

@@mindofwatercolor Ah, thanks. I do like the idea of subtle tints.

[@paulettelane6428]

I used WC pencils to copy examples from an anatomy book that shows the muscles in different colours. Used a brush to activate the colours. Worked beautifully. As Steve said, pull the colour from the lines drawn to create the shadows and form.

[@dougg1075]

I have that book and study/draw from it .

[@jaxfishn0]

Steve, any plans to do something for "Inktober" this month??

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes, a bit.

[@thomaskauffman983]

How do they make "graphic" water soluble? In the 80's I painted with graphit disolved in bestine. The fumes was a distinct downside, buthe sthe effect was great. This sounds promising.

[@mindofwatercolor]

They combine it with a water soluble binder same as a watercolor pencil.

[@thomaskauffman983]

@@mindofwatercolor Thanks, but how about Art Graf which comes in a powder with no binders?

[@yakuzaman5074]

What kinda of sketch book are you using teach!? I want to back to my watercolor studying but most sketch books suck.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Bee, cotton watercolor sketchbook. It listed in the description.

[@em_m5989]

I'm not a fan of graphite, it's not dark enough for my liking and it has that annoying glare to it. I'd like to make some anatomy sketches with a single Derwent Inktense that I own, though :D

[@helenmarshall5705]

Are you going to do Inktober this year, Steve?

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes, will do a little for it for sure.

[@vegasrenie]

Can you erase it afterwards?

[@mindofwatercolor]

After drawing but not after activating.

[@xTK421x]

I grew up in the Virgin Islands. Where EVERYONE is naked, on the open water.(jk) Lots of skin down there. Funny how squeamish about your bodies yet sex oriented you stateside land locked folks are. After moving here when I started High School I was drawing elegance and focused on sailing the world, while my buddies were fixated on sex and sports day in day out the same. Protect the children, absolutely could not agree more. I have a daughter. I do not remember when I saw my first naked person. It was me though.(lol) A relaxed environment that did not put an emphasis on hiding their bodies(I think Mrs. Avery died in her 2 piece at like 125 yrs old.). No wonder I am an artist. Art is real life. Life gets dirty. Not filthy though.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Protect the children, but more than that, give parents a choice. Families watch this channel. It's about not ramming one's sensibilities down someone else's throat.

[@xTK421x]

​@@mindofwatercolor indeed and I could not agree more.

[@sophiemessenger5472]

+

[@CoxJoxSox]

As a Child Psychlogist, why are we thinking we are protecting children by not exposing them to the human body? Do you put clothes on your pets? If we weren't so silent about it, we'd have less exploitation and abuse. Meanwhile you have a book open at 7:00 to a picture which clearly shows male genitalia.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Why? Because it’s not MY choice how someone one else wants to raise their children that’s why. And I want everyone to have access to this channel. Not to mention I completely disagree with you. Kids aren’t allowed to be kids anymore. More exploitation comes from kids curiosity being peaked in areas they aren’t ready for. That’s the real shame. And of course you’re wrong about the book image no genitalia are represented. AT ALL.

[@naturesketches126]

Actually, quite a large number of pet owners put clothes on their furry loved ones. But normally, no we don't clothe them because they're animals and we're humans. And the world is definitely not silent about it, especially when it comes to children, they're bombarded with images all around them, they're being exposed to more than their minds are ready for. I applaude this channel for being respectful to ALL viewers.