Reverse Portraits

Focus here: The use of VALUE.  You will create a high contrast portrait on black paper using white media and hints of other colors you may choose later on using colored pencils.  Here we will be focusing on light values and not just dark values anymore. 

White Charcoal
Oil Pastels
Chalk Pastels
Colored pencils

Drawing with white material on black paper does require some getting used to.  This is because most of us are accustomed to drawing with dark material on white or lightly colored paper.  This thinking has ingrained in us the need to add dark values and leave the lighter values.  When we reverse this thinking by drawing with white material on black paper, our process is the opposite.  Now, we must train our minds to deal with the lighter values and leave the darker values to the tone of the surface.  This reversal can be challenging, but important in our development as artists.  It forces us to recognize the importance of tints (lighter values) and their inherent relationships with shades (darker values).  With practice, our understanding of value and how it is used to create drawings improves.