Introduction To Color Conté Sticks

Lesson Summary

Colour conté is a versatile dry medium similar to chalk, often used for academic still life drawings. It comes in a variety of colors, from bright to muted pastel earth tones, and can be applied to colored or toned paper. By the end of this lesson, students will have gained confidence in using colour conté and developed skills in drawing both simple and complex subject matter, understanding the importance of light and shadow in creating depth and realism.

Lesson Objectives

• Understand and use colour conté as a drawing medium.

• Learn techniques for drawing with colour conté on colored or toned paper.

• Practice creating highlights and shadows to add depth to drawings.

• Develop skills in drawing both simple (fruit) and complex (still life) subject matter.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you used colour conté or chalk before? What are the pros and cons about using them?

2. Why is it important to choose a paper color that suites your subject? How does the background color change the look of your drawing?

3. How does knowing the light source improve your artwork?

4. What can be used to blend colors with conté sticks? How does blending make your drawing look more realistic?

5. How does self-critiquing your own artwork help you become a better artist?

Drawing Fruit

Drawing fruit helps familiarize students with using conté sticks. Practice on small sheets of colored paper with fruits as your subject matter.

1. Select a fruit for your drawing.

2. Choose a paper color that complements your subject.

3. Lightly sketch the outline of your fruit onto the paper with a conté stick.

4. Shade and color your fruit, considering the light source and outer contours.

5. Blend and mix different colors to achieve the desired tones.

6. Use a smudging stick and conté pencil for finer details.

7. Use cool colors to indicate shadows.

8. Apply white conté to add highlights.

9. Use a kneadable eraser to remove any unwanted color and smudges.