© 2020 Helen C Read
What are thumbnail sketches?
A thumbnail is an important preliminary plan; a relatively loose, small sketch of the main shapes in a composition. Often some basic values are included too. Doing several thumbnails before a work begins allows the artist to try some different formats – vertical, horizontal, square. Once the format is decided, be sure the ratio of thumbnail and surface size for the drawing or painting is the same.
For instance, if a drawing or painting will be 9×12”, then the thumbnail should be in the same ratio, 3×4”. The thumbnail is just a small rough draft, so to speak.
Here are several examples as I was preparing to start a landscape painting:
These examples have values included, since shapes and values help hold the composition together. But not all thumbnails show values as prominently.
Why take the time to make several sketches first?
Creating thumbnail sketches allows the artist to:
~ Look at the placement of major elements of the composition
~To adjust and make alterations in a small format
~ To analyze the components to keep the viewer’s eye engaged
~ To create an underlying system of values that link the various elements of the composition together
For either painting or drawing, thumbnail sketches allow the artist to devise the best composition to keep the viewer interested.
And that makes for a memorable work of art!
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© 2020 Helen C Read
Photo credit – Chance Centeno
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