Look for the VALUES in the bow. Identify the Darkest Darks (black), then the Lightest Lights (white),
and finally the MidTones.
Practice first on grided white paper using pencil only.
Silver bow practice
Silver bow in greyscale
Begin with the OUTSIDE LINES only...
If it helps, use a pen to outline the main lines of the bow on the photograph.
Next, Search the photograph for the DARKEST values.
These should be black or almost black.
Put these DD and D values in where they should be.
Last, search for the MEDIUM values in the photograph.
Make sure to put NO VALUE where the LIGHTEST LIGHT (white) areas are.
IF they get dirty, erase them out in the end.

Finally, Add any cast shadows around the bow and erase the grid lines.
When you get the hang of it, you can move onto your own bow using
Prismacolor on mid-tone paper.
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BIG BOW on BIG PAPER!
Pick your Bow.
(bottom ones most challenging)
Challenging...
Pick you paper.
It must be 12 by 18 Mid-Value paper
(no white (super light) or black (super dark))
*grey and brown and MidValues are best.
Draw a 4 by 4 grid on paper, each square being 3 by 3 inches.
I printed and girded into a 4 by 4 square.
(This is the Teal Bow)
I got a 12 by 18 paper and
Girded it into 3inch by 3 inch squares.
*Leave the remaining part for color/value practice
Locate the DD/D ares of the picture and put those in place.
Do those with black.
Choose your colors you will use.
Must be at least 2, but will look like 3 when blended.
Make a value scale on the extra flap of your paper.
Located the LL/L areas of the bow, do those with white prisma.
Choose 1 or 2 other colors to blend with the Black and White
to make the color. You will have to LAYER them and
BLEND THEM, leaving NO BACKGROUND PAPER visible.
Lastly I added a shine sound the edge of my paper to illuminate the shiny bow.
I have seen this lesson done in various ways by various people, but I took some inspiration from these places…
This lesson is great from Cozy Art Teacher
You can buy her lesson on TPT. 😀
Prisma Color on MidTone Paper
Free Worksheet and Video here from
Jordan Swain
https://www.jordanswain.com/artclass/2024/12/10/grid-drawing-practice-with-worksheets-and-video




















































