Text 10

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DRAWING

Drawing is the act of making a design or image, using line or tone, on any suitable surface. The design or image itself is also called a drawing.

The drawing of images on surfaces extends back to prehistoric era. Examples of prehistoric drawings can be found throughout the world. The caves at Lascaux in France depicting curious mythical creatures are fine examples of prehistoric drawings. These ancient creatures demonstrate clearly the need of humans over the ages to express themselves visually.

Drawing has many functions. It may be employed for technical purposes, but it is chiefly used for artistic reasons.

Artists create drawings for a variety of purposes. Many make preliminary drawings to help them develop the composition of a painting or sculpture. They also produce drawings as finished works of art. Artists may use drawings to record information for future use. For example, an artist may draw a detailed sketch of a tree and refer to the drawing later when incoporating the tree into a painting. Art students draw figures and objects to gain skill with various kinds of line and form.

Artists draw with chalk, charcoal, crayon, or pencil. They may use a liquid, such as ink, applied with a brush or pen. Artists also scratch drawings into a surface. For example, a silverpoint drawing is made by scratching into specially coated paper with a silver instrument or silver wire. A pointed instrument of gold, copper or lead can be used too, but silver is generally preferred for the permanence of the mark it leaves on the paper.

Manufacturers produce chalk and ink in a wide range of colours. Brushes, pencils, and pens are made in a variety of widths to create different kinds of lines. Artists can add tone to a drawing by applying a thin layer or liquid colour called a wash. They also may combine several materials and a range of techniques in producing one drawing.

Almost any surface can be used for a drawing. Prehistoric people drew on clay and stone, and the ancient Chinese used silk cloth. In the Middle Ages, many artists drew on parchment. Since the 1400’s, paper has been the most popular surface because it is inexpensive and easy to carry. Drawing paper is made in a wide range of colours and textures, and also in various degrees of absorbency.

Do the exercises below.

Exercise 1. Answer the questions below.

1. What is drawing?

2. Where does the drawing of images on surfaces extend back to?

3. Why and when do artists create drawings?

4. What do artists draw with?

5. What other things are used for drawing?

6. What surfaces can be used for a drawing?

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences from the text.

1. Drawing is ... . 2. The drawing of images on surfaces extends back to ... . 3. The caves at Lascaux in France depicting ... . 4. These ancient creatures demonstrate clearly ... . 5. Drawing may be employed for technical purposes, but it is ... . 6. Artists make preliminary drawings to ... . 7. Artists may use drawings to record ... . 8. Art students draw figures and objects to gain ... . 9. Artists draw with ... . 10. A silverpoint drawing is made by ... . 11. A pointed instrument of ... . 12. Manufacturers produce ... . 13. Artists can add tone to a drawing by ... . 14. Almost any surface can be used for ... . 15. Prehistoric people drew on ... , and the ancient Chinese used ... . 16. In the Middle Ages, many artists drew on ... . 17. Since the 1400’s, paper ... . 18. Drawing paper is made in a wide range of ... .

Exercise 3. Find English equivalents of the following words from

the text and memorize them:

поверхня; печера; зображувати; істота; попередні малюнки; начерк; включати (до складу); набувати досвід; вугляний олівець; пензлик; надряпати; дріт; мідь; свинець; шар; глина; пергамент.