Classical drawing is not just about learning how to measure. To do that, you have to stop, look, and compare. When you paint with color, it’s about comparing, which is also a figure-ground relationship of warm and cool colors and simultaneous contrast. This affects the perception of value relationships and the appearance of color, which is constantly changing.
The Importance of Plumb Line Measuring
So, the classical drawing - or plumb line measuring - is the beginning of a thought process of seeing and an awareness of what’s going on. The next thought I cannot say is more important because it’s like all of the 30 things you have to do first, and all are the most important.
The Handling of Edges
Handling edges is one of those 'things." When you shade with a pencil and blend at a high level without smearing with your finger or stump (and don’t get me wrong, I use a stump and my finger - don’t tell anyone), but when you have the discerning eye and awareness and can blend at such a high level, you become more aware of the edges.
The Broken Edge Effect
I saw Don Demers at the Vose gallery in Boston, a maritime ocean wave painting, and every quarter of an inch - every half an inch - the edge was often broken, smeared, sharp, often a broken edge.
When you look at Sargent, when you look at Rembrandt, it’s the same. Daniel Green was a highly loved professional portrait painter who passed away a while ago, and he is the one who introduced everyone to that broken edge effect.
Don’t forget that the incredible Southwestern artist Turpening’s edges are all broken.
Classical drawing is important because it teaches you to look harder and develop the touch necessary. It is the foundation of all other drawing techniques and is essential for developing the skills necessary to become a great artist.