Blackboard Sketching

by Frederick Whitney

No. 1 shows the manner in which the stroke is produced. Place a piece of chalk in the position indicated by the line below the stroke, then swing the chalk rapidly back and forth, shortening the stroke and gradually twisting the chalk to the vertical position. No. 2 is produced in the same manner. Place the chalk obliquely as indicated, and keep the movement oblique, shortening the stroke, and twisting the chalk gradually to the horizontal position.

The fern is drawn by first sketching a few main lines, No. 3, and then upon these apply the strokes given as shown at No. 4. Hardly touch the board at first, keeping the tones very gray; then add a few white ferns as in the sketch.

No. 6 illustrates the same stroke used in a much bolder fashion and in a generally horizontal direction. After applying this stroke, accent here and there with a much shorter stroke, and add the trunk and branches.

Study the trees given on plate [12] in connection with this illustration and notice the variety of strokes given for the different trees.

Plate 7

PLATE 7

In this lesson we will put to practical use such strokes as those given in the first few lessons. The sketches of this character are often valuable in the schoolroom when studying the mountains, the hillside, the river, etc., and the teacher who, with a few strokes of the chalk, can interpret to her class the thing about which they are studying, and can make an illustration which the whole class can see and appreciate, has an invaluable gift.

Experiment with the strokes given at 1, 2 and 3. As in previous lessons the side of the chalk is used, and the accent is with one end. Try to give the effect of snow, of rocks, of a bright day, or of a cloudy day, by varying the tone or pressure upon the chalk. Sometimes use the chalk for sky, leaving the board for the hills. Then reverse the stroke, letting the sky remain gray and using the chalk to represent the mountain, accenting with the upper end of the chalk. No. 3 is a combination of 1 and 2, the chalk being used in both sky and mountain. In No. 4, the eraser or a soft bit of cloth is used to take out the trees after the chalk has been applied.

In the sketch given on the lower part of the plate combine the suggestions given above. A few short, curving strokes with the usual accent at one end of the crayon will give the rocks, and the irregular horizontal and zigzag strokes already given will produce the ripples in the river, and the foreground.