Mid tones.

With these studies my focus shifted to the use of mid tones, whilst still keeping my mark making very loose.


Using 'magic markers' is a great way to create the midtones, and even use the technique of re-shading over. Unlike normal markers, the 'magic' ones do not bleed and therefore can dry easily and be shaded over the top. This helps to create a little depth and more layers to the mid tones.




Sometimes the tonal value of the pen can be too much, as is shown here. It seems to work for th emost part but it distracts from the overall shape and form, almost as if someone has maxed out the contrast. However to avoid such intense dark areas I like to make thick lines, where the white negative space helps to break up the dark. This creates the illusion of an area being considerably darker than white, but lighter than the mid-tone layers.