Good morning y’all! Beth from @CreativelyBeth here to share a fun exercise with you today! Now, you don’t have to head to the gym or do any awkward poses because this exercise is going to take place in your sketchbook. Join me as I create patterns with the MONO J Drawing Pencils from Tombow!
I have recently been obsessed with patterns and I love the texture that the MONO J Drawing Pencils give to my sketches.
Here’s what you will need to create pattern with MONO J Drawing Pencils:
- Tombow MONO J Drawing Pencil Set
- Tombow MONO Dust Catch Eraser
- Tombow MONO Zero Eraser
- Strathmore 400 Series Wire Bound Sketchbook – I love this spiral bound hardcover sketchbook – I carry it everywhere I go!
- Pencil Sharpener
Don’t you just LOVE the possibilities in a new package of MONO J Drawing Pencils and empty pages in a sketchbook? I know I do! Each pack contains 1 each 2H, HB, B, 2B, 3B, and 4B pencils and a MONO Eraser. The MONO J Drawing Pencils are high-density graphite drawing pencils which are break resistant, smear-proof and long lasting.
Step One:
Start with a loose sketch to layout where your pattern will go. For sketching, I always use the MONO J Drawing Pencil 2H grade because the graphite is harder, producing a lighter line, which will erase more easily later.
Step Two:
The first pattern is created by sketching circles, which are then divided in half. The pattern on lined half of the circle is created with the HB grade pencil which has a medium graphite density. The pattern on the solid half of the circle is created with the softest 4B pencil, which gives the fabulous sketchy texture to the pattern.
The MONO Dust Catch Eraser is perfect for dark pencil sketches like these because it catches eraser dust as you erase. Eraser residue sticks to the eraser preventing small eraser bits being left behind to damage your drawings. Brilliant!
Step Three:
The second pattern reminds me of braided hair but is also a bit of an optical illusion because of the direction of the design. First, with the MONO J 2H grade pencil, sketch out thick diagonal lines with narrow lines in between, and then sketch in the curved pod shapes. Make sure that one row is tilted to the left and the next row is tilted to the right. I turned my sketchbook 180 degrees to make this process easier. Outline the shapes in a heavy, sketchy fashion and then fill in the spaces between the lines of curved pod shapes.
Step Four:
Lastly, its time to clean things up! The MONO Zero Round Eraser is perfect for this task. This high quality, precision eraser has a round tip that will not damage your paper. With a pen-style body, the MONO Zero Eraser is easy to use and refill.
Here is a detailed photo of my patterns! I love the way these both turned out and can’t wait to turn them into paintings!
I hope you will use my tips and tricks for creating pattern with MONO J Drawing Pencils as a jumping off point to showcase YOUR Tombow creativity!
Thanks for stopping by!
Creatively, Beth