One room had been set up with a long table and a wedge for each student They were to draw large format animals and birds. The other room had been set up with easels and boards. Students were to draw large portraits from photographs. Each student was given a large sheet of cartridge paper and a black water soluble graphite pencil.
They were to choose an A4 black and white photo from
a large range as their target. Afternoon tea had been set up at the far end of Studio 9.
Alan showed them how to use the graphite pencil to
draw a large black parrot from a photo. He said you could draw heavy and black with thick and strong strokes, or you could use a lighter touch to get softer

tones. Then you could dampen the lighter strokes and spread a light water wash or manipulate the tones. A one inch brush is good for this. Spreading the hairs is another effect. They were encouraged to experiment and see what the possibilities were. Maybe use a small brush for the eyes or beak. For a large wash, lay a patch on the corner of your paper, wet it with a broad brush, and use the brush to wash in a light back-ground. The Demo was quite short, to give maximum time for the students to draw, which they did eagerly. There was silence and intense concentration until a break for after-noon tea was called.
The results were striking with portraits of aged faces,
large animals and fierce birds.

Colin Browne