Yes I know they are in black and white, not really color, but it is colored pencil... I chose to use these because I am familiar with them and the level of control I can achieve with them. I can't really erase them, and I can't really blend them on the paper without getting a garish silver all over the toned tan paper, but since learning and studying hands seems to be an exercise in discipline, I found colored pencils unforgiving nature helpful in reminding me to make every stroke measured and purposeful.
This was really my first time using toned paper and I must say it was eye opening. Up to this point I mostly only ever drawn on white paper. When you start white you can only go darker. But when you start in the mid range you can push darker and lighter.
I honestly feel like I've only been drawing half of any given form for years, and as such, only really understand half as much as I should. I'm going to do some more experiments and studies, but I think the toned paper really helps me get a better grasp of the three dimensional form I'm trying to represent on the paper.
So not only am I getting over my hand issues by learning more about their form and anatomy, but I've discovered how much I enjoy working on toned paper. If you've never tried toned paper I strongly suggest you do, as it really does open you up and make you feel like your subject is coming off the page at you. These were done on Strathmore's new 400 series toned sketch paper, which is available in Tan and Gray.
Thanks to the lovely people at Strathmore for the free samples!
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