Live Lessons: Jellyfish with Graphite

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This lesson series features:
5 Hours of Instruction
5 Videos

About This Lesson Series...

In this lesson series, we use graphite pencils and powdered graphite on Stonehenge Polar White paper to draw a jellyfish.

Lesson 1 (1:08:38)

In lesson one, we discuss the composition and draw the contours of the jellyfish with a 2H graphite pencil.

Lesson 2 (1:12:43)

In lesson two, we apply powdered graphite and begin erasing out the jellyfish.

Lesson 3 (1:10:35)

In lesson three, we increase the contrast on the head of the jellyfish by adding and subtracting graphite.

Lesson 4 (1:02:43)

In lesson four, we continue work on the head and begin developing some of the tentacles.

Lesson 5 (1:04:13)

In lesson five, we complete the remaining tentacles and make a few last adjustments to complete the drawing.

Jellyfish drawing with graphite

Resources for this Lesson...

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References

Photo Reference

Finished Result

Here's what you'll need...

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Lesson Discussion

    • Hello Myriam! It seems that Delta Art sells this online in 22 in. x 30 in. in Polar White – $5.19 per sheet. Opus Art Supply also has it. Finally, Omer DeSerres also sells the sheets. You would have to check directly with each of these suppliers.

      The important thing to know is that this drawing paper is 100% cotton, 250 gsm (90lbs).
      I couldn’t find Polar White in pads, but they do have White and Warm white.

      Patricia.

  1. Hi Matt & Ashley,
    Can’t figure out how to chat during live lesson of “Jelly Fish”? Did it once but can’t remember how?
    Thx so much! I stream you over to my TV using Roku and it’s so much bigger that way!!
    love your classes!

  2. I’m excited to learn your next module will be on charcoal. I started with graphite and have just begun using charcoal and love the shading that can be achieved using that media.

  3. I’ve never bought store-bought graphite powder. I’ve always made my own. I’ve found that woodless pencils in a sharpener work really well for this. I usually use 44-8b. Love this photo ref. I think I might have tinted the paper first and and then sketched out the jelly. I also think I might try this in a monotone watercolor.

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