How to Make a Dark and Gothic Drawing

Dark, Gothic subjects have inspired great art for hundreds of years. To make a Gothic drawing, stay in a dark mindset and create something that isn't quite a part of reality. Gothic drawings are usually realistic works in which the subjects are clearly depicted, though the backgrounds may have some aspects of impressionism.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Start with dark colors for your drawing. Black, gray and dark red are commonly used in Gothic pictures. The type of instrument you use can be anything, from crayons to colored pencils to charcoal. They can also be computer generated.

2. Look at some Gothic art. Look through art books or websites to see famous works of Gothic art. These will give you some ideas about subject matter and style.

3. Come up with a background and setting for your drawing. The background should be a suitably dark place that will evoke a feeling of dread. Dark forests and ancient ruins are often used in Gothic drawings. The background can also be something dark and indistinct. This can give the scene a nightmarish quality that works well in Gothic art.

4. Draw the central figures of your work. They can be people depicted in dark and sinister situations, or they can be non-humans. Pictures of non-humans can be animals that evoke fear, such as reptiles or insects. More often, however, the figures are of supernatural creatures. Drawing vampires, werewolves, zombies or demons are suitably dark and frightening.

5. Create plenty of shadows in your drawing. Shadows always make a drawing look darker and more mysterious.

[ashfeather]

on 5/28/2009 awesome ideas! i think this is well written.