How to Draw Vignettes

Rather than include everything in a background, some artists draw what's called a vignette. A vignette is a drawing whose edges are shaded off rather than drawn. In other words a vignette is picture that gradually fades off into the surrounding ground, instead of extending to all four squared-off edges. There are several types of vignettes. While some drawn to fade out on one side, such as the lower right or left-hand side, others fade out on more than one edge.
Benefits of Vignettes

Vignettes are easier to draw than regular drawings. By continuing and fading out, they let the viewer's imagination finish the scene. They also take less wear and tear on pencils and erasers as they don't cover as much space.

Drawing Landscapes in Vignettes

• View object from several angles - Once you find a subject, look at it from different angles.

• Ask questions - Ask questions such as, "What about eye level? Should it be a high eye level or low eye level?" For example, if drawing a huge lighthouse, it may be more intense if you draw it as someone would see the lighthouse looking up at it rather than at eye level. Another example is when drawing a cathedral such as those in a historical European city such as Vienna, Austria or Dresden, Germany. By drawing the building from looking up, it makes the drawing appear more dramatic and the object more colossal.

• Choose objects to omit - Look for any objects that detract rather than add to the focal point of the drawing.

• Look for secondary objects - Are there any other objects that should be included in the picture?

• Make a preliminary sketch - Before making a pencil mark, an artist has to picture his subject as a vignette in his mind. Frank Petrie in his book, "Drawing Landscapes in Pencil", suggests first making a preliminary vignette study of the subject. For example, taking a sketch pad and pencil jot down a rough sketch, determining which side of the main subject that should be highlighted. For example, if drawing a barn scene, it's the barn that's the focal point. If there's path on the right-hand side of the barn which leads to the barn door, then perhaps the lower left side is the side that needs to be omitted or shaded.
  
  

Portraits and Other Objects Drawn in Vignettes

Portraits of people and animals are common subjects where vignettes are commonly done. Birds are subjects that are often done in vignettes, with the bottom portion of their bodies omitted. Soft shading around the subject can be substituted for the actual objects that surround it. Vignettes are also used in drawing botany subjects such as plants and flowers. Besides pencil, drawings, botanical vignettes are typically done in watercolors.

Drawing the Edge of a Vignette

When someone attempts a first vignette, usually there's concern about the shape of the edge, as it's part of the composition. Usually, the edge is rough or broken as well as oval-shaped. When drawing in pencil or colored pencil it's important to start out lightly shading the area as you want the subject to remain the focal point of the drawing. Ensure the edges are soft, fading into the background. Usually vignette artists shape the edges to go with the background.

Finally, do a variety of vignette studies or sketches. Draw some that have only one edge that's faded out, while others that have two or three edges. After doing several studies it will become easier to find your own individual style.

Originally published on Suite 101.