I am new to drawing and I am trying to learn gripping techniques to allow me better control of my lines and shapes. I find that I tend to rely on the "pen" grip more (though with my fingers about 2 inches from the tip of the pencil) than the "violin" grip often suggested . However, I find when drawing curves, this restricts my ability, so I am coming around to the "violin bow" grip for that purpose.

What grip(s) do you find work best for most situations. As I am just a very beginner, obviously the writing grip feels more natural, but I realize it doesn't work best. Any suggestions and anecdotes are welcome

Josh~

My husband took a lot of art in school and he says the violin bow, but I end up pencil gripping most of the time.
Brenda talks about experimenting with different styles and finding your own.
Paulette

I hold my pencil in different ways depending on the type of line I wish to draw. I usually hold it in the regular writing postion, but when I want to shade lightly I hold it at the end and almost parallel to the paper.

bob

It depends, too, on how you hold your drawing. I've found the violin-bow grip makes a lot more sense if the drawing is held vertically on an easel; in that position, the pencil grip really doesn't work at all!

I guess I never thought about that ...I hold mine somewhat different because I have had surgery on my right hand so that hand is handicap .

I hold mine in almost the tips of my fingers resting the shaft of the pencil on my pointing finger .

I find it's easier when I'm roughly sketching, or trying to get the general shape of what I'm drawing I hold my pencil almost parallel to the paper. Then once I get the basic drawing I hold my pencil like I do for writing. Elizabeth

I change my position all the time . But I normaly hold the pencil like I'm writing but thats not always the best way because I'm lefty and I end up smearing

I don't understand what the violin grip means.

Often when I am writing I get tired so easily but when I draw I am much more relaxed. My grip around the pencil when writing is much tighter. I still basically have the same grip when drawing except my hand is about half an inch further up the pencil and I just don't grab as tightly.

So if I were writing, my index finger would be bending at the last joint, however it is not when drawing and my thumb isn't wrapped all the way around the pencil. Then when drawing more lightly my fingers are further up the pencil.

I'm not positive but I think, from watching musicians on TV, it would be when you hold the pencil with your thumb on one side of the pencil and at least three fingers on the other side. It would seem awkward for me but maybe someone else knows for sure if I am wrong.

bob

yes, that's what I mean. I've seen books and videos, especially charcoal-based ones, that teach you to hold vine charcoal this way.

Well, that actually sounds right but it seems it wouldn't be comfortable at all and wouldn't have much control.

I use the pencil both ways, depending on the scenario required...if its a nice thick draw, then i would use the violin grip...and remember, you are NOT going to have the same dexterity you would have with the simple grip...try locking your wrist, and using your elbow as the fulcrum, and your shoulder as the push and pull...if you try to wiggle your fingers in the violin grip, you may find your pencil doing the Lotto 649 Happy Dance on your paper...

That is a good tip. I think I am going to start drawing on an easel when I get a chance so I can work on this. As my ultimate goal is oil painting, I should get used to drawing on the easel using the Violin grip, even if my drawing sucks for a while doing it. Well, they suck anyway , but moreso with the lack of control.

Josh~

I hold my pencil is a somewhat similiar way to the way I write. However, I do adjust how I'm holding the pencil depending on what exactly I'm focusing on in the picture. Specially if I'm coloring the piece, then I'll have a hold of the very end of the pencil and make sort of wide swings with it to color large areas. I do have a calous (sp?) on my middle finger from where I hold my pencils. XD