Latest assignments

One wouldn't be able to tell from the frequency of posts here, but I've been busy! I'm happy enough with what I'm learning from the Artist's University class so far . . . I do believe I AM learning a thing or three about value. I've also been using quite a bit of soft vine charcoal for this class; I've never done a thing in this medium before, and three or four sketches in I'm starting to get the hang of it and really finding that I like it! Messy, though (have I said this before?)

Anyhow, the next assignment is a shaded sphere. Again, do to convenience, I went from her reference photo rather than my own still life. This time we were to work in pencil. I used a 2H, HB and a B.


I HAD to stop at this point, because every time I tried to touch it, I messed it up. Mostly I think I did very well, though there's a few things odd. It would benefit from a bit more attention to the shading on the lit side -- it's pretty blandly bright white. The cast shadow is off -- I'm learning that I do NOT understand shadows in perspective. Tom is going to help me with this once I'm done with this class (I've got plenty on my artistic plate at the moment! and I'm glad to learn more places I'm missing in these fundamentals). Otherwise, not bad. I've submitted this for review, but haven't received the critique yet because I'm without internet the past few days.

Next assignment is very interesting, in three parts: Subtractive, Additive and Subtractive, and White on Black.  Working from the same still life (reference photo for me), one must:

Put all of your tones down (using soft vine)' then erase (subtract) the high key tones.


My form isn't perfect, but I'm happy with the shading!

Then, working from a gray (neutral) background, add lights and darks.


This one has led to lots of discussion around the camper! Tom has high praise for the thing as a whole, but shows me (again!) how my cast shadow is just a bit off. Now, on my own I was aware of some of this; the left 'shoulder' is obviously waaay off, this I know, but there's more stuff askew perspective-wise, plus the "lightened" reflected light part of the cast shadow is backwards! I feel good enough about it as-is to hand in for critique, but with Tom's wisdom I'm going to make a few changes and see if I can improve it without screwing it up. The changes will only be to the cast shadow. I think the rest of it is pretty damn good!

Edit: Welp, I put the second pic away for the night, and let's just say I NEED TO GET SOME FIXATIVE! There will NOT be any changes.

Ohh, but I also need to work on letting value, as opposed to lines, define my edges.

I haven't done the third yet.

(ps The core shadow really DOES do that little blip around the shoulder)

Feedback!

The instructor got back to me regarding the value study . . . Here's the critique!

http://youtu.be/KkX7Qns4eC8
(someday I'll get around to embedded video)

I'll finalize the piece to her suggestions, resubmit and repost. My first lesson (took hours and hours!) in my other class is almost complete, I'll have another post up soon.

OK, for real now this time

A recurring theme in these posts has been "gotta go start in the beginning" followed by a bunch of color stuff. Clearly, this is not "the beginning". But my lack of foundation skills shows through everything, no matter how I try to kid myself. This I know. So finally, finally! I am taking steps to rectify this.

I've started two classes. The first is a paid online course through the Artist's Network University (hell if I know how to make a link using this mobile app?) entitled Drawing Mastery: Shading. It's a four week, I think four project basic course on shading and values, just my weaknesses! Basically you pay, watch a couple videos, get a homework assignment, then submit that for feedback from the instructor. X4.

The first project was a 5-value study. Here's the reference photo, and my submission:






Although there is quite a bit wrong here, mainly the ellipse of the cup and the placement of the objects, I'm really quite happy with this. It's in charcoal, so,etching I've never worked with before. I liked it, quite messy and forgiving! I can see definitely need to work on form as well, but here I mostly just thought about values. I think I'm starting to get it, just. I'm trying to apply what I've been learning about core shadows and reflected light, cast shadows, local values.

I just submitted it today and have yet to hear the feedback on it.

I'll cover the other class I'm taking in a future post. It's VERY different.