Blog Post #3 - Shading Project Midway

1. Upload a picture of your first shading worksheet. What is one technique that is helping you create blends? What are you still struggling with?

One technique that is helping me create blends is holding far back on the pencil to create lighter hues. When using wood pencils I am able to use the surface area to my advantage. The larger surface area helps to create an even thickness and smooth transition into the next level of shading. I am struggling with making sure I show a full range of values to create contrast throughout the sketch. Another aspect I could work on would be to fully bend out the light values to make sure no harsh lines are showing. 

2. Upload a photo of your first project and the 3+ sketches that you drew before starting it. Which composition did you choose? Why? What rules does it follow?  Did you remembering to follow the steps to get your proportions correct before contouring? What went well with the shading? What didn’t?

I chose to start with a simple composition and challenge myself as I continued on with my other drawings. By using the rule of odds I was able to create a focal point as well as following the concept of an odd number of objects in the drawing. When starting to draw the cup I think I rushed to process of sighting and measuring. By doing this, the handle was a little of proportionally in my opinion. I followed the rule of closed composition by making the cup fully on the page with room to spare. The part that went well with shading was remembering to make the background darker to create the effect of contrast next to each other. One aspect I will definitely work on is blending out the lines to mellow down the harshness of them. This will create a smoother transition on the outer edge of the cup.

3. What is one goal you have to show improvement in your final project?
   
   

In my final project, I hope to remember to place the main subject of the drawing off center; if I chose to do one object. I also want to try more practice compositions to get a feel for what I think would look the best in my final drawing. One technique that I will continue on using in my final project is taking advantage of the space that is provided. In my final I want to create more movement that leads the human eye from one aspect of my drawing to the next. This will create a flow to my artwork.