Blog Post #4 - Post Shading Projects

1. Response to blog post #3- were you able to achieve your goal to show improvement? Why or why not? Be specific - how, where, etc.

In blog post #3 my main goal was to make sure I did not put one single object in the middle of the paper. In my final drawings, I did multiple objects and chose different compositions. My scissor drawing shows open composition and follows the rule of odds. My popcorn drawing represents closed composition.

2. Upload pictures of the additional projects you created in class and the sketches that went with them. (you do not need to repost the first project from your last blog post).

3. Which project do you think turned out the best? Why? Be sure to mention your composition choice, use of values, light source, and the blending and texture techniques you used when explaining why it was a successful work of art.

I think my scissor sketch turned out the best. The composition is open, which was the first time I had used that kind of composition on purpose. I have done open composition but the other times I did it was because my proportions were off. Now that I know how to use the sighting technique I am able to control the composition. Having one light source helped me capture a lot of detail in the sketch. This was because I was able to tell where all the natural shadows were. Drawing a simple object made it possible to find all the small picky details in the objects. To create the cast shadows in a way that looks realistic I had to use a wide value of shaded pencils. To create darker values I chose the softer pencils, such as 6B. To add the light values the fade out I used the 2H pencil. Overall, the scissors were my favorite and also the most fun to draw.

4. In reflecting on all of the projects you created, has there been a step to the drawing process that has been particularly difficult? Were you able to overcome it as you worked? How? If not, what do you plan to do differently in the future?

I am slowly getting out of my habit of jumping right to the details instead of taking the time to use the technique of gesturing to help me. Although in some final pieces I skipped gesturing, In my popcorn drawing I made sure to gesture. Another aspect that I noticed in my art is that I tend to stay away from really dark values. In my art, I mostly notice medium and light values. I hope to be able to get comfortable with darker values.

5. What is one bigger idea or concept you’ve learned in this process that you think makes art successful?

One idea that will help me in the long run, is just generally learning how to use shading to create the illusion of a 3D image on a 2D surface. That is all thanks to shading. Shading makes art successful because it helps create lights and darks as seen on objects. If shading wasn't part of drawing, objects could look dull and flat.