Stuck

I have been doing a lot of sketching the last few weeks, but with poor results. I know that this Learning Log is the place to evaluate my own work, but it is difficult for me to do so. This is new to me and will require some adjustments on my part - no more procrastinating - here goes.






















The outline drawings of the Boxes and Books and the Jugs and Jars have some perspective issues. The books look like they are tilting to the right and about to fall. Whereas I have trouble making objects, such as bottles, symmetrical.

The flower image was an attempt to use a new material in a different way. I used oil pastels with a Q-tip. I enjoyed freeing up my hand motion after trying to do such tightly controlled line drawings.























Creating reflections on glass and stainless steel is quite difficult. I use charcoal and worked to get a sense of the dimensionality of the glass and bowl. I feel I have been partially successful, but the bowl is a little lopsided, and there is a sameness to the drawing. I did like the effect of using an eraser to create more highlights.

The teapot and teacup are also in charcoal. I like some of the shading of the teapot, particularly around the lid and the spout, but my mark making is too similar throughout the drawing, and the the shape of the teacup is off.



















The Supermarket Shopping sketch also has some perspective issues: the lines on the tea box are not parallel and the vinegar bottle and bean can are wonky. Sigh....













I tried some pen work with the tonal studies, using a Bic Marker (blue) Pitt Artist Pen (black), a dip pen with brown ink (light brown) as well as pencil. The drawing of the mangoes and the cup are with the Pitt pen. I do not like the transitions between the varying shades of tones. They are very abrupt.






























This pencil sketch of eggs and bananas I like very much. The tones are soft and define the shape well. I like the detail on the blemishes of the banana. I feel more comfortable with natural materials. I like organic shapes rather than such straight and symmetrical shapes of human made objects.

With my recent procrastination, I am about two weeks behind my schedule for completing this first section on Still Life, but I will keep moving forward. It is hard not receiving any feedback until I do my first two major still life drawings. Still, I do feel like I am progressing and learning.