well it was not what i expected...we drew more with a kneaded eraser than with a charcoal or a writing instrument...
The first thing we did was TOTALLY cover a large 18x24" sheet of strathmore drawing paper and then drew a chair set up that was in front of a large window with a water oak tree outside. At first i was not thrilled with all that black charcoal dust everywhere but decided to go with it...spent three hours there erasing with a kneaded eraser...its almost black now....and another hour or two after i got home adding back in some more charcoal and then erasing some more...i like it...i didnt expect to...
The teacher Dianne Sweet...a drawing and painting professor at Augusta State University did a great job...she said that we could actually get it back to white if we worked on it...i tried i couldnt and now my once new kneaded eraser that i had at home is a sick kinda pink...its interesting though how much charcoal the kneaded erasers do lift...So next week when we go to class...we have three saturday three hour classes going to ask her what i was doing wrong...
I rather like the way it turned out...especially when you consider that it was totally black when i started out...
oh one last tip...she had us make a paper view finder to use to compose our picture. Tear out a rectangle the shape of your paper in a small piece of paper...it should be 1-1.5 inches x no more than 2" ...easy and cheap!
Next week no charcoal!
I think you did a great job Maggie. Value paintings are really essential things to do. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job with this! I sometimes use that technique with graphite, smear the graphite all over with paper towel then "draw" in the lights with an eraser.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful...almost like sketching with a new set of eyes!
ReplyDeleteWell done! :)
I'm very impressed. I think this study was well worth sacrificing a kneaded eraser for...hope you do, too!
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
ReplyDeleteI'm really impressed that you could work with charcoal. I don't think I have it in me - even after seeing what a fabulous value sketch you have done.
It beautifully conveys the dappled light. Nice effect!
ReplyDeleteThat is very cool, Maggie! Very atmospheric...
ReplyDeleteI like how it turned out. Excellent work.
ReplyDeleteOh what an interesting technique! It lookds really good :)
ReplyDeleteSounds messy, but looks great! So much light!
ReplyDeleteextremely nice - how big is it ? love the range of values
ReplyDeleteOh I love it Margaret, so atmospheric!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I look forward to more posts from your class.
ReplyDeleteThis really good! Excellent work.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful. You did a great job.
ReplyDeleteMaggie, this is superb. I love the light effects you created with the kneaded eraser---and the lovely, velvety textures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great exercise - and you did such a fabulous job with it. I can tell this class is going to be good for you because even tho it's already sending you outside your comfort zone, you're handling it beautifully. Can't wait to see what next week brings.
ReplyDeleteI really like the reflection in the seat. You got some real depth overall. Nice.
ReplyDeletegreat job and I love this work!
ReplyDeleteso atmospheric:)))
Charcoal can be a mess, it is what turned me off to it for a long time. But I think the overall feel of it is much more serene than graphite. Charcoal pencils are less messy, but are darker than vine charcoal and harder to erase, so I'm not sure how you'd like those.
ReplyDeleteThe still-life you have is beautiful. I love that you can see the branches of the tree through the gaps in the chair. Gorgeous image. Well done!
Gorgeous shading, Maggie. I love this!
ReplyDelete