Dayna's Let's Draw

[DJohnson]

My first exercises

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[MaryAnne Long]

Making progress, Dayna.

Those exercises are not a lot of fun, but they pay off in the end.

aloha

mea

[Val]

  Way to go Dayna! These exercises are the absolute foundation to everything you will draw, paint, or even sculpt.

The value charts are quite challenging the first few times and you have done well with them. Good job on the ball, you'll find if you practice this one especially, that your transitions will become smoother and just melt into each other until it is almost totally indiscernible where one begins and ends. This will help to create dimension in your work and give the 3D effect.

Great work there kid!       

[Happychappy]

    Dayna, your stroke exercises are so very neatly done and a pleasure to view. As Val mentioned, the more you practice shading the ball, the smoother the transitions will become.  You are doing a great job so far.


Patricia

[DJohnson]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your input. I am also curious if you happen to notice a difference in paper. These were done on just regular printer paper. Testing the  waters, so to speak, before using my actual sketch paper.

And thanks for the compliments. I do know I need to work a bit on steadying my hand. This is all new to me so it feels kinda weird.

[MaryAnne Long]

Dayne,

Good that you ask such questions.   There are so many types of paper out there.  Nice to have some opinions/suggestions before you go in the store.

For practice sketching, I will draw on anything that I have at hand.

For a finished drawing or ink and wash, I like Strathmore Mixed Media paper 400 Series (140lb.).  It has a smooth vellum surface and seems reasonably priced although I only buy it when it is on sale.  Look for a brown cover with  green boots in a garden.  Worth a try.

aloha

mea

[Val]

When I first started I also used printer/inkjet paper. I think all of my drawing lessons were done that type of paper.

There are many types/brands of paper. Each with its own texture/tooth. You may find you have to try a few different types before you settle on any specific type. Check with the art shop as many will have small samples of papers for you to try. The types of paper you like to use may also differ a bit by what the subject is. You may find that you prefer a smoother surface for portraiture, or a surface with a bit more tooth if drawing landscape or old trucks. Don't lock yourself in to one brand/type. Experiment and see what works best for you.

This will also apply to pencils, brushes, paints, various papers and canvas! So don't rush out and load up until you've taken the time to find what works for you. After all, this is about your art. So take your time, no punch clocks involved!         

Relax and enjoy the journey. You're off to a great start, and you'll be surpassing me in no time! Really not that hard to do   

Have fun! 

  Just as an aside... You've always got all of us here on the forum to advise or share what works or doesn't work for us. That's what we're here for. You decide.

[nolan]

you are doing a great job so far Dayna

The only place I would look at is the top row of your tonal chart. The H, HB and B blocks are virtually the same so you want to darken the HB a touch more and then the B so that it is in between the HB and 2B tonal values

[DJohnson]

Thanks Nolan,
I see that now when I look back at tonal chart.

[DJohnson]

My first attempt at erasing scenery. I guess it needs to be darker in the sky and water.

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[nolan]

the sky can go darker so that the sunset shows up better

[Val]

This came out very well Dayna.     As Nolan stated, if you darken the sky a bit more it will add the contrast to bring out the sunset on the mountains and add a bit more depth. Well done!