I usually draw from reference photos but sadly I can’t always find what I’m looking for.
This is from scratch, so to speak, and I’m sure there are a few issues with it; I’ve found some already.
I still have to finish up the background with some mountains and a few clouds.
Comments/critiques welcome.
Hi Anne58,
I really like that! I’m not good at drawing from imagination and usually use a reference photo, Somewhere along the line though I tend to digress and come up with something I wasn’t expecting, lol! I really enjoy graphite for the mood and the emotion it conveys. I’m not sure if I can attach a pic of my most recent landscape thingy. I’ll try though. Again, I really do like the drawing. Looks like someplace I’d want to be. I think I can attach a pic. This is called “Where Storie Waits” (Where The Wild Things Are). It is in honor of one of my pups “Storie” who I lost in May. I think he waits there for me and his bonded mate “Pi”.
Warm regards,
Julie
Hi @ANNE58
So nice to see you posting your artwork. It’s a lovely piece and I really like the reflections in the water.
Since you asked for feedback, I think the trees in the background look very realistic, but in the foreground, I’d suggest more irregularity for a more natural look. Particularly with the bush on the right. Specifically, those circular shapes look too perfect (and if they are flowers, they would probably have texture within the circles).
Lastly, see if you can achieve a greater range of values. You can do this by making the dark tones, even darker. If you only used one pencil for this, maybe look for more pencils with softer leads. The shadows under the bridge and at the side of the trees where it is on the shaded side would all benefit from more contrast.
Hope you find this helpful. I don’t know if you watch any of Matt’s - Members Minute critiques. If not, I suggest that you do. They are less than 1/2 hour long and he always emphasized the importance of having a broad range of values, and using values to indicate the source of the light.
Please post your finished artwork.
Terri Robichon
Thanks Julie. I have so many lovely scenes in my head, mostly from when I read books, that I would love to get down on paper … maybe some day I’ll unlock that talent.
It’s been helpful for me sometimes to start with one “anchor” image that’s floating around in my head, develop it about halfway and then choose another image I have in mind and develop it a bit and so on until I have some of those images on paper. Then I can see if there are any competing images and how I want the drawing to flow. I’m quite ADHD so I have to slow it all down. It kills me but it’s worth it. I’m also very much a beginner to art instruction so… I’m sure you’ll get there. Terri has some very good points, especially pushing the darks even darker. Sometimes I draw like I’m chicken it’ll actually show up on paper but I listened when Matt talks about contrast and it does make a world of difference! Keep drawing, you got this!
J
