SKBK#3

 This Sketchbook assignment was preparation for our first portfolio drawing. 

SKBK#3.1 A list of incongruous pairs of objects.

This was fun to think about through the day. Two ideas really stuck out: A cup of tea with toys scattered, and dog bowl, collar and treat box with syringe.

In my efforts to choose between the two ideas, I took many different pictures of arrangements. I sent a few ideas by email to discuss with Professor Young. Then I sketched out some thumbnails which helped me to finally choose the one about my dog that died this past year.

Emails to discuss ideas

Photos of arrangements and thumbnail sketches

SKBK#3.2 Final thumbnails sketches

As I began to draw the picture, taking time to practice drawing the individual parts in my sketchbook helped me discover areas of difficulty and improved my skill in drawing.

SKBK#3.3 Preparatory sketches of boxes and cylinders
SKBK#3.4 Preparatory sketches of incongruous objects

SKBK#3.3 Preparatory sketches of boxes and cylinders
SKBK#3.4 Preparatory sketches of incongruous objects

I also took a picture of my partially finished project to do some preparatory sketching of background ideas.

SKBK#3.3 -3.4 Adding in the cushion for background

And finally I listed potential titles.

SKBK#3.5 Potential titles
Thought of one more while finishing in class.
DOG GONE

DOG GONE

I really enjoyed* doing this project! I have not drawn anything this large before. I was surprised at how carefully drawing "what I saw" instead of "what I thought it should look like" made a huge difference in how realistic the ribbon looked. I learned a lot about how to use vine charcoal, compressed charcoal, charcoal pencils, kneaded eraser, and blending stumps. Using different values to define the shapes and dimensions of the different objects was challenging. Overall I feel good about the picture and look forward to seeing how I can improve my skills with the next project.  

*The process of drawing this subject brought closure to the grief of loosing this precious dog.