OCA Foundations Drawing, Part 3

3.1 Man-made form and basic perspective

Exercise: Open Cupboard

The point of this exercise was to draw the contents of an open kitchen door that contains an assortment of manufactured objects, taking note of the angle of the open door. “use line only to create a sense of structure” … “use perspective as a tool to help describe the shape of the objects in space.”

I started by quickly sketching a a very cluttered cupboard, and then a more sparse, orderly one. It was tricky with the first drawing to achieve a sense of perspective, and I found it difficult to express three-dimensional form throughout. With fewer objects to tackle, I think the second attempt was a bit more successful.

I had a go at experimenting with how to depict three-dimensions in a variety of shapes and objects.

After this I felt I needed to attempt the open cupboard with fewer objects again, this time incorporating the open door as well.

In this drawing I took time to notice perspective and shapes. I still wasn’t convinced that I’d go my head round how to represent a sense of structure appropriately. So, I spent some more time looking at how to depict perspective and shape/structure.

I was quite pleased with the sense of perspective I achieved in my sketch of the window and radiator.

Returning to my final drawing of the open cupboard, below, I think I’ve managed to show perspective and form, but I’m still not entirely confident with the drawing, maybe as I’ve never drawn in this way before.

I tried to ‘look through’ the objects, including the cupboard, and imagine the entire shapes of what I was drawing.

3.2 Natural form and space

Exercise: Arrangement of organic forms

The point of this exercise was to “Focus on accurately representing the forms in front of you using inventive mark-making.”

Starting with a few experiments with mark making in ink and charcoal, I decided to draw single apple using an 8b pencil as I am more comfortable with using this medium.

It’s quite a quick, messy sketch and I don’t think I’ve achieved a merging of tones to depict the object as a whole.

I experimented with sketching my thumb in a fine ink pen, and thumb and index finger in a charcoal B pencil.

I was quite pleased with these, especially the charcoal. I returned to pencil, however,  and focussed on using different pressure and marks with this as I felt I could achieve a greater variety in tonal marks.

I wasn’t happy with the way I’d represented the shadows of the banana and apple here, the edges are too hard.

While on the beach I had a go at drawing a selection of varied shells.

Using a 2B and an HB pencil, I started with the outlines and then some pattern but mainly focussed on shadows.

Back to fruit, I made three sketches on a group of satsumas, twice in pencil and once in charcoal.

Using varied depth on pressure and cross-hatching with the pencils, I tried to represent different tones and form in the top of the two drawings on the left. In the bottom one I experimented with holding the pencil half way down and shading jerkily on the satsumas in an attempt to depict the bumpy skin and make the objects relate to each other, with the shading on the surface they’re on being flat and regular.

Although I quite like the charcoal drawing, I still felt more confident with using pencil for the final image.

I placed a large banana and three tomatoes on the vine on a pile of paper for the final drawing. Most of my time was taken with attempting to depict the smooth, shininess of the tomatoes. I felt the best way to achieve this was with small, regular marks following the curves of the tomatoes. I used an 8B pencil for the furry fine and stalks to contrast with the 2B pencil used on the tomatoes. I mainly used cross-hatching and long lines to represent the form of the banana.

I’m pleased with the final drawing, the angle of the paper in the background isn’t accurate and the banana isn’t 100% realistic, but I like the finished tomatoes as I think their weight and form is well depicted and that I’ve captured the light and shade.