Black on Grey on White

Jeanette Jobson author of the blog Illustrated Life graciously offered a great reference for us all to get stuck into. I loved the light (that special autumn glow) and the shadows of the leaves created. I saw so much in this reference but wasn't until I saw the rope that I knew where I was going! I was sticking to black and white (no graphitints) and going to " radically zoom " and flip (not literally of course...)! Working in black and white, I feel, always makes shape and symbolism that extra bit precious. This time was no exception. Summer has hung up its coat and left us for another year, leaves are just shadowed memories. The result a big drawing 33x24 cm on Strathmore Bristol smooth. The tooth of the paper was used as the foundation for the bark and the rest followed. All the drawing was done in 6B. The shadows are layers of graphite topped with charcoal. "End of Summer" Graphite on Paper, 33x24 cm Here's the reference photograph.  Another great c...

"Two Pears in a pod"   28x15 cm, Pencil on paper Here is my interpretation of this months Virtual Sketch date .  Both pears are done in graphite, the bigger one using Derwent 2B and the smaller one using Derwent Graphitints. As usual my strange vision zoomed into only a part of the reference photo. The lay and the shadow play of this particular pear, for some reason, inspired a "quick" sketch.  (This piece was done in just under two hours and therefore, I hope, still qualifies as a sketch.) On reflection: my feeling is I should do it again and this time have the colour in the foreground... off balance the way it is right now. Million thanks to Belinda Lindhart for providing the pick. Have a great week-end!