• Bonnie
      Participant
      Chirps: 3
      (Still haven't been able to upload images) It wasn't difficult to see where each could be applied and I'm starting to feel more comfortable doing anything!  Unfortunately, I think I chose natural items that were too complicated for my initial practice.  The areas of light/dark were too small for me to really distinguish the different effects - kind of frustrating but interesting - so instead I applied different shadings to a stuffed toy penguin to build confidence.  Better. It is still tough to maintain proportions, even with short pencil strokes.  I use the eraser a lot.  I expect everyone comes up with their own process - where to start, what comes next, etc.  My question - are there guidelines about this for starting out? I am really enjoying this course.
      • Paula
        Participant
        Chirps: 19
        Yes! I had to choose my "Light and Dark" objects carefully to keep it from getting too difficult!
    • adriana
      Participant
      Chirps: 13
      Vegetables
    • Stefania
      Participant
      Chirps: 19
      Actually, I don't feel comfortable putting marks on the page. The chiaroscuro is not really clear to me and i feel rubbish about it. I have seen the others are they are really good, while mine is a bit ugly Apple
      • Leonora
        Participant
        Chirps: 29
        Please be gentle with yourself, as we’re all on the same journey. Some are farther down the path and some not as far as your are. We all started at different times and different places. The very fact that you have committed to taking this class at this time shows a determined interest and desire to create art. Just stick with it. If you don’t understand a lesson, message our instructor and ask her for help. She can refer you to other available sources (maybe a YouTube video or a website) that may reinforce the particular skill or lesson that is challenging you. Sometimes your progress may seem minimal. Then one day, you’ll make a big leap. I’m rooting for you, Stefania.
      • Paula
        Participant
        Chirps: 19
        As I've said in my own posts: EVERY time I sit down to draw, I quickly come to the point where I have to make a conscious choice between frustration and discouragement vs. discovery and curiosity. It is not easy. I have to tell myself "I can do it!" Meaning I can make the choice, not necessarily draw what I set out to draw. You have captured the round nature of your apple, rather than having it look like a flat circle. That is a success! You, too, can succeed in making a positive choice!
      • Cynthia
        Participant
        Chirps: 24
        Hi Stefania, I agree with Paula and Leonora.  There are people in this class with much higher skills than mine, but we need to keep that from discouraging us.  Like Paula, I have to tell myself, "I can do this!"  I have to practice, and as I go I will see more, and refine my skills.  So will you.  Your apple, by the way, looks like an apple.  Check my "eggshells" which to my husband, look like hamburgers!  The chiaroscuro is very hard for me too.  We'll see and understand it better as we practice.  I'm rooting for you too!
      • ANDREA
        Participant
        Chirps: 6
        I feel just like you! Over and over I remind myself I am a beginner and my drawings are those of a beginner and that is OK! My doubts make it more difficult right now, but what if I conquer this? better yet, what if I learn to enjoy this? What if I am the best mediocre nature journalist I know? I'll take happy over perfect any day.
      • Cynthia
        Participant
        Chirps: 24

        @ANDREA Andrea, I love your take on this journey -  "I'll take happy over perfect any day."  I'm going to say that to myself every day.  I really am so happy when I 'm drawing!

    • Lynne
      Participant
      Chirps: 2
      I began with the pear, using a 5” circular fluorescent bulb for illumination, which gave a strange shape highlight. I then moved on to the juggling ball with the same lamp. The Roku pot was illuminated with an LED point source and the texture of the pot resulted in a second shadow below the reflected light.image
    • Christine
      Participant
      Chirps: 7
      This was an excellent exercise and the video clips are great. Thank you for the mention of the blending tool. I had forgotten the existence of it and after a search, I found one in a box of drawing odds and ends. I love it for making smooth lights and darks. 9D6A705E-896F-41AA-B0EE-B03D95744470
    • Nancy
      Participant
      Chirps: 19
      KingfisherHouse FinchI have been working with pictures, trying to  improve my skills.  I think I am improving.
      • Leonora
        Participant
        Chirps: 29
        I’m so impressed that you dove right in and are already drawing such beautiful birds, and in such detail! I especially find the  birds’ wings and feathers difficult to draw. But, you seem to have mastered it with an understanding of the biology and technology of how the wings and feathers move and work . . . not an easy feat. Bravo, Nancy!
      • Cynthia
        Participant
        Chirps: 24
        The feather work is so beautiful and varied.  Thank you!
      • Connor
        Participant
        Chirps: 3
        The feather detail is amazing! And the proportions are great too.
      • Janine
        Participant
        Chirps: 21
        Wow- your bird looks really good! I have such trouble deciding/drawing feathers.
    • Anna
      Participant
      Chirps: 6
      Having difficulty following through with posting. Finally figured it out. Will get back to drawing again.   Don’t know if I’m posting on someone else’s page or mine
    • Anna
      Participant
      Chirps: 6
      image
    • Val
      Participant
      Chirps: 7
      FEC592DC-1A6B-4F89-BD2C-417DCC35AB9A3121AA68-4ABA-4B45-999E-028069D89620
    • Carol
      Participant
      Chirps: 17
      B9391F98-E70E-41CD-860C-9A362CA0881E1FB02042-5CB9-4107-B0A7-B4DFF225C993AA436786-49C5-4A62-9B0A-4D7C104149DDI I really enjoy watching the instructional videos - thank you, Liz! And the exercises are great, so helpful.  Getting the texture and the lighting and shadow are ALL so challenging, but I realize it takes LOTS of practice.  Very inspiring to read and see everyone’s posts!
    • Connie
      Participant
      Chirps: 4
      Such a good “looking” exercise!image
    • Giuliana
      Participant
      Chirps: 16
      I'm definitely starting to feel more comfortable, but I'm working hard on chiaroscuro because I still feel that is quite hard to distinguish the lights and darks on an object or composition
    • Linda
      Participant
      Chirps: 1
      4CD43E79-34CB-44EA-A2F0-E7963989A588
    • Kathy
      Participant
      Chirps: 5
      It is clear that all my skills will be needed to sketch realistically! I need a great deal more practice I think before I can use both light value and 3D markings both accurately and relatively quickly. I think practicing all techniques together will be the most useful for me. It is gratifying to see tiny improvements!IMG_5327IMG_1284
    • Nancy
      Participant
      Chirps: 19
      Oranges are hard to texture.  But I think this shows Chiaroscuro, the 3D, I am not as sure of.          I thought I submitted this last night but don't see it this morning so if it is duplicate, I sorry. Orange  Chiaroscuro  040820
    • Margaret
      Participant
      Chirps: 3
      How can I show an area of whiteness that occurs at the edge of the object?  It becomes white on white page!  I'm am becoming less hesitant to open my journal and am enjoying the exercises.fullsizeoutput_6fd
    • serena
      Participant
      Chirps: 3
      I'm getting quite comfortable, but it's still a bit hard to find the reflective light.WIN_20200408_12_19_01_Pro
    • Eliana
      Participant
      Chirps: 2
      Yes it was easier
    • Nancy
      Participant
      Chirps: 19
      I have been working from photographs because I find I can see the light better.  The fur on this vixen was a challenge.  Tomorrow I will try some realVixen  040720 fruit.
      • Eliana
        Participant
        Chirps: 2
        O M G that is soooooo good! I love it keep up the good work
      • Nancy
        Participant
        Chirps: 19

        @Eliana Thank you Eliana. I would love to see your drawings.  Nancy

    • Dorothy D
      Participant
      Chirps: 21
      IMG_7243 I am always using value scales, still life set ups with my students to keep them in practice depicting every day objects. I use pencil,charcoal and graphite with them so I ache for color at the end of the day for me sometimes. I think I need it just to give me another challenge. Still learning....
      • Carol
        Participant
        Chirps: 17
        Love these and feel like I could just slice right into them and see the juice come out! I am amazed at the way you used color - makes them look so real. I started looking at the discussion posts before learning the content here, but it’s hard to imagine myself ever getting to this level!
      • Cynthia
        Participant
        Chirps: 24
        Your color work in this painting has so many lessons!  Thank you!  It's gorgeous and alive.
    • ann
      Participant
      Chirps: 9
      image
    • Nancy
      Participant
      Chirps: 19
      I am really enjoying drawing,  I am getting much more comfortable with the process.  You make learning these skills controllable.  I am so glad I signed up for this class. 20200407_072132 oak leaves 2
      • Anna
        Participant
        Chirps: 6
        Love the fluid movement you’ve managed to bring ti these leaves. Very inspiring. Thanks
    • Holly
      Participant
      Chirps: 1
      Chiaroscuro 4-3-20I
    • Rafael
      Participant
      Chirps: 2
      Yes, thank you very much. I send this example.DSC00309
    • Leah
      Participant
      Chirps: 15
      Now that I have practiced a lot, I have gotten used to knowing where different skills should be applied. I am definitely a lot more comfortable now with these new skills! So far I have done great with all of these exercises, so I am ready to do more!