The Cornell Lab Bird Academy › Discussion Groups › Nature Journaling and Field Sketching › Illustrating the 3D World
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Amazing how light plays a role!
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Always have difficulty differentiating between light and dark and colour! I need to do more of these drawings!
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I think I'm improving but lots of practice will help including color.
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Working on my skills i find that some of the pencils I have are too hard. I need to do many more of these practices before I finally get it. I'm going to try an apple next. I can't seem to soften the areas of highlights to make it more realistic.
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I tried various shading techniques to capture the 3D aspect of these shells and small stone. The squint test didn't really work very well, as all three shells are white.
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I'm interested in working on more natural objects gathered from the field. The squint test is interesting, but how does it work on objects that are all white, such as these three shells?
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Please tell me how to submit a drawing. It doesn’t appear after I upload no hit submit.
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I’m really struck with the importance of value in creating a 3 dimensional drawing and giving definition to an image. Need to work the most on patience and not feeling overwhelmed by a complicated image! “Where do I even start?!”
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It is hard to make the area of "Highlight" stand out. It is also hard to keep pencil light for the area of "Light."
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wow that pear is beautiful!
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Super impressive! Have you been painting long?
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I think I am in love with this pear
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Same reaction! Awesome pear!
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I haven’t drawn in awhile. It’s fun to do this again. I think it’s easier to show chiaroscuro with watercolor than with the mechanical pencil. I’m going to try to upload some of my pictures.
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I used to do all kinds of “pointillism” (stippling) drawings, so I’m familiar with that one, but that takes a LOT of time and concentration, so I can’t see doing that in the field. And for blending, I need a much softer lead in my pencil. So, I ordered some 2B lead and some blending stumps. I tried different techniques with simple shapes, like the apothecia on lichen. I liked using the pencil more than the pen for most of the techniques. I found that I tended to MIX the techniques depending on the density of the shadow and color and the texture of the lichen. I am feeling a bit more confident about laying down shapes and doing shading, but I know I'll need more work to get comfortable with it in the field. I need more work with fur and feather's too as they seem daunting. Drawing things likes eggs and lichen seem easy in comparison.
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When I started was deiffilcult but then easy. I am feeling more cornmftable with my new marks. I wanna work in the chiaraoscuro.
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This exercise was very helpful. Until I squinted my eyes, I had difficulty discerning the light and dark.
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I still have some work figuring out what marks are best to depict shadow and light. I've been drawing my cat and while I don't quite get the proportions right, I think I have been able to capture the texture of her fur. Chiaroscuro is something I still need to work on especially the subtle gradient from light to dark and figuring out the shading to capture the shadows properly, but I am awfully happy with how much I've progressed so far, as a total beginner. The posts by others are both intimidating and inspiring but I love the openness and willingness of everyone who posts for sharing. It's truly inspiring to see what others are sketching.
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Wow, Deanna! I think you're doing great. Especially on the cats-- I've always found them difficult. She's a pretty cat, such neat markings.
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Hi Deanna, nice job on the cat, especially. I've been drawing my cats over the years and they don't generally come out as good as yours. well done!
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A small container and two odd rocks. The first rock had some odd dimples and depressions, the smaller rock had some fossil impressions which I found difficult to express on paper. Hmm, should have done the shadow on the container..
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I wasn't sure, but a couple people were able to guess that it's a tomato. Then went back and did the bufflehead for practice. I'd like to try this one in pen. Someday.
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Nicely done! I really like the face and that eye!
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@Christy Thanks, Christy. I'm enjoying getting back into drawing, but have a long way to go!
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my chiaroscuro looks like a sad attempt at a baseball cap :) Looking at the posts below I am too embarrassed to submit mine--I guess I have a long way to go.
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Paulette, I know how you feel. My tomato looks diseased. We just need to keep practicing.
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(whoops, submitted twice)
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