wow 2nd version is better! I think recognizing what I was unhappy with in the first drawing was what led me to be able to make the 2nd one better.

frustration!  It didn't look right. Oddly enough when I took the pic, the more contrasty pic looked better to me.  I used contour shading and it didn't give the look I was going for.  I remember somewhere in distant past that the SHAPE of the deep shadow is the same curve as the object -- is that true? I will try it again with same lemon and different contrast. I really liked one of the pics below where stippling was used - will try to add some of that. My blending perhaps made the pic too "muddy" with insufficient different between shaded areas.

I found myself quite frustrated after my first trial drawing garlic with cross hatching. I tried again with contour hatching, and although the second trial did turn out better, I gained a lot more understanding with how light and shadows fall on each clove. I LOVED using garlic for this exercise. It was a very fruitful experience (pun regretfully intended). I do feel much more confident in marking. I look forward to studying different subjects, and getting a better understanding of how light falls on different objects. I'd also like to eventually work on some other marking techniques like cross hatching.

Not sure where to put the shadow but I am pleased with what I have learned. My sphere looks like, well a sphere!

I definitely want to continue practicing capturing light/dark and dimension.  I have an easier time with this when I am drawing one object, as opposed to trying to represent a landscape outside.  Practice will help!

I found it easier to create the various light and shadow areas of the sphere than it was with the irregular round shape of a shallot. I used hatching, cross hatching and contour hatching along with some blending to try to achieve the roundness.  I struggled with the shape of the shallot as it was harder to pick out the components of chairoscuro.

I still don't find anything easy about drawing.  I believe I still have much to do to overcome a perfectionist trait in me.  It's still difficult to narrow the gap between what my mind wishes to do & what my hand does.  It's not comfortable finding oneself in the midst of this struggle; but I'm not giving up.  I will continue plugging along...  rather--scratching along.

I tried to find the easiest image to draw- a lemon.  The highlight was obvious, regardless of the angle and so was the cast shadow.  I struggled with shading the values of light, shadow, and cast shadow.  Cast shadows look like a band of darkness, and I seem to struggle with which direction to shade.  Blending with my finger helps cover some of the harsh transition lines as I try to practice the different pencil pressures.  I don’t feel comfortable yet, but I am not afraid of the page anymore.  I want to try and sketch and journal everyday to improve.

Still lots of exploring to do with the different techniques. Would like to excel at chiaroscuro : )

I'm starting to get the shadings and seeing the dark and light. Right now I would like to work on the pressure of my pencil... It seems to be another level of shade and light.

I am definitely a beginner at this!  I wonder if I should somehow draw in the general outlines first.  When I do not do that I find that I get involved in one small section and make too many marks so that, in the end it looks kind of muddy.  Also, the drawing tends to get lopsided or out of proportion. But, when I draw in the outlines it makes it hard to do highlighted edges.  Still working on the types of marks to use for different textures too.

Of all the new techniques you have put forth for us, I like most the BLENDING.  At least for me, it has a nice way to cover/hide many of my sketching sins.

Not always easy to identify the different values .  Trying to squint to see more clearly.

I'm still a bit frustrated that my drawings don't look exactly like I would like them to look. I certainly can see how the shading could work just am not quite there.

Harder than I thought but hopefully you can tell it’s a spaghetti squash. Something I want to keep practicing and observing.

 

I understand much more how to use light and shadow to create a 3D effect.  It seemed like a mystery or some artist alchemy before, but now I see it is just a skill of observing the basic shadow elements.

I loved to learn the mark-making techniques, the value scale, squint test and chiaroscuro. I'm fascinated by how much ligh and dark can transform a drawing that, at first, looks "plain" (not 3D)! I need to practice light/ dark more, though! I find it much easier with sunlight, during the day, than drawing at night with artificial light; that's what happened with this banana. I'll give it another try, during the day :)

I can't believe how much progress I made in such a short amount of time. Applying the various techniques doesn't come natural (obviously), but I really enjoy the process of thinking hard and also making mistakes. I'm very excited and I feel more confident with each try.

Struggling with the actual drawing and making it look real. Working each day will hopefully improve that. Also need to work light to dark

I really like the techniques you showed us. I like the options of using the hatching, stippling, and blending. The Chirascuro is hard for me to do. At first I couldn't even see it, but now I am starting to. This is something I need to work on.The squint test has to be the coolest thing ever!!