Image as Documentation
DVB102 | Week 2 | #oneperday19 | Images 1 - 5
Witness...! The Birth of a Unicorn!
For this week... We looked at documenting time!
Our task was to do 5 realistic pencil drawings under the theme of "The Passing of Time," which was basically the ageing or growing of something with an eventual / inevitable change!
Initially, I thought of clouds... flowers... and all sorts of "mother-nature-things" as possible candidates to draw. However, for some reason, I wanted to do something a bit out of the ordinary to challenge myself when it comes to drawing "what I see."
I had a spontaneous idea to draw a growing unicorn! (literally). The idea came to mind when I remembered a childhood memory of my aunty coming home with a Growing Spongebob... it was basically one of those water-expanding toys that'd you leave in a glass of water for a few days and it would just get bigger... except, I didn't grasp that concept at the time.
...and so I thought, why not kill 2 birds with 1 stone and relive childhood a bit and visit Mr Toy's World to get one of these things to draw? (It's for educational purposes mum, I swear!)
Before we proceed to the drawings, here are some advertised images of the toy!
IMAGE 1
The unicorn's tree stump placed into an empty cup.
MATERIALS
A3 Derwent Academy 190gsm Artist Oil Colour Pad
Staedtler Mars Lumograph HB 2B 4B Pencils
Faber Castell Eraser + 30cm Ruler
Tissues ( to smudge )
Pieces of Paper ( for my hand to rest on to prevent unwanted smudging )
EXTRA INFO
Duration: 3 - 4 hours || Photographed using iPad || Filtered B/W in Snapseed App
TECHNIQUES
Scumbling || Tonal Grading (Shading) || Blending (Smudging)
PROCESS
1) To tackle the first drawing, I used my reference image to freehand the top-ovular shape of the cup
2) Next, I used my ruler and (with multiple trial and error attempts) drew a vertical line on each side
until I felt like the angles achieved matched my reference image
3) I then joined the bottom of these 2 lines with a curved line. Thus, creating the basic shape of the cup!
4) To begin shading, I worked from top of the cup first
5) Using a HB pencil, I lightly retraced the top-ovular shape (not exactly on top of it but slightly within) in order to
create the rim of the cup
6) From there, the spots on the rim which were darker, I shaded them by pressing my HB pencil the hardest I
can. Though, to not make it look boldly harsh, in scumbling motions, I'd press my HB pencil in softer
pressures so that the lines gradually blend together
7) I started to work inside the rim. In the reference image, part of the window in the background can be seen
through the cup. I used 2B in scumbling motions to show this. Then HB again to tonally balance it out
8) From here, I began using small scrunched up pieces of tissues to smoothly blend the pencils out, whilst still
going over them again in either HB or 2B to make some markings more prevalent
9) Next, I tackled the shadow created on the surface in which the cup sits on
10) Using a 4B pencil, I pressed the hardest I can in scumbling motions and went softer gradually as the shadow
was distant from the cup. I then used a tissue again to smooth out the edges around the shadow
11) Next, I started working on the base of the cup, I drew curved lines to show this and shaded within them
using 4B and HB pencils at different pressures
12) Last but not least, I tackled the body of the cup containing the tree stump
13) I used a HB pencil to sketch out the stump and lightly scribbled over parts to come back to shade for
14) I used a 4B pencil to shade underneath the tree stump as well as some parts on it
15) I used a HB pencil to shade the body of the cup and again, in different pressures whilst blending them out
with tissues afterwards and going over them again...
16) For finishing touches, I actually snipped up a small piece from my eraser to erase very small to large areas
on the cup for highlights and lighting
SUCCESSES - WHAT I THINK I DID WELL!
Considering the complexity of the objects, I think I did a good job when it came to attention to details in replicating the original reference image in pencil, such as the shadings and overall cup shape.
I also think I did a well job in showing that the stump was inside the cup, giving it a 3D object effect. As seen in the image, the top of the stump is not visible due to the cup's fogginess which makes it difficult to clearly see through
FAILS - WHAT I THINK CAN BE IMPROVED ON!
While I did say I did a good job on the overall shape of the cup, when it comes to details, I believe the symmetry could be improved on, particularly for the base (though to be expected from freehanding) by working with the ruler more and creating guidelines. I also think that the oval rim shape of the cup is too wide and should be thinner to be more true to the reference image.
RATIONALE
I feel like some of the reasoning of some of the things I did to create this first drawing were explained in the process... but! The reason why I wanted to go forward in documenting this is due to how challenging I imagined it would be! I figured that drawing a glass of water WITH something inside is something out of my comfort zone. Then again, drawing in a traditional medium is already out of my comfort zone as I mainly draw digitally.
Oh! To also add, the reason why I only used HB to shade the body of the cup and not 2B as well is because of the fogginess of the cup. This makes it harder to see through and not as clear.
IMAGE 2
Water poured into cup. This caused the tree stump to float!
MATERIALS
A3 Derwent Academy 190gsm Artist Oil Colour Pad
Staedtler Mars Lumograph HB 2B 4B Pencils
Faber Castell Eraser + 30cm Ruler
Tissues ( to smudge)
Pieces of Paper ( for my hand to rest on to prevent unwanted smudging)
EXTRA INFO
Duration: 5 hours || Photographed using iPad || Filtered B/W in Snapseed App
TECHNIQUES
Scumbling || Tonal Grading (Shading) || Blending (Smudging)
PROCESS
1) Because I decided to work on 1 cup per A3 page and due to my nitpickiness, I measured the dimensions of
the previous cup and ruled out the shape for this 2nd image
2) Like the previous, I worked on the rim using both HB and 2B at different pressures + smudging with tissues
3) Next, I used a 4B pencil to work on the shadow created on the surface in which the cup sits on
4) Then I worked on the body of the cup by sketching out the base and tree stump
5) From there, I used the same techniques as the previous image - the use of 4B, 2B and HB pencils along with
blending tissues + eraser for highlights
SUCCESSES - WHAT I THINK I DID WELL!
Once again, I think I did well with attention to detail in capturing the shadows. I also think that the wideness of the rim was relatively close to the original photograph.
FAILS - WHAT I THINK CAN BE IMPROVED ON!
This piece took a bit longer as I had several difficulties. Even though I was able to pull through them, I personally am not satisfied overall and can see improvements to be made. Is this a bad thing? No, because this image in particular in this series has helped me identified some of my weaknesses.
Aside from symmetry which I keep nitpicking upon, I had trouble with the dynamic floating shape of the stump which is something to do with perspective. I also had trouble with water (and the flow of it). While it is obvious that the stump is floating, I personally think this image is off as water is not clearly portrayed? Especially the level of it - seems confusing to identify amongst the lines. Lastly, I oddly had trouble with the shadow created on the surface in which the cup sits. I feel its partially due to the pattern on the table which makes is hard to distinguish... [continue to rationale]
RATIONALE
The reason why the shadow on the cup is much lighter all a sudden in the middle was my attempt of having light shone through the cup. As seen, the stump is not sitting like the first image, blocking all the light. Because there was an opening here because it was floating, I wanted to show that.
IMAGE 3
24 hours later, the tree stump had eventually sunk to the surface. By absorbing some water, the unicorn inside had grown (expanded) which also caused the tree stump to crack open as well.
MATERIALS
A3 Derwent Academy 190gsm Artist Oil Colour Pad
Staedtler Mars Lumograph HB 2B 4B Pencils
Faber Castell Eraser + 30cm Ruler
Tissues ( to smudge)
Pieces of Paper ( for my hand to rest on to prevent unwanted smudging)
EXTRA INFO
Duration: 3 - 4 hours || Photographed using iPad || Filtered B/W in Snapseed App
TECHNIQUES
Scumbling || Tonal Grading (Shading) || Blending (Smudging)
PROCESS
1) I measured the dimensions of the cup from the first image and ruled out the guidelines
2) I then worked on the rim of the cup with 2B, HB pencils as well as my blending tissues
3) Next, I used a 4B pencil for shadows on the surface in scumbling motions from hard to soft pressures
4) Using HB pencil, I sketched out the base of the cup and shaded using 4B and HB
5) To take a break, I decided to use my erase to create highlights in the parts I have worked on
6) Now, it was time to sketch out challenging details of the stump and unicorn
7) I used mostly HB to shade the body areas with an exception of 4B for the shadows created on the cup's
base, as well as 2B to deepen the shadows on some parts of the stump and sides of the cup as a result from
blending it out with tissues.
8) Lastly, I went back with my eraser to create more highlights
SUCCESSES - WHAT I THINK I DID WELL!
Overall, I believe this is the best cup within this entire image series!
But why? I reckon it's because of the symmetry, shape and the clear highlights made on the rim ~
I also think the level of water is a bit clearer than the last image. I don't consider it a failure or a grand success but it was a better improvement which I am happy with. Lastly, I think I did a good job with the unicorn's proportions in respect to the size of the cup
FAILS - WHAT I THINK CAN BE IMPROVED ON!
I feel like I could improve on working on the pieces which were breaking off the stump as well as making the unicorn a bit more lopsided. I also struggled with the direction and visibility of the cracks of the stump. This, in conjunction to feeling burnt out in drawing these images for long hours, I began to get lazy and did a "shortcut" by adding whatever cracks I think should be on there---
RATIONALE
What I did differently to help the 3D-ness of the rim (and parts of the highlights and lighting in this image) was leaving more parts blank by leaving gaps between the lines (unfinished, unjoined lines) and making sure that everything did not have to be shaded (even with the lightest I can with HB). Why? I found in my previous processes that it was difficult to erase the parts that were shaded over into white areas again. The reason for leaving gaps was to better portray the lighting, when light glares over something, it is hard to see a definite line (think of the horizon)
IMAGE 4
The unicorn continues to grow! (expand). Other than that, minor changes also include the amount of water in the cup decreasing from the absorption and the tree stump breaking even further.
MATERIALS
A3 Derwent Academy 190gsm Artist Oil Colour Pad
Staedtler Mars Lumograph HB 2B 4B Pencils
Faber Castell Eraser + 30cm Ruler
Tissues ( to smudge)
Pieces of Paper ( for my hand to rest on to prevent unwanted smudging)
EXTRA INFO
Duration: 4 - 5 hours || Photographed using iPad || Filtered B/W in Snapseed App
TECHNIQUES
Scumbling || Tonal Grading (Shading) || Blending (Smudging)
PROCESS
1) Measured the cup's dimensions from the first image and ruled out guidelines
2) Worked on the rim using HB, 2B, eraser and blending tissues
3) Worked on shadow created on surface using 4B, blending tissues and eraser
4) Next I tackled the base of the cup
5) I sketched the base of the stump and use 4B to create the shadows underneath
6) I sketched out the rest of the stump and unicorn
7) I sketched out the line to show the water's level now being below the unicorn's ears
8) Instead of just using HB pencils to shade the body of the cup, I actually used 2B pencils more
9) Final touch-ups with eraser for highlights as well as going over some parts in HB or 2B to make some
shaded areas more prevalent
SUCCESSES - WHAT I THINK I DID WELL!
Overall, I am content with how I portrayed the overall lighting and shadows of the cup due to the different time of day that the reference photo was taken on.
FAILS - WHAT I THINK CAN BE IMPROVED ON!
For some things to improve on... it would be the unicorn. I found more difficulty in getting the shape of it's face correct from a front-view perspective than drawing it from its side like in the previous image. I also made the mistake of colouring in its white pupil on the left eye by accident. Unfortunately, I could not salvage this with an eraser because it was too dark to lighten. Moreover, I think I made the top line on the base of the cup too curved/warped, making it look out of place to the rest of the cup's curves.
RATIONALE
The reason why this image is shaded significantly darker, especially in the body of the cup (using 2B pencils) than the previous images (using HB for majority) was due to the times these photographs were taken. The previous 3 images were taken in late afternoon. The artifical lighting of my kitchen helped with the lighting of these photographs. Otherwise, if it only relied on natural lighting by the window, those images would've been dark as well. This image was taken early in the morning. No artificial lighting involved which meant there was no light source hitting the the cup. The only light source hitting the cup is the harsh natural daylight from behind, making the front (which was photographed), darker.
Lastly, the reason why the unicorn has grown taller than the level of water was due to it absorbing it the past few days. As result, the water level decreased as it got bigger.
IMAGE 5
As seen in image 4, the unicorn had grown a fair amount. For the final image, I decided to move it into a large container and have it sit for one more day to expand.
MATERIALS
A3 Derwent Academy 190gsm Artist Oil Colour Pad
Staedtler Mars Lumograph HB 4B Pencils
Faber Castell Eraser + 30cm Ruler
Tissues ( to smudge)
Pieces of Paper ( for my hand to rest on to prevent unwanted smudging)
EXTRA INFO
Duration: 4 - 5 hours || Photographed using iPad || Filtered B/W in Snapseed App
TECHNIQUES
Scumbling || Tonal Grading (Shading) || Blending (Smudging)
PROCESS
1) I ruled out a front-view 3D rectangle box as guidelines
2) I lightly drew in the curves and erased the excess lines
3) Using a 4B pencil, I shaded the shadows created on the surface in which the container sat on
4) I sketched out the outer rim of the container as well as the level of water
5) I sketched out the unicorn's head and coloured its eyes using 4B
6) From here, I shaded these areas with HB pencil in various pressures
7) Next, I sketched the rest of the body and the broken stump piece sitting next to it
8) For the rest, I shaded using HB pencil whilst smudging out with tissues and erasing for highlights
SUCCESSES - WHAT I THINK I DID WELL!
I actually found the rectangular shape of the container much more difficult to approach from the cup (despite using the ruler more for guidelines) and so, as for things which I found a success... I am only content with the shadows on the surface I did with 4B pencil!
FAILS - WHAT I THINK CAN BE IMPROVED ON!
For things to improve on... First, is to not press the hardest on HB when shading at different pressures. Why? Because it looks too dark! Almost as half-dark as the 4B pencil and could be mistaken for a 2B pencil... Since the container was much more "see-throughable", this meant more light was shining through, I should've shaded a little lighter with the HB to show that.
When I took a photograph at this stage, I intentionally took it at angle where you can see the reflection of the broken piece on the surface of the water level. I did it to challenge myself and have more things to draw / have a go at. The result? I did my best - an attempt was made. Am I content with the result? No. I feel like I should look into more in how to draw reflections. As for the actual piece in the container, I should've made the lines darker? so it's easier to see it or perhaps, lighten some areas around it with an eraser?
TL;DR - Overall, the lines should be more clearer, looks like everything is merging together?
RATIONALE
The reason why I did not use a 2B pencil (as not seen in the materials list) was because the container was more spacious, allowing for more light to pass through and so, overall lighter than all the previous images
REFERENCES
1. CoolThings Australia (2019). Growing Unicorn [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.coolthings.com.au/growing-unicorn
