Series 2 - Pencil
Series 2 pencil sketch:

This is the pencil sketch for the 2nd series. I changed the composition a little, lowered the kettle to fit the handle in....which obviously wasn't entirely successful. I could have raised the top of the entire picture, but I didn't feel it was important. In fact, I kind of like the way the handle juts out.
What I like about this picture is the line work. I started the hatching as normal, but I've been experimenting with the direction and size and patterning of my hatchwork, and I think it worked in this picture. I like the lines that appear in the background (I've been trying to produce that effect, and for some reason couldn't do it to my satisfaction before.) I also like the tea kettle overall. And the ceramic jug.
What I don't like about this drawing is the spout, which was done poorly overall, and in particular, in the darkest spot where the spout meets the kettle, I damaged the paper with the pencil. I had a hard time with the hatching on the smaller spout, and it shows. Flushed with my newfound technique, I rushed into the colouring of the spout, not taking my time, and in the process, I ruined it. After erasing and re-hatching, I kind of gave up.
Likewise, the cloth is of course unfinished. I liked the overall patterning at first, but (I hate to admit it!), I grew bored working on the cloth, and hatched a little too hastily, which ruined what I had achieved up to that point. (I think a good break would have been in order. But I was eager to finish this piece and move on.)
I've also been thinking (since working on the charcoal drawing of this tea kettle), that it would make more sense to move the light so that the highlight is more central. The only problem is that in that case, the shadow would disappear entirely from the jug. Which may mean either that I'd do better to make the highlight on the spout the focal point...or else the composition just doesn't work overall. To my mind, the highlight is way too far to the right.
Anyway, I don't think the entire sketch is ruined, and if I really wanted, I could go back in there and spruce it up. I don't really see myself doing that, but you never know!
Labels: pencil, small sketch series, teapot




