Having completed the flat area at the top of the drawing, including its big curved highlight, the first structural element has been added that cuts into the composition from the left. It ends in one of the three circular features that anchor the drawing. The fasteners connecting this pivot point provide the initial opportunity to "pop" something off the surface of this piece, as the shadows give a sense of depth to the elements. It's interesting to note how metal handles light differently from say wood or other materials with organic surfaces. Even areas of rough metal pick up light in unexpected ways, often reversing the rules so that in shadow there comes a bright highlight from a reflected source of brightness. You can see this on the bevel ring of the hex nut, but if you look closely there are other edges inside the shadow that brighten in a similar way to pick up the softened edge of the rounded corners. There's no shadow cast from this top element on the flat surface above it as there's too much space between them. At this point that makes the drawing seem awkward, but I'm betting on it working out as I continue... fingers crossed.
I'm looking forward to the next parts of the drawing as they are heavily shaded and will lift the top areas up to give a strong feeling of depth. I get a real kick out of it when this happens - it never fails to put a smile on my face - quite magical even though I've done it many times before.
Here are the latest progress photos. I hope you enjoy them!!
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