The second drawing in the series is starting really take shape. This composition has less components than the first drawing, and there are broad areas of flat material, which is challenging given the frontal nature of the work. Basically it's tough to make it interesting. It's even harder to develop a sense of depth when there are fewer overlapping elements. As a result I've found myself uncertain about the work - actually fighting urge to quit this one and move on. Going on faith, I stuck with it and worked down to the left corner's dark recesses, where the area behind the wheel lurks in heavy shadow. It paid off as the whole drawing was lifted once this shadow zone was completed.
I find rendering the light areas much more difficult than the dark. While each carries its share of subtleties I find the eye "fills in" details, almost creating them from little or nothing in the shadows. Conversely, the highly lit metal surfaces demand meticulous attention to detail in order to look genuine. It could be the mind's habits at work - our night vision isn't really that great and our brain's penchant for filling in the gaps in the visual field lends credibility to the phrase "seeing things in the dark." I've really noticed the difference between the two on this drawing.
Here are the latest progress photos. Hope you enjoy them!!
Jacob
