Exercise 2 Close scrutiny

For this exercise I reflected a lot on the environment around me and I really wanted to depict a drawing that has such a lot of detail. I decided that whatever surface I used I would saturate it with either a substance of items, maybe some particles or small objects. I’d considered some of the suggested drawings such as the pin hole ideas and the surface of the moon which was amazing. I want to try to diversify a little from charcoal. I then had what I considered to be quite a good idea if I could achieve it.

The main issue about this drawing is to evidence the drawing of fine details. I decided upon a collection of watches and some bracelets. Before beginning I took one or two photos for reference but I won’t be replicating these exactly. I might adjust the scene a little.

I don’t want to copy these exactly but they give me a range of options around composition and detail of the watches which is the main thing. I decide to depart from charcoal and undertake in bic black biro. I undertake this in my small A6 pad. It is a small windsor and newton heavy duty book with perforated edges. The first attempt is below. I took the photo indoors without flash so the paper is blue.

This is the image as I make a start. A drawing like this albeit quite small takes a lot of time. I continue to work on the watches and in similar style to Garry Barker, I decide to play a little with the perspective. I draw around a real yale key and use this in the drawing. It begs the question about the scale of watches in relation to the key. I decide not to colour in the key but leave it as a skeleton too.

I build up more background and finish off the drawing of the watches. I complete this over three days. My final image is below.

I think I could work at this more but I don’t want to spoil it. I think I’ve achieved some movement in the straps. I applied the same principles of allowing broken or unfinished line. I also created slightly more dense areas for shadow. Although I love the charcoal I do want to be able to use and draw with any medium. I did enjoy concentrating on details and if time permits it is quite relaxing. I approached the drawing by putting in the outlines of the watches first and building their shapes. The background lines I built up mainly later once all the elements were in place. The background being darker sets off the watches nicely. I do like it as a small drawing. I have another small one of the allotment and both of these I have a nice white frame that will do nicely.