Observational Drawing

Autumn

Graphite

9" x 12"

For my composition, I decided to have 3 overlapping leaves that I collected from the ground under 3 different trees. When I was setting up my drawing, I was intending to do 2 different drawings and I set up the boundaries of the two drawings with a ruler. Then, I realized that the composition could be improved by breaking the boundaries. This relates to my life because I wanted to draw leaves, and I need to work on my ability of drawing without my tablet. Recently, I've had a hard time drawing anything without my tablet because I can't undo or adjust the drawing with tools.

I drew this on paper, starting with a 2h pencil, like usual, and building to a 6b pencil once I figured out where I needed the shadows and the locations of the details I needed to add. To finish, I cleaned it up a bit with an eraser.

In this drawing, I used line and value to create the forms and texture of the leaves. I used the leaves and boundary to break up the space, although I wish I did a slightly better job of this. Next steps might be to finish the other drawing, fix the shading in the middle leaf so that it stands out from the one behind it, and smooth out the shadows.