Charcoal and ink drawing

The subject of this piece is tidepools, the ocean, and a lighthouse. This is based on a picture I took at a sailing camp last year. This was made using pencil to sketch the grid and basic shapes and charcoal and ink to show value. I chose to create this specific artwork piece because from this picture because I really liked the angle. In addition, I wanted to try to use charcoal to draw water which has been something I've tried in the past without much success. In this piece I used line to show shape.

Then, I used value to show form and texture. One of the things that took me a long time was increasing the contrast by emphasizing shadows and highlights. My project started as a paper with a grid. From there I sketched in the basic shapes. Next, I went square by square matching values diagonally. Finally I polished the piece creating brighter highlights and darker shadows.

The idea behind this piece is a summer afternoon in Maine. This project relates to my life because I took this photo and remember taking it. I think this artwork could be stronger if I did the following:

• Used the grid method more at the bottom and top
• Payed more atention to the shading (I messed up the reflections of the clouds)
• Used a fine pen to add more detailed texture
• Started with more accurate proportions (around the house)
• Used a paper to rest my palm to avoid smudging.

Overall this turned out okay, not as well as I hoped, but okay.