Study i - Crumpled Paper
For the first time since my kindergarten days, I was assigned a still life. However, this time, my art teacher actually expected something from me. The abstract shapes of crumpled paper intimidated me. I was confident I would produce something; only the quality was in question.
This study stretched my capacity for rendering complex and foreign shapes. I became much more intentional with my artistic approach, and technique. Prior to working with this still life, I was not focusing on value scale or line style. I learned the value of negative space. Because of my work with still life, my quality of work has greatly improved as well as my confidence.
Study ii - Draped Cloth
I was overwhelmed with this particular still life because, as always, I bit off more than I could chew. As per usual, when instructed to pick a small area with a medium amount of detail, I proceeded to attempt drawing the entire drapery, top to bottom. A quarter of the way through, I debated giving up, but that's not who I am. So, I diligently ground my way through the last 60.75 square inches of pure tedium, all the while asking myself, "why am I doing this?". The answer to that question is simple: to test my skills, my patience, and how long I could sit in the same spot without getting butt cramps.
