Chapter 3: Making a monochrome composition

This activity started off with a bit of an argument with my printer about whether it was going to print in black and white. I tried to re-adjust the settings without any success, looked into how my camera worked to see if I could adjust it''s setting before checking out the printer dialogue box and found it already offered me the option of black and white printing. How typical.

I was a bit apprehensive about this exercise wondering about my painting skills etc, but ended up really enjoying it and being surprised at the success I feel I achieved.  

I looked at various veg. I liked your picture as the onion roots provided a really interesting natural white. Failing to find anything similar and finding carrot tops a bit much, I found some mini peppers. I liked these because they had a really shiny surface and made a good light/shade subject to work with.

 Printed off in monochrome

I Made a tracing drawing in light patches. Then I worked up a pencil sketch to get a feel for the shading as a quick reference for myself

Initial drawing ready to start

  Adding white crayon

Then starting to build up colour

Then I repeated the exercise just drawing the shape of the peppers and omitting pencil details. White crayon and background

Building up shade

Finished

Comparing the two

In the sketchbook.