In the previous lessons, I offered you the option to choose between using a color or grayscale photo reference to draw from. However, only a color reference is available for this particular lesson. If this reference photo is converted to grayscale, a considerable amount of detail is lost.
I used these supplies in my drawing:
Canson Universal Sketch Paper
B, HB, F, 2H, 4H pencils
Kneaded eraser
Mono Zero Eraser (round)
The Line Drawing – Please avoid making your line drawing too dark. I only drew my line drawing dark to make it visible. Your line drawing should be mid-gray or somewhere between the darkest and lightest value you see on the rose.
The First Petals – As there was no distinct center of attention on the rose, I found it difficult to begin drawing. This was my first attempt at a tonal drawing on this paper. I began with dark shading and added large petals to test the paper. The paper could handle dark shading adequately, but the mid-gray shading appeared slightly grainy. I decided to go ahead with the drawing regardless.
I also added the petal partially obscured by leaves in this step.
Three More Petals – Using 4H, 2H, and H pencils, I created the outer petals by adding hatching according to their shadow patterns through observational drawing. In observational drawing, I would quickly shift my gaze between the subject and the drawing, comparing and correcting the drawing with what I saw. For the additional petal, I shaded it using my imagination.
The Belly Of The Rose – I shaded the next three petals using 4H, 2H, and H pencils. Since the rose is the same color overall and is in low contrast, I let myself exaggerate the values. I’m happy to see the belly of the rose taking on a round shape. That means my shading is realistic enough.
Inner Details – I used various pencils to draw the center of the rose, making sure to distinguish between soft and hard edges. Hard edges abruptly end and soft edges gradually blend into the surrounding area. I drew the stem by using a B pencil to hatch in the dark edge and an H pencil to hatch in the light edge. I then blended the two together for a smooth transition.
Happy drawing,
Carol
