This is my second picture in the ‘Back to basics’ series. I can’t say I’m enjoying pencil shading. I like it at the end if I achieve the desired result but in between the beginning and the end, it tests my nerves. This time I selected a picture where I would not have to worry about the left and right sides being equal – like when you have to do a vase. I chose a pencil sketch of a flower assuming that it would be easy. Drawing the flower and the pebbles was relatively simple. No rocket science about it. Nature is so much more kinder than man-made objects. Nobody can challenge you that your tree or flower or mountain is oddly shaped. However, the drawing comprised one-tenth of the entire job. The bigger task was the shading.
The softness of the petals, the transparency of the dewdrops and the hardness of the pebbles, the depth had to be brought out simply by ,using the good, old pencil. Different pressure, different pencils – I used a 4B and a 6B here and H for drawing the outline. I watched a lot of online videos for the dewdrops.
What I am learning through pencil shading? Learning something new is not easy. It needs loads of patience and practice. It gets more difficult as you grow older. But it’s important to challenge yourself and continue to learn rather than bask in past glories. It keeps you mentally healthy- check this site if you want to know how https://www.vault.com/blogs/benefits-of-learning-new-skills.
This is the final result. I’m sure someone with patience can do it better but I ended it here. When was the last time you challenged yourself to learn something new. How did it go? If you’d like to share it, I would love to know.
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