So for this one I wanted to to practice some value and focus. This sketch only goes down to a 4B*. I think a paper with more tooth* and/or darker pencils or charcoal could really bring out some of the contrast that I’m thinking about. And I think it needs more of that contrast. 

I don’t know if this happens to you, but after I set this down (thinking I was finished), I found myself wandering around knowing I ought to be moving on to the next bit of work or chore or something but just going back and forth and peeking at this again and again. For about 30 minutes–nibble a bit of sandwich, look at picture. Let the dog in, look at picture. Tidy something up, look at picture…. 

But then I edited the person’s right arm (it’s rounder and a bit bigger now) and added a lid for the inkpot and little more shading here and there. Refined the shadows around the light a bit. Darkened more bits Put ink on the quill. Then I was able to move on to other things to do. Brains are weird. 

In other July news, I’m slowly making all my Etsy items manually renewable so I don’t bother renewing things people aren’t showing interest in. if you want something from there, sooner is better….  On my long-list, shopping from my site.  (This sketch is about 4″ x 5″, and is for sale too, sure why not. I should post the more final version, huh?) 

Oh the plans! Er, vague intentions!

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*If you don’t already know, pencils are graded by softness, and generally a softer pencil makes darker and less precise marks. A basic set usually has 6 or so pencils from 4H (hard and fine) to 6B. I used HB (medium, good for everyday writing) and 4B (softer) in this because that’s what I had in my pockets.  And tooth refers to the bumpiness of the paper; a rougher tooth paper can grab the graphite better than smooth, all other factors being the same (although they often aren’t. Paper is weird and wonderful and I don’t know enough about it yet.)