Sunday, July 08, 2007

every picture has it's shadow

Again, I'm not sure if it's obvious what this is a drawing of. It started as a response to one of the Everyday Matters challenges; either #123 draw a bell or #117 draw something round. However when I started getting into the drawing it became all about the shadow for me. I often just ignore shadows in my drawings. I think it's fear. I usually just place the subject on a plain white background. But a shadow can really make a composition. And I'm pleased with this one. So how about challenge#122 draw some shade?

Oh, and it's a cat toy.

23 comments:

Unknown said...

...and it has some source of light (great in your case)

MILLY said...

Thanks for the reply and I have visited the site and now understand about the challenges.I kept seeing it on blogs, and its a great idea , will join soon.
Love the drawing , really like your little bees too , wonderful detail.

William Fehr Creative said...

Really great job on those shadows Andrea. The drawing overall is fantastic. It seems to me you have moved up a level in your skills. :-) What do you think?

Tracy said...

oh yes - a cat toy. we have several 'round here. the lines are just as lovely as ever -so many to create such wonderful detail. the shadow though- that is lovely too. it add so much to the overall weight of the object if you kwim. just wonderful.

Teri said...

Well that is the most interesting cat toy I have seen! Fun!

juj said...

Your cat has the best toys (the one over the doorknnob is still one of my favorite pictures you've done). I've always liked your shadowless drawings and I would never have said I thought something was missing, but the shadow makes the composition of this piece very compelling. Great drawing.

mrana said...

The shadow really does add something doesn't it? It's not missed when it isn't there, but when it's drawn in it really does change the whole feel ... and you've done a beautiful job as always. I have tons of cat and dog toys but they're usually very "dead" long before I can draw them! I should do one new BEFORE my menagerie get to it :)

biteyourowntail said...

I never felt anything was missing with the shadowless drawings, but now it's there, like Marana says, it just adds something. Another very beautiful drawing.

Unknown said...

Andrea, If one wants to go about buying some of your artwork, how does one do it? It's so simple yet so beautiful...

Gillian Mowbray said...

I adore the simplicity of your subject matter. Real life in exquisite detail.
The bell looks like a tiny face to me. LOL. Fabulous work, as always.

suzanne cabrera said...

Wow, the shadow really makes this one pop. I never missed the shadows before, but this, wow, this is good.

K said...

Well, from my point of view, you can call this all three EDM challenges! How else will you ever get through the list?? (I speak from experience . . .).
Great job, Andrea!!

Felicity Grace said...

I can imagine this being irresistable to cats - best not analyse cat's brains! Super drawing, the shadow gives it a whole different feel.

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

Very obvious .. your drawing skills leave little to the imagination ... awesome.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Cheers guys, I really appreciate your visits and kind comments.

Bill, it's now 200+ drawings since I started this blog (not all of them made it onto the blog but a lot have). I think that amount of drawing has definately improved my technique. It's really hard to be subjective though, isn't it? Thank you anyway - I takethat a s a compliment.

Amy, you could email me if there is anything you are interested in (andreajoseph24[at]btinternet[dot]com).

I do think that the shadow has added something to this drawing. I need not be frightened of the shadow anymore!

Thank you all.

Anonymous said...

I recognized your last "guess what this is" right away, but I don't think I would have ever guessed this one was a cat toy. Blame it on my lack of cat toy experience, no the drawing! : )

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with juj and Andrea -- i had never missed the shadows before, the lack thereof was always more or less part of your trademark, but you really added something bold with this one, and i think it works really well. I LOVE the close up on the toy, it looks like a tired buffoon. Another beautiful one, Andrea.

sue bulmer said...

Again I agree with what others have said, I never missed that shadows from your other work, but now that you mention it you notice they weren't there. I just think it brings another dimension to your work, or growing in your work, or however you want to look at it. It;s just good we can share your journey with you.
Keep up the FANTASTIC work, and by the way, that shoe is just OOOOH! it looks so real

MILLY said...

Well thanks for your lovely comments.Yes I live on the edge of the Lake District, nearest to Coniston Lake. Thats where I my oak leaves.Eileen

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thanks guys,

France, somebody said (on Flickr)that it looks like a sheep that has drunk too much and fallen over - I can see that!! It does have a mouses face on the otherside; this is his backside. Not sure if mouses is the correct word but I like it!!

Eileen, what a stunning part of the country to live - the Peaks are gorgeous too.

Cheers guys!

dibujandoarte said...

this is gorgeous. at first, seeing the small one, i'd thought it was a monkey, could see his eyes, mouth, hahaha. It's so neatly done. PERFECT DRAWING! never would've guessed waht it really is.

Anonymous said...

Did you hear me say wow out loud? This is so great! You drew all those threads in the twine! And you're right about shadows. This is wonderful.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thanks Martin and Phthaloblu!