Okay, this is my reattempt for the project. I am getting it more. It really helped to watch the demo and critiques, go back to refresh my memory on value zones, and to spend time studying some real blobby shapes.

This was a bit of a challenge. I don’t think I solved everything correctly, but I’m figuring it out.

After watching the demo, critique, and rewatching the value zones video from the value section, I tried again with a ginseng reference. It is clicking more as I study an object instead of creating my own light source. I did create some shapes and change the reference a bit which challenged my imagination, but I will try to do another abstract version as the instructions stated!

Shading blobs, Level 1 attempt 1! It's been a looong time since I've practised art, so I'm trying to get back into the groove of things. I find this exercise really calming. It's so easy to get absorbed and end up spending way too much time pushing and pulling shadows. I think starting with hard shadows, then softening them like I did with Toad helps save some time. Speaking of which, I'm pretty happy with how Toad turned out. I'm not so happy about my other blobs - they're not bad, but a true sense of 3D-ness is still eluding me, especially with the spiral of blobs in the lower-left corner. I think the main thing I learned from this first attempt is how important it is to mentally separate form shadows and cast shadows. I've confused these in the past which has hurt the design of my shadow shapes. Doing the form shadows first, then adding the cast shadows on the second pass really helps distinguish them. I'll definitely be doing this exercise again. Feedback appreciated!

First sheet has a cactus like blob drawn along the assignment video and a blobby bear from imagination... I think the third photo in the value organization thumbnail assignment is haunting me. For the second sheet I re-drew two of my cross-contour on organic sketches.

A quick first shot at level 1, will look at demos/critiques

More level 1– I’m going to attempt level 2, and then watch the demos and critiques before trying again.

Attempt 1: I’m uncertain of shadow shapes, but I know Stan said not to stress about that at this point! I’m having fun figuring this out!

This is gonna be a project I'll be visiting frequently, for starters I did a quick blob based on the guide made by @Rachel Dawn Owens (Thanks a lot, Rachel!) Getting control on edges is still a fairly hard challenge for me, especially digitally - so this is a project I am looking forward to do frequently.

First attempt. I don't feel they look 3D without the cast shadows (and, only for the 2 front shapes). To me, It looks like 4 independent objects rather than one complex object. I'm also not sure I created cast shadows that were appropriate shapes or lengths. I tried to use x contours, overlaying and shading and edges to imply 3D shapes. Any suggestions on how to improve making them look more 3D or to make the 4 shapes seem like one object made up of multiple blobby shapes would be much appreciated! (sorry, the lighter halftones are hard to see in the images).

I haven't used charcoal, but after seeing Stan use it, I became interested in charcoal and in making dark, soft edges with it. This is my first attempt. I thought charcoal would make a lot of mess, but it wasn't as bad as I expected.

Level 1 - I used the Procreate Molesworth brush and I need to get better at using it.

Making the judgment of where and how much the outlines in the light parts make light was difficult. Also, it was very difficult to make the gradation smooth.

Level 1 assignment completed

:)

...more fun with shading shapes

Definitely felt like I improved with practice.