Hello all! Here's my attempt at simplifying the values for a pair. I actually started this assignment around five months ago (!), but kept putting it off since I was in the Spring semester for college. I ended up doing two versions of the pair, both several months apart, with the most recent one a week or so ago--you'll see it as the one with a value scale on the page's left. The one that looks more muddied was done on tone-paper, which I got at the behest of Stan who vivaciously recommended, from what I recall, the toned-version (or at least expressed a personal preference). Anyway, when I switched over to white, I found both the texture and weight much, much easier to deal with. I felt all the shading on the toned version wasn't taking or layering as it should've, but perhaps I'm simply not used to it. If anyone has an explanation why, feel free to educate me : ) Also, I would appreciate any advice for these pairs. I think I struggled, predominately, with correct value juxtapositions. My shading improved from the rough, muddied version, but the values simply look *too* strong adjacent to one another. (Also, I'm aware that the cast shadow is shaded inversely... oops). I was also curious how, in Stan's shading, he was able to achieve such smooth lines where you can see transparency and markings, while the values themselves aren't blended... my guess was my tools, Winston shading pencils (HB, 2H, 2b, 4b, etc.), have a different application property than what Stan was using, but I could be wrong. I tried a lot of different techniques to mimic Stan's shading style, even going as far as to watch a Youtube lecture, but again couldn't really hone in on that transparent, scratchy, yet even look. ANYWAY, your help or advice is welcome!!!

Hello, here is my pear drawing before the demo video and after. I used the same pear photo that was used in the demo video as the reference photo.

Another pass at level 2 pear! It’s not so simple at all.

Before and after the lesson! Thank you I learned so much :)

Still going at it, true believers! Back to pear one, I find my last sub wanting, too much like a nude. I am trying to focus more on the lesson, Taking my time with sharp lines between values + grades of value. Also, I have an easier time with one single mechanical pencil, breaking out five grades of pencil is more challenging. NGL, Marshall Vandruff’s, “The Perspective Course” is inspiring me and between these two I’ve an embarrassment of riches

2 different versions

2nd try, I did my best

Tried it after watching the demo. Shading was more difficult than I thought. Would appreciate some feedback. Thanks!

Second try following this instruction. It’s harder than I thought🥲. I’ll need to work on this more.

with more simplification I'm on the way; enjoyed that one.

Hello there. The one on the left is before I watched the video and the one on the right after I watched it .....a bit more messy I think?! Maybe,different. Thank you.

Second try. Found the simplification to five values a bit difficult

Second attempt. I tried again after watching the demo. I think I could have pushed the values a bit more but, I like this one better than the first. Open to critique on how to improve.

Here is my pear after the demo!

I did my first pear and made it too detailed! I didn’t get making sharp edges, so while yes my refined pear looks more like the pear itself, I really like the 2nd one I did with the sharp edges better because I learned a lot more! I felt like my 2nd drawing was way more loose and interesting.

I would love some critique!

Well… first ever ‘real’ drawing attempt up for scrutiny 😬