Continuing with my drawing series of still life’s ~
Dark Vase and Fruit, a graphite drawing (9×12). This piece was drawn on Blick Drawing Paper (smooth side), trying out a new supply I just received. It wasn’t as thick as the Strathmore I usually draw with, but the smoothness allowed me to utilize that aspect nicely for the tablecloth and background. There are still some issues with the symmetry of the vase that I’ll go back and address at a later date, but for now the drawing is taking a rest.
I love working up light/dark contrasts in drawings and in this case the light against the dark vase was perfect for what I was trying to accomplish.
Thanks for checking in, means a lot ~ click onto the image for a larger view.
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Oil Pastels by Mary 
Love the feathery and the solid. Marvelous.
Thanks Elena, the plant was the most interesting element to develop in this drawing.
Very nice delicate work! ~Rita
Thanks Rita!
Look at that beautiful black and white! Love it Mary 🙂
Thank you so much Cindy – just thought I’d get back into a little B&W for a bit. glad you liked the piece and thank you for commenting.
Wonderful work.
Thank you Fiona – hope unpacking is almost done.
Yes, the light/dark contrast is stunning, Mary! Happy New Year 🙂
So great to see you again Christy – hope you are well and writing up a storm. Thank you so much for your generous comment on this piece. Hope you have a wonderful yea, filled with much writing and success!
I like the vase, the backdrop–everything.
You are so nice my friend, thank you for your thoughtful feedback! Have a great weekend.
There’s so much detail to admire in this drawing, Mary. Absolutely lovely. I’m in awe of your talent in all of the different mediums you use.
Hi Sylvia – thank you for your comments and compliment. It was a fun piece to figure out how to use the graphite to do what I envisioned for the final drawing. Glad you enjoyed the still life!
The reflections are great!
Thanks so much Pauline!
Nice drawing, I like how you captured the plants in the vase.
Thanks Shawn – at first they were too light and stood outside of the vase, but a little back n’ forth between blending and removing finally pushed them into the vase. Appreciate your noticing.
Beautifully executed still life drawing, love that you always experimenting new things and not holding back. The vase has a most beautiful shine to it, lovely contrasting, it really makes a good focal point. Overall there a many wonderful details, like the leaves which are beautifully done as well, the soft fabric background but my eyes are keep getting drawn back to the vase! The effects you achieved on it with your drawing techniques is superior. Wonderful work Mary!
Hi Eva, thank you so much for your generous feedback on this still life. I worked with leaves using a negative drawing technique – they were fascinating to watch develop. The vase was one tough nut to crack, especially the symmetry. It’s still a little off and I think there is an area that needs more of the light hitting it on the right-side – but, for now I’ll let it rest and go at it again. I totally enjoyed working the reflections in the vase, it took a while with many layers of graphite, but once they started to develop it became fascinating to watch the reflections become center stage. Thanks Eva and have a wonderful weekend.
Thank you Mary, enjoy yours as well!
This is so beautiful, Mary! 🙂
Thank you Patsy – really appreciate it!
Perfect, Mary! 🙂
Thank you Fabio!
That’s a drawing, it looks like a photograph. Very nicely done Mary.
Hi Joanne, thanks so much – glad you enjoyed it!
That really demonstrates your skill and gift. Well done! 🙂
Thank you so much Victo for your beautiful comment and compliment – means a lot.
Nice delicacy, Mary; I’m especially drawn to the leaves. Love the glass too, but keep going back to the leaves. Very pretty work. May I ask which Strathmore paper you typically use for graphite work?
Hi Laura, thank you so much – the leaves were drawn using the negative technique. The Strathmore paper is Bristol Vellum – I bought it a while ago, not quite as white as I would like it. But for many of my pieces I like a bit of texture and this has a heaviness and a little texture that works perfectly for my work.
Just lovely! I adore it.
Thank you Resa, I really enjoyed working with the light in this drawing.
I love the glossy vase, perfectly done, Mary!
Happy Wednesday, my dear! 🙂
Hi Marina – thank you my friend and Happy Friday to you! Have a lovely weekend ~
I gazed a long moment at your finished product and had to pull myself away. It is very well done and I’m glad you had fun drawing it.
Hi Hien, what a beautiful thing to write – for me that is thrilling to know that a piece of my art has touched you so. Thank you for your gracious comments.
This is amazing and beautiful! Just excellent.
You’re awfully nice Nicodemas, thank you so much for your kind and generous feedback!
The lights on the dark vase is beautifully and carefully done. I also love the background. 🙂
Thank you Amy for your thoughtful feedback and encouragement – always appreciated. The background was interesting because I wanted it to stay in the back and yet provide a softer feel to the overall piece – thanks for mentioning it.
So rich in contrast, Mary…nicely done!
Thanks Jill!
This is beautiful, love the lighting effects!
Thank you Holly!!
I am loving the contrasts in this image….beautiful work. Thank you:)
Thanks Janet – it was the contrasts that challenged me to go ahead and give it a go.
I like the shine you’ve created on the vase. Reflective surfaces can be so challenging which is what makes them fun I suppose.
Thanks Mona, you are so right. Personally I like the challenge, especially with drawing and there lies the fun!!
Hi Mary, this is a wonderful drawing. Love all the contrast you got , such rich darks. Glad you are experimenting with different surfaces. I hope to do some of that this year, too.
Thanks Janell! I was thinking that maybe I could have gone even darker in some areas of the vase, but I let well enough alone for now. I tend to get stuck in habits, and drawing on the same paper is one of them for me. So recently I changed it up a bit and ordered something new to see what if any I see/feel the difference in this smoother surface I could. I’m wondering what it’s going to be like with charcoal – nice, maybe with soft portraits.
You’ve wonderfully made out the light-dark shades… 🙂 Excellent work!
Thanks so much Maniparna – this was a fun drawing to do.