Sunday, March 04, 2007

EDM Challenge 108 - Light Bulb


While I really liked the chili pepper lights, I also wanted to do an actual light bulb for the practice it gives me in drawing. I knew from the scissors challenge that curves and subtle shading were tricky, and I wanted more practice. This was astonishingly difficult to draw. I actually threw up my hands and walked away yesterday, thinking to myself "Who am I kidding? I can't draw." I was very discouraged. This morning I thought I'd try again because I didn't want to admit that I was defeated by, of all things, an inanimate light bulb. And it didn't look so bad. There was lots of erasing though, and the paper was pretty roughed up by it so the background wash is not so nice. You can still see some of the lines that won't erase anymore. But it is recognizable as a light bulb. I'm glad I persevered, because I think I learned a lot from it - maybe more about persistence, discipline, and determination than about drawing - but I won't ever get better if I walk away and get discouraged.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

:) Keep up the great work! I agree - this was harder than it looked. I'm delighted you kept at it ... every one who keeps up the forward momentum helps inspire! Cheers! Mary Ellen

laserone_ said...

Oh this is really good! I bet the swirled form was challenging.

Anonymous said...

I haven't tried this type of light bulb, but it looks like it would be hard to draw. You've done a great job with it though.

caseytoussaint said...

This is amazing - and you've made it look effortless ( you shouldn't have told us!) These (manufactured objects )are the hardest subjects to draw freehand - brava!

Anonymous said...

You did a really good job at capturing the form. I haven't done one yet, but I'm sure it's not as easy as they seem to be.

Alison said...

The curves are difficult but this is a convincing light bulb.

Susan Hosken said...

Great job.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Anonymous said...

Very nice job!