Graphite help needed

[olliewagner]

I'm working on a still life for my Drawing 1 class, and for this one we were supposed to use "nice" paper (Bienfang 360 as opposed to Strathmore drawing, the paper I've used exclusively this whole semester). Now, I hadn't really worked with it a lot before, and because of this I'm having some trouble getting the tones I want.

So here's what I have so far:

http://gallery.mac.com/olliewagner/100114/L1050070/web.jpg


Here's a quick Photoshop rendition of what I'd like:

http://gallery.mac.com/olliewagner/100114/Picture-203/web.jpg


To get the background "bokeh" in, would it be advisable to try to erase it in? Perhaps some white pastel applied with a blender? Right now the whole thing is in graphite, so I was a little weary about the pastel…

Thanks in advance!

[Art_Addict]

Hmm... I wouldn't start mixing in pastel with the graphite. If you use them both on the same drawing, use them on parts untouched by the other.

As for the drawing. Why work so big? If it's just the bowl, I would make the drawing smaller. there's no reason to work over life size ( if that's the case here)
Use pencils HB till 3B. And build up slowly.

But most importantly, don't worry too much about materials. Study light and values. That's what makes your drawing succesfull, not what paper and pencils you use.

Good luck

[olliewagner]

Hmm... I wouldn't start mixing in pastel with the graphite. If you use them both on the same drawing, use them on parts untouched by the other.

As for the drawing. Why work so big? If it's just the bowl, I would make the drawing smaller. there's no reason to work over life size ( if that's the case here)
Use pencils HB till 3B. And build up slowly.

But most importantly, don't worry too much about materials. Study light and values. That's what makes your drawing succesfull, not what paper and pencils you use.

Good luck

The drawing is big because the instructor demands it –Thank you for the reply, but it turned out talcum powder let me lighten up the tones pretty nicely. I know materials in the end don't help me learn to see and articulate the subject, but I do enjoy experimenting with as many mediums/papers at this very early point in my education.

Here's the version I'll be turning in:
http://gallery.mac.com/olliewagner/100114/L1050071/web.jpg