Weekly drawing challenge April 19-25th, Our maple syrup adventure..... Options

[paulette4]

We took a trip to my Cousins place in Northern Michigan this March. They have a small farm with Llamas, Alpacas, Goats and chickens. They also have a small woods with Maple trees. My two youngest sons and I went to help them out, er, well we tried.
Now I know that you all want pictures of Llamas and Alpacas, but you'll have to wait till I brave up and get closer! In the mean time this is about Maple syrup.

These are the maple trees, tapped with pails collecting sap.
 1_tapped_trees_1.jpg ( 209.8K ) Number of downloads: 35
 1_tapped_trees_b_w_1.jpg ( 183.05K ) Number of downloads: 28


The tractor brings the collector up to the woods, well it will when it gets out of the mud.
 2_collector_1.jpg ( 184.83K ) Number of downloads: 32
 2_collector_b_w_1.jpg ( 166.85K ) Number of downloads: 16


You of course have to have a farm dog.
 3_farm_dog_1.jpg ( 100.47K ) Number of downloads: 37
 3_farm_dog_b_w_1.jpg ( 90.31K ) Number of downloads: 23


Here is the evaporator that will reduce the sap to syrup.
 4_evaporator_1.jpg ( 147.63K ) Number of downloads: 36
 4_evaporator_b_w_1.jpg ( 126.4K ) Number of downloads: 22


This is the Father in law (to my Cousin) who watches the temperature gauge, keeps the fire going and will answer all our questions.
 5_temperature_watcher_1.jpg ( 161.05K ) Number of downloads: 53
 5_temperature_watcher_B_w_1.jpg ( 134.21K ) Number of downloads: 30


The syrup is at the right temperature to open the valve.
 6_boiled_1.jpg ( 176.92K ) Number of downloads: 47
 6_boiled_b_w_1.jpg ( 146.99K ) Number of downloads: 28


Yum, yum maple syrup! Although I believe there is still more straining and boiling to do, we were heading home, with a jug of last years syrup, sh-h don't tell the kids. They're sure they made it start to finish.
 7_syrop_1.jpg ( 199.73K ) Number of downloads: 50
 7_syrop_b_w_1.jpg ( 170K ) Number of downloads: 36





All levels of drawing are encouraged to participate!

The goal of this thread is to enable and encourage individuals to practice their drawing skills, learn new techniques and have fun! If you just want to sketch that’s fine. If you want to create a complex, detailed drawing, that’s great too. You will get out of this what you want. The references used are from my own personal reference library of images that I have photographed and I release them here as not under copyright, meaning you can use them as you wish for drawing.

You will be challenged by some aspect of all references most likely as you all will have different strengths and weaknesses in your ability to translate the images to paper.

Reminder:

This is a DRAWING challenge. Therefore please confine your artistic endeavors to some form of drawing: graphite, coloured pencil, pen and ink or charcoal.

There is no ruling on what size your final drawing or sketch should be. Smaller, sketchbook sizes will provide a smaller file size which is easier for loading onto the thread.

If you would like assistance or advice, please ask for it and I will be more than willing to try to guide you.

This challenge will last for one week. At that time, all challenge drawings should be submitted to this thread.

I have offered 3-5 reference images to choose from. The images are also provided in greyscale. Seeing the images in black and white gives a better sense of basic values.

I have kept the images to simple shapes that still provide challenges. Block out your basic shapes first then work the details into them, rechecking proportion and measurement against other reference points in your drawing.

If you have an interest in hosting a challenge, please see the list in the pinned area of general discussions.

[NVA]

Quick draw of Daddy-in-Law. Charcoal. 30 min. Photo under a desk lamp light. 23h10. Paris.

Attached File(s)

 Daddy.JPG ( 129.72K ) Number of downloads: 49

 

[Guest_bkluver_*]

WIP I've been having fun with the metal pot of syrup. I love all of the cast shadows and syrup bubbles!
I didn't get too far yet as I had my grandson here for a little while. He just left so I'll get back to it soon.
Now that I have it posted I can see all of the little problems - like my pot is a little lopsided, among other things!

Okay, I'm just about finished. There are probably a few touch ups I could do but I think I am done drawing for the night.

[attachment=16908:Syrup_Pot.jpg] [attachment=16910:WIP_Scan_2_Syrup.jpg][attachment=16913:WIP_Syrup_Scan_3_.jpg]

[mmgalitz]

4 x 6, #2 pencil

Attached File(s)

 maplesyrup.jpg ( 249.9K ) Number of downloads: 51

 

[mmgalitz]

WIP I've been having fun with the metal pot of syrup. I love all of the cast shadows and syrup bubbles!
I didn't get too far yet as I had my grandson here for a little while. He just left so I'll get back to it soon.
Now that I have it posted I can see all of the little problems - like my pot is a little lopsided, among other things!

Okay, I'm just about finished. There are probably a few touch ups I could do but I think I am done drawing for the night.

[attachment=16913:WIP_Syrup_Scan_3_.jpg]

Looks great to me. Love the reflections on the bucket and the maple stained back panel

[Songsparrow]

[attachment=16913:WIP_Syrup_Scan_3_.jpg]

This is fantastic! Well done!

[Nancy B]

You guys are good..

[IslanderNL]

Paulette, I love these photos - and maple syrup process. Lucky you having a relative in the business! Yummm

NVA, great job on the cousin's father in law. That's a pretty good likeness for just 30 minutes. In charcoal for sketches that quick, I like to use a broad stick of it and just swipe on values and shapes on a really big sheet. Its great fun

Bk, I love the syrup bucket image too and hope I can find time to do it. Your drawing is wonderful. Lots of shine and hot bubbly syrup.

Marissa, nice work on the flowing syrup. If you added more darks to the pot, that stainless steel would really shine.

I'm going a slightly different route with this. I will be creating a watercolour with this first image of the father in law. There has been some confusion over allowing other media into this drawing thread. You can use other media, BUT you have to first post the skeleton - the drawing - of your piece. And with watercolour especially, if your base drawing isn't good, then your painting won't be either. Also, it is not necessary to post the time it took to do your drawing here. I find it puts pressure on others and unless a time line is assigned, a drawing should take as long as it takes to do.

So here is the initial value map drawing of The Master Syrup Maker. I will update it as I go, providing I don't screw up the watercolour too much!

 syrup_maker_2_sml.jpg ( 106.81K ) Number of downloads: 39


 syrup_maker_2__cropsml.jpg ( 130.41K ) Number of downloads: 43

[kim1963]

I found the picture amazing .. I never new any of that ..so for me it was a lesson on making surup .

[mmgalitz]

Marissa, nice work on the flowing syrup. If you added more darks to the pot, that stainless steel would really shine.

Gee, Thanks for the hint. I wasn't happy with my pot. I've already tossed the original but I burned in some darks in photoshop to see what a difference a dark would make. :
 maplesyrup1.jpg ( 77.76K ) Number of downloads: 38

[NVA]

b]NVA,[/b] great job on the cousin's father in law. That's a pretty good likeness for just 30 minutes. In charcoal for sketches that quick, I like to use a broad stick of it and just swipe on values and shapes on a really big sheet. Its great fun

Thank you, IslanderNL. I'll try on big sheets. A number of exercises are needed. If something correct comes out, I'll post it here. Thank again
NVA

[paulette4]

Oh my! You guys are great!
I have to run but will be back to comment.
Company called minutes after I sat down, now I'm yelling at the kids and husband to clean.
Thank goodness they call first!

[katdyd]

interesting challenge this week..thank you for the wonderful pictures Paulette! mechanical pencil..about an hour and half drawing time

Attached File(s)

 tree.jpg ( 35.4K ) Number of downloads: 35

 

[IslanderNL]

Lovely drawing Katdyd, there's lots of texture going on here that you've captured beautifully.

I played around with watercolour on my initial drawing today and this is the final result. For me, these things always look better in real life. Either that or my scanner (or me) never get good images for online images.

 syrup_maker_2_sml.jpg ( 106.81K ) Number of downloads: 11


 syrup_maker_3_sml.jpg ( 120.82K ) Number of downloads: 12


 syrup_maker_4_sml.jpg ( 132.28K ) Number of downloads: 26


 syrup_maker_5_sml.jpg ( 167.3K ) Number of downloads: 42

[paulette4]

NVA, great job, you really caught his look.
He watched that temperature gauge for hours on end.
Our taking pictures and asking questions was a good break from watching.
Although while one of my sons was helping, he got talking too much and a small fire started.

Barb, so great to have you back on the forum!
I just loved the mixture of metals, wood and reflections.
You did an excellent job showing these.

Marisa, good job on the pot, the reflections on the syrup are great and the added darks make the pan.
You know the watched pot thing?
Well I thought going from 218 degrees to 219 degrees would never happen and he wasn't opening that valve until it got to 219*!

Jeanette, I always love your sketches! I can't wait to see the water colour.
I love the name The Master Syrup Maker!

Katdid, lovely job on the tapped trees.
The first day the buckets were half full, but the next day they were only 1/8 full.
If I understand correctly, it has to freeze at night then warm up above freezing during the day, so the sap starts to run.
When the buds start to come out they stop taking sap, because the syrup will be bitter.

Ah great work Jeanette! I love the skin tones.

[NVA]

Paulette4, you must be happy that we work so seriously on your photos!
Now, thank a lot to IslanderNL: you are a wonderful and generous professor! I learned much from you, but I'm low and need time to digest!

[sergiomig]

WIP I've been having fun with the metal pot of syrup. I love all of the cast shadows and syrup bubbles!
I didn't get too far yet as I had my grandson here for a little while. He just left so I'll get back to it soon.
Now that I have it posted I can see all of the little problems - like my pot is a little lopsided, among other things!

Okay, I'm just about finished. There are probably a few touch ups I could do but I think I am done drawing for the night.

[attachment=16908:Syrup_Pot.jpg] [attachment=16910:WIP_Scan_2_Syrup.jpg][attachment=16913:WIP_Syrup_Scan_3_.jpg]

wwoowwwww...realy good work

[Zaynab Issa]

Wow,the drawings you guys have made are just amazing ! I hope to be able add so much detail and texture my self one day
Here is my humble,and first,attempt on the weekly challenges. I have had a tendency to make too dark outlines,and overall very much darkness,so that is what I been focusing on not doing here.And,concerning that,I am pretty happy with it.
 DSC01907.JPG ( 70.81K ) Number of downloads: 17

[paulette4]

Wonderful work Zaynab Issa!
Great texture and reflections and not an outline to be seen!
The snow in the woods was a couple feet deep, except around the trees.

[Songsparrow]

Wip. I doubt I will have time to finish it this week! I'm away to Ireland until middle of next week. This is a perfect picture for those wanting to practice perspective. You can see I have drawn a few lines onto my board.