Apple challenge, Create an apple and post it Options

[IslanderNL]

On my blog I started an apple challenge and thought it may be interesting to have one here as well.

Apples are often thought of as simple fruits and not examined carefully enough to notice subtle lights and darks, patterning on the skin, colour etc. This challenge is designed to help you look more closely at the lowly apple and bring it to the realm of high art.

Create an apple drawing or painting and post it here. Explain the medium you used, the type of support you used and what you learned as you did it.

This is an open challenge, meaning there is no cut off date, so you can post pieces whenever, read back through comments and advice, see the variety of techniques used and learn.

Here are a couple from me to start the ball - or apple - rolling! The first is done in charcoal on newsprint paper. I enjoy the challenge of seeing how delicate charcoal can be when its usually considered a medium for bold pieces. The second is a macro view of an apple in oils. A close view in loose representational style gives a new perspective on this fruit and lets me experiment with colour and form.

 Charcoal_apple_sml.jpg ( 50.05K ) Number of downloads: 71
 apple_crop_sml.jpg ( 50.83K ) Number of downloads: 51

[sipsik]

That's a good challenge and it doesn't have any time limitation . I'll give a try when I'll be finished with my ATC trade. I think I draw an apple last time in my childhood

[dolphin-paradise]

I drew one like yesterday at work and it was a circle with a line and on top and a little leaf lol I don't have it anymore because it was so not worth keeping. I doodle all the time at work on receipt paper because that's how bored I am.

[paulette4]

 IMG_9467.JPG ( 71.13K ) Number of downloads: 26

This first picture is a line drawing with some colour mapping.
Since I drew it from life. I figured it would be a good idea to know the colours. In case it gets consumed.

 IMG_9470.JPG ( 117.86K ) Number of downloads: 42

This one is done in charcoal on printer paper, same apple.
I was looking down at it a bit, but feel I still lost some of the length, or maybe shape on the bottom. I'll see if I can fix it when I do the coloured one.
Oh also if you are wondering about the light, I had a light coming from the left and my monitor light giving a glow on the right.

[IslanderNL]

It looks quite appley to me Paulette. I love the charcoal, it works so well and has a good sense of solidity to it.

[siksnosparnyte]

Nice apples! And a great idea for a challenge.

Decided to post mine here too

 apples_2.JPG ( 49.16K ) Number of downloads: 43

[NVA]

I just try a compostion

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 Pommes.JPG ( 64.25K ) Number of downloads: 49

 

[IslanderNL]

Excellent transitions Sks. Great drawing.

NVA, wonderful painting. I love the colours here. Beautiful.

[IslanderNL]

Here's another apple that I did this time using Yupo, a synthetic surface where the watercolour pools instead of sinking into the surface. Its unique and forces you to think carefully about your colours and brushstrokes.

 yupo_apple_1_sml.jpg ( 50.8K ) Number of downloads: 41

[paulette4]

This is great! Is yupo anything like drafting film?

[IslanderNL]

It likely has similar properties Paulette. I was considering seeing how some drafting film would work with watercolour last night after using the translucent yupo.

[Ernest Friedman-...]

Charcoal pencils and white pastel pencil on grey Mi-Teintes. I've been meaning to try out this kind of "three-color" drawing technique for a while, and this is the first attempt. I like it!
 IMG_4405.JPG ( 43.15K ) Number of downloads: 48

[Brian David Dekt...]

Great challenge Jeanette, I admire all the drawings very much especially the examples you gave, what a talent you have. It's been a long time since I tried a drawing like this, so naturally I think it's a flop, I used conte pencil and 5 erasers, took me one hour so I guess I rushed it.

Attached File(s)

 Jeanette_s_apple_Challenge.jpg ( 16.51K ) Number of downloads: 27

 

[IslanderNL]

Your apple is wonderful Ernest. Using darks and lights on toned paper really works well doesn't it?

Brian, great to see you join in. Your apple is luscious. I love the greens. My only suggestion would be to hit it up with some stronger darks in the shadow areas to really indicate the direction of the light.

[siksnosparnyte]

Great apple, Ernest! I especially like the texture of the paper showing through. It gives a unique feeling to it. And I just love those transitions between values. Don't know what exactly is catching my eye there. I just don't want to stop looking and examining them.

Brian, believe it or not. I like your drawing. Yes, for more realistic look you would need some stronger darks and some stronger highlights, but for me it looks good as it is. There's no doubt that you drew it, your style is easy to recognise in this. And, in my opinion, it's the most important thing.

[Ernest Friedman-...]

Thanks folks -- I like this piece and am going to try some more in the same vein.

Brian, yours reminds me of one of my favorite films:


I got Danielle to do an apple too. Hers is watercolor pencils on Strathmore Artagain black -- I really like it!
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[Brian David Dekt...]

Thanks Jeanette! I see what you mean, with having no time frame I hope to try another.

Thanks very much Soksno...see you always brighten my day, here is my Green apple again, I guess this one is more my speed.


Ernest that made me laugh, I remember that movie well, also reminds me of this....love your daughter's drawing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ0infCY4Gg

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 My_Green_Apple.jpg ( 86.72K ) Number of downloads: 15

 

[IslanderNL]

I recall the image but not the film. Refresh my old brain Ernest. Blue Meanies? Yellow Submarine or am I way off track?

Danielle's done a super apple. I love the strong contrasts and drama in it. Great work!

Uh.....Brian.....I hate to tell you this, but there's a worm in your apple....ewwwwww Great link to the song, I remember it from way back.

[Ernest Friedman-...]

Yellow Submarine, indeed. Those are technically Apple Bonkers, though, and not Blue Meanies (but they play for the same team!)

[Sveta17]

All the apples are fantastic! here are my watercolour pencils apples, on plain paper.

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 apples.jpg ( 1.16MB ) Number of downloads: 33