Sketching crackers : step-by-step images

[Yusuke]

Hi,

As the answer to Bill's request in the Weekly Sketch Thread, I tried to take some photographs at the several steps of my latest sketch. Here's the one...Ritz crackers.


I'll post the progress photos from now.

[Yusuke]

Step 1.
Prepare the subject. I set the Ritz crackers on a table like this.

[Yusuke]

Step 2.
I drew the outline with hard OP. This time, I used Pentel.

[Yusuke]

Step 3.
Coated with the base color. I used Yellow and Orange of Faber Castell OPs. Sorry, the image is a little dark.

[Yusuke]

Step 4.
Adding some other colors on it. Darker orange and lemon-yellow of Faber Castell OPs and Caran d'Ache neopastels. The image is still dark, sorry.

[Yusuke]

Step 5.
Laying darker browns on it. I occasionally rub the OPs of the upper layers with my fingers. Softer ones, in this case, Holbeins were used.

[Yusuke]

Step 6.
Adding more colors on it with softer ones. I used Senneliers. Partly depicting tones (and details at the same time).

[Yusuke]

Step 7.
Scratch off the top layers with tortillons. The lower layers of brighter colors will appear as sharp lines. These incised lines can be the edges and surface materials of the crackers

[Yusuke]

Step 8.
Paint background for a change. Color selection is another interesting process I think. The same as the table? Complement colors? Neutral tint? I chose gray.
I also added some small highlights (light reflection on crackers are quite small) and shadows at this stage.

[Yusuke]

Step 9.
Then, let's make the sketch finished checking details and tiny differences of tones. I think concentrating on the observation to detect missed differences between the real objects and the sketched work is the most exciting process.

[Yusuke]

Step 10.
Enjoy the subject with a cup of coffee (or whatever you like).


Haha, I don't know whether this progression of cracker sketch gave you food for thought or not. Anyway, thank you for looking.

[LJW]

Yusuke, thanks very much for this. It's really interesting to see how you work with the harder OPs at first and progress to the softer ones for the upper layers. What a great way for people to make use their student OPs along with their professional ones. The scratching back to the lower colour really works to represent the crackers' surface, and you've created great three-dimensionality. You deserve your cracker reward, but I bet it's even more enjoyable when you've painted pie or a fancy dessert! Jane

[wabbitt]

Thank you for the WIP. I am reassured about my preferred way of working which it turns out is very much like yours because you do draw from life. Wonderful results of a very crisp looking cracker. Enjoy your rewards

[starblue]

Rated.

[sparkling]

Thank you very much for this wonderful WIP !
It's always so interesting to watch other people work - it teaches you so much.
I have been surprised to learn that you worked with four different brands of OPs on that sketch. Wow! Is this your normal procedure, or did you only do this for this sketch?