No Idea - wip

I had drawn this one as a wip and posted it and the below info on another art board that I belong to.

Image1 - I've used a 2b mechanical pencil and a little H, I've blended with the pencil and also where needed with a blending stick. I've built up a few layers of 2b in the shadows and will go over some areas again...drawing metal is a lot of fun, it's an on going challenge to make it look shinny and hard. The grid was helpful in getting a good outline but once it's gone my eyes needed to do the rest and believe me they were put to the test....I've lost my way a few times with some of the groves.

Image 2 - I've been studying the metal as I go along (I have a lightbulb close by), also the reference is a good one in that it's a pic of an older bulb so the surface has small scratches and some wear. From what I've learned it's alll these tiny imperfections that make up the realism so the more the better. When drawing a metal/glass object something to remember is to keep your pencil strokes tight and not sketchy. Also remember for reflective and curved surfaces where there is light there is shadow, it's this balance of tones that gives you that nice 3d look. I worked a bit more on the bottom area, I colored in the mid tones with an H and the darker areas with a 2b, I then took a small blending stick and began blending the mid tone area (you can see where I left off). I also went over a little of the darks and added in a few more imperfections.

Image 3 - I've finished the metal part of the light bulb, all that's left is the shadow under it and a final once over. As you can see I have darken most of the shadowed areas again and put in a lot more imperfections. I used a 3b for the dark area at the bottom and a blending stick to blend the mid tones into the darks.

Image 4 - As you can see I drew in a slight shadow, this grounds the piece and gives it a realistic look. For the shadow I used an H pencil and a little 2b, then used a small blending stick. I began drawing the glass part.

Image 5 - I'm mapping out a few areas in the glass bulb, have to say it's like some bizarre maze but I'm still enjoying. I may get an inch or two done today. So far I put in around 20 hours.

Image 6 - I've been working my way with the glass slowly, it's a lot harder then the metal was. I need to have a light touch in most areas and need to render different thickness of glass. I have to say it's a lot of fun to be drawing something this different! I used a 2b mechanical for all the fine lines and H and some 2b for shading, also a small blending stick to give it that smooth look.

Image 7 (last update) - I was able to work a bit longer on the drawing and got a lot more done on the glass. I have been mapping areas out then using a 2b mechanical I darken the outlines where needed. I then color in areas with a H or 2b and go over the areas with my trusty small blending stick. Some of the lighter areas I don't have to color in I just use the blending stick since it has graphite on it already and I want just a hint of tone. I'm enjoying this little study very much...my next update should be the last.

....to see the finished piece look here: [link]

Take care~Linda