When I enrolled in this course, shading to create the illusion of depth was one of the skills that I most wanted to learn how to do.I'm very much looking forward to these next few lessons!

Here are some of my attempts at the value studies. I found the first image (pencil) difficult. I just couldn't seem to get any ideas going. I watched the demo and my attempts after that were just riffs on those ideas. For the second image I swapped to markers. This was my first time using them (they are fun!). I found it easier to experiment but I think I was focusing too much on the the values in smaller areas (like in his arm) rather than bigger picture. The fourth study (mid tone and light) is my favourite.

Here is a selection of some of my efforts. I had a lot of fun with this and will do a heap more after I watch the critiques.

Level one value scales. I got a bit lost in my first attempt so I scaled back to the 5 squares then attempted the 11 squares again. I find the lighter values difficult as the harder H pencils seem less ' responsive' when compared to the softer Bs. Also first time practicing the overhand grip.

First attempt at warmup excercise

Level One. I found this challenging, I could only get the 'big picture' stuff down and couldn't remember the finer details like the outer sleeve on the wrench. Definitely an exercise I will continue to practice.

Level One, before watching demo videos. Great exercise, very challenging. In some cases I ghosted in a 'straight' box and then drew the twisted shape over the top, that helped me to figure out where to place corners etc. On some of the forms, that had a lot of rotation, I had trouble working out the placement of the contour lines as they disappeared and reappeared from view.

Level 1, pre demo video. I drew one warm up house and a retro gas station. Fun to come up with some ideas and try to put them on the page

Level one. Scene from imagination. This was a lot of fun!

Level 1 before watching the demo. 1. Warm up blobs 2. Ginger roots 3. Koi and Seal I know my pictures may not reflect this, but I've had a real light bulb moment with these last two lessons. I'm finally able to 'see' the 2d form as a 3d (or potential) 3d shape and I understand how to rotate it and move it backwards and forwards in and out of the page. I've still got a way to go before what is in my sketchbook looks like it does in my head, but I feel like there has been an 'achievement unlocked'. Thanks to Stan, and the rest of the Proko team, for creating lessons that break these difficult concepts down into achievable goals!