Druids Lodge, Wiltshire

I like the shadows cast by the fence posts, however, maybe a little too straight. To add interest maybe undulate them a little.

Again, the critique that you asked for on the forum, (just in case people think I am being harsh). At least we have some perspective in this version, which looks fine. However, there is nothing for the viewer to be able to compare against to judge the scale of it all, and I must say that you have chosen a fairly mundane view to represent, but that was your choice, it wouldn't have been mine. Same comments as on the other, better and darker pencils, try and get away from insipid drawings, please...

I agree with Alan and you should use darker pencils or better still use charcoal. You really need to concentrate on tone. For example, if you are sketching a scene or object, squint your eyes and that way it will be easier to distinguish between light and dark. Tonal, value in my view takes priority over everything else. Experiment with tone and you will improve big time. Just go for it and don't worry too much if it goes wrong, you can always start another piece of work.

Nick's advice is spot on, tone is the key word and I have also mentioned charcoal in my other comment. A disappointing response so far to critique but what you have already is good advice, too much advice from different artists will only serve to confuse you , as has been the case in the past.

If, as you say in your comment , that the trees were actually above you......please tell why didn't you draw them "above " you ? . If you try and alter perspective that is there for you to see in reality, you will come a cropper if you don't draw what's there . I agree entirely with Alam , chuck that miserable little pencil away get a nice soft pencil 6 b at least or even a pen , look at the lights and darks. Sorry you did ask for a crit. What I have noticed David is that you do draw with quite a confidence and quite precisely with one nice un fussy line, so I'm sure you would enjoy a pen .

I'll answer both pictures crits on this one, so here goes. Why did I draw insipidly rather than with good tone? because I draw as IF I am going to colour in with water colour. In other words, I draw as if the drawing is a means to an end rather than an end in itself. This is of course flawed thinking. I do use Derwent sketching pencils but have just bought some Wolff carbon pencils in six grades. I have no idea what they'll do but will give it a go! Why did I draw the trees below me when clearly they were above me? Because I got it wrong. I am really struggling with perspective. In fact I am struggling to observe anything at all in relation to anything else! It's coming, but it's going to be hard won! The confident precision you see, Sylvia, is a result of my REALLY trying hard! As for the pen, YES! I have a pen, a PITT Artists pen which I bought a while ago. Must say I love it and the lines it produces. I still draw in pencil then go over it with the pen when Im happy...not yet confident enough to grab the pen and go for it, even though I know the advice says I should. But I do enjoy the bold dark lines that I can actually see! Faint pencil lines I use to start a watercolour drive me insane...I cant see the blasted things! I keep meaning to try soluble ink and wash but there's only so much money I can spend on art at any one time and I havent found water soluble inks that people seem to use when they then wash with water to get fabulous bleeds. All the inks seem to proudly state 'waterfast'. Hmmm. Finally, the drawing is on watercolour paper (is this a mistake?), it's Bockingfor 140lb rough...perhaps not my favourite but it has a nice feel and I have a pad of it. So there we are...the main piece of advice I was given at the start was "draw teapots and kettles" so I have, and I extended this to fruit and views to try to understand perspective (and anyway, I was outside). Basically I am drawing anything and everything...thanks for the honest crits...I am trying, honest! David