Help me grasp the fundamentals!

[Dahlium]

Hi everybody!
First I know this pic is in such a poor picture quality it's hard to critique, but I wonder if you could give me some overall tips how to improve...

Iv'e drawn for about 8 years, less and more seriously, but I've always lacked in fundamentals and I understand now I will never get to the next level if I don't get this right.

So I'm gonna start drawing simple objects as still lifes.

ANY help/advice is appreciated.

[JeffX99]

Need to pay more attention to values and the light source. The mug looks like it has a flat top/lid on it because the value information (which indicates and defines the light source) isn't consistent. The mug looks to be lit from 3/4 front right but the interior shadow seems to indicate lighting from 180 degrees opposite.

Another very important indicator of the light has been ignored/obliterated in the dark shading...that is the cast shadow of the mug on the surface.

Anyway, still lifes are a great way to sharpen and train drawing and observation skills. Find some decent books on it as well as searching these threads for the topic.

[Dahlium]

OK! =)

Well, the cup has 2 light sources XD I probably just have to be more careful...

Do you have any book tips?

[Dahlium]

Here's the real one...

[JeffX99]

It definitely has a dominant light source in the photo from 3/4 left. Also defintiely has a strong cast shadow but because it is set up on the dark table that is lost until it casts onto your sketchbook. So dondothat. Set up on a lighter surface.

Best book I can think of would be "Drawing Essentials" by Deborah Rockman. Still life is pretty straight forward so not exactly a ton of books on it (that are worth the read at least). Watson Guptill has a good one as does Barron's. There are a couple good ones that are historically oriented - just search around.