For this exercise I was asked to place two pale, simple shaped objects together and position a lamp so they were lit from one side.
I experimented with a white ceramic bowl a white ceramic tea cup and a white ceramic mug. Below are some photographic layouts.

Then I was asked to make some quick sketches in my a2 sketchbook observing light and dark, mapping out the broad areas of light and shade.
Below is my first drawing. I worked a2 size and used a stick of charcoal. I worked with the charcoal as I would a pencil and I am not happy with my result! I seem to have misjudged its shape and form and whilst working to fix its proportions, I worked over and over my shades of black charcoal, which has not worked. I decided that the best thing to do with this drawing was to leave it and to start a new.

For my second drawing I used my charcoal stick on its side to achieve thick bold strokes . I then tried to block in the graduation of tone. I started with mid tones then added lighter and darker tones, pressing down harder and lighter as I worked. I also tried to work on smaller details such as interlocking shadows.

Overall I felt this was a better drawing than my first one. I think my tonal work with the charcoal was more successful as was my initial use of shape and form.

I found this work difficult, mainly because I was working on such a large scale. I am not especially happy with my results, however I feel it has been a good learning tool and hopefully this method will improve my drawings in the future.