To my eye, Val, these are substantial leather boots.
Let me begin with an area that is not as fully described as it could have been - the toe of the right-hand boot. The foreground, left-hand boot’s toe has a definite and very recognisable roundness. My toes could fit in there quite comfortably. But the right-hand boot appears to be flat in that area. It's missing the vertical, rounded rise at the tip.
VAL-Boots2-crit.jpg
Now, I mention this because I immediately noticed something about that boot that would provide a challenge for anyone. The reference shows a dark ridge running down the length of the foot, and there is a need to get that perfectly correct. That said, it's not easy to
understand, let alone draw. There is a lighter portion (red) to the rear of the ridge where we catch a glimpse of the far side of the boot. But
we cannot see that far side at the toes. However, in your drawing... we can.
Also, you've invented creasing where there really shouldn't be any. The tip of the boot carries a very subtle but important highlight (green). That highlight tells us the toe has volume and height. But it's omission, and the creases, tells us the toe slopes down to the tip - and I most certainly cannot get my toes into that boot.
Happy with the left boot, not so happy with the right one...
VAL-Boots2-crit.jpg
I agree. It doesn't have the same level of attention that the left-hand boot received. For example, the creases in the left-hand boot have very descriptive highlights running their length (blue). Without the highlight, a crease becomes a surface mark. And that's what's happened on the right boot. No highlights = dark surface marks.
Now the good stuff - which (ignoring the right-hand foot) is everything else!
They are a solid, three-dimensional pair of boots. They're leather - thick, hard-wearing leather - there's no doubt of that. I can
feel the hardness and smoothness of the rounded toe. The creases are undeniably deep creases (thanks to the highlights). And there's a hint of a dark crack just establishing itself. So these must be a popular and often-worn pair of boots. You've told the story - the way YOU see the boots - very well.
I still have trouble with achieving the darkest tone. It only measures about 3-4 on my homemade 5-step scale. Nowhere near 5 (black). And I’m using the point side of the chisel.
I don't think the level of blackness is your problem - it's
contrast. Your paper (compared to the board behind it) is far from being white. That matters! Also, you're viewing your reference on a tablet, which has back lighting. That will affect the brightness you perceive. A printout would be a better choice. And I'm not saying that as an anti-technology old bloke... You're comparing a back-lit reference to a front-lit drawing on a cream paper. Those darks don't stand a chance!
I watched your textures video. It’s GREAT. Can’t wait to give it a go. I like that I can completely finish an individual stone/rock at a time.
I didn't mention that I drew it over a space of three days. Take your time and enjoy adding variety to every rock. Fix the lighting in your mind, and then think three-dimensionally as you draw. And, if it helps, talk to yourself - explain what you're doing and why - because that helps to make sense of everything.
Also, there will be a YouTube version that should interest you. I edited it yesterday. Today I have additional filming to do for it, then more editing tomorrow. It's a cut-down version with more of the "bloke talking while he's drawing" stuff, which I think you'll find useful. As soon as it's finished, I'll post a copy here under Tips & Tricks.
