In what way did you simplify and select in your study? I looked for elements that would help give a sense of the space and depth. I looked for variety of shapes eg buildings, fences, rocks, hills - a mixture in order that the composition would be interesting. I looked for elements/shapes that would help me draw one thing based on another ie if I could draw an animal against a fence, relate the fence to a building - so essentially I looked for shapes of different scale. I did leave out elements that I felt were not interesting or were unhelpful or unnecessary.
How did you create a sense of distance and form in your sketches? As I mentioned above, I think using elements of different scale helped to create a sense of distance. I attempted to create a sense of form by introducing light and shade/tonal differences.
How did you use light and shade? Was it successful? It wasn't easy to focus a lot on this element when quick sketching. I used light and shade to give form. As in the coloured view of the farm, I also used it to give a sense of the natural light, the shade cast by the trees and also light to emphasise the foreground. The hint of shadows under the animals give the scene a sense of reality.
What additional preliminary work would have been helpful towards the larger study? As I wanted to draw at the scene rather than use a photo at any point, I felt the preliminary work I did was sufficient and helped me achieve my end. I think additional preliminary work would have taken more time and not been necessary. However if I was working towards a larger study without any time constraint then I think more sketching, selecting what will go in the composition, study of the light and detail more would all help.
