CGTalk - Sketchbook Thread of angelicvoice

angelicvoice

08-03-2007, 05:16 PM

Oh wow, the people here are really kind and encouraging. . Thank you! Yup I will work hard to improve. Currently I draw at least one sketch per week, on top of smaller random sketches. Though it's probably peanuts time compared to what others dedicate to their own. .:D

Hey Trunks: I draw on A3 paper most of the time, and fill up about 2/3 of it at least, tho for the most recent nudes they occupy only A4 height on the paper.

I wonder if everyone faces the same thing: if I want to keep to my 'schedule' of one to two sketch a week, I will never be able to finish them if I draw big to occupy the whole A3 paper - too much shading to do. I have tried it before, and the time took ranged from seven to twenty hours. *bleah*

cirus5555

08-03-2007, 05:20 PM

really nice sharp form I really like the detail on the face's (Me like)

angelicvoice

08-04-2007, 09:06 AM

These guy look rather unlike what he is supposed to look like. Drew one on A3 size and one smaller than A5, and just couldnt quite get him right . .

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1274/1004555339_fc2e0bdbed.jpg

angelicvoice

08-04-2007, 09:09 AM

She looks a bit more on the plump side than she really is . .:P
(I am sorry for the display size, but flickr.com auto reduces the size. oh well, makes for less scrolling, I suppose. .)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1373/1004555317_f3ff158390.jpg

angelicvoice

08-04-2007, 09:10 AM

I drew him, but I dun even know who he is . . An actor?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/1005422216_047af10127.jpg

angelicvoice

08-04-2007, 09:12 AM

Drew him about 3 months ago:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1227/1004555301_7a9425ebf9.jpg

angelicvoice

08-04-2007, 09:14 AM

Another nude

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1110/1004555407_785617d999.jpg

angelicvoice

08-04-2007, 09:20 AM

These two were drawn about 2 days apart
a) was drawn after a hiatus of a couple of months, and when drawing it it took some time for the pencil to get used to my hand.

b) The one drawn after 2 days.

a:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1325/1004555389_c30039506a.jpg
b:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1233/1004555383_fb9010a960.jpg

rdsarna

08-04-2007, 09:38 AM

Hey Louis!
Beautiful work here....The figures look so dynamic...
You have a natural hand for rendering the figures so well....I'm sure Sarah Simblet would be pleased to see how well you've drawn from her book! :)

Keep up the good work.....and keep posting!

PS. Why don't you try some other image hosting site like imageshack.us ?

Ratul

NR43

08-04-2007, 11:23 AM

Hi

lovely work!

I draw at least one sketch per week, on top of smaller random sketches.
You know what my teacher would say to that?
1 drawing day per week... that's one day to learn and 6 days to forget...
Try to switch that situation 180° :D

If you would draw every day, you would become really REALLY good in no time!

angelicvoice

08-04-2007, 05:02 PM

Oh hey,

I thought I read somewhere that imageshack doesnt allow nude figures of sorts, so I did a search and picked the first host i found. ..flickr.com .. so far so good :) .

Hey Johan,
actually I draw almost everyday, in the morning and sometimes evening, so at the end of five days, would have spent 5-8 hours, just enough for one (or if I am faster, two) copy sketches. Currently doing a animation short film in the between hours. . .

Your teacher is wise, i think. And the quote was brillant: '1 drawing day per week... that's one day to learn and 6 days to forget...' . . Haha. .

My teacher told me he used to sleep 4 hours a day, and complete 8 sketches a week (on top of other assignments) as a student of illustration. I think that's obsession!

angelicvoice

08-05-2007, 06:03 AM

Hi,

This is another nude from Sarah Simblet's wonderful anatomy book. This is the first time I am using cross-hatching - do u think it is working out?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1127/1014376112_2d2c51b094.jpg

SpiritDreamer

08-05-2007, 07:07 AM

Hi ...Louis ..:)

Kind of had to see the cross hatching at that size...a little to small...maybe just post a section of it for a close up shot..:)
Would love to see what you could do with some charcoal, or even better, conti crayons...Have you ever checked out the works of Burne Hogarth, or any of his books...DYNAMIC FIGURE DRAWING is one of his books that you might really enjoy and learn alot from also..He was a master at conti crayon figure drawings, which is a very fast way of getting big figures down, that also look great when your done. You can find his books on the internet..Google...AMAZON .COM ect...just a passing thought...Your work has a dynamic feel and energy to it, and he came to mind..:)
Anyway, looking forward to seeing more of your work..and progress..:thumbsup:
TAKE CARE
Glenn

angelicvoice

08-05-2007, 07:57 AM

Oops, apologies:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1402/1015165660_c19ba5212a.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1310/1015165672_6a4a4fed99.jpg

Oh yeah, I have Hogarth's dynamic figure drawing. He is simply amazing to me. . .

About using charcoal or conti crayons . . I have never been taught how to use them, and I dun really know what conti crayons are. :P Basically the animation school I am at emphasizes a lot on copy sketches and gesture drawings using pencils to train the perceptiveness of our eyes. And only 2B pencils, to improve our reliance on the strength we put on our paper based on our perception of the tone . .It is unlikely i will get to learn how to use them.

If I am to use them, how do I start? Are there any resources for learning how to use them that you would recommend?

Thanks, look fw to your replies. :)

NR43

08-05-2007, 08:55 AM

If I am to use them, how do I start? Are there any resources for learning how to use them that you would recommend?

The best way is... to just use them and feel the medium. Try to avoid experimenting while having expectations. Just play around with it and see what gives. Don't give up too soon on a certain medium, some are harder to get used to than others.

Looking forward to see more!

On the crosshatching: I like the parts where your shading is darker, but the lit parts of the body, in particular his right arm. You can always go darker while shading, but not lighter, so it's imperative not to hatch too hard on the lit parts. Be subtil.

Great work! Keep going!

angelicvoice

08-05-2007, 05:20 PM

Hey thanks, Johan, for your comments :) !

I completed the sketch, losing patience at the middle becos it took longer than I expected. Assumed it would take 2 hours or less (becos cross-hatching is supposed to be faster?), but took about twice as much time (possibly becos I lack the technique to properly render it w crosshatch - I have never even hatched a sphere before:shrug: , as so many art books demonstrate with). Think I lost quite a fair bit of details. What do you think? How can I improve?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1177/1018250367_5002254d56.jpg

Will upload the closeups tomolo with a better scan

angelicvoice

08-06-2007, 04:12 AM

Here they are. Comments and critiques please:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1107/1024163500_1d757ee5b3.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1050/1024163592_5154007e6f.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1189/1024163578_d2113721f6.jpg

NR43

08-06-2007, 06:27 AM

I'm wondering what size your drawings are? Crosshatching is rather time consuming, but the effect is really nice don't you agree?

If you want to draw and shade fast, try charcoal or conte crayon.

To take your hatching to the next level, try to follow the flow of the forms instead of using straight lines. The human being is organic. Feel the curves of the muscles. This process of "feeling" should actually already be started from the very beginning of your drawing, when creating the gesture for the pose, and it should last until the final touch.
It's a zone you are entering and you won't even hear the phone ringing or the postman at the door when you are (or at least I don't :D )

Keep practicing this is not something that is learned overnight :)
You're doing really great btw...

angelicvoice

08-06-2007, 08:58 AM

Oh hey,

The figure is about full A4 size. What you said is something I will remind myself every time I draw. Thanks for the comments. :)

angelicvoice

08-08-2007, 03:20 AM

less than 5 min figures:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1322/1045210505_c7cb0759ec.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1365/1045210269_a54af46a99.jpg

Randize

08-08-2007, 03:26 AM

Gosh, it's that like less than 5 mins for all the figures or each?

But I really like your strokes. Could you post more figures in hi-res please? Cross-hatching ones.

SpiritDreamer

08-09-2007, 02:04 AM

Hi...Louis ...:) Great job on the bottom cross hatched figure on previous page..in the raised arm,..arm pit area, and inside shoulder and arm area...In those areas, the contour line is wrapped around the figure so that there is a sense of travel around to the unseen forms on the figure...Whereas on the outter edge of the torso..the side that has the raised arm, it lacked that same quality that is in the armpit and inside shoulder area..tends to be flat, and flatten out at the edge, without the sense of going around the figure through the use of contour line defining the muscle groups in the outter edge of the side..You might check out some of Michelanglo's drawings to get a better sense of how those outter edges can be defined with contour line, interlacing of forms, combined with cross hatching on the outter edges of the torso, hips ect....If you pulled it off on the armpit and shoulder area, then i'm sure you can also pull it off on the other outter edges of the figure..:)
I like your little gestures and faces, but am not sure what the rush is for, or all about ...just imagine how much better they would be, if you slowed down...That's just me though, I have never been a big fan of speed when it comes to drawing the figure, unless it is done with one broad stroke that captures the volume, light and shade all in one fell swoop and is thought out way ahead of time and is translated through keen observation of the subject being depicted...like the OLD MASTERS from CHINA, and JAPAN would and could do with their sumi brushes and ink.....but that is just my personal taste though. I'm sure you have your own reason for wanting speed envolved in your figure drawings, other than just loosening up..:)
Anyway, really looking forward to seeing much more of your work, and the progresss that is sure to come with it...:thumbsup:
TAKE CARE
Glenn

angelicvoice

08-12-2007, 05:46 AM

Hi,

Randize: It's <5min for each. Actually I cannot rem if it's 2 or 3 or 1 min, just thought to give it a nice number.

In life drawing sessions, we typically do figure drawings of 30 sec, 2 min, 5 min, then 10 to more mins, building on the previous gesture each time. . .so that's probably where the '5min' came from.
I dun really have any crosshatch examples to display, if you read my posts properly.

Glenn: Thanks for the advice, I will remember to wrap my contour around my figure next time i do shading. Thanks for liking my gestures. I am sorry if I gave the impression that I am rushing - rushing always give the idea that one is going through work without giving quality. . .my idea is to do things fast with quality. Those faces and gestures u see are random doodles I do every week. :)

i understand that it is important to get fundamental skills right too, and that takes time.

I would like to say that i am not rushing. . .But then again, would a fish knows that it is in water? :P

If I am able to draw something in a nice and accurate and proportional manner, in the way I want it, in the shortest time possible, it would mean I have achieved something. Maybe people wise in their ways will think differently. :shrug:

Cheers

angelicvoice

08-12-2007, 05:53 AM

Took Ratul's advice and used imageshack for hosting. :)

This time its a face. I am sorry for the odd highlights on the dark areas, these are due to me using too much force and damaging the quality of the paper, plus the reflected light of the scanner. Done with only a 2b pencil on A3 paper.

http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/7702/ladyfacewt0.jpg

ForzaInter

08-12-2007, 11:23 AM

Hi angelicvoice, very nice work!:thumbsup:

I like this last piece very much. A tiny comment though: Her neck, at the left side looks a bit flat. Other than that, it's amazing! How did you manage to do such wonderful lips? I feel like kissing her:D
How much time did you spend on this one?

Cheers,
Dionysis:wavey:

angelicvoice

08-13-2007, 03:23 AM

Imageshack has problem w loggin in so its back to flickr again.

Ok I made changes to her based on the feedback :) . Cant help but feel I have ruined her hair? :

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1418/1099385090_6f67d838ba.jpg

With regards to the mouth, there are a few things I usually do:

1) Make the strokes follow the curve of the flesh of the mouth like this.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1364/1099367242_226034484a.jpg

Notice the vertical strokes look better. It also allows you to catch the highlights of the inward curving parts of the flesh that face the light. other directions of stokes may not work so well because the highlights are usually 'vertical'

2) Catch the highlights (all of them if possible), even the narrow ones.

3) For the teeth, avoid defining them with lines. Just hint at them with the gaps between them and the lips. Especially so for female faces - defining the teeth will make them look like witches.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1327/1098516351_7f77d4f62e.jpg

4) Make the contrast high. Dark values be brave to go down hard on the paper. Light values remain untouched or light. Make sure the values are similar to your source image, ratio-wise.

Hope it helps. :)

ForzaInter

08-13-2007, 12:08 PM

Oh, thanks for the instructions! GREATLY appreciate it! :)

I think her neck looks better now. Her hair are just fine. No need to worry. :)

I believe you are ready to move to your next drawing (or painting). Can't wait for it! :thumbsup:

Farchi

08-13-2007, 02:52 PM

Hey.

Your work with the human figure is awesome.

angelicvoice

08-24-2007, 04:52 AM

Hi, just thought to have a theme for the upload this week. The small ones are just to let pple see the whole thing better. No prizes for guessing which movies they came from :D :

From 4 mths ago:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1405/1219440306_6d41bf3706.jpg

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/456/300smallev4.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1288/1218574363_9524f66bb8.jpg

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/391/spidermansmallhi3.jpg

angelicvoice

08-24-2007, 04:56 AM

This one was made last week, my weekly commitment to this thread. Comments and critiques are very welcome :) :

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1048/1218575035_59356a940f.jpg

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/2008/eragonbigfh6.jpg

NR43

08-24-2007, 05:56 AM

Nice work
Try to push your lighting more.
Faces are often the most important focal points in a drawing.
The viewer's eye is lead towards the area's with the highest contrast, which is the clothing in your last drawing.

ForzaInter

08-24-2007, 11:04 AM

Wow!!! Amazing work on rendering! For the first two, i wouldn't recognize them from original posters. Are these pure pencil works?
How big are these? Because Leonidas' face seems very detailed...

The last one seems a bit "fluid". Did you use solid shapes to set the composition?
Maybe you should add some sort of background

Please, bring more! :thumbsup:

angelicvoice

08-24-2007, 05:42 PM

Hi,

NR43: Sorry, I don't get what you mean by 'push the lighting' more. You mean heighten the contrast throughout the piece? You are right about the faces, I didnt work on them enough (contrast I mean). :D Will upload a new version edited based on your comment sometime later :) .

Dionysis: Hmm yeah they are just pencil renderings. The first two are done with 2B pencils (I was amazed when I was shown how dark 2Bs can go). The latest with pencils of different tone gradations. I mostly draw on A2 layout pads.

Sorry, I am not clear about the last piece being 'fluid'. Do you mean the texture looks watery or it feels 'soft' and flowy like water or it doesnt have impact? Would love more elaboration on this. :)

Hmmm.. i didnt use solid shapes to block out the composition, typically i have an idea where i want to place the subjects before I start.

It's also unlikely i will add a background because I need it to be white in order to use it to create transparency in photoshop later for some other purpose. Thanks for the suggestion, because it was a good one. :)

Louis

ForzaInter

08-24-2007, 07:20 PM

Sorry, I am not clear about the last piece being 'fluid'. Do you mean the texture looks watery or it feels 'soft' and flowy like water or it doesnt have impact? Would love more elaboration on this. :)

Hmmm.. i didnt use solid shapes to block out the composition, typically i have an idea where i want to place the subjects before I start.

It seems like the people are fluid, mostly the right and left ones, that they tend to flow. Imo it would help a lot to shape out the people first, set them according to each other, make them stand correctly, and then start rendering.

Keep up Louis! :thumbsup:

angelicvoice

08-25-2007, 03:21 AM

Hey Dionysis,

Thanks for your comments. Let me mull over it for a while more. :)

Trunks

08-25-2007, 11:27 AM

Hi angelicvoice,
very nice work on this pieces, very nice rendered! The hhead of the guy on the left looks not this good like all the others but it's ok :D

Keep it up :)
Thomas

SpiritDreamer

08-25-2007, 01:41 PM

Hi ...Louis ..:)

Lots of work in those drawings...coming out GREAT...:thumbsup:
I think that maybe a colored, toned background would really enhance these types of drawings, and also add to their mood.
The colored background, would create a mid tone, then it is just a matter of throwing in some darks, and some highlights here and there, keeping your eye on the lighting as you go along...Just a passing thought that might be of help to you in your future studies..:)
Keep going, ...GREAT progress happening..:thumbsup:
TAKE CARE
Glenn

pushav

08-26-2007, 04:07 AM

Now that is one cool spiderman sketch.

angelicvoice

08-26-2007, 04:48 AM

Hi,

Thomas: Thank you :)

Glenn: Thanks for the suggestion! Sounds like a good idea, will definitely think about the colored backgrounds when I edit some of these pieces in photoshop in the future.

Verdell: Thank you, glad you liked it :D

Made some changes to the last piece based on Johan's comments, (sorry cannot respond in time to all the critiques) - increased the contrast on the faces based on my meagre knowledge of the skull and facial muscles.

There are some unnatural highlights at the corners of the paper due to scanning, as usual:

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/5849/eragon2smallix1.jpg

At the same time, just to let viewers of this thread see how much contrast really catches the eye. This is something I feel beginning artists sometimes lose focus at. I think it takes courage (as well as knowledge) to really bump up the contrast accurately and in a pleasing manner. Something I always try to work on everytime I draw.

Just compare above and below (heightened the contrast w photoshop, at the risk of losing details in the dark areas,of course) :

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/4623/eragon2smallhcgs3.jpg

NR43

08-26-2007, 08:29 AM

I think it's much better now!
I must hand it to you that you've made an awesome drawing here, because of the angle at which the subjects are seen is really hard to draw.

Great stuff!

angelicvoice

09-28-2007, 08:29 PM

Hello, it's been a while. Been really busy with my short film, now in its final phase, so lesser time to do A2 sketches. Ok, ok, it's an excuse, I know.

Took Mr Spiritdreamer's comments about using colored bg for the sketches.

As usual, comments and criticisms are welcome. :)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1419/1453660313_f5eec8c268.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/4526/soldierlq3.jpg

angelicvoice

09-28-2007, 08:40 PM

Now there's a new trend in my school - my juniors are starting to draw bigger without attention to details eg different levels of toning or minor details like creases and folds, it seems. At least where copy sketches are concerned. Think it defeats the purpose of such copying, which is to train the eyes to catch details. Not that mine has a lot of details, of course. Just a thought.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1326/1454526760_941d72fd1d.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/457/dancersio4.jpg

angelicvoice

09-28-2007, 08:53 PM

My last copy sketch, which should stay the 'last' until I get the short film sorted out. Couldnt get imageshack to show it any bigger than this, I am not sure why:

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/2904/muaythaidm6.jpg

rdsarna

09-28-2007, 09:00 PM

BEAUTIFUL RENDERING!! :thumbsup: :applause:
Just love soooo much detail,,,,,,,,,on such big drawings.......
want more.........

Ratul

SpiritDreamer

09-30-2007, 03:04 PM

Hi ..Louis ...;)

GREAT DRAWINGS..:thumbsup:
I find it very interesting that your juniors are forsaking details, for substance I hope.
I see alot of people going overboard with details, especially in 3d...VICTIMS of photoghrapy/photo realism...just a passing phase I hope.
It kind of reminds me of that old saying..YOU CAN'T SEE THE FOREST BECAUSE ALL THE TREES/DETAILS ARE IN THE WAY..:banghead:
Just a passing thought concerning detail, and it's abuse in art.

REALLY looking forward to seeing more of your work and progress..:thumbsup:
TAKE CARE
Glenn

angelicvoice

09-30-2007, 06:37 PM

Thanks Ratul and Mr/Mrs Spiritdreamer for the encouragement! :)

I think my juniors just dun have the time to do detailed drawings. I agree though, that certain things like details shouldnt be overdone. :p

The other trend they have, i heard, is to overly depend on grid lines. Drawing grid lines on the paper, then drawing grid lines on the reference, then translating one for one with the help of the grid. Good help, I think, but once a certain level has been attained, I think they should use less and less grids.

It's just like using less of crutches once your legs get stronger from walking more? Otherwise the reliance will stifle development. . .

lilirious

09-30-2007, 10:16 PM

Hi Louis,

I can't help but drool...omg your drawings are soo good :D more more! :D

angelicvoice

10-01-2007, 07:08 PM

Thanks Lili,

It wasnt like this at first. Just to let everyone see my early sketches (and possibly laugh at them) about 7 mths ago:

one of my first attempts (the reference was about 20 times smaller, making it much harder to get correct. Guess I didnt know what i was up against):

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1137/1469235300_570f4ee328.jpg

Thought there was an improvement here, but nope, my instructor felt it didnt make the mark.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1013/1468381971_1d5af9ac17.jpg

Tried harder this time, and this was placed on the wall of my classroom:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1206/1468382875_4693f56863.jpg
Ref:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1189/1469240914_305d06bee2.jpg

angelicvoice

10-01-2007, 07:22 PM

Here my lecturer taught me the value of details. Look at this, can u believe it's Orlando Bloom?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1302/1468384031_b0aeb1486c.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1243/1468386045_68922004fb.jpg

To expand the eyes at the top left of the drawing to see it better:

My eye:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1384/1468386759_9179a73c0a.jpg

My lecturer's version:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1045/1469241232_8449362f8e.jpg

Previously I thought the eye was just a ball of black. It isnt really so. See how much adding details make the eye look more alive?

There are a few things that my lecturer look for when deciding on whether to put up a drawing on a noticeboard (if i rem correctly):

1) The overall form - proportionality for eg. No matter how much detail or furnishing there is, if it looks wrong, it's not correct.

2) Toning - does it bring out the 3dness of the subject, for eg?

3) Quality of details - eg. details on the eyes, mouth etc.

3) Composition - is the overall drawing pleasing?

angelicvoice

10-01-2007, 07:32 PM

After a while more (sob .. a C grade):

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/1468384803_526915ec98.jpg

Ref:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1349/1469239746_c8b77acc2f.jpg

As you can see, there is more accuracy, but the toning has too little contrast. Still bad.

The more I drew, there is less reliance of grid lines, though I still use the basic direction and distance to mark out landmarks on a sketch.

There is some progression, as you can see. If someone like me can improve over a few months, anyone else can. Just draw everyday. Or every other day. Or every other other day. Hope it helps to inspire, even if by a bit. :)