Sketchbook Thread of Calc

[Rebeccak]

Hi Calc,

Welcome, you have a good start here. :) Keep at those box constructions, they can be difficult to get your head around but they are ultimately helpful for spatially visualizing form. Just keep going, and see how far you can push yourself!

-R

[greenpizza]

Yep, Good work!, is clear the action in each pose there, I think that is the better way to get the correct proportions of the body IMO, and that will help you a lot if you are thinking also in storyboard for animation... :thumbsup:

[Calc]

Thank you for the encouraging words Rebeccak and stridiggio!

Here are two anatomy studies referenced from Gray's anatomy.
I missed the angle of the rib cage and the conical shape, so I will try again.
Here's the reference used: Thorax (http://www.bartleby.com/107/Images/large/image112.gif)

When doing such anatomy studies, should I do a few studies before the study if you catch my drift. Is it wise to draw up a few thumbnails to get the feel of the structure?
And should I aim to loosen up even when doing studies?
Also, I have not been able to find good illustrations of how the ribs are actually mating with the different vertebra. If anyone has any links etc, I would greatly appreciate it!

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/Ribcage_front.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/Thoracic_vertebra.jpg

A few more box-men (need to draw more from reference) :

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/10052009-Figures.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/10062009_Figures02.jpg

[Calc]

My wife Tamara did some drawings and paintings about four years ago which I really like.
They are pretty huge, at least 1m long.

Would be nice to hear your comments regarding them. (Trying to get her back into the art-game) :)

The Navaho was made without references.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/Tamara02.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/Tamara03.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/Tamara01.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/Tamara06.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/Tamara05.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/Tamara04.jpg

[NR43]

I like that hug and the bone studies.

Nice sketchbook start!

When doing such anatomy studies, should I do a few studies before the study if you catch my drift. Is it wise to draw up a few thumbnails to get the feel of the structure?
And should I aim to loosen up even when doing studies?

Warming up is always a good idea. Sometimes it takes a while before lines we draw get as smooth as we want to draw them, etc. Quick 1-2 min gesture sketching is an excellent way to warmup. (view the Glenn Vilppu Gesture DVD if you can)
You will loosen up automatically when you do this before starting a longer study.

Also, I have not been able to find good illustrations of how the ribs are actually mating with the different vertebra.
Good reference is a must.
It's best that you get one (or a couple) of good anatomy books.
If you cannot afford any, your local library may bring the solution.
In any case, nothing beats the "real thing".
Perhaps at your school, library, academy, doctor's office,... you can find a replica of a skeleton?

[Calc]

I like that hug and the bone studies.

Nice sketchbook start!


Thanks!


Warming up is always a good idea. Sometimes it takes a while before lines we draw get as smooth as we want to draw them, etc. Quick 1-2 min gesture sketching is an excellent way to warmup. (view the Glenn Vilppu Gesture DVD if you can)
You will loosen up automatically when you do this before starting a longer study.


I have heard only good things about theVilppu DVD, will look more closely into that one.


Good reference is a must.
It's best that you get one (or a couple) of good anatomy books.
If you cannot afford any, your local library may bring the solution.
In any case, nothing beats the "real thing".
Perhaps at your school, library, academy, doctor's office,... you can find a replica of a skeleton?

If you have any specific anatomy books to recommend, please do.
I bet I could find a skeleton replica somewhere, but it would most likely cost a fortune..

Anyways, I try not to post anything in this thread without sketches so here they are:

The bottom right box-man was drawn from reference (posemaniacs), and it took ages to make it look even remotely close to the ref-picture. Need to practice more from ref! I drew the pelvis rather quick (10min), will do a more detailed study soon.

Thanks

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/12062009-Figures02.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/12062009-Figures01.jpg

[NR43]

You seem very motivated to do this the right way -without searching for shortcuts.
I like that :D

I think a good skeleton replica is around 3000$ so buying one isn't really an option for most of us. If you know a place where they have one... just ask the responsible person if you can come to sketch it ;)

Anatomy books:
I have a book on drawing anatomy by Joseph Sheppard, but it's quite basic and does not go into detail too much.
My personal anatomy bible is "Anatomy for the artist" by Jenö Barcsay.
If you buy that one online (or any other book for that matter), make sure you check the dimensions of the book first before ordering. I know there are small versions of this book available online for almost nothing, but as I said, they are small and you can hardly see any detail in the reference. I actually bought the small version first by mistake, which is why I tell you this ;) Get the full sized hard covered version if you can. (I bought a dutch version with a hard cover for 15€ a couple of years ago).
There are others but they can get quite pricey. I know there is Sarah Simblet's anatomy book. It has photographs of human beings.
For other books, check the recommendations thread somewhere on the forum.

[Rebeccak]

Good advice from NR43 :)

Here's the Anatomy books thread:

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=202&t=257424

[Calc]

You seem very motivated to do this the right way -without searching for shortcuts.
I like that :D


Shortcuts never really did it for me :)

Thanks for all the suggestions NR43!

Rebeccak: That's quite a list, thanks!

I can borrow a copy of Netters anatomical atlas, it has some nice drawings in it.
I will look for a nice anatomy book for the artist though.

As I use the scanner at work, I will not be posting anything during the weekends.
I wish you all a great weekend, and in the spirit of this sketchbook, I do not write anything without posting a picture of some kind.

Here's a quick box-man drawn during lunch:

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/12062009-Figures03.jpg

[NR43]

Glead I could help Calc.
Thanks for posting that link again Rebecca. I'll go check it out again, as it's been a while :)

I wish you all a great weekend, and in the spirit of this sketchbook, I do not write anything without posting a picture of some kind.

Heh it's something I also try to avoid, although I have posted without image before.
It's a good "rule".

Enjoy the weekend, looking forward to see what you'll bring us next.

[Calc]

Hi,

hope you all had a nice weekend.
Amongst the "artist-ish" things I did this weekend was watch Vilppu's Pelvis video, which was great! I also went to a art exhibition by Leonard Rikchard, a Norwegian painter who had some funky stuff.

And of course, I did some drawing. The vertebra is from Gray's, the lady-like figure is from Bridgmans and the belly is from Vilppu. Some box-men are included as always :)

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/15062009-Sheet01.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/15062009-Sheet02.jpg

[Calc]

Time for a little update.
First there's one from Vilppus' Pelvis DVD (I even try holding the pencil as he does) followed by a sheet from Bridgman's.
And as always, a couple of box-men :)

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/17062009-Sketch.jpg

[Calc]

I'm off on a three-week vacation :)
The sketchbook is packed, and I will even try posting if I find the time.
They have a nice dog where I'm staying, so I'll try and do some life-drawing.

Later!


http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/19062009-Sketch.jpg

[Calc]

I picked up a charcoal pencil and played around with it, quite fun actually.
The dog is old and really likes to sleep!
I try to do some drawing daily, but it ain't easy considering how good it feels to just sit around and drink beer :)
Sorry for the poor quality, I just took them with my cam set to macro..

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/MostarSketch01.jpg http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/MostarSketch02.jpghttp://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/MostarSketch03.jpghttp://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/Calc_photos/MostarSketch05.jpg

[NR43]

I really like the dog sketches. The linework feels free and loose
edit: oh and btw... you can sip your beer in between sketching ;)

[Frotze]

Hey Calc!

Hope you're enjoying your vacations. I myself just came back from a trip, and despite my good will and the sketchbook I brought, I did close to zero drawings. :rolleyes: But the important is to not keep that bad habit when coming home, right?

Anyway, your sketchbook seems to be shaping up pretty well already. I have to say I love your box-men, they're simple yet so easy to read. I'll try doing more of those myself, they seem like a great exercice.

Keep up the good work!

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