Sketchbook Thread of LoneSparrow

[maozao]

hey there, welcome to the forums. to me learning and improving is just a matter of how hard you work. I've been fighting values myself also, so keep it up and you'll get it i'm sure :)

[Rebeccak]

Hi there, welcome. :) Nice to see you tackling the skull shading exercises, it's a compliment that you might find them useful.

I'd go ahead and suggest picking up a copy of Anthony Ryder's "Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing" - it's an excellent book and has some great examples of the steps to take prior to shading. I'd say that these are a good start, but my suggestion would be to improve the level of blocking in (with straight lines only) before shading. Only once the block in is established would I recommend blocking in the interior core shadows, and only after that is refined would I recommend shading. Be sure to brush up on the basic principles of light:

http://www.williamsclass.com/ElectiveClassArt/ShadeValueSphere.jpg


http://mirrorbooks.blogspot.com/2008/02/elements-of-light-and-shade.html

http://mirrorbooks.blogspot.com/2008/07/sphere-cylinder-cone-examples-from.html

Your skulls lack a core shadow, which is critical in shading.

My suggestion however would be to take a new subject, and do a more careful, complete block in (see Tony Ryder's website) and then begin shading anew. Prior to that, you might try some shading of basic shapes - spheres, cylinders, cones - or simple fruit - apples, oranges, etc. - with a strong single light source. This is a really important exercise and will apply to anything that you might eventually shade.

Work hard, and anyone can improve, self included.

[LoneSparrow]

Thank you for your advice, I have such a long way to go! I just hope I can get it right, it seems so difficult *scratches head* I'll try the book you recommended and study up on the links you gave me.

[LoneSparrow]

hey there, welcome to the forums. to me learning and improving is just a matter of how hard you work. I've been fighting values myself also, so keep it up and you'll get it i'm sure :)

Thank you for the welcome Maozao :) just looking at everyone's work and seeing how much I have to learn is so overwhelming, and also quite intimidating! I'm really determined to grow my skills, I just hope I can grasp the concepts properly. Heheh sometimes I get scared even to start!

[maozao]

follow Rebecca's advice and work hard and you'll be safe

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