Sketchbook Thread of Psycomatronic

#1

Hello!

I thought it was about time I got more involved on here so I decided to start this thread. I’ve been drawing on and off for a while now but recently decided to concentrate on improving my drawing skills. Kind of a New Years resolution you could say. So I’ve been sketching each day since the beginning of this month. I’ll post some of what I’ve done on here soon. I’m concentrating on learning the anatomy at the moment. A couple of days ago I decided to do a Master copy, I chose Cleopatra by Michelangelo. Here it is followed by the original:

My WIP:

Probably can’t see very well but I’ve used a pecking technique for the shading which I haven’t done before. It’s very time consuming but I like the results so far.

Original:

I know my WIP isn’t a perfect copy of the original so please feel free to share your thoughts and critique.

Thanks.

#2

I’m going to upload some more sketches tonight after work. They are all studies of the anatomy so I’m wondering whether to start an ‘Anatomy Thread of’ too.

Yesterday I ordered some books on Anatomy:

  1. Force: Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators - Mike Mattesi
  2. The Artist’s Complete Guide to Figure Drawing - Anthony Ryder

I’ve also ordered some books which I think will be good for studying the drawings of the Masters.

  1. Life Drawings (Dover Art Library) - Michelangelo
  2. Drawings (Dover Art Library) - Leonardo da Vinci
  3. Old Master Life Drawings (Dover Art Library) - James Spero

I’ve heard the two anatomy books are good. What do people think of these?

#3

A study of the foot muscles and tendons I did a few weeks ago using different shades of brown drawing pencils.

My study:

Original:

Any comments and critique welcome.

#4

Nice job on both, the foot looks incredible! I like the lighting/shading you added to your version, it almost doesn’t look like pencil but pastels. Good job!

#5

Thanks Glen!

You’re right they do have pastel qualities, they are kind of half way between pencil and pastel. I really like using them as you can build up many layers which is what I did with the foot.

#6

Here’s an update on the Michelangelo study:

#7

A pencil study of the skull:

#8

Had my first life drawing class last night. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be but I really enjoyed it and look forward to next week’s class. I’ll try and post some of my drawings when I get a bit of free time to photograph them.
:bounce:

#9

I really like your studies man, those are just insane !

#10

The foot and the skull are really well done.

I went to my first life drawing class a couple of weeks ago, and it was definitely harder than I expected. But it was amazing how much impact that one session had on my work throughout the week.

#11

Skeetch, Tom - Thanks guys!

I’ve found the time to take photos of the work I did in my first life drawing class. Here they are:

Any critique and feedback are very much welcome.

I’ll be uploading the drawings from my second class this weekend. Plus some more anatomy studies I’ve been working on. I’m thinking about getting a dip pen and ink set soon so I can play with some ink.

#12

Hi,

nice sb start.
Your longer studies look great.
Your gestures need work. When drawing from life, I usually start with a central line representing the flow of the spine. The proportions will become better over time if you practice regularly.

When drawing with charcoal, don’t be scared to erase with the back of your hand when you’re not satisfied with what you drew. And redraw on top of it. It will make your drawing more “alive”. You can always bring the light back into your figures by using a kneadable eraser. Just have to be careful not to draw too hard too soon. Wait with the blackest lines until the last and add those more as “accents”.
When doing longer charcoal studies from life, add some of the background, they will give your work a more finished look.

A great article on “opposing curves” was posted by Rebecca Kimmel a few years ago in the tutorials subform. Searching for “opposing curves” should do the trick. I strongly recommend reading it.

Also, if you can afford it, buy Glen Vilppu’s gesture DVD.
This DVD was a revelation to me (and many others).

Have fun!

#13

Hi NR43,

Thanks for dropping by :thumbsup:

Yeah my gestures do need some work. Thanks for the central line tip, I’ll practice using that before my next class. Had my third class last night and really enjoyed it. One of my weaknesses is drawing too small. I think that I’m drawing big at the time but it’s not until I get home and look at my drawings that I realise they only take up a quarter to half a sheet. My drawings were much bigger last night though so I’m improving where that’s concerned. I’m getting braver haha!

I haven’t used charcoal much before so your advice is very helpful.

I’ve found Rebecca’s article on “opposing curves” so I’m going to sit down with a nice cup of coffee and read through it :slight_smile:

I’ve heard that Glen Vilppu’s dvd’s are really good. Thankfully he sells his dvd’s by the chapter as well as the full volume. I’ll definitely be ordering the dvd chapter on gesture drawings once i get paid.

I should have some time tonight to upload this weeks and last weeks life drawings. I need to upload some of my anatomy studies from my sketchbook too.

#14

Here’s my drawings from last weeks (7/3/2011) life drawing class…

  1. Gestures

  2. Gestures

  3. Long stick and ink

  4. Long stick and ink

  5. Chalk and Charcoal

  6. Chalk and Charcoal

#15

…and last night’s class:

  1. Charcoal on the end of a long stick

  2. Chalk and charcoal on the end of a long stick

  3. Chalk

#16

I will be updating this thread very soon as it’s been ages since i last uploaded anything. I need to stop being lazy and photograph more of my work slaps wrist

#17

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