Zombifried's Sketchbook

[zombifried]

Hello, I'm new here and would like to post some of my shi...stuff.
This one I did as an entry to a Detroit art show, called the Dirty Show (it is the 10th year running), which is a collection of erotic, (and sometimes pornographic) art, performance, films, etc.
The idea behind the piece entitled "Come, Maggot", is kind of a master/slave motif, with the slave being a sort of humanoid, mutant-male genitalia. And it has a tongue too (ewww!!!) It is graphite on A4 paper...Nothing fancy.
This entry was rejected by the official Dirty Show jury.
Critiques and trashings welcome,
Bring it on!

[zombifried]

This is an older piece, but one that I'm kinda fond of...Can't sell the f***ing thing though!!! It is watercolor on medium-weight drawing paper. Critiques encouraged.




Zombifried's Sketchbook (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=151910)

[Blythe]

You are really going to have to post more things if you are going to get more feedback.

But for the first image you need to work on your anatomy. Referencing photos would probably be useful for things like the shoes. The shading makes no sense at all, work on your classical lighting. The composition is also very boring, mix it up a little, something like this should definitely be more dynamic.

As for the second image, please post something you have done recently, I am sure you have improved since 5 years ago.

[zombifried]

It's an experiment...

Here is a pencil sketch,
then ink and acrylic washes with some colored pencil.
I felt it was getting overworked, so I took it into Photoshop
took it back to gray-scale, then played with lighting and added some mist with the airbrush tool.

616857

616856

615535

[zombifried]

Blythe,
Thanks for the critique. I agree with what you said about the first piece.
You brought up some good points to consider. I actually asked an artist friend of mine to make some suggestions as well. For a start I'll post some lighting suggestions he made.
This is just a rough reference for future more finished changes down the road. I'd like to know what you think, and if you have more suggestions please feel free to make them... Also feel free to download the attachment and make your own suggestions (circles, arrows notes, mustaches,whatever) if you want. As for the second piece, the copyright is from 5 years ago, but the work is actually 10 years old. It's also more about stylization, than it is about realism. Even though it's old, I felt it relevant to include it. Concept art can't all be about the same things. That would be pointless and lead to blandness.There has to be some open-mindedness and some avenue for invention, and creativity. After all, if there wasn't, where would Tim Burton have fit in?
Thanx,
Zombifried

[zombifried]

I am going to try to mainly concentrate on life drawing from now on in this thread. Some quick (90 second) figure sketches.

[zombifried]

another quickie...

[zombifried]

Here's another study...Practicing value.

[zombifried]

Leg study after Bridgman along with my original copy before cleanup, and other Photoshop goodies...

[zombifried]

Skull study from a model...

[zombifried]

More spheres (I can't get enough of them!). Boring, I know, but essential.

[zombifried]

Arms study after Bridgman...

[zombifried]

Feet study after Bridgman...

[zombifried]

First attempt at a sketch done after Michelangelo's David sculpture...

[zombifried]

Feet study after Bridgman...

[zombifried]

Hands study after Bridgman...

[zombifried]

Torso study after Bridgman, probably not the best composition...

[zombifried]

Heads study after Bridgman...

[zombifried]

Another leg study after Bridgman...

[zombifried]

Michelangelo study after David, from the rear (no jokes you pervs!). I'm not saying it resembles the original in any way, shape or form, ... It's just a practice study.

[zombifried]

Study from photo reference...I'm not sure how long this one took. An hour, maybe.

[zombifried]

Another David study after Michelangelo...

[zombifried]

A side view pencil study after Michelangelo's David... Probably worked on it a little over an hour, or so. Most of the time is spent in the beginning/planning stages:
Measurement and proportion, and all that fun stuff...

[zombifried]

Pencil study after Rodin's Eve sculpture, done in two views. Again, I'm not sure of the time that I spent, but I believe it to be over two hours...I'll have to pay more attention to the clock, next time.

[zombifried]

I added some background elements to the three-quarter study after Michelangelo's David... Not sure if it really works though.

[vicjs]

Hey zombifried. Your figure studies seem to be coming along -- hope you find Bridgman as useful as I do :) Wish I could give you more feedback but I myself am still trying to improve my figure drawing skills as well. Best advice I can give (which you've given me already) is keep up the practice!

[Prion]

I can see some improvement in your anatomy, keep the studies up and you'll be sweet.

Lol @ the first image. Tbh, it looks more like a slug/alien than the specific anatomical feature you were supposed to be representing. I like it nethertheless, nice texturing. I think the later photoshop destroyed the details though. :)

Keep it up dude.

[zombifried]

@Viktori
Thank you for the uplifting message. Bridgman has helped tremendously!

@Prion
Thank you kindly...You're right, it looks very sluggish!

This is a pencil study of my friend's dog. It took approximately, 5-10 minutes...

[Auslander]

Hi, Zombiefried. Taking you up on your invite.

Quick assessment: I admire that you're studying the classics and Bridgman, but definitely toss some more real life studies into the mix...that dog's a great start. It's crucial to learn the principles of what muscle goes where, but it's also crucial to see how those sometimes idealized forms look when they "hit the street" (in real life).

Some of the proportions look a bit off...try to focus on getting the forms down in the sketching stage before moving on to musculature, skin, etc.

Good luck, and remember...I'm also lecturing myself right now. :teeth:

[zombifried]

@Auslander
Thanks for stopping by. Yep, I will surely do more real life studies. I had a teacher tell me once, that drawing is more about seeing, than actual drawing. I finally understand what he meant. Thanks for the critique... And I'm always lecturing myself ,on every critique I give...It's a great way to help someone else, and learn ( or reinforce) ourselves.
Funny you should say that about life studies, as i have ...
More hand (and simplified feet) studies! These are pencil, anywhere from 10-15 minutes. My scanner is being cranky (don't know whether it's going completely, or what) so I might not get as much stuff scanned in the very near future...

[zombifried]

Yeahhh!!! Got my scanner working again, somewhat...I can only scan at 150dpi
now, for reasons I don't understand.
Oh, well... Here are more pencil studies of hands... 5-10 minutes, maybe...

[zombifried]

More hands...Pencil, approx. 5 minutes

[Santo]

Hm. I would suggest working more on foreshortening and perspective. Also taking a figure drawing class might help, there's a certain rhythm that flows through a subject when you're drawing it and I'm not seeing it as much in these sketches, it might help to learn about that through the golden mean. Also, I would try adding some dynamic and/or dramatic poses.

[zombifried]

@Santo

As it happens I've been doing quite a bit of studying (and sketching) foreshortening and perspective. I've always had problems in these areas, and I know I'm not the only one. Every figure drawing class I've had, it seems foreshortening is always dealt with as a sidebar to figure drawing. there should be more classes devoted to it. even in figure drawing books, (including Bridgman and Loomis) There isn't even a single chapter devoted entirely to foreshortening. :wtf: The truth is, (aside from 1, and 2 point)perspective is a difficult thing for many of us to grasp, and as foreshortening is perspective as it applies to the human figure, it takes a lot of practice, and devotion to understand and (hopefully) improve.
I have also been researching the golden mean/section/triangle, lately. I am very limited in my math skills, so it is not an easy concept for me to grasp, and may be beyond my scope at this point. With regards to composing, I don't always put a great deal of thought into it in terms of my sketches, but that will change.
It has been about 16 years since I've had a figure drawing course, and I usually use photo reference, myself, or friends to draw from.

A lot of the problem areas that you have observed, are at least in part, due to my own laziness...A habit I am dealing with as I write this.
I will be doing more dramatic poses down the line, but right now I am still in basic review mode...dealing with proportion, and such.
Thanks for the advice, I will surely work on those things.

In the meantime here is a light and rough two to five minute pencil sketch of drapery
over a cylinder (actually a wiping cloth and cleaning solution for my glasses)
along with a few thumbnails done in ballpoint pen.
It's not the greatest, but it's from life, and i don't like to post without dropping an image into my sketchbook.:teeth:

[zombifried]

@Bethany
Thank you for your kind comment. Drapery is difficult, because it's hard to see any real structure. Seems so chaotic. (Unless you "arrange" it, in one the 7 common drapery positions, i.e. the Drop, Spiral, Zig-Zag, Pipe, etc.)
This one is older: It was done a few months back, but is still one of the most recent self-portrait studies that I have. (I guess I'll have to do more!)
I dilly-dallied on it, worked on it a little here, a little there, without completing it beyond sketching stage. I'm not sure of the time I spent...It is pencil, it was on a page with a lot of other sketches (hence the bad placement of the subject), and was small: only about maybe, 3x4 inches.
I made it a bit larger here, so as we can all throw spit balls at it.:rolleyes:

[zombifried]

I've been in basic review mode here, for a while... There are lots of gaps in my knowledge: Either stuff I'd completely missed, ignored, had forgotten about, or was too lazy and unfocused to practice thoroughly enough. But, aside from that, we all end up reviewing these things, throughout our careers. If you're a martial artist, you would never say "I've already learned about basic kicking, punching, and blocking techniques, so I am now only going to focus on more advanced moves." that's insane! The martial artist knows he has to rely on the basics as a foundation to his whole knowledge of the martial arts. He uses them every day, and he practices them with dedication every day. To do otherwise is foolishness. Spheres, cubes, cones, ellipses and cylinders are at the heart of every thing we do as visual artists. Wouldn't it make good sense to practice them often, since they're so important? To think you are above doing the basics, means that you have mastered these techniques beyond further instruction...to perfection. Very few, if any of us, will ever master anything in our careers. I don't think anyone is capable of drawing the perfect circle, or whatever. The point is to keep striving at improvement.
Enough of my soapbox!
Anyway, this is a gray scale study: roughly 8.5"x10", charcoal, on paper, with a charcoal ground. I spent roughly 2 hours of drawing, and smudging to get the right (or hopefully close) values.

[Prion]

Your hands are looking great and the sphere is looking quite good too. The only think that I can pick is a lack of tonal variation around the highlight to the core of the shadow. It sort of looks flat in this area. (I learnt some new words! woot!) I dunno it could just be me though. :P

Thanks for the lil motivational speech! Coincidence, I did a search on foreshorteing because I figured(lolpun) I needed a better grip on it and I found this: http://community.livejournal.com/glockart/25477.html It helped me understand it quite a bit, especially with regards to the cylinders.

Keep it up! :P

Edit: I did some further searching on this site and found this: http://tenminutedrawing.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html It looks like a brilliant resource for perspective.

[zombifried]

@Prion
Thanks for the comments.
It's not just you, the sphere looks flat, because, just like you said , lack of tonal variation. I like to really blend the tones together, and in doing so, I tend to lose them, or end up with one tone. Also my scanner scans things too dark, and everything on this looked black and white, nothing in between, and my camera likes to flatten out areas of subtle tone, (which I work hard at Dammit!!!)with,or without the flash turned on. It's charcoal, and white pastel over a gray ground, so it takes a lot of layers of value. So, I will continue to work on it...
It is now officially a WIP.
The first link I found a while back, myself. It is helpful.
I have it saved in my art tutorials folder.
I haven't seen the second one, yet...I'll be sure to check it out soon.
Well, I've been working with the values on the gray-scale sphere...
Like I said, It's now a WIP!

[HelliX]

Hi zombiefried you got some good studies here man keep those coming. I believe someone already said it but i would try out more intense values/contrast im also doing the studies and i notice this makes me understand shapes easier because it makes you think about how the light hits the object more. Your on the right track man

[zombifried]

@HelliX
Thank you for the support. Yep, I'm going to be doing many more value studies down the line...
This is a redraw of my self portrait from a few posts back. I did the unfinished side from memory. This is primarily an exercise in line economy...Using the least amount of lines to maximum effect. Less is more...I'm still working on line quality to. Used a light 2H pencil, then went over it with a B, to make the lines crisper. I know it was under 3 minutes. (I'm trying to get more information down faster)

[zombifried]

Some ball-point pen thumbnails utilizing free hand three-point perspective...Nice and loose.
Very small, done in a minute, or less.

[zombifried]

Added some tone to the self-portrait study.Pencil, anywhere between 3-5 minutes.

[DSmith]

Hey there!

Those Bridgman studies look awesome!You're definitely on the right track,with this huge amount of studies.I would love to see some stuff from imagination!
Very good sketches,keep going!

[Charmer]

great work man! I need to draw a lot more from now on. Thanks for your posts in my skechbook! I'll get a higher level for myself regardless how to do that.
Thanks again for your tips.

Good luck, great work!
Flow

[Temperowka]

Very nice start, man! I love three dimensionality in your work, and bridgman studies WOW! You really understand the form and know what is what in there. Post more. Have you tried life drawing?

[zombifried]

@DSmith
Thanx for the compliment on the Bridgman studies...
More stuff from imagination is coming,for sure...

@tasser
Thank you for the kind words.

@Temperowka
Thank you for the uplifting message..I really do feel like I am understanding the form (at least at its most basic level). That's the goal anyway...To study and understand, not just to copy.
Edit: I have taken a few life drawing courses over the years, but the last one was about 16-17 years ago!
I don't really have a lot of cash, to take another one at the present moment, so instead I am making studies from Bridgman, the old masters,and from life (myself, animal studies,etc.) Kind of a self-study/self-directed course, of sorts...
Another poopy sphere WIP update...I had to shoot this one in B&W without the flash, as the color shots were just not showing most of the value that I rendered.
I used graphite together with the charcoal. I also used tissue paper, my fingers, and a stump, for blending.
Edit:
I tried a larger image, but without the flash, it's too blurry. With the flash, it washes out all of the value. I'll have to learn how to use a camera one of these days...

[Danny_K]

Hello sir
Nice sketchbook you got here! I like your bridgeman studies and you have a good hand, just need to work on those lines to make them cleaner.
Thanks for your advice in my SB I put it in my "Art tips and reminders" .doc which I often refer to remind me what I need to work on.
Keep studying anatomy it's really important!
Laterz

[zombifried]

@Danny K,
Thanks for visiting my SB and the encouragement on the Bridgman studies. Line work is something I'm constantly working at. I'll get it one these days!
These are some older pieces I wish to include for comparison, or as a sort of gauge of my overall progress. They date from around 2000-2001, to 2003-4.
The first is my first ever digital painting. It was done in photoshop as a class assignment. The assignment was to take a photo (sorry, I can't find the reference photo) and not tracing it, copy it to the best of our abilities. This was done using only the point and click method of a mouse...No tablet! This was our first Photoshop I assignment. Most of us (including me) had no, or very limited knowledge of the program. It was done around 2003-4 time-frame.
The next was a study done on my own, of my hands. I used acrylic paint, and it dates from 2001 or so.
The other hands had the same premise as the other , but it was drawn using vine charcoal only.
The last one is, my very first sumi ink painting of a bamboo shoot. I painted after a demo in a book about traditional asian ink painting techniques. I used traditional ink stick( you grind it into water to make a wash), and bamboo brushes. (not easy!)
I am currently, working on another body of sketch work (yep, I draw every day) that I think will be suitable in this thread. I don't include everything I draw, but rather I pick and choose what I believe is relevant.

[zombifried]

I'm back with some quick cat pencil studies. You have to be very fast to do cat studies...Like a ninja. My cat, Mudd, is 15 years old, grumpy, and all black (makes him hard to see, and even harder to draw)and he's still pretty active, i.e. he moves a lot. Each of these were no longer than 1 minute, 25 seconds was the shortest.

[zombifried]

Another update...This time quick dog studies, in pencil. My dog, Lucy Lawless, is three years old, very active, and a big pain in my ass, especially when I try to draw her. Frustrating! Again no more than 1 minute tops, probably the shortest was a mere 10 seconds!

[zombifried]

Study after Bargue Plate 19.
This is going to be ongoing...It's just the first construction sketch, and it's my first attempt at a Bargue study.

[zombifried]

These are my attempts at working with texture. The subject was a very small
(maybe a 1 inch diameter) geode that I have. It is white, so the shadows on the textured exterior are pretty obvious. The studies are drawn in pencil: a 2H, a B, and a 4B. The time was maybe three to five minutes on the most detailed of them, maybe 1 minute on the others.
These are also teeny-tiny drawings (they appear much larger here, than their actual sizes), not really any bigger than the rock itself. (maybe 1 to 1 and- a-half inches)

[zombifried]

I think I need to work on longer studies, spend more time, and work larger, and looser. My lines aren't confident, because I may be trying to draw too tight, which might be responsible for halted, scratchy lines.

Anyways, in the meantime here is a real page from my sketchbook...Well it's not an actual sketchbook, but a piece of printer paper. That is, it's not cleaned up with erasers, or photoshop, it's not altered or cropped. I did mess with the contrast/brightness and levels a bit. Just keepin' it loose.

[Nefphlegm]

Great work dudes! I was thinking about the females legs in the first one... sexy. We gotta think sexy! Hers is an ass I wouldn't want to bury my face in you know? Anyhow the alien on the ground is awesome... even with its struggling it will still defy the master and lick when I'm sure it wasn't commanded to. Keep it up dudes! I shall do the same once I fix myself some caffeine. :-D

[zombifried]

@Nefphlegm
Thanks for the compliment. Caffeine is good!
These are some cube and sphere combination from an exercise from The Vilippu Drawing Manual. They were drawn in pencil, on A4 paper.

[Istmin52]

What I generally notice in your sketches is that you don't really vary your line weight that much and it makes everything look a bit blurry and unfocused. Trying varying your line weight more and make your darker lines more important. Right now, it's difficult to tell which line you used is the correct line. I would also try to paint more still life paintings. Right now, there is a lack of value in your work. You need to work on getting your midtones right because those are key. I'm glad you decided to tackle your laziness. :)

[KnutAndersen]

Great stuff

I really like your pencil studies :)

[zombifried]

@Istman52
Thanks for stopping by the SB and taking time to critique.
Lines are an ongoing issue with me. I've been trying out some new techniques, so hopefully they will make my work stronger. Thank you.

@Kaztx
Thank you for the compliment!
The sphere WIP is done!:drool: I will post it, no more! But...I will do more of them in the future. So be warned!
Here is a small preliminary Bargue study/sketch, drawn with a number two pencil. I will be posting larger, and longer Bargue studies in the near future.
It is quite small...( the size of the actual images are:2 1/2" x 2" each, or about the size they appear on the screen)A mini-bargue, if you will.:evilmustache:

[Auslander]

Sorry I haven't dropped by lately...hands are looking good, mang! That portrait above makes me want to see more...I really dig the "meaty" intensity of your work.

[feeesh]

youre practicing the right stuff, keep crankin, looingforward to seeing you grow. I really like that watercolor branch sorta japanese sumi brush style. Would be cool to see more art like that from you.

[redpandafire]

Ooh very cool, lifelike and fluid. Your linework is really enjoyable. Would love to see how you progress :D. Keep it up!

[xxPurple Nugxx]

awesome studies

[Vritra]

The studies are starting to take real good shape. Just keep at them.

[zombifried]

Sorry for the HUGE delay in responding...
@feeesh:
Thank you, for the encouraging words.
@redpandafire:
Thank you much!
@Vritra:
Thanks! I'll keep at 'em!
I've been away, way too long!
Anyways, here's something recent (yesterday):
It's a pencil (HB, and B specifically) sketch after Del Sarto...
Nope, it looks nothing like the original
I wasn't as much going for a likeness, as I was practicing line and hatching/cross-hatching to achieve value, similar to solid tone.


*EDIT*
I added another version of the image, because my scanner reproduces images too dark.
Hope this one is brighter...

[zombifried]

This is a mannekin style head, primarily from imagination.
It was painted with acrylic, in gray-scale, on canvas paper.
*EDIT*
I forgot someone...
@xxpurrplenugxx:
Thank you so much for the undeserved compliment. (sorry I forgot you, purple:$:\:\:bashful::bashful::bashful:)

[zombifried]

You guessed it...
Another couple-three sphere studies!
How exciting!
These are acrylic on canvas paper.
One uses a mixed gray (raw sienna + thalo blue). I also scumbled in some lights with a white prismacolor pencil...Didn't turn out to be one of my greatest ideas...
The next one is just titanium white + ivory black, and is painted one using a more "layered" approach, while the the others are mostly painted using a wet-in-wet technique. (The yellow is an artifact from the scanner)
The "browner" colored (also a mixed gray) sphere uses a thicker underpainting, with thinner washes in the shadowed areas.

[zombifried]

Another attempt at a Del Sarto portrait.
Focusing on construction...For some reason between the scanner, and slight photoshop adjustments (contrast and levels mainly), the images lose a lot of the finer lighter lines, and all the other lines appear the same strength, and value. UHGGG!!!>:{

[zombifried]

This one is a quickie...
It's influenced by Bob Kato. I used pencil on an old manilla folder.
I don't know why, except I like the color and texture of the manilla paper.

[zombifried]

This is my sort of first attempt at digital blending.
Mostly done with the mouse, using full color,and yes the subject...

[Istmin52]

Thanks for commenting on my finished work in the ctrique center. I like the color on the last sphere. Maybe you can try painting other objects as well like conesm squares and cylinders. I find painting basic shapes like that helpful.

[zombifried]

@Istmin:
You're welcome! Thank you for taking notice of my colorful sphere...Yes, I have all kinds of shapes that I practice (spheres are my faves, though)...Just haven't posted any, yet.

Well here is the above shape, with more subtle and smoother blending. Trying to see how far I can push it, before I lose it...

[zombifried]

It's been a long time, but I'm back. I have been working on a study after Hogarth. Started as a somewhat sloppy sketch , that I scanned in and worked on in PS, and more recently in GIMP.
*It is a Work In Progress

[phoenicorn]

Awesome studies. Keep them up. Love the faces.

[zombifried]

Thank you, Phoenicorn...
Here is a study after Hultgren:
pencil on printer paper

[zombifried]

Acrylic painted cylinder which should have been included with the previous paint studies on this page, but was omited for one reason or another...

[zombifried]

Found some old pics of couple of acrylic paintings I was working on long ago...
This one, the concept was essentially a gigantic organic gas-mask that sits in a desert landscape, surrounded by these starved, corpse-like figures.
I didn't say it was a good concept!
I had repainted it several times (mainly the sky, and background) that the paper
(I believe it was either printmaking, or watercolor paper) had begun to fall apart, as you can see from the frayed edges in the photo.
I eventually gave up on it, because I lost touch with the original concept.

[zombifried]

Another one I found, was a portrait of the Lon Chaney as The Phantom of The Opera, from the 1925 silent film. I painted it in one sitting, but never completed it due to me gessoing over the canvas, out of frustration.

[zombifried]

this one has a different sky/background...

[zombifried]

And here is an earlier version of the same painting...
so you can see the evolution, or devolution

[zombifried]

Here is something I've just started using both GIMP and Mypaint.
It's a landscape primarily from imagination, but I was inspired by a video tutorial.
I'll be working on it...
P.S.:
This was painted just using the mouse...No graphics pad, or stylus, so no pressure control either.

[zombifried]

An update on the landscape. It feels less "mushy" to me now.i know it's because I use a lot of soft brushes, especially in the beginning, and slowly build up contrast and harder edges.

[zombifried]

Added some more color, more lights and shadows. Also tried to make the clouds a little fuller, and three dimensional.
*Something went afoul in the upper right corner...
Arghh!!!:(
I'll tend to it in the next update.

[zombifried]

Don't know if it's getting better or worse...

[zombifried]

Worked on the sky and clouds, and mountain on the right.
Hopefully it's getting clearer.

[zombifried]

Grey-scale cloud study from photo reference. Painted using both GIMP and Mypaint.

[zombifried]

Just some doodles from my noodle...

[zombifried]

Some quick studies after Bridgman...

[zombifried]

Got a new Pitt brush pen. Breaking it in with some Bridgman and Bammes...

[zombifried]

Bridgman movable masses/torso anterior and posterior sketch. Started with a 2H
pencil, to a 4B, then onto an Ebony. Starting on post #88, I've been working on a Strathmore 400 series recycled 5.5 x 8.5 sketchpad. Most, if not all of my sketches thus far have been on plain white printer paper.
Just thought you'd like to know...Or, maybe you don't...

[zombifried]

Bridgman skulls in pencil...

[zombifried]

Here is a Bammes skull study/sketch, aBridgman head construction sketches, and skull studies/sketches after Civardi.
All of them in pencil...leads vary from 2H, 4B to Ebony (carbon pencil).

[zombifried]

a couple after Bridgman:
Muscles of the neck, and Mouth/jaw studies.
The third one is after a Michelangelo sketch of a figure, but I only concentrated on the legs and feet here. I applied the Bridgman approach to construction, which isn't a far stretch from the way Michelangelo constructed his drawings.
I used a 2H and 4B leads for the two after Bridgman, and a carpenter's pencil (like a flat sketching pencil) for the last one. I like the carpenter's pencil, because you have to hold it differently which forces you to make more loose and flowing strokes. Also, the flatness of the lead lets you make broader marks.

[zombifried]

Decided to add a little color to this sketchbook...
First, I have included a study/sketch after Bridgman leg construction muscles and bones, drawn with a sanguine conte crayon. The other is one after Michelangelo's Dying Slave focusing on the legs, this time sketched with a red Nupastel.

[zombifried]

One of the most challenging mechanisms in the human body, for me, has been the knee. This is a pencil (2H,4B, and Ebony)drawing after one of the illustrators of the early edition (1960?) of a chapter of The Famous Artist Course (maybe Norman Rockwell).
They are very Bridgmanesque, almost a direct reproduction of his knee studies.
The other piece is the Michelangelo leg study in red, from the previous post,
after a little more work was done on it.

[zombifried]

Still focusing on the knees...
A couple more Bridgman sketches, this time done in ball point pen.

[zombifried]

Another leg study/sketch, and another one after Michelangelo. The leg study started out as a study after an anatomical drawing in an early edition of the Famous Artist Course. It then took on a life of its own. This was drawn in soft compressed charcoal, and soft (6B) charcoal pencil.
the sketch after a Michelangelo drawing, was to try to nail down the twisting action of the body. It is in pencil on a sheet of printer paper, gone over with ball point pen. this is the same reference as I used in the legs in graphite in post #93. (the last sketch on that post)

[zombifried]

Continuing with the leg theme, I have:
a sketch after Hogarth in pencil, (2H, 4B, and Ebony) I try to do these sketches in one sitting, but I'll probably do more on this one.
progression on the leg study I started on in charcoal, in the above post,(added darker core shadows and more reflected lights)
and another study after Bridgman, this time dealing with arm construction, focusing on the back of the arm, and bones. This was done in ball point pen.

[zombifried]

Below are a couple of arm construction sketches based loosely on Bridgman, and others, but are largely my own way of building a drawing.
These started in light pencil, inked in ball point pen, brush pen, and grey marker.

[zombifried]

Longer and larger study this time. Study after a Bargue plate (Germanicus Front View, I believe), that took a bad turn. I'm very obsessed with "saving" pieces from the "fire", though...A bad habit, they say.
So here is the result for good, or for ill...Here is germanicus front view sans foot and pedestal: Charcoal, on 18x 12" (the image is cropped) heavy-weight drawing paper.

[TNiznet]

Keep it up!

[zombifried]

@TNiznet, thanks for the encouragement!
These are mostly imagined gestural, and block forms. Ball point, brush pen and grey markers.

[zombifried]

A couple of Michael Hampton inspired gestures...
Both are ball point pen, grey marker, and brush pen.

[zombifried]

Practicing gestures from various sources including the net, Hogarth and others.
Gestures are supposed to capture the movement, of the figure: They represent what the figure is doing. But also important anatomical features like the spine, and the major masses (i.e. the torso and the pelvic area) should be indicated, but not necessarily in much detail at all.(The key word being indicated)) They are to incorporate rhythm, flow and balance, and that is challenging to me.
First up compilation of gestural sketches, around the 30 second mark more or less. Ball point pen.
Next, I'm switching gears at the moment to include some animal anatomy: Foreleg bone structure comparison of a dog and horse after Vilippu, also in ball-point.

[zombifried]

I've got some more here:
I said I'd probably work more on the Hogarth leg pencil sketch.
Here it is...
Also some arm/elbow study/sketches, mixed-media experiments.
A combo of Hampton and Bridgman, with my own spin on them, all kind of overlapping each other.
Ball point pen, blue and red colored pencils, and black brush pen.

[zombifried]

Switching gears again here...
Some animal sketches inspired by Vilippu. All are colored pencil.

[zombifried]

Some more doodles a la noodle...Imagined sketches
All these are done on printer (A4) paper with pencil, and one with raw umber and titanium white acrylics.

[zombifried]

Self-portrait concentrating on what I've learned about constructing the figure, by making all those studies after Bridgman and the like. Keeping loose, sketchy and light for the time being. O.K., I didn't stand at an easel in front of a full-length mirror, but it's referenced through a photo a friend of mine took of me. Though I've done a few facial self-portraits before(and hand studies), this is the first time I included any other part of my body in a drawing.
Mechanical pencil (H, or HB lead, I believe). I'm sure the lettering doesn't do the sketch any justice, but I make it a point to practice a little free-hand lettering when I sketch.

[zombifried]

Another self-portrait/figure sketch in pencil, and two sketch/studies after Bridgman dealing with the draped figure. Both are sketched in blue colored pencils.

[zombifried]

Today I have,
a couple of blue pencil sketches:
First one, deals with light on forms:
the top image is after fredflickstone's drapery tutorial (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=14739)

the other two are after Loomis.
The other blue pencil is from various sources including from life.

Next up, is a quick pencil (under 2 minutes, I think) sketch of my cat from life.
During the quick course of sketching him, he changed positions three times!>:{

Finally, a study/sketch after Bridgman of the upper bones of the arm in red and blue pencil.

[zombifried]

A few more sketches after or inspired by Bridgman:
Lower arm bones, blue pencil
Hand forms blue pencil
More hand forms, red and black pencil.

[zombifried]

These first two are loose sketches after Hogarth mainly dealing with the hand and fingers.
The last two are quick life studies:
One is a finial from a curtain rod, the other is a cube and sphere:
The "sphere", is actually a burned out light bulb painted with white gesso, and the cube is made of white card stock.
All of these were sketched with black prismacolor.

[zombifried]

A couple cat studies one from life, the other after Da vinci's cat sketches,

and a couple of eye study/sketches, after Bridgman, Loomis and Civardi. All in black prismacolor.

[zombifried]

I collected some limbs that were either blown off by strong winds, or cut down.
Anyways, they ended up in my yard, so before throwing them away, I decided to sketch some of them. The arrangement was by accident. That's just how they ended up in the bag.
For this sketch I used 2H and 4B pencils.

[zombifried]

A few more:
- Sketch/study of a tree trunk from my neighbor's backyard, drawn in black prismacolor.
- Tree sketch inspired by Maltzman, sketched in graphite.
- My hands from a photo reference, light (2H) pencil construction sketch.
- Pears from life; 2H, 4B and Ebony pencils.

[RandAlThor]

Awesome studies dude, your construction is getting much stonger and your clarity of line is really appearing. My only suggestion would be to attempt larger scenes, not in size, but the interaction of objects in a study. Try adding a tall object ot cast a useful shadow, or a point light source. Both will add a strong light shadow relationship that will help to describe the form. It's just an idea, kepp up the good work. I'll be watching. Rand.

[zombifried]

@ RandAlThor,
Thanks for the encouragement. I definitely get what you're saying. Scenes versus single subjects, to establish interaction between objects, and help strengthen the composition. I'm probably playing it too safe right now.
I'll need to step out of my comfort zone, soon.
Until then:
A sketchy study of a bamboo that I have, from life. I used 2h, 4B, and ebony pencils.

[zombifried]

It's been a while since my last post, but I've still been doodlin' every day.
Here's a self-portrait...Just me and a mirror...
2H pencil. The aim was to construct the head and features using Bridgman's approach.

[zombifried]

-A couple sketches of a pair of deer antlers, from life.
-drapery study from life.
-tree sketch from my front yard.
-and finally, another self-portrait in 3/4 profile...sort of. It's a pretty difficult angle to pull off, looking in the mirror and sketching.
All are 2H pencil.

[zombifried]

I've been focusing on natural study/sketches from life in the last few posts, and I will make an effort to continue that.
Here are some more:
- A few cat studies from life.
-My foot as I look at it, from above.
-Some quick Bridgman feet for comparison.(obviously, not from life, but from observation, anyways)
All in 2H pencil.

[zombifried]

A few small texture studies: Two dealing with a geode, one with a section of a tree limb. 2H pencil.

[zombifried]

A study of the same section of tree branch as in the previous post.
Two different brands of 2H pencil:One is a Berol Turquoise (discontinued, I believe)
and the other is a Derwent. The Derwent is way darker/softer lead than the other one. I would think that lead grades, even in different brands would be close to the same.
Guess not...







Edit/Update:
The Berol Turquoise, has become the Prismacolor Turquoise. So it was not discontinued, but Berol was bought by Sanford which owns Prismacolor.

[twilightmoon777]

Looking good! Solid construction, you're really starting to get down the overall form. I also really like your style. It's messy and neat at the same time. :p

[zombifried]

@twilightmoon777,
thank you for the compliments!
Todays posts, all from observation/life, all done in 2H, and B/4B pencils:
-study/sketch of a rosebush in dire need of pruning.
- shrubbery
-study/sketch using an Anatomical Chart Company "Bucky" skull (human skull reproduction) as a model.

[zombifried]

A few sketches of the skull model from observation, from different views;
indigo verithin pencil, and2H pencils.

[zombifried]

Another skull sketch/study:
This time using value. 2H, and 4B pencils.

[zombifried]

Worked into the skull sketch from the last post...Used an Ebony and B pencil.
I seem to have an issue with losing some of my construction/structure as I shade and add details. I have the same problem as I paint. :(

[Wholewheat_keyboard]

Hi Zombifried

You practice skulls a lot - A few random tips might help?

Try pushing your values more. Look for the very darkest areas and try to capture those correctly, your renderings look a little bit washed out.

Your last skull looks a bit wobbly. Make sure you get your under-structure down solid and in perspective before you start shading it. Really focus on getting an accurate foundation! Your burne hogarth sketches are a good example haha :)

good work keep it up :)

[zombifried]

@Wholewheat_keyboard:
Thanks for the advice. I usually leave my darkest marks for when I'm completely sure of stuff. There so hard to get rid of once I commit them, and then find I'd made a mistake... Just my process.
I think some of the wobbliness comes from looking at it from one angle in one sitting, and forgetting where I was positioned the next time I go to work on it, and inadvertently sketching it from a slightly different angle.
I'm probably rushing things a bit with the shading, I know. But hey, that's what practice is all about! My commentary here was less about covering my ass, and more about reminding myself of bad habits to break! Thanks for taking time to look through my stuff, I really do appreciate the few comments I get here!


You practice skulls a lot

Yep... And here's another: This time with some other objects, arranged more for convenience than aesthetics. Only 2H lead.
*edit:
Developed the image a tad more...darkened it with GIMP, and made it a little larger

[copaloro]

Your tree/foliage studies are great! Im really liking how you captured those elemental shapes.

[zombifried]

@TopSecret:
Thanks for taking a look at my SB, and for the kind comments.

Nothing special today. just daily practice stuff:
-A hopefully more balanced, slightly less wobbly, skull study reworked from previous posts.
-A figure after Cambiosa: The first sketch in a long time not from life, but from observation, none the less.

[zombifried]

Another sketch of my wildly overgrown rosebush. It's kind of a jumble of tangled and thorny vines, foliage, and a few roses.
Drawn originally in light pencil, then inked with a Pitt brush-pen.
I really find it easier to simplify what I'm seeing, by building up large masses (I squint to see them) and not really focusing on too many details. I don't know if that's the right way to approach it, or not, but it seems to be working for now.

[zombifried]

I just finished my old Strathmore sketchbook, a couple days ago, and started in one of my new Moleskins I received for my birthday a while back...You kids are always raving about your Moleskins, so I thought I might test a few out...
To break it in, I stacked up some old cardboard boxes and my skull model, and sketched it in light (2H) lead: I know the perspective on the boxes is wrong. I'm really just roughing it out right now, though.

[zombifried]

Working on it...

[kevin_]

great practices, you look like your on the right track just keep it up!

[zombifried]

More progress...

[zombifried]

@kevin,
Thanks!
Last update on this one...I pronounce it...FINISHED!
-Another skull sketch/study. I used 2H, B and ebony leads.
Lightly sketched out the forms, then added the values using only the light from television. Probably not the best thing for my eyes, but I liked the lighting.
I don't know if I'll work on it anymore. I kind of like the unfinished quality.

[zombifried]

This one is a drapery study (draped over boxes) and was also done by the light of the T.V. I find the light of the tube breaks stuff down/diffuses it to it's most basic shapes/planes. It's helpful when I'm having trouble breaking down complicated shapes in my brain. Yes, that also means I'm drawing at least part of it in the dark.

[zombifried]

cylinder from photo reference: charcoal.

[zombifried]

More charcoal sketches:
-Finished cylinder
-Unfinished still-life with skull on top of boxes, covered in drapery

[zombifried]

Progress on the above charcoal skull...

[zombifried]

I think I'm finished...Finally!
Thank all that is good for Eraserstiks!!! :bow::bow::bow:

[zombifried]

-Self-portrait, 4B charcoal pencil and compressed charcoal.
Okay, this is the last update for the charcoal skull...probably

[copaloro]

wow huge improvements, the skull looks great.

[zombifried]

@copaloro,
thank you for the compliment, and for taking time to look at my SB.

Today's posts,
both from observation:
- An egg, charcoal
-Two apples, charcoal
simple, but worth the time to study.