Eärendil's daily self-portraits #50

[Earendil]

Self-portraits! My goal is to learn how to draw, then paint, not the other way around like I've been doing. Need to learn better linework, understand how line creates form, and then when I'm ready, I'll explore with value, then color.

These are today's, both around 45 minutes. I'm going to look up SP tutorials if any exist, as I'm not really sure about the process. I usually block in the outline first, then place the features, but if there's another way of going about this, let me know and I'll give it my best.

[Earendil]

No. 3!

[Earendil]

The real number 4! The other was an imposter. Tried drawing a surprised/puckered expression, and learned that I should probably wait on drawing expressions, until I understand what the heck is going on underneath all that. On the other hand, it helped tie together the contour of the face with the muzzle around the lips. Moar studies!

[Earendil]

Number 5...I setup lines for top and bottom of face, then divided in half to find the eyeline, then a line for the bottom of my nose, and my mouth. This is my best to date. It's cool learning the particulars of my face, and how really little things can change the likeness. For example: My face is asymmetrical. I kept looking at my lips going, "huh?" until I realized my face was skewed. Whoa. But it looks more like me.

[Earendil]

No. 6! I'm trying to figure out what to do with my jaw. It seems I have a real round face, and no sharp jaw line, so I'm wondering if there are other ways to show it. Hatching/shading? A lighter line? Gotta figure it out.

[caulitomaz]

Earendil, i think you are starting to get the likeness well. I really don't know you, but both 5 and 6 looked more natural to me. The main problem right now, for me, is the line. I think you should try to do a less jaggy line. An uniform outline will bring a lot more "Naturality".

Then try starting to fix values with the pencil. "Lay it down" and darken the shaded parts of your face.

Try not to smudge it. Never smudge it with your finger (maybe when you are a master, but, oh, this always messes up everything).

Keep drawing!

[Earendil]

caulitomaz> Thanks for the info. I'll work on better lines.
When you say "lay it down" what do you mean? I'll definitely work on getting some shading going.

Here is number 7. Movie villain?
I'm beginning to learn how to compare stuff to each other. My eyes were just flicking back and forth comparing relative sizes/distances. Moar studies.

[caulitomaz]

I think you are already making better lines.

Oh, you're workin with your tablet, right?
Then by "lay it down" I mean: pick up some bigger brushes to lock values.
(When you think you are ready to do it, of course)

I thought you were doing it with pencils, I meant "tilt it to draw with the side of your pencil".

I'm sorry for the lame english.

[algenpfleger]

Ahaaaaaa man, nice to see you starting a thread! I think these are looking great.

But seriously, why do you do them digitally? Doing lines on the tablet is a pain in the ass. Better concentrate on more important things! On paper you can also make sweeping motions, and draw from the arm, which is extremely important.

Like, for warmup, draw circles and lines and blind contours, that helps your lines a lot. You should also get into Loomis' books to learn more about facial structure and features, it's good to have things you can "search" for on the real thing

The last one looks really good, the eyes are a LOT better than on the first ones. Awesome work man! Keep doing those!

[Earendil]

caulitomaz> Thanks for clarifying!

algenpfleger> Convenience really, but you're right, it's better I do this from the arm.

I went through Loomis and tried head constructions, then I did this SP traditionally, starting with a Loomis head and trying to overlay what I saw on top of that. I don't think it worked. I'm not sure I understand enough of how the head/features/planes/shapes look in perspective, to connect that with how a sliced ball looks in perspective. Hell, I'm having trouble drawing correct curved lines denoting the form of the sphere. He never really says how much to slice off the sides either and both are causing me trouble. I found an earlier thread where Dose recommended reading Successful Drawing, and absorbing everything in it regarding perspective, so I'm going to do that. Seriously, I can draw a decent SP by comparing 2D elements, but don't understand how to draw lines over a sphere's surface? Definitely moar studies! Advice greatly appreciated!

[reme]

Heya, i would also advise drawing traditionally like what algenpfleger has said. Drawing with arm is really important Enjoy drawing

[algenpfleger]

Loomis is fucking hard to implement :| I studied his stuff a lot lately, and while my construction improved a bit, I still just draw by starting with... well, anything but ball and plane.

But you got the "More studies" part right! Just keep practicing!

[Earendil]

No...9!

Instead of trying to make Loomis fit me perfectly, I was mindful of his presence, and even used him to get the construction down in the beginning. There were still some tweaks near the end, I always seem to have trouble with the lower jaw.



My head was tucked down for this, but I'm not sure if that comes across. Comments?

[kidult]

The jaw line seems a bit too big for the facial features. Also think more about the structure of each part as you draw it. Definate improvement as you have been going along!

[Earendil]

No 10! I've decided every 10 portraits I'm going to do something fun. So, here's the color blue! The values seemed to make more sense with the drawing already there. Moar structure! Moar studies!

[Earendil]

Number 11. Tried to render the hair out a little better.

[Earendil]

No. 12. I had a harder time with this one trying to get the size/shapes of the eyes right, in relation to the brow in relation to the nose, in relation to the sides of the face. I kept unconsciously moving my head too.

[algenpfleger]

Great stuff man, keep doing the different perspectives and don't forget the neck!

[~Faust~]

I'd say you're improving too ! But beware of concentrating too much on the features, the more you hassle yourself in rendering the eyes and the mouth, the more they become hieroglyphs and not representations of something substantial. A good thing would be to forget about stuff like eye-lashes and so on and concentrate on the area around the eye, see were it bulks out and presses in.

[Earendil]

In the words of John Arbuckle..."ARRRRGH!"

Thanks algen. And Faust, I tried what you said, and thought about different areas coming forward/back.

Major problems with the overlapping nasal bone vs right eye again. Gotta break this down and get some "salient points" plotted if these proportions are ever going to be right. I'll get it right tomorrow!

[Earendil]

No 14! A quick pen SP to get me to stop fussing over extraneous stuff. Gotta get bolder lines, even if I make mistakes. Also learned that my face shape isn't really oval, but more of an extended oval or rounded square shape.

[Earendil]

No.15! A low light attempt, and you know...it was hard to sEE! Genius!

[Earendil]

No 16! This one seemed to hit closer to the mark. I'm beginning to wonder if a line is necessary around the lips, they seem a bit heavy-handed.

[Gorgoleon]

Yes this last one looks real good ! Ya i prefer not making lines around the mouth atleast not strong ones, it can make it look like the lips been glued on sometimes

[Earendil]

SP 17! Little under an hour to do this, I'd like to get fast with the blocking in and rendering. Anybody know of any good resources on hatching? I think I'm starting to understand what Faust was talking about earlier...

[~Faust~]

Actually, that one is a HUGE improvement! It feels much more 3D- mainly because you nailed the form right this time, espescially around the eyes. Maybe you should try to see planes for a change, go aay from the lines. make stenches! You can use digital to do it, but coffee is fine, too. Anyways, not much to crit only that maybe the line to the ear is a bit too much, throwing the head someho out of form.

[reme]

Wow great improvement already xD im still so slow Dx

Faust> Heya, do u mind teaching me how to paint with coffee? I wanna try it out Please?

[Earendil]

Faust> Thanks, I'll look into planes soon. Very soon. Thanks for pointing that ear-line out, you're absolutely right. What are stenches? Coffee?

Galaxis> Moar studies!

[Earendil]

Oop, forgot to post yesterdays Was wondering why there were no comments.

Here are No. 18 & 19!

[Earendil]

No. 20! Took around 3.5 hours for this one. Just wanted to have fun and push it.