RoboMonkey's Sketchbook

[papervampire]

I like the sense of design you have in all your drawings and the simplicity of line! keep it up! more studies!!

[Emil_J.]

i agree with Ookchk on adding some tones to your drawings.
if you want to only study lines and the human body ill recommended posemaniacs.com. Do some (read: ALOT) 45 or 60 secound drawings .

[RoboMonkey]

@ Fumble
Ok so I did some short lifedrawings from posemaniacs (see below), but they definitely took longer than 60 seconds. Then I realized that there was this neat "30 second drawing" feature and did some 60 second sketches. And I totally sucked. And I can't realize what it is that I'm doing wrong but I can't produce a sketch in 60 seconds to save my life.
Anyway, I guess it's all about practice, practice, practice.

/Edit: Oh and about the tones; yeah, that would probably be a good thing to practice. I kinda suck at that so I'm leaving that out quite often. It never looks "right". But that's probably another reason to actually add them.

[Janos]

Bless these cartoon characters. They look great and funny and witty.
I say try dividing your work in fun cartoons etc and life studies and only let them intermingle when you got a certain amount of experience with the studies, it'll pay off in the long run!

Cheers

[GunTrouver]

Bonjour!
Greetings from Paris
The hotel we booked is good, with free internet as you can see:p
Today we'll visit montmartre and yesterday we have been to the Louvre, which was great.
I'll cqll you at the weekend I think, until then
Bien de bonjour de France

[KarylGilbertson]

yeah man, if you struggle with tones it makes it all the more important that you start fighting them now. Face your weaknesses head on and you'll improve that much faster!

Also, for the gesture drawings, try drawing "through" the figure rather than making an outline. It will help your proportions and will help you capture the essence of a pose a little better, and will get you comfortable with long, fluid lines. It's good practice.

[Emil_J.]

good posemaniacs poses. I think you should do 20 poses or so a day. It is manageable even on a hectic day.

[Costau]

I agree with fumble, just keep dishing out the drawings man. Eventually you will start getting better and better with each one as long as you pay attention to what your doing.

[RoboMonkey]

Hey there,
guess who can't really get sh*t done in 90 seconds. I'm really trying, but it's still quite hard to finish a figure drawing in just one and a half minute. When I think about doing that in half the time... oh boy. But I'm getting there !

[Jonas_J]

finish a figure drawing in just one and a half minute

Dont aim to "finish a figure drawing" in that time! Instead focus on getting the overall gesture down. I recommend that you get yourself vilppu's book (vilppu's drawing manual). It will really help you out.

[Elle IS]

Oh good grief, I love your style! It makes fun in my brain... you know, little smiling neurons?

There's no critique from a nub like me.

[Cuervo]

Hey Robo, i have to agree with you on the speed poses... but it is fun
they are comin along nicely tho mate, keep it up!!

[KarylGilbertson]

I have to agree with braintree. Don't worry about "finishing" your drawings so much. Instead, focus on capturing the "essence" of the pose, and don't be afraid to put down lines! Draw "through" the form, don't worry about creating a perfect outline, don't worry about being messy, don't worry about erasing. Throw down graphite with the aim of capturing that "essence". And when it gets too easy, go down to 60 or 30 secs

Another thing is to possibly try charcoal (and a larger paper if possible) for gesture studies. Since charcoal is a lot messier and harder to control as a rule, it will be a bit easier to "let go" and not try to spend your whole time contouring.

[RoboMonkey]

Hey there !
I am sorry for the lack of updates but I was a bit busy. Which describes actually only explains what I did half of the time. The other half I spent slacking off hardcore.
ANYWAY, I still suck at quick life drawings. Each of these were done in 45 seconds and oh my God look at them.
I tried to capture the essence and not worry about finishing and stuff. Kinda doubt that I did a good job with that.I also used charcoal, as suggested. Thanks for all your tips.

[KarylGilbertson]

Hey man maybe they're not works of art, but it's a good start. I'm glad you're taking our suggestions seriously, just keep grinding away and you'll see some real improvement, I promise. Keep drawing, GOGOGOGO!!

[Emil_J.]

Dude your doing the right thing- keep doing those poses.

I find charcoal quite hard to use.. so hmm, maybe you could make 50 % charcoal and 50 % normal pencil, just to feel the difference.

[Costau]

Don't be afraid to be messy, and ghost your lines when doing quick sketches man. The only way a pro gets as fast as he does and make it look easy is because of efficiency. Which is only learned through repetition. You're doing a great job, just keep doing it. Be patient with yourself.

[KarylGilbertson]

where be the updates homie!!!