"Perseverance" is the name of the game

[vicjs]

Hi all

I've been drawing for quite a number of years (though I've gone through the occasional hiatus -- the most recent lasting about 2 years) however I mainly drew cartoons so I never really learned to build a solid artistic foundation for more realistic artwork. I aim to improve my abilities in this area. The below are my most recent works, which consist of mostly Bridgman studies and photo ref drawings (the ones on the first page that are clearly anatomically incorrect are figures I drew from imagination -- it's quite easy to tell which ones they are). I can see that I'm also having a real issue with the perspective of heads.

Critiques are always welcome/encouraged/appreciated

[zombifried]

Just keep practicing. It looks as though you're practicing the right stuff. It also sounds like you have been able to troubleshoot your own abilities. (your problem with heads) The ability to identify problem areas in your work is a big step. Don't keep yourself away from your work for so long, anymore!

Head on over and checkout my sketchbook if you wanna good laugh!
Good luck!

~Zombifried

[vicjs]

Just another page of head studies done a couple of days ago that I didn't get around to uploading. I need to set aside more time for sketching...

[vicjs]

Wow. It's been a while since I've updated my sketchbook here. Some of the attached images have been uploaded on my dA account (as one can deduce by the watermark I've put on a few of them) but I'd really like some feedback from people here.

[vicjs]

Just some cartoon scribblings done in early 2010. There's actually supposed to be another page but for some reason I can't upload it. I might try posting it later.

[Demo_Thesis]

O NOES! PUBIC HAIR! NSFW!!!

LawLs! Anyhow, I really like your linework in those cartoon works of yours mate! And the expressions are pretty good. Those sorts of skills will really help when you start doing more emotive realistic characters.

It looks like you're biting the bullet and practicing all the things you need improving on. That's great. I'll be needing to do that too. Keep it up mate! Best of luck to both of us!

~Stephen

[vicjs]

Heh, I may have added the "NSFW" label needlessly -- I thought I'd err on the side of caution but that was probably unnecessary

Thanks for the comment!

[AlexanderVenturi]

Good stuff! I like the bridgman sketches the msot, and your rendering of the muscles is pretty awesome. Just a note about the centre line of the abdominals; it isn't always perfectly straight. Other than that, pretty mindblowing!

[vicjs]

Thanks for the feedback, AlexanderVenturi. You're very generous with your comments -- admittedly I haven't got anatomy and figure studies quite down yet but I'm working to improve. I'll try to set aside time to observe and draw people from life

[vicjs]

Decided to focus on human form today. One of the things I've noticed is that whenever I draw people they tend to look really stiff and unnatural. Each figure was done in a 3-5 minute time frame. Since I didn't go out today, these were based on stock images.

[vicjs]

More...

[Matrej]

Hi, thx for your advices man

These last figures looks good like gesture drawing, but I think that 3-5 minutes for gesture drawing is too long, You have to make these really quickly and maximum of time is like 2 minutes. Yeah I have problem with that too, like you have seen.
Anyway, i like that caricatures of yours and that monster in suit. keep it up man, keep it up!

[vicjs]

No problem and thanks for the tip, Matrej. Some of the sketches may have been done under 3 minutes but I didn't really keep track (3-5 min was a rough estimate). Next time I'll try to be more conscious of limiting how long I spend on each figure

[Demo_Thesis]

Hay guy, thanks again for commenting in my sketchbook. I'm really digging your anatomy studies, but I notice you're doing multiple strokes. Save time by getting it right the first time! Not that I should talk, I need to work on my own sketchy habits. I have such a poor understanding of anatomy that I should be doing a lot more of these. Anyhow, when I want to make myself draw quick and fast I set a timer for one minute, and see what I can bolt out before it goes off. I do that three or five times. Then I set the timer for 3 minutes. It's amazing how long 3 minutes feels at that point!

Keep up the great work mate!

[vicjs]

A few more gesture studies (sketched with a more limited timeframe).

[vicjs]

Having a bit of fun with some old black pens that were just sitting in my drawer, unused.

The pear-thing with the dynamite is my favourite.

[vicjs]

More Bridgman.

[Dark_Eyes]

5 stars! Merry christmas! *****