Starting from scratch, journal of progression

[Jiri92]

Might want to think about simplifying the eye too, for a couple. Every lash is a pain to draw, and when so painstakingly drawn, they don't usually look too realistic. It might be interesting to try and simplify that section into something a little more solid, so that there is a dark bar for the lashes (kind of like eyeliner) with a few lash tips poking out.

It's just a thought, something to experiment with. c: Looking forward to the next 98. Good luck!

Thanks for the insight, I tried applying your advice on the two eyes below

[Jiri92]

Aye good stuff. You've already improved, and you can only go up. Onto the eye's though, I wouldn't worry about fully painting all the eyes, maybe sketch some, try to get the shapes down, limiting your brush strokes, Try different things. Remember to set goals you feel you can achieve, It's better to set smaller goals and achieve them, then being overly ambitious and failing on a goal. Only you can decide on what you can do and can't though. Don't sell yourself short though.

Also I wouldn't spend too much time on such a specific area. so far I've grouped up my anatomy studies into body parts, Leg's, Torso, head and then more specific area's I'm having trouble or want practice with I'll give a few studies or practice drawings. If you just work on eyes alone, you'll get really good at eyes, but you'll probably be lacking in other things such as placement on the face.

Anyway that's just me and what my approach would be, I'm in the same position as you trying to improve and learn hard

Hey man, thanks a lot for your feedback.

If you check the second eye in the picture above I tried what you said about simplifying it a bit more.

Also regarding overly ambitious goals; I've kinda grown accustomed to that haha, and I've already said I was going to draw 100 eyes so no more backing out now!

[Jiri92]

Eye 5/100

Again trying to simplify everything

[interman]

Cool sketchbook! Fun to see others around here who are also starting from scratch.

[Jiri92]

Cool sketchbook! Fun to see others around here who are also starting from scratch.

Hey there, thanks a lot.

I checked out your blog and you said you also started weightlifting a while back and can play some instruments. What instruments do you play?

==

Eye 6/100

[interman]

Yeah these days I'm nowhere near as hardcore into lifting as I was, but I stay in decent shape and run mountains pretty often.

I play guitar, bass, some harmonica and some piano. Jazz guitar is my specialty though. How about yourself?

[Gijex]

I like thiose eyes studies, keep it up! Btw, I play the trumpet

[DKHutcheson]

I think you aren't focusing on the structure of the eye as much as you should be. Also, your lines are a bit wobbly and not very confident. The two eyes at the top of the page are your best yet. Your values are well controlled and subtle, and your structure and lines are pretty solid. You lost it a little in these last two.

This is a page from a Loomis book about eyes. It might be helpful for you. c: Keep it up!

[Jiri92]

Yeah these days I'm nowhere near as hardcore into lifting as I was, but I stay in decent shape and run mountains pretty often.

I play guitar, bass, some harmonica and some piano. Jazz guitar is my specialty though. How about yourself?

I do gymnastics, did some lifting a while back but now it's just gymnastics

Music wise I mostly sing ( have had vocal lessons for 3 years, now entering my fourth year- I sing mostly musical stuff (Les Miserables and Phantom Of The Opera) but I also play in a rock band.

I also play the guitar (for 6 years now), bass (4 years), piano (2 years).

Jazz is wicked to play, very tough though! Definitely wouldn't call myself a good jazz player haha.

I like thiose eyes studies, keep it up! Btw, I play the trumpet

Nice! That's not really common instrument, how did you get to playing the trumpet and what kind of music do you play?

I think you aren't focusing on the structure of the eye as much as you should be. Also, your lines are a bit wobbly and not very confident. The two eyes at the top of the page are your best yet. Your values are well controlled and subtle, and your structure and lines are pretty solid. You lost it a little in these last two.

This is a page from a Loomis book about eyes. It might be helpful for you. c: Keep it up!

Yeah I see where you are coming from. To be honest- really envisioning the shape of the eye makes the drawing of it seem even more intimidating to me. I tried doing a study based on the picture you've posted but I feel really disappointed in today's work.

[Jiri92]

Mental note: I'm fascinated with drawings of nature so after I've done my 100 eyes I'm going to draw 100 mountains

Now at 9/100 eyes

[Naidy]

Just had a look through your sketchbook. Not a bad start, mate. Not a bad start. Glad you're taking it upon yourself to do 100 of a subject. I was actually going to advise that, along with self portraits from mirror. Photos can tend to flatten and make it difficult to see the form of an object.
Another thing; I thought I'd chuck over a link too, to help you on your eye structures.
http://www.stanprokopenko.com/blog/2009/05/draw-eyes/

Keep at it!

[Mignon]

hi, nice studies! I would suggest that you should draw more on paper rather than digitally, to get more of a feeling of the paper and the texture. the digital studies aren't bad at all, but like everyone said here, work on those still lifes from live!with such dedication and progress you will improve in no time keep it up!

[Jiri92]

Just had a look through your sketchbook. Not a bad start, mate. Not a bad start. Glad you're taking it upon yourself to do 100 of a subject. I was actually going to advise that, along with self portraits from mirror. Photos can tend to flatten and make it difficult to see the form of an object.
Another thing; I thought I'd chuck over a link too, to help you on your eye structures.
http://www.stanprokopenko.com/blog/2009/05/draw-eyes/

Keep at it!

Hey thanks that link is actually really helpful. Especially the part about how the iris is a concave form and how the pupil is within this form instead of it all resting on lens itself.

@mignon, thanks a lot for the advice!

[Jiri92]

@naidy

Thanks so much for the link again, I really can now see why the eye is being shaded and drawn the way it is. I always wondered why eyes looked the way they looked and it really puzzled me, especially the iris itself.

[Jiri92]

Eye 12/100 , slowly but surely getting there!

[Jiri92]

Eye 13/100

[Jiri92]

Eye 14/100

Keep seeing recurring patterns

[Jiri92]

15/100

[Jiri92]

16/100

[Jonesoda]

Still working away on those eyes hey, attack those recurring patterns you see straight on.
Also switch things up a bit, Try painting a person with dark skin (well eye area, skin will be darker toned)
Right now they are all nearly have the same values.

Also I'd try mixing it up, drawing other things as well, even if just sketches so you don't get sick of painting eyes lol.

Keep at it though, your eyes have clearly improved.

[Jiri92]

Still working away on those eyes hey, attack those recurring patterns you see straight on.
Also switch things up a bit, Try painting a person with dark skin (well eye area, skin will be darker toned)
Right now they are all nearly have the same values.

Also I'd try mixing it up, drawing other things as well, even if just sketches so you don't get sick of painting eyes lol.

Keep at it though, your eyes have clearly improved.

Hey man, thanks for the words, I tried applying what you said about dark skin tone. Don't know if it's that apparent though.

[Jiri92]

So a few days ago my laptop broke down on my because of cooling fan issues. It's fixed now so back to digital drawing

[Jiri92]

My first eye from imagination using the things I learned since doing this bunch

[Jiri92]

20% done, 80 to go

[Jiri92]

21/100

[Jiri92]

22/100

[luthertaylor]

Hey man, just wanted to say you are making great progress! ever since you looked at that link about eyes it seems your eye renders went up a level! Try and do some traditional stuff as well. On your days off do repetition drawings. do a lot of them. any magazines you come across that have a lot of good images in them keep it. for your eyes, choose a day your a completely free and just smash out rendering all day. preferably with the pencil but its up to you. what will happen is you wil notice certain details of eyes getting repeated and you will pick it up and it will stick. same with anatomy. if you ever get around to doing anatomy focus on a specific aspect like the arm and just repeatedly sketch it. forget doing a slow render. have a look at this for example of what I mean



eventually try and add in more details



I think methods of learning are dependent on your skill level as well as you in general.

best of luck

ah umm these two sites will be good for you
http://www.pixelovely.com/gesture/figuredrawing.php

www.posemaniacs.com

sketch everyday, you don't necessarily have to worry about doing a great render when you are strapped for time, just make sure you do something everyday.

[Jiri92]

Hey man, thanks for the reply! Did some traditional drawing like you told me but it's not uploading correctly

Also read that part about doing a lot but it didn't really register with me till now lol. I will start doing more quick stuff instead of focusing on the tiny details from now on

[Jiri92]

Did more quick stuff as you suggested

[Jiri92]

Some more