twila sketchbook //something will happen

[twila]

I'm here cause I want to improve. Be harsh, be kind; just tell me the truth about my work.

Books I am currently reading/watching:

1. Vilppu Chapter 1

Sometimes I have excuses for not drawing; I'll correct that!

[Tim Murphy]

So as this goes on, I'm sorry if I make you want to scream when you look at my work... OTL

I wouldn't worry about that, everyone is pretty supportive here. Looks like you're off to a good start, I see you've picked up Loomis.

Mix in a little bit of life drawing, drawing from reference, anatomy, and drawing from imagination everyday and you'll be a good track to improvement. If you think that would take more time than you have each day, just try to shoot for two of the subjects. The varied studies will help keep you interested and improving!

Keep on drawing!

[Black Sun S.]

Hello Twila, they are very suportive here..I have some problems with anatomy too, but I´m improving...keep drawing everyday and don´t be afraid of criticism, it´s important!

[twila]

Tim Murphy: Thank you!
Yeah, I'll definitely have to keep it varied. Last time I slowly halted my studies since it was always the same thing... ;A; Well I won't make that mistake again!
Loomis is lots of fun to read/practice.

Black Sun S.: Yay support! Improvement is always riveting, no matter how much one improves. I'll make sure to do that, thanks! ;D


Today I opened my sketchbook and focused on refs + anatomy. I couldn't find my set of monoliths so I used a regular 2HB pencil.

[twila]

Tim Murphy: Thank you!
Yeah, I'll definitely have to keep it varied. Last time I slowly halted my studies since it was always the same thing... ;A; Well I won't make that mistake again!
Loomis is lots of fun to read/practice.

Black Sun S.: Yay support! Improvement is always riveting, no matter how much one improves. I'll make sure to do that, thanks! ;D


Today I opened my sketchbook and focused on refs + anatomy. I couldn't find my set of monoliths so I used a regular 2HB pencil.

[twila]

Tim Murphy: I'll try my best to follow a varied and balanced routine! Thank you for your kind words. :3

Black Sun: Improvement is always awesome; lets both improve! Thanks ;D


Here's today's batch:
Tried some thirty second gestures (1), gestures with some shading (2), eyes from imagination (3), and then more 30 second gestures with shading + a bunny (4).
I need to definitely work on lines: make them smoother and longer instead of short.
My anatomy is still weak, especially in torso proportions. I tend to make the space between the shoulders and the breast a little too long and screw up on the butt area...

[twila]

Tim Murphy: Thanks! I'll try my best to focus on all three and keep it varied.

Black Sun: Will do, thank you. :3

Here's what I did yesterday!
Pardon my bad scanning abilities...


p1 - 30 second gestures
p2 - gestures with shading
p3 - imagination


30 second gestures with shading!
bunny
eye from imagination

Definitely need to continue working on anatomy studies. Might rummage through my old bio book!

[Gibi]

those are clean lines for 30 second gestures! When i do it my proportions are off a lot..

[Saramel]

Nice studies - keep up this level of commitment and you will improve very fast!

[twila]

Gibi: Aw thanks! Maybe try doing a page of just long squiggles and single-stroke lines? Well a sketchbook is to improve, so don't be sad! ;D Mine are off too. xD

Saramel: Thank you! I'll try my best.


Here's today's batch woo.


p1 - 30 second gestures + lemon
p2 - two 30 second gestures w/ shading, two gestures, + face fail
p3 - "fist" study (different angles), comic face of me, + eye from imagination

;A;

[twila]

Gibi: Aw thanks! Maybe try doing a page of just long squiggles and single-stroke lines? Well a sketchbook is to improve, so don't be sad! ;D Mine are off too. xD

Saramel: Thank you! I'll try my best.


Here's today's batch woo.


p1 - 30 second gestures + lemon
p2 - two 30 second gestures w/ shading, two gestures, + face fail
p3 - "fist" study (different angles), comic face of me, + eye from imagination

;A;

[FightingSeraph]

Very nice!

[twila]

Gibi: Aw thanks! Maybe try doing a page of just long squiggles and single-stroke lines? Well a sketchbook is to improve, so don't be sad! ;D Mine are off too. xD

Saramel: Thank you! I'll try my best.

FightingSeraph: Thank you


Here's today's batch woo.


p1 - 30 second gestures + lemon
p2 - two 30 second gestures w/ shading, two gestures, + face fail
p3 - "fist" study (different angles), comic face of me, + eye from imagination

;A;

[twila]

11-6-2011!
Got myself to do studies again. I know I've got a long, long way to go~...


p1, 2, & 3 - 30 second gestures
p4 - pose in 3 angles
p5 - hand in 3 angles
p6 - random stuff

[twila]

...and I'm back!

[twila]

Back from a long break (school, applications, etc)!

I'll be drawing everyday and updating once a week. I was wondering, do you guys have any books to suggest for me, in particular for anatomy and value (I'll be posting some of that later)? Also, how does one go about using these books? I know it might sound dumb, but I'm assuming you basically apply the techniques demonstrated multiple times until it's incorporated into your work...

[twila]

I recently discovered the document feeder option for my scanner... Now I can update daily!
Unluckily, I lost the new sketchbook I was using on the train. So I'm now using loose paper + a folder.

Here are today's studies! Blind contour + study of my own hand, a few 30 second figure drawings, and 10 second gestures.

[syrella]

About the contour drawing:

You'll probably get the most out of it of you use 3D objects instead of photos. Part of the challenge with contour drawing is learning to translate something in space to 2D. Your hand was a good start. Maybe try some fruits and veggies next?

Another good exercise to try is cross contour drawing. Instead of just drawing the outlines, try to capture the volume as well.

Keep up the hard work! Remember to draw fun stuff, too, so you don't get burnt out.

[Hayden Zammit]

Looks like you're putting in heaps of effort with all the studies. Keep it up.

[twila]

syrella - Thanks! I gave it a shot today (with shading) and tried a mug at two angles as well as my hand. I'll be sure to do veggies/fruits tomorrow.
Sometimes I'm worried about showing/trying more fun stuff (from imagination)... D:

Hayden Zammit - Thank you


Ok so today: blind cross contour + study and 30 second gesture drawings.
I have terrible shading... I think I'll tackle that soon haha xD

[syrella]

Here's what I mean by cross contour drawing:
http://fireatwill41.hubpages.com/hub...ontour-Drawing

Also, I think you may want to slow down with your contour drawings. They feel rushed, to me. Contour drawings are meant to be very slow and deliberate. Take your time with your observations and your mark making. Practice with never lifting your pencil off the paper or moving your gaze from what you're drawing. Put a box or piece of cloth over your paper to prevent you from "peeking", if that helps.

Even with gesture drawing, when speed is of the essence, spend some time really looking at what you want to draw before putting your pencil down. Be purposeful with your marks. Sparing a little time in the beginning to do things like check proportions or angles will help you be more efficient (and faster) later on.

[twila]

I'm back again; this time I can actually allocate time and devotion to drawing.

syrella - I'll begin in-depth contour drawings tonight! Spending more time on my work and slowing down may help a lot as you say. I get really agitated under the 30 second to 5 minute time constraints. Especially in gesture drawings... I feel the need to get the entire pose out instead over observing and getting the essence.


Here are my sketches from the last 2/3 days and part of today, as well as my first value study in SAI. First time I ever did 5 and 11 minute sketches. P:

[twila]

Yesterday's fun painting practice. Inspired by halls and octopus limbs.

Today I applied myself and took my time to observe before drawing. Better contour studies (from life)! Felt pretty good about my final 1 minute and 5 minute poses.

[twila]

Didn't feel as strong about my anatomy today. I'm gonna begin reading on constructive anatomy to help; I think my forms are too flat even without shading haha. Gave a digital portrait a shot, which was fun! I might do some more tonight. More advanced blind studies and digital paintings tomorrow.

Wanted to remind myself who/what inspires me, so here's my influence map.

[twila]

Took a shot at a value study with larger brushes.

[twila]

Another value study; this time it felt a little harder due to the lighting situation and also because I'm still using a larger brush. I want to get used to laying down a general feel before doing details though haha.

Finished my first sketchbook on a side note! Two more are coming Mondays. Until then, just more value studies and a few digital hatching studies.

[dawnusllaw]

Hey, Twila! nice start on your SB here. I like how you're busting out alot of gestures and studies, keep it up! Nice lines you have, looking forward to some finished work!

[Sanek]

Is this heads in 1st post was inspired by Loomis?

[twila]

dawnusllaw - Thank you! I'm almost scared to try doing finished pieces so it might be a while before that happens haha!

Sanek - Yup. I'll be going back to Loomis in a few weeks, maybe once I tackle perspective.


I'll be updating the sketchbook the 27th; family comes first. I'll still be practicing these next two days!

[twila]

Seems like I double posted by accident...

I'll update this post the 27th with work then.