There's no easy way out

**Freshfool** · November 4th, 2012, 05:44 AM

@Sin_eater - Thanks for the feedback man, i usually do the line art first then paint over it, i think your right though i need to take more time with my line art first
Anyways i couldnt sleep so i decided to finish this

**Vritra** · November 4th, 2012, 08:13 PM

Careful with the tones on the last one. Undersea lighting doesn't always follow the rules of outdoor. Have a look at this Jason Chan painting: http://www.cgsociety.org/stories/200...ea_romance.jpg

Other than that, I like your line work, they have a certain sensibility to them. Like sin eater said before me, the line quality on those hand studies (Bridgman I assume?) look great. Try to remember that in studies, observation is always more important than the actual execution. You've got to look really hard at your image, that not only increases the chances of getting it right, but also raises the chances of your retaining the image in your visual library.

Keep working hard, and updating this sketchbook. It was a real pleasure dropping by.

**Freshfool** · November 5th, 2012, 02:47 AM

@Vritra- Wow after looking at that painting i can totally tell where i went wrong big time lol, thanks for showing me that i like that painting alot, ill definitely keep what you said about the studies in mind

studies from today

**Freshfool** · November 6th, 2012, 02:50 AM

too much school work nowadays >.<

**Freshfool** · November 7th, 2012, 01:47 AM

instead of paying attention in class i scribble like a mad man][

**Freshfool** · November 8th, 2012, 02:32 AM

Why do i have too suck so much? dam this is so frustrating!

**Freshfool** · November 9th, 2012, 01:05 AM

not feelin so good today

**p sage** · November 9th, 2012, 01:29 AM

Originally Posted by Freshfool

Why do i have too suck so much? dam this is so frustrating!

It is frustrating for all of us in the beginning. It was frustrating for Michelangelo... it was frustrating for VanGogh.

I would suggest that you look into structure. If you learn structure, you have something to put on top of the gestures. Just gesture alone will never, ever give you all the answers to drawing.

If you want to be un-frustrated, you will have to learn to depict volume (3D) on a flat surface (2D). It's not a simple task because there are so many skills to acquire. But you can always start at the beginning. I go back to the beginning when I get frustrated. But I also learn a little more each time.

Structure. Andrew Loomis has great books (pdf). Lean heavier on the perspective and box and construction stuff in Loomis. And then move to Bridgman. Learn to build the body with simpler shapes. Gottfried Bammes has another great book that explains the construction of the body by using simpler shapes.

Simply put, the body isn't an easy thing to draw for any of us. It's part of the reason my art school takes the approach of drawing things using simple volumes... but drawing things that are easier to grasp than the body, at first. We drew bottles, first. Eventually we would move to doing plaster casts of famous busts, or statues.

It's a step by step thing, and you're on your way. Find some good instruction (some stuff that deals with structure and perspective) and you'll see some good improvement.

Good luck.

**Freshfool** · November 10th, 2012, 02:57 AM

@p sage hey thanks for taking the time to give me some advice i really appreciate it i will definitely start looking into structure and perspective of the body hopefully i can get out of this artist block everything i draw looks like shit to me

today's stuff

**Freshfool** · November 11th, 2012, 02:37 AM

cubes

**Freshfool** · November 12th, 2012, 02:49 AM

practice from mind then cubes

**Freshfool** · November 13th, 2012, 02:46 AM

my head hurts

**Freshfool** · November 14th, 2012, 01:59 AM

not much but something

**Freshfool** · November 15th, 2012, 02:05 AM

complete and utter crap... what am i even doing anymore?

**Freshfool** · November 16th, 2012, 01:35 AM

i didn't do shit today

**Freshfool** · November 17th, 2012, 02:45 AM

im not gunna give up on this

**Freshfool** · November 18th, 2012, 02:51 AM

need to study more

**Freshfool** · November 19th, 2012, 02:27 AM

baby steps

**Jmob** · November 20th, 2012, 01:46 AM

duuuuuude,NICE.

Lots of advice: try thinking in terms of planes and remember that change in shape/form/planes= change in value. Very nice job with those studies of the eye! I'm impressed. Also, you may want to paint in black and white for a couple of months and you'll see incredible improvement in your ability to see color and shape. Again, always remember and apply the principle, "change in plane/shape, change in value". take for example a cube with one light source. In isometric perspective, the planes/shapes look different and read as different values. That is obviously because the different relationship the planes have to the light. Breaking down your values to as few values as possible will help you keep this planar approach as well as remind you of the box. I've been taught to break down my values to 4 values, (2 light values and 2 dark values). You want to make sure these values make interesting shapes as well BUT ARE STILL SHOWING PLANES AND STILL ACCURATELY SHOW THE REPRESENTED FORM. From a spotlight coming from above you'd want to have all planes that are facing downward as your darkest dark value etc. etc. What may also help with figuring out your values is by first starting out with your lightest dark value, (don't make it too dark or you may find yourself erasing a lot of your drawing because your initial block in was too dark and out of the correct value that it should be representing...It's always best to work light!) and establishing your shadow pattern. Once you have your shadow pattern and the general shapes in place, SLOWLY progress with care to figure out where you will place your next darker value. (your darkest dark is RARELY black.) With each step of value the shapes should obtain their own interesting shape. Now for line, (don't worry, I'm almost finished!) think of line as a design element that you want to make as interesting as possible-- that contains the essence of uniformity and emphasizes good design and structure. There's the c curve, the s curve and the straight line. Bridgeman talks about how you want a variety of line in your drawings but a perfect balance that communicates the "story" or intention of the drawing. Constantly think about whether an s curve will look better, more elegant or sophisticated or sexier than a straight line or a c curve. Make sure to be economical with your lines. You want your drawing to exhibit confidence!

Alright, I'll be sure to come back soon to see your hard work and application of all that you've learned. GOGOGOOGOGOGOGOGOGOGO. YOU GOT THIS. epic music in the background > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYLOGDT4VEk

**Jmob** · November 20th, 2012, 01:51 AM

I'll be sure to post tomorrow night with examples of what I'm talking about. Sorry to leave you with no visual explanations. I will get on that tomorrow.

**Freshfool** · November 20th, 2012, 02:44 AM

@Jmob- woow so much useful information thanks a ton for that advice its very helpfull! i think i will start painting in gray scale for a bit

Heres some life drawings i did, diddnt do so well today but it's okay im just gunna keep practicing and getting better

**Freshfool** · November 21st, 2012, 02:40 AM

spent the day painting with acrylics

**Jmob** · November 21st, 2012, 04:55 AM

Name: Morgan Weistling cowboy portrait small.jpg
Views: 109
Size: 408.7 KB

SO, this guy is really good. He was 20 when he did this. The artist is Morgan Weistling.

But do you see how he realllllly pushes the planes and shapes in accordance with value to the point where it is simplified yet explained extremely well? Every part has been made to look interesting as well as the construction being quite flawless (to my eyes). The key is understanding how the box works on the specific thing you are designing (portraits or figure or whatever) as well as having a solid constructional underdrawing. Look at that nose! AMAZING. sorry.. geeking out. I could go on and on about this drawing but point being, come back to this drawing (if you'd like) and see what you can get from it by either copying it or just looking at it from time to time. I must get this good...soon. You can get there as well by 20 if you push yourself and ask yourself hard questions. you got this. GOGOGOGOGOGOGO

**Freshfool** · November 22nd, 2012, 02:01 AM

@Jmob- wow what an amazing portrait thanks for showing me that dude its awesome, ill keep this drawing in mind
Today i had to work all day

**Freshfool** · November 23rd, 2012, 02:55 AM

happy thanksgiving

**Freshfool** · November 24th, 2012, 02:34 AM

haven't had much time to draw lately, i think im going to start waking up earlier so i can at least get in a hour or two before work and school

**Freshfool** · November 25th, 2012, 02:48 AM

morning drawing sesh, more studies tomorrow

**Freshfool** · November 26th, 2012, 01:33 AM

today, some sketches and some nose studies

**Jmob** · November 26th, 2012, 04:39 AM

nice, nice... Love'n the studies! Are those robots ashley wood inspired?
Also, just letting you know I haven't been posting because I've been way too busy with projects: I'll be posting either Wednesday or Thursday when they don't look blah or are "finished".

**Freshfool** · November 27th, 2012, 02:51 AM

@Jmob- thanks man the robots are very much inspired by her haha, ill be sure to check out your sketchbook once you update!
Life drawing then a Wip in acrylics its going to be a collaboration project where i let someone else paint on my picture, it should be interesting to see what happens.