ClockworkSketchbook

[ClockworkLives]

Hi guys.

Thought it was about time I got up the nerve and just started one of these on CA. The drive and support on these forums is really inspiring, and I think this is the place to help me get to the level of art I want to be at. My goal is to eventually be able to do concept work for the game industry, but I am also interested in doing illustration stuff as well. I don't have any illusions about my own capabilities at this point and really want to fill the gaping holes in my skillset, so.. here we go!

Some basic studies in traditional media to start out with.

[ClockworkLives]

Trying out the Pixelovely figure drawing resource. Ballpoint pen to force myself to speed up and to prevent any eraser reliance.

[ClockworkLives]

Some more recent things - a flying pig to break in my new sketchbook plus a preliminary sketch for a larger piece.

I really need to dig up some reference on emotions and facial expression.

[Deceptive]

Thanks for the comment on my sketchbook! But damn your pencil drawings look nice!
I just love the lineweight and reflection of the teapot!

[Cojac]

I love your still life drawing. Great reflections. I'm also painting still lifes.

[Elias Leonard]

cool stuff!

[ClockworkLives]

Deceptive - No problem, and thanks a lot! That was something I was really paying attention to in that study, nice to know it paid off.

Cojac - Thanks! I'm trying to strengthen my basics by doing small pieces like these.

Elias Leonard - Thank you kindly.

Now that the holidays are over, family is gone back to the parts of the country they live in, and I can access CA again without my browser screaming malware warnings at me, I can start this up again. I started a really ambitious drawing in order to push myself based on a previous sketch - it's a huge 16 by 20 inch deal specifically intended to avoid eye contact and send the viewer's eye all over the place... I thought I was doing well on it until I took a photo and looked at it on a small scale. Unintentionally different head sizes, lack of facial planes where there should be some, and lack of contrast - I gots some fixings to do!

Nevertheless, here's a preliminary drawing and a progress shot. Not slacking (as much as it seems I am).

[ClockworkLives]

Some exotic crustaceans from photo reference. These things are so cool I totally forgot about stuff like composing the page. XD

[ClockworkLives]

Some china marker sketch stuff.

[Cerasela]

Hi Clockwork welcome to the SB section , love the image OlgaKosheleva_JealousyStudy ,great faces drawn. Keep up those studies and dont forget to do also basics again like light and shadow studies on objects, anatomy etc.., cant wait to see more

[ClockworkLives]

Thanks a lot, Cerasela! You're absolutely right about those basic studies - I've been overly excited about trying new stuff in my art lately so my attention has been on that, but I'll be sure to revisit the foundations soon!

Some more observational stuff for now.

[ClockworkLives]

Warm-up sketch from a local coffeeshop. Still not over that awkward feeling that comes with drawing random people...

[angieb.]

Oh, ClockworkLives! Drawing random people is so much fun! Though, to be fair, I tend to opt for the back of people's heads... so maybe I'm chickening out! I'm enjoying both your out-and-about live stuff and your concept stuff, both! Thanks for sharing - I look forward to seeing more!

[Cerasela]

Very nice update clockwork. Keep pushing

[ClockworkLives]

angieb. - Yeah, I do a lot of drawing of backs of people's heads too. I always worry that I may creep someone out or just make them uncomfortable... though, honestly, so far it seems to be mostly a fear in my own head.

Cerasela - Thank you! I followed your suggestion and did some light and shadow studies on simple white objects, to start.

[Aqualeot]

Nice start to your sketchbook! I really like your teapot and the one with plants in the window.

[ClockworkLives]

Aquelot - Thanks!

I'm a bit dense. I wake up early but it took me this long to realize my window has a great view of sunrises and I can do studies of those. Need to get used to pastels again.

[ClockworkLives]

Random junk in a corner, mutilated by my scanner.

[Frida Bergholtz]

Hey there. I'm looking forward to see how it goes with your ambitious drawing. I really like the concept. I was wondering though if there were a particular reason for not drawing any ears on the heads? All the heads are rather round and stylized it would be interesting to see you make some more detailed realism studies of faces. Working with selfportraits is a very good idea if you want to study different expressions. It sem to me that you are taking on a rather wide range of subjects and on the right track on filling out those gaping holes you wrote about. I should be doing more basic studies like you do.

[ClockworkLives]

Frida - Originally my idea involved something along the lines of emotion/perception/dream states so ears didn't seem as necessary - now that you mention it, I think ears certainly wouldn't take away from it, so I'll probably add that in. You're absolutely right about the stylization, too, I have hooked myself up with a desktop mirror since then and have been taking care to bring more realism into this piece.

A color/composition study (in progress) and a quick photo sketch. Hoping to ease back into imaginary things later on.

[limsh]

I really like your colors! specially the one with bananas and the fuzzy pencil drawings have really nice and warm feelings...love it!

[ClockworkLives]

limsh - Always nice to know that your stuff made someone feel all warm, thank you!

An hour-long no-ref PS tribute to the EQ2 Arasai before I go to sleep.

[ClockworkLives]

I was hoping to have more sketch stuff than this, but got carried away with some more developed pieces.. So, only some people from screenshots of Downton Abbey for now, because that show is chock-filled with awesome actors and costumes.

[ClockworkLives]

Disappointed in this, but going to be brave and post it anyway - next time I do any really detailed perspective study like this, definitely need to put in that grid and select my details more carefully. Lesson learned.

Failpost!

[ArtemisDragon]

I love the sketches of the many overlapping heads! Neat ideas!

[ClockworkLives]

Thanks, ArtemisDragon!

Some pen stuff from a local Panera.. trying to use color temperature to distinguish inside from outside.

Is it weird that I post these so often? It's almost becoming a bit of a ritual and it keeps me doing studies, but I don't know whether it's annoying to only have one or two updates per post..

[ClockworkLives]

Probably going to flesh this old guy out some more in the next couple of days, I like dwarves.

[iMigraine]

Hey ClockWorkLives, I like your teapot a lot. The reflection of the cup is really cool and the highlights too. Also your multi-heads are interesting and I can see them being a good concept piece later on. Looking forward to seeing your dwarf when he's finished too. Thanks for the SB visit too.

[ClockworkLives]

Thanks, iMigraine!

Some quick stuff to keep my momentum. Not too exciting.

[Yemi775]

Great start Clockworklives you seem like you know what you are doing, keep at it