AztcFireflower's Figures 'n' Stuff

**sfa** · November 9th, 2008, 03:28 PM

Hello!

Oh, I missed an update! It was good seeing you again at Bodyworlds. Those are lovely studies you've done of the specimens they had there. I too wanted to draw the giraffe (just how in the world did they plastinate that thing... it was huge!)!

Where are you taking classes? At Kevin's?

Keep up the great work!

**l0stinth0ughts** · November 13th, 2008, 03:34 AM

i started looking and studing from this sketchbook from the first page, and i can say that im still amazed. also, looking at this sketchbook made me pull out my sketchbook once again and began studing the anatomy. your a handful of inspiration and motivation. i like how each piece is a simple stroke on the gestures and the long portraits have an interesting edge.
id love to see some more artwork, thanks!

**DanielC** · November 14th, 2008, 08:03 PM

very nice work aztec. Those ecorches show so much information, its refreshing !

thank a lot for sharing your work !

**alshakno** · November 15th, 2008, 01:52 AM

Cool figures, wish i could find some workshops in Iran, should find something other than posemaniacs

looking forward

GL

**Leo Snow** · November 16th, 2008, 07:54 AM

heh, enjoing your scetchbook

often watching this for inspiring ))

**Twitchfinger** · November 16th, 2008, 08:21 AM

Wonderful figure drawings, Aztec. I really like that batch you did trying to maintain the rhythm gesture from start to finish. Your thread is a great reminder to constantly be practicing and improving foundational skills.

I'm curious (apologies if you've already answered it a hundred times), what are you hoping to build towards? Are you eventually interested in illustration, concept design? More fine art? Everything? Just an overall mastery of the human figure?

**Imaginary** · November 16th, 2008, 11:26 AM

Love your figure drawings, wish i could handle charcoal as good as you do.

**alshakno** · November 16th, 2008, 03:53 PM

so you are one of those monsters that makes me to feel that I'm fatass
love your lines and shadows and forms and ...
but don't love you!

Just kidding
fantastic job dude
GL

**gkrit** · November 21st, 2008, 04:59 AM

ur stuff is very VERY nice.
u got very clean strokes, well clean everything really.
ur level of talent doesnt go unnoticed

**Mischeviouslittleelf** · November 21st, 2008, 07:51 AM

Good stuff here, love the traditional style, and how your lines are so fantasticly dynamic. The drawings are masterfull, but I should love to see some more paintings

-E

**bhanu** · November 21st, 2008, 08:43 AM

damn I need to do some studies....thanks for the default kick in the ass...

**enthombed** · November 21st, 2008, 09:41 AM

nice see this thread again, finally i founded again my references here.

keep posting

Cheers

**Moai** · December 25th, 2008, 06:46 PM

Merry Christmas!

**BludHund** · December 27th, 2008, 09:35 AM

Damn, that show was in Baltimore for like a month or two (along with 'the brain')...I shoulda shoulda shoulda gone to see it...gordammit!

These drawings look awesome! You really captured the pose as well as the anatomical details...such a fascinating machine. The only thing is (and this may be the way the actual specimens were) some of the proportions (width wise) seem weird, which usually happens when you're trying to nail down a lot of features and landmarks...that's really a nitpick though.

Never hurts to do some figures worked up from the bones...with photoshop you can render the whole body one layer at a time.

How about some animal anatomy? Do you have Eliot Goldfinger's animal book? A great resource for comparison...it takes a while but once those bones and tendons and muscles start to 'click' it really opens your eyes to the key points of each animal.

I think the curve of the back and neck is like the 'signature' of a species...

The other direction of course would be the 'final layer' of the human body...clothing and other technology

Some drapery studies never hurt.

**Sonaj** · December 27th, 2008, 09:30 PM

Judging by contents, i think you are a dude

I like it, just a little bit

Have a good start into the new year and all the best for your art

J

**AztcFireFlower** · January 2nd, 2009, 03:44 AM

Hey D@niel Kind. Thanks.

Kim_bot Your welcome!
Raileyh Hi, Thanks for stopping by. I wouldn't be surprised L. A. art folks do run in thru the same trails.

Mark-I've seen his work, but never met. Rick Morris, is my teach pal. He's a doll. Learned alot from that talented boy. Miss his painting classes.
Well, maybe this new year, we'll meet at a workshop!
Once I get out to one.

notti Thank you.
Sherwin Thanks for checking in. Nice bumping into you at S.Hustons talk. Think, this next round I'll be heading out to Glen Orbik's classes. Kevin's not teaching the long pose class this semester, bummer, so got to continue my learnin form this master.
If you decide to go to Watts, this winter, let me know.
Hi LiT, Thanks for visiting. Posted something in your thread, hope it makes sense.
DanielC Thank you. Some day, I'll do the real thing, again, with clay, or the oily putty stuff. Did one along tiime ago with clay, did a 3 foot skeleton( took 2 semesters), but never overlayed it with muscle - took it home, finally, left in patio, it rained and next day was a blob on the ground.

Note to self-smaller, non watersoluble and um, smaller.
alshakno Thank you. I've been quite poor lately and can only afford one class at a time, so I do ALOT of my studying from photos. Just apply the same principles and sculpt the forms. Oh, I promise not to grow fangs while I draw.
Leo Snow Love when you come by. Love your sketchbook.

Twitchfinger Thank you. I appreciate your comment. I'm trying to retain as much as I can from all the lessons I've had. I started drawing a long time ago. Had classes from all the great drawing teachers in Los Angeles, but my study kept getting interrupted with undergrad school, then a 9 year stint in animation, and just heavy family issues and so much time passed, I kept seeing kids, who seemed they hadn't even been born when I first took classes, getting better than me.

So, now that I have this "vacation" from the work force, I decided, I was going to clean it up. Fill in all the gaps and push further than ever had before with consistent instruction and practice. Mastery of the figure is at the top of this list. But, not just that. Designing the figure, infusing it with ones own spirit and vitality.
Being immersed in just study, I haven't developed anything else with these skills. No portfolio. I was/am interested in character/creature design, but, my experience in concept is limited, and who knows when, some recruiter thinks I have what it takes. I believe I do, just feels like a rather long road to getting noticed. And, yep, having no portfolio, doesn't help.
My true interest does lay in traditional art - oil painting, watercolor, charcoal. However, It would be cool to apply what traditional skills I have towards concept design. Maybe, this year will reveal something positive in that direction.
Thanks for asking.

Imaginary Thank you. After learning solid concepts, it's all consistent practice.
gkrit Thanks. The eraser is your friend.

M Elf, Thank you, you are very kind to say so. I do miss painting in oils. I find, tho, that flexing the drawing skills, keeps me idling in a good way.
bhanu Hey, Thanks for dropping in. Don't think you need any boot kicking, tho. You're working pretty hard in your SB.
enthombed Aw shucks, ya flatter me.
Moai Hey! Thanks. Hope the new year holds better things for us all.
BludHund Thank you for hanging out and support. That was one good, and eye opening show.
Shoulda gone

Good observation. I didn't notice any odd proportions on the anatomical specimens. However, the specimens did not have any fat. So as compared to a real live person there is an oddness to the girth of all the bodies, which I probably copied. What I do see glaring at me, tho, is the high degree of flatness I rendered in. Working with sharpened graphite pencils, I lost the ease of rythyms and gesture. I think, trying to render, shifted the focus from volume, completely. Oh well. Next show......
Animal anatomy is definitely intriguing. I believe, I may have that book. Unfortunately, I acquire books, and then put them safely away, never to be found again.
Sonaj Nice gallery. I am not/are a dude!
Will do the best I can. Thank you and much growth for you as well.

Started thinkin, 'bout this year passing on ,and all the things I experienced, struggling with my dad's failing health, and finally losing him, memories.....I got real antsy. But, art and it's practice is a life saver. I thank the creator for giving me a love of drawing. I calmed down after I drew this gentleman's fine features. 1/2 hour of peace.

I find the shorter time limit, the fresher you keep the drawing. Thank you Andrea. Hope you don't mind the new hairstyle.

I need to practice hair forms, so, I took a little liberty with your portrait.
Now for something completely different. HANDS!
Yes studies of these appendages, and feets, are coming this way.

**Bill** · January 2nd, 2009, 04:10 AM

Just looked through your whole SB. Very beautifull. Your "Panthtaur" is Badass!!

Very nice SB, thank you for posting all of these. Happy '09 to you.

**DanielC** · January 2nd, 2009, 04:29 AM

nice work !

.. aah, im starting to miss life drawing classes now..hehe, keep working !

**Hazart** · January 2nd, 2009, 04:44 AM

Great work!

**Diego** · January 2nd, 2009, 06:26 AM

Hey, your latest drawing are turning out so powerful...really dig them. Keep on fighting, always a pleasure to stop by

**pencilgeek** · January 12th, 2009, 05:58 PM

what must i do to draw great like you..loving the anatomy and shadow studies.

**Amir the night wolf** · January 13th, 2009, 04:07 AM

that face!!!Andre!!??? wow you got your face drawed, Kewlllllllll

keep up the good work

and visit me

it would be an honor.

**maxetormer** · January 13th, 2009, 08:18 PM

Love your sense to create form, your are a big inspiration as always

one day, one day ill be able to draw like this:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/att...1&d=1230896850

I bet you had fun drawing his ones

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/att...1&d=1225527066

Sigue subiendo tus imagenes!!! gracias por compartirlas

**Amir the night wolf** · January 18th, 2009, 03:04 AM

Aztc Thank you for your visit to my SB It was an honor

I will start life draw soon

**andrea.bianco** · January 19th, 2009, 08:57 AM

Aztc thanks so much for that drawing, it was funny to see it

I wish I actually wish I had that haircut

I Love your shading, it's very good as usuall -- and your hands studies are lovely too

**sfa** · January 20th, 2009, 02:14 AM

Heeey. Sorry for missing your last post (again). Those are really fantastic head and hands studies. It's always so inspiring to see your updates. I hope to see them on a regular basis.

I'm going to pass on both Orbik's and Watts this quarter - I'm getting a bit burned out on long drives, and I need to reign in the cash anyhow. Have also reached a point where some book learning and master copies will do me some good.

I still haunt various workshops in the area now and again, so maybe we'll run into each other again at one of those! Take it easy!

**ccsears** · January 23rd, 2009, 03:02 AM

Hey E, Happy New Year!

Awesome hand studies... very very good!

Drop me a line.

**dessinateurimpulsif** · January 26th, 2009, 01:18 PM

Your sketches are wonderfull....I really love them....I didn't read this thread entirely yet but i'll do it soon...

**Kan Muftić** · February 2nd, 2009, 11:42 AM

Ah.. Wonder when MY life drawings will end up looking like yours..
SIGH

**AztcFireFlower** · February 15th, 2009, 08:40 PM

Hi Bill, Thank you. Pantaur is my favorite invention. Am working on making a few more similar to this, some time soon. My best to you this year as well.

Hey Daniel, GOtta do eet. Been hitting all the local workshops and I'm already feelin the backslid hand. More effort than usual. Thanks always for stoppin in.
Hazart, Thank you.
Diego, Hey! Thanks. I am toughing it out and studying to push through some drawing issues at the moment. Can only keep trying. Thanks for the support.

pencilgeek, Losa practice & focused study, which I'm still doing. When I don't understand something, I work at it, dig up the answers, till it works. Understanding drawing concepts is important, but, practice is what will etch it in your mind.
Amir, Hi Thanks!. life drawing will be really helpful, not just in practice, but show you where your understanding is good & where it its lacking. Keep at it.
Max! Hi. Been drawing alot of crappy figures lately. Trying to work out how to meld 2 processes into one. Cuando tenga algo bueno, lo are. Thanks for being a great support, always.

Hey andrea, Thanks for letting me use your image. It was a great exercise. I love how the loght and shadow defined your face...couldn't resist.
Hi Sherwin, Thanks for dropping by this erratic SB. It's good to see your stuff as well. Alot of solid work. I think I am going to cruise over to Glen O's some point soon. He's great with gesture. And it's just awesome to watch a master at work. Maybe another time.
Doing the local workshop circuit as well. So, yeah, see you at one of them.
Hey Chris, Thanks so much. Am needing to do alot of hands and feets. Just can't let go of constant practice. I feel it, and see the horrible, frustrating results, otherwise. Especially when working out newly learned concepts and incorporating into ones own, is particularly tiring. Glad to see you're doing good on the professional track.
Hi dess, Thank you. Appreciate the comments and the visit.
Chupacabra, Thanks for taking a look. I think, my cjhallenge is to invent and design as efficiently in digital as so many, you included of course, concept artist can. I ask myself, when will I have this skill up to speed. SIGH................so there.

More stuff. I am currently trying to incorporate alot of processes into my drawings. Basically going thru notes, page at a time and re-addressing many basic elements of drawing the figure. I've learned alot from various people, and now am aiming for a process, in which I can use as much of each approach as I can. It boils down to which one is the most comfortable for me vs. what look or design/style do I want my drawings to have.
I notice my drawings get crappier as I process all this, because, the info is still new to me & I haven't yet made it my own. So.............here are a few of the less crappy drawings. Believe me some of the figures I've been doing are mishmash, proportions are off, gesture is erratic and construction is wishy washy. And on top of all this, is impatience! I'll post a few as progress samples, as I work out some issues. Hope as these new ones appear there will be a steady improvement in coherence of marks on paper.
Thanks everyone for looking.
5 to 20 minutes.