Sketchbook vol. 2 | Goal: Make it to page 100 | 3% complete

[Invalid User]

Hey everyone,

Welcome to my Sketchbook.

Enjoy your stay!
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After a year or so without drawing I've get back in the ring, let's hope I make some progress this time around.

[Invalid User]

Update 2: Drawings from life + posemaniacs

Scanner isn't working so I've had to upload pictures taken with my dslr

[lemming-clone-]

Not too shabby! I like your portrait studies. I think a good exercise would be to set up a still life or something that's really well lit. By that I mean the scene should have a bright highlight and a dark shadow in it. It seems that in a lot of your drawings, the range of value is less than it could be, and that could be due to what you are drawing from.
Good luck and keep it up!

[Invalid User]

Update 3: Posemaniacs - 90 seconds

Was short on time tonight, tomorrow's update should be a little more interesting.

lemming-clone-: Cheers! I guess the reference could have been better so far as shadows and highlights are concerned, might be time to push the contrast up a notch. Still life sounds like a great idea, I think I'm going to set one up tomorrow if I've got enough time, thanks for the advice, much appreciated!

[Invalid User]

Update 4: drawing from life

I decided to go out and buy a few lamps and a little table so I can start drawing objects from life rather than the computer screen. I think it's going to help a lot in the long run, thanks for the advice lemming-clone-.

Just a quick one tonight approx 20 mins.

[Invalid User]

Update 5: life drawing

Perspective looks odd due in part to the fact that I'm actually sitting at the end of my bed a few feet away from the objects looking down on them (due to lack of space in my room)

Decided to try something a little more complicated tonight

[Invalid User]

Update 6: life drawing (again...)

Feeling a little less than inspired tonight, this is the result coupled with a somewhat blurred image. If anyone has any suggestions please by all means feel free to share them, I'm here to learn after all

[libellchen]

Nice start!
You look at the water kettle slightly from above, but the bottom line is drawn as if you were looking at it at a right angle. I suggest to practice on how to draw perfect ellipses. I know it might seem dull but it comes in handy when drawing geometrical objects in the right perspective.

[Invalid User]

Update 7: study

Shortly after taking this picture I just so happened to smudge charcoal (which had accumulated on my right hand) straight accross her face which resulted in a trip to the bin. I wasn't too happy with where it was going anyway

libellchen: Thanks! I think you're right on the money, I've taken note for next time, cheers for the tip

[Invalid User]

Update 8: Study - WiP

[Invalid User]

Update 9: Study - Complete

Thanks to those of you who dropped by, I'll try and make this sketchbook as interesting as possible.

[PLeon]

Good to see you are pushing yourself intro trying new things. I also had a similar issue at one point, with having another sketchbook and loosing interest/life happening scenario. I would say keep working on those gesture drawings, you are on the right track.

[manlybrian]

Wow, you're working hard and you've chosen some good studies. Keep up the pace and I believe you'll have noticeable improvements in only one to two more thread pages!

[thesimplylife]

i like your portrait!
maybe the eyes on the last portrait a bit weird..

[Delmar]

Keep em coming invalid user.!

I really like the portrait of the woman in your first post the best, because she has nice value changes (dark hair : light skin : dark clothes) it's instantly readable. Your last portrait is well drawn so far but could use more distinction in values. Be sure to push your lights and darks a bit more.

cheers

Andi

[Invalid User]

Update 10: Study - WiP

This reference photo (unlike the one before) will allow me to push the values up a notch, might break out the charcoal!

PLeon: Thanks, didn't think I was alone there, I'll get back into posemaniancs after this last portrait, thanks for the tips

manlybrian: Thanks! I hope so, i'll have to work extra hard

thesimplylife: Cheers! I didn't realize that until I posted it, I'll take note foir next time/

Delmar: Thanks, I think you're right however it had a little to do with the reference material, the others just didn't seem to have the same value scheme as the first portrait. I've chosen to study a similar piece (value wise) and it'll be posted as soon as it's completed! Thanks for your clever analysis, I appreciate it!

[Invalid User]

Update 11: Study - Finished

Sorry for the lengthy delay, hooray for work..

The paper wouldn't take on any more graphite so by the time it came to filling in shadows, nothing would adhere to it.

I think I'm going to focus on anatomy for a little while. Even though I've accomplished little, I don't want to get too comfortable with one thing.

[Invalid User]

Update 12 - Life drawing + studies

[p sage]

Nice to see some traditional media from you Also it seems your powers of observation have increased.

By all means, keep it going You're getting somewhere.

[Invalid User]

Update 13: Life drawing (x2) + Imagination

p sage: Cheers, thanks for the words of encouragement, I'll do my best

[glaudarien]

Looking good man! Theres already visible improvement. Those first lamp still lifes are much better, the increased value range allowed you to show the form better, the same with those goggles and cloth still lifes - they are looking great.

Keep it up!

[Invalid User]

Update 14: Study - Young Mozart

glaudarien: Cheers! You're right though some of the ref images lacked in contrast, thanks

[p sage]

Your pencil work is getting much finer. However there are still some issues with proportion, and the images are not showing their depth (which means you aren't seeing the depth/3D in them yet... the 3D shapes).

Keep working and find different exercises and types of studies... there are many facets to the drawing technique and subsequent illusions of depth for you to explore.

[Invalid User]

update 15: 60 second & 10 minute figures

p sage: Cheers, you're absolutely right, it's something I need to address. I'll do my best.

[Invalid User]

Update 16: assorted junk + posemaniacs

Nothing special, just thought it might be a good idea to try something different, they were done faster than I usually work so I didn't expect anything spectacular, less than mediocre will do for the time being, it's a start

Interesting link: http://abduzeedo.com/step-step-pieces-marek-okon

[monstertree]

Nice sketching so far mate! Try shading and letting the pencil alone do the mark making, almost as if you're hatching very lightly - finger smudging makes things a little flat and all the edges soft
Great start to a sketchbook

[mrd33ds]

lovin all your studies man, the only thing i can say is put some more dark values in eye hole!

[Robodrey]

Hey man, thanks for passing by my SB! You've got some good values, most of your work so far is starting to look fairly solid. I like that you're experimenting around. I like your user name too. Will be visiting this sketchbook for updates

[p sage]

Working on some dip pen, yeah?

Check this book out if you get the chance

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1569709173

Really good instruction on pen & ink.... and it's not old information like in Guptill's book.

If you think about getting it... don't order it direct from Amazon. I did and after three months they canceled the order. Just order from one of the third parties.

I re-ordered from a third party and got it in three days

[Invalid User]

Update 17: Random Unfinished studies

Clearing the dust, it has been far too long since I last updated this sketchbook, updates every few days from here on in

monstertree: You're right, they do look quite flat, the faces are ther worst part, thanks for the tip!

mrd33ds: Cheers, i'll make sure no to overlook that little detail from here on in.

Robodrey: Thanks, long long loooooooong way to go

p sage: Those were done with just a regular pen though I wouldn't mind trying ye old dip pen in the near future, the book looks like a solid investment, if it's good enough for P sage, it's good enough for me! thanks for the ongoing information+inspiration, I appreciate it!