Mirix's sketchbook - in search of improvement!

**Mirix** · June 5th, 2011, 03:52 AM

Hello! I'm 21-year-old girl trying to get better at drawing, is there anyone out there to help me out?

**Mirix** · June 5th, 2011, 04:11 AM

The cat is redrawn from a photo: http://trultis.deviantart.com/art/My...nce-207796654?
Skulls come from various photos posted around the Internet! I don't know authors, neither the sources where they can be found but I didn't upload these sketches anywhere else then here, it's all for practice, hope you understand!
Plant's sketches come from real life

**Mirix** · September 21st, 2011, 09:35 AM

I feel like I'm running around vainly. I draw a little bit of this, a little bit of that. I don't even know if I'm on the right track to improve my skills.. It makes me so unsure, so unsafe.. Should I continue what I'm doing? Or maybe should I look into something deeper? What do I lack? What do I need? I'm so confused! I started painting without good foundations, without basics.. I so need your support! Can anyone suggest anything, please?

**anonanon** · September 24th, 2011, 06:55 PM

I'm just getting started myself, but I think you seem to be on the right track. People always advise drawing from life and drawing a lot. They also recommend taking a look at bridgeman, or loomis to learn more about anatomy. If you keep on with what you are doing I am sure that you can't help but improve!

**Baudolino** · September 24th, 2011, 07:08 PM

Great start for a sketchbook! If I was you I would't worry too much... anybody has to start somehwere and you are doing great so far. I would recommend the same as anonanon: draw as much as you can. Observe your subjects accurately and maybe try to rethink forms as geometrical objects. There are also a lot of great books out there to give you a kick start: Betty Edwards book is for the early beginning. Nicolaides book is a classic, but maybe a bit stringent. My favourite is Harold Speeds "The practice & science of drawing"... it really helped me when I started and it covers all the main aspects.

**Snyder** · September 25th, 2011, 10:28 AM

Maybe its a good idea to focus on one thing at a time and doing several studies about it. So you avoid jumping around just touching different areas of drawing.

(I try the same by myself in my sketchbook

By the way: your skull studies are excellent

C ya,
Robin

**Ztak** · September 25th, 2011, 02:24 PM

Hiya! I think you are doing pretty good here ^^actually drawing this and that is not such a bad thing...you just remember to have fun

getting lost in the haze of getting better can slice of the brilliant edge of creating stuff. Your skull studies are great...but remember when ever you are studying something you don't copy and draw it from your memory bank but the better way is to rlly understand to form...it's a way of thinking...try to sculpt things out of the 2d dimension the best way that you can

you can start by just doing rlly rlly simple forms... boxes, balls, cylinders, cones...then just unite them to make bigger more complex forms

and it might be helpful to study a lil bit od perspective since it's crucial to understanding the forms

i will be watching...just keep practicing hard!

**lohes** · September 25th, 2011, 04:39 PM

I think you're on the right track

Like Snyder said, maybe you could focus on one area of drawing and do several studies on that particular subject. It really depends on what you want to improve - keep posting!

**thegrayslayer** · October 14th, 2011, 05:35 AM

Good beginning. In trying to improve, you can't go wrong with finding a good life drawing course to invest in. There's no real substitute in my opinion, the observation and drawing skills that will improve will feed back into everything else you do.

~Slayer

**Mirix** · October 17th, 2011, 03:35 AM

Firstly, I want to apologize for long absence! I had to take care of some life issues.. cos it's hard to practice if you have no roof above your head, right?

Concerning my drawing I started one of Loomis books (Successful Drawing), but I felt like it's not yet my level (concerning perspective issue) so I took another book for supplement (Perspective Made Easy but I don't really enjoy this one + thread Perspective 101 by Seedling on forum) and now I'm working on perspective. Anyway, wow, it's was good to read about fundamentals artist should posses, I know more or less what I have to garb on to first! That makes me happy

anonanon -> Thank you for your comment! Yes, I browsed through some other people sketchbooks and it seems that's just the thing to do!
Baudolino -> Aww.. thanks! I appreciate your help! Right now I'm reading Loomis but as soon as I'm done I'll give some attention to those books! Huge thanks ^^
Snyder -> Yes, I should do that, at least to some level, I just didn't know what to study and in what order.. but since I've started reading some here and there I've got that issue more or less clarified

Ztak -> Thank you! Yes, I've been overwhelmed by the massiveness of the work that has to be done.. need to relax and take it easy, don't want to loose the love for art

And about the forms, I can't agree more, it's like opening your eyes on the next level when you understand this simple fact that everything is constructed from simple forms. Thanks once more! ^^
lohes -> Hey! Thanks! I didn't knew what did I had to improve before so it was hard to just pick a topic, but now I have some idea and I hope it will go good!

thegrayslayer -> Thanks! I see

Right now I'm tad low on money, and have some other issues standing in a way of subscribing to a drawing course.. Nevertheless, I should look into that as soon as I'll be able to ^^

A quicky about pictures:
- hands from life
- cat from a photo (http://pullingcandy.deviantart.com/a...seup-156722000)
- perspective cubes from imagination
- keys from life
- last picture involving perspective also from imagination

There are also few issues about perspective that I don't understand.. for example is the 'ellipse' in the picture under hands and next to keys still a circle or is it ellipse made to perspective?
Or how to make a cube? Does artist need to know how to make a perfect cube or eyeballing something that has a feeling of a cube is just fine?
Also what's the boundary between 'overdone' perspective (vanishing points too close, ect.) and good looking perspective? Is that also just estimated by intuition?

Once more, thank you for your help!

**ear5cm** · October 17th, 2011, 04:02 AM

I like your work,
keep on going plz

**Minelo** · October 17th, 2011, 06:54 AM

Hey! You have a good variety of stuff you're doing.

I can try to answer some of your questions, but I'm still a beginner myself. I think the most important thing about drawing is making an illusion a person is watching 3D - it's all 2D anyways. So if it doesn't look right, it isn't. So if it looks like an ellipse without any visual clues that it would be a circle in perspective, it's an ellipse. A general rule is just not to draw very sharp angles to the vanishing points.

Also, try to avoid the big amount of sketchy lines like you have in the first hand. If the part is hard to draw, you should observe it carefully and draw clear lines so you learn.

Keep up the good studies!

**Mirix** · October 31st, 2011, 09:37 AM

Update!

ear5cm -> Thank you, I'll

Minelo -> Sometimes when paiting I have this feeling something is wrong but mostly I have no idea whats going on, why do I feel this way.. so that's why I rather ask people who already have trained eye to those kind of mistakes

But thank you for your help! I'll try to put less lines and look into the structure closer! It totally makes sense to do so

About update:
- perspective, perspective, perspective.. ooh look perspective with shadows also, cool!
- autoportret

- sketch of compact mirror

**Mirix** · October 31st, 2011, 09:48 AM

I'm a bit ashamed to post this post... It's kinda personal work here.. I don't know if that's good idea to show it.. total doodleness.. but I had to let it out! I love cats and I'd love to be able to paint one.. I'm raging all the time when I try, I know my knowledge isn't sufficient just yet to paint something from imagination (ooh.. wait a minute I see there one nicely done kitty, what about it? oh, well.. this one was done from photo :| )

Ok, that's all of my whine for today..

**jorvaa** · October 31st, 2011, 10:45 AM

REALLY good start to a sketchbook. I can see you are more of a lines person, but try to incorporate cast shadow, midtone, and highlight a little more smoothly. It sometimes helps to lay in tone with VERY light strokes from the side of a sharpened pencil, gradually building it up in the direction of the form. Also, loosen up a bit by drawing with the side of your pencil, and practice fading lines.

I envy your perspective work! Makes me want to practice it more.

**Mirix** · January 21st, 2012, 11:16 AM

Long time, no see..

shame on me and my laziness..

I also noticed that I'm scared of failure, something that is a part of practicing, isn't it? As Bobby Chiu said recently: "True failure comes from not trying!", I need to change my attitude towards what I'm doing now, chill out.. even if it's so hard sometimes.. Oh, for those who never heard of Bobby (I guess most of you did) I invite you to research about him! He's doing some great stuff to help out beginner artists! Foremost you should look up his journal posts named 'Tip of the Day' on deviantART! Great motivational stuff

(Sorry for advertisement! I just find it important to mention)

jorvaa -> Thanks a lot for your word! ^^ From the moment I read your comment I've been thinking what you said about me being a 'line person'. It struck me that I haven't realized it earlier! I actually bought myself some charcoal, do you think it's a good idea? It's easier to fill in the picture with tones then with pencil. Should I go the harder way to master pencils or can I play around with charcoal? Or maybe both?

About pictures
Pencil:
- some doodling from nature
- scissors
- hands
Charcoal:
- imaginary plant like thingy
- portrait
- alien design

**jorvaa** · February 11th, 2012, 09:33 AM

Augh! Sorry I haven't been able to reply!
I actually really love the rendering on the handle of the scissor. Really nice job.
Yes, it is easier to fill in tone with charcoal, but it is also hard to get more detailed. I think the trick with laying in tone with pencil is to use light strokes (line, really) as tone, and build the tone up from that. Sometimes I use the side of my pencil for that, other times I use a VERY light hand on the upper part of the pencil, and sort of "feather" the tone in with a back and forth motion. You can also use a blending stump, but I don't recommend that for any faces, unless you plan on doing a really detailed drawing.

**-D_art-** · February 11th, 2012, 09:42 AM

wonderful start!! keep going at those studies and really learn your fundamental and basics, keep at it!!

**Lagarto** · February 11th, 2012, 11:19 AM

the skulls look fantastic!

**Umbravita** · February 12th, 2012, 01:11 AM

I recommend drawing hands in more varying poses, although those are well done.

**Mirix** · March 20th, 2012, 09:28 AM

jorvaa -> No problem what so ever! Anyway, I wasn't around for quite some time

Thank you! I've been messing around with charcoal and I quite like it

I believe I'll be using both mediums, depending on the thing I'll want to draw/practice!
-D_art- -> Thank you! I'm on it!

Lagarto -> Thanks a lot!

Umbravita -> This was a task I've gave myself to do, many similar posed hands, I wanted to understand it better, mostly proportions

Sorry for long absence, I had no time to upload anything, but here I am again. So, as I've already mentioned I picked up charcoal and I'm glad I did

I've been doing some still life studies, few of them with a deeper look into perspective. Also I've doodled some.. well, basically good charcoal experience

**Mirix** · March 20th, 2012, 01:19 PM

I'm still fighting with perspective. I touched the issue of the cone of vision, but can't say I understand it in 100%, I still have some issues with it. Then I took Perspective Made Easy by Ernest R. Norling, even though I thought it wasn't best book. It has it's pluses and minuses but the thing I like the most are the 'Problems', which are alike exercises, where you actually need to think and sometimes I find myself struggling with something that seemed easy at the beginning

Now, I have a question for a million! The question is:
How to place a piece of paper on the table in perspective so it wouldn't seem like floating in space? That's a question my boyfriend asked me and I couldn't give him an answer.. and of course I look for a method other then eyeballing, with a good idea of what you're doing

**Stephane Perez** · March 26th, 2012, 11:53 AM

Hey thanks so much for the helpful comments earlier

So i just looked through your thread and i think your definitely on the right track. You're definitely punching perspective in the face which is great, i have barely touched any perspective studies so ill definitely get on that. Just don't forget to work on anatomy and form! your skulls are nice and i liked your cat

Try studying some muscle/bone structure when you get too frustrated/bored of perspective and when you do tag and name each part so you'll remember the names and thus remember the muscles. Oh and to put a cat in a box just put a ball of wool in the box first.

**Naidy** · April 5th, 2012, 11:07 AM

Hey, mate. Really not a bad start at all. Liking all the studies, 'specially the skulls near the top. Good shading.

Hmm, not sure what else to say, you're doing a fair amount of varied studies so you're on the right track. Keep up the good work, mate!

**Lakai** · April 17th, 2012, 10:32 AM

cool studys. Especially the one dealing with perspektive. I really admire the patience doing these thoroughly

.
Your doing fine Keep it up!

**Morningtea** · April 17th, 2012, 09:41 PM

Hi Mirix ~
Thanks for stopping by my SB

Your SB is great, I hope to see it updated~
I really love your studies in here, you really work hard,keep it up!

**Satu** · April 18th, 2012, 12:54 PM

Nice stuff here Mirix! I see you are doing a lot of perspective studies and drawing from life, which is good. (Something I should do more too!) I think your still-life studies look really good. Good values on them. Also you are good with charcoals! If you are looking for stuff to help you on figure drawing, I myself have found Loomis and Vilppu very useful ways to start. Loomis's "Figure drawing for all it's worth" is a book I recommend to start with. But that's only my opinion. Also do many gestures! Hmm nothing more to crit this time, just keep studying, having fun with it and keep updating (without long breaks)!

**Mirix** · May 2nd, 2012, 02:21 PM

Stephane Perez -> Thank you for your feedback! Yes, I definitely need to work on anatomy and thanks for the tip on naming the muscles/bones, seems quite important and logical

..and with that wool it may actually work! How bad they don't write that in any of the perspective books

Naidy -> So glad to see you commenting on my sketchbook! Thank you for your words - great motivation

Lakai -> Thanks a lot! I actually enjoy it, once I start I get quite pulled in, I guess I like puzzling problems

Morningtea -> Hey there! Aww, thank you! ^^ I still don't feel like working hard enough.. But Rome wasn't built in one day

I hope to gain momentum!
Satupeikko -> Thank you on thoughtful opinion! I have all the Loomis books, I plan to at least read them all through

Vilppu also interests me a lot, I've seen studies based on the book and they just feel like a right thing to do! Thanks for recommendations and advices ^^

Today's upload is what kept me busy for 30 days straight

I've took up a 30 day drawing challenge! Most probably I could have done so much more in that time then just drawing a day.. but it showed me that working day by day is possible and it can become a part of your life. I hope not to loose the pace and increase the amount of drawings!

It gave me also an opportunity to use my imagination and a rest from perspective/still life drawings

Pictures day by day:
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
Day 4 Day 5 Day 6
Day 7 Day 8 Day 9
Day 10 Day 11 Day 12
Day 13 Day 14 Day 15
Day 16 Day 17 Day 18
Day 19 Day 20 Day 21
Day 21v2 Day 22 Day 23
Day 24 Day 25 Day 26
Day 27 Day 28 Day 29

**Mirix** · September 24th, 2012, 04:56 AM

New start for CA forums, so maybe a new start for me and my sketchbook as well?

I've collected all of my old perspective practice

Here we go.

**Mirix** · October 7th, 2012, 04:56 AM

A month ago I made myself a challenge to enter as many contests on deviantART as I could handle through a period of one month

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