Tighe's Sketchbook

[Tighe]

I'm a month into my second year of university majoring in Computer Science, when I finally realized Comp. Sci. wasn't what I really wanted to do; it was just something that I could do. So I dropped it, and barely got into the painting class here (I'm already in drawing) to get me started on my way.

I haven't drawn for a few years, and I've never had any formal training, but my dream job is to work in creative design, especially as a concept designer/artist for Pixar. I think I'll be happy just as a concept artist, period, but to me, that's the ultimate goal to reach for.

I realized I have a long way to go, but I'm hoping that everyone will help me and be honest -- brutally so, if required -- in their critiques so that I can improve. I promise I will respect and be grateful for your input. I look forward to getting to know you all. (By the way, how do I put comments under the images I attach?)

[f1guremeout]

1 || First off, welcome to CA.org. It's a great learning resource for exactly what you dream yourself becoming in the future. As you will see, as you explore deeper into the site, there are fabolous artists and critics here that will not only help you fit in the art community here at CA, but become a stronger, more unique artist in real life with their combined advice and techniques that we all share. Myself, i joined not too long ago, and if you wish, feel free to stop by my sb (sketchbook forum) by clicking the link in my signature anytime and subscribe to the sketchbooks of the artists that you like or want to be one of the first to crit or comment on new work. Its absolutetly great.

As for your work, regarding the first piece, the jellybeans are lacking form development. The shape is there, but no form. Render in with your medium the surface texture and the overall 'roundness' of the bean's contours within the form, thus creating depth. Your shadows are there, nice, but since the jellybeen went without rendering, the shadows can't overcome the paper space and create drama and intrigue by placing your subjects in an environment.

[Tighe]

Hi figuremeout,
Thanks for the hello and advice. I have to admit, being able to see 3D is my biggest weakness, so that's one area you've prompted to me tackle right away. (I finally know the difference between shape and form!) Thanks for the feedback.

[Tighe]

More figures as I continue to study Figure Drawing for all its Worth.

[Tighe]

K, those last images are huge! I'll export them a size smaller next time.

[thesadpencil]

hey thanks for dropping by my sb, you're off to a good start here. i really like all the work you're putting into this. i'd recommend doing some life drawing, do some self portraits, draw people you know, objects around you, anything really (life drawing is essential to fully learning the fundamentals of the human form) study from bridgman/hogarth/loomis etc... i'd also suggest working on your values a bit more to help bring in more contrast and depth to the images. other than that keep up the good work.

[Tighe]

@thesadpencil Thanks for the tips! I wasn't putting a lot of work into it then, but I am now, revamping my entire day's schedule to allow me to focus on practicing and improving. I burn out easily right now, but that'll pass.

Anyway, lately I've been doing the 30 second pose (well, down to 45 seconds now) every morning at 6:30 to warm up for the day and then sketch throughout. I get easily distracted too, arg! Gotta eliminate distractions.
I'm trying to target my greatest weakness and work on improving; it happens to be figure drawing, which can be broken down into anatomy, foreshortening, lighting/shading, eyes, hair, mouths.... Everything about it I need to work on! Badly! So that's what I've been doing lately. Here's today's (and a few pages from yesterday's) work.

[algenpfleger]

Man you practice a lot! Which is great, your faces are looking good, and the anatomy is shaping up nicely as well! Keep pushing! Great to hear you get up early

[Tighe]

Wow, it's been almost a month since I've updated. I feel like a useless piece of shyte most days. I have so much time in a day (thanks to having only 3 university courses and no labs!) but I spend most of it looking at other people's art instead of practicing and improving. Someone, please, kick my @$$!! Anyway, tried digitally painting something other than apples tonight. I hesitate going to color mode because I suck at seeing tones. Anyone have any tips for training the eye?

P.S. Anyone know if we can bypass all that copyright and categorizing crap when uploading?! Holy crap is that ever annoying!

[Tighe]

Wow. It's been a very. Long. Time.

So I lost motivation for ... a few months (3?) and did NOTHING with my art. My problem is I'm a perfectionist, and I'm too proud. I always think I have to do something great, and so I don't even pick up a pen for fear of drawing something stupid. I think I may have ranted about this a few posts up. Anyway, so stupid!

As always, Algenpfleger's sketchbook totally motivates me, and so I'm picking things up again. I don't have as much time as he does to do stuff, but I'll do more and more each day.

So here's today's work. The water painting took 2 hours; trying to train my eye to better identify colors. Second was to identify shades.

[Ahim]

looking great, the eye study looks perfect

I also share similar problems as you, but i'm tryin, you keep tryin too

[Tighe]

Forced myself to do another life object – my stapler. Turned out alright.

[Tighe]

Two more life sketches. Finally getting something done (I've been sick for a week now.)

[IanE]

Nicely done so far!

You tend to draw your shoulders one higher than the other. Careful!

The most recent eye rendering looks very good.

Get well soon.