My first sketchbook...

[Lav]

Hey Istmin, the figure paints are coming along really nicely, can't wait to see the end result

[Istmin52]

Thanks for the comment Lav.

I decided to change my twitter background to something I created instead of using one of the pre-made backgrounds.

This is what I created.

If anyone wants to follow me on twitter click here.

On a side note, I need to get more practicing at drawing wrinkles in clothes. Something I will do in the future.

[andres333]

I agree with iambanana. I really like how you construct your figures. You make constructing a figure look so easy. I should practice this approach more. Very inspiring how you keep pushing yourself. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you, still have a long way to go though... and yeah is a nice approach but one of many so if you find it doesn't work for you just keep looking..and eventually you'll find one that suits your vision..in the end everyone develops their own approach I think

[Istmin52]

Still taking a stab at this painting. I realized after a while that the face was wrong so I had to redraw it again. Overall I'm liking how the body is coming out. Need to define the toes and some other things. I'm really trying to force myself to finish this even though I kind of don't feel like it anymore. I think it's important to finish what I started though.

[Istmin52]

Here is a city landscape painting I started tonight.

[Marian Rowling]

Hey Ian I think the progress you've made with these last two is really good. I won't crit as I know you haven't finished yet, hopefully you will.

[Istmin52]

Thanks Marian. I will def try to finish these.

Since I had some free time at work today I decided to do a rough landscape painting. I spent about 45 minutes on it. Painting bushy grass is no easy task. I need to figure out an easier way to do it.

[Lav]

great to see you're still painting, I can imagine if work takes up a lot of your time you don't want to keep working on the same thing for a long time, but if i can give one critique it's to try to finish a paint as well and see where it'll take you. Other then that, keep up the good work!

[Istmin52]

Your right Lav. I really do need to finish things more. I do try to finish my illustration work though but I need to get into the habit of that more. I guess sometimes I just feel like moving on to something else when I lose interest but I'm sure I'll learn more. I am learning either way.

Here is a doodle I started. I'm seeing where I should go with it.

[Istmin52]

Happy New Year everyone! Hopefully this will be a better year than last year.

Here is something new I started.

I realized the the character I posted above has a lot of anatomy problems. I'm not sure what the hell I was thinking when I was drawing it. I will def go back and revise it.

[Istmin52]

Here is more progress. I think it's coming along. What do you guys think?

[Istmin52]

I've been realizing lately that I really need to pre-plan my ideas. For too long have I been posting work on here just doodling and seeing what happens. I think in order for me to get better, I'm going to have to plan out and brainstorm my ideas some more and get some finished illustration work up on here. A part of me is a bit lazy but I'm going to have to fight it.

[Istmin52]

I decided to focus on exteriors and interiors. I will be doing more of these in the future. And I will also study cars more because I need to get better at drawing them. More work ahead. I promise.

[Istmin52]

Here is a painting I started yesterday.

Also...some good news. I'M FINALLY WORKING FULL TIME!

I've been working two part time graphic design jobs for over two years and I was finally offered a full time position from one of them. And it was from the company I liked working at too! I've been working full time for about three weeks and I'm very satisfied and content at the moment. It has taken the stress off of me, desperately looking for a full time job.

My evaluation is coming in March so I'm hoping that they like my work enough to give me a raise.

I also have a planned illustration which I've been working on. I will post that soon.

[Marian Rowling]

Hey Ian that's brilliant news about your full time job. Well done for sticking in there through the rough times I hope your review in March is good. Good job with the perspective on this last one.

[Istmin52]

Thanks Marian.

I know I haven't updated in a really long time. That's because I've been writing a lot more and currently writing some screenplays.I feel like my writing has improved since last year when I started and I'm currently rewriting a draft of a short screen play I wrote called The Bank Teller. I'm planning to finish it soon.

Anyway, I do still draw at times. Here are some studies.

[Istmin52]

It's been a while since I updated. Since work has been slow for the past couple of days, I decided to do some drawing again. This time I'm playing around with skin tones and textures to see where this goes. I wasn't sure what clothes he should wear yet which is why he's naked. Still experimenting and learning from this one.

I'm also planning on doing an illustration. I got the reference photos I need for it and everything so I'm planning on starting it this weekend.

[Marian Rowling]

Hey Ian this is looking interesting, I like the texture you have created. It's good to hear from you and I look forward to seeing what your illustration is like that you are planning. Hope all goes well with your job.

[Istmin52]

Thanks Marian.

I ended up changing it and fixed some anatomy issues with it that I didn't see before. More to come soon.

[Istmin52]

So I have been drawing a lot lately. Mostly from the Andrew Loomis books because I've been finding those the most helpful. I haven't posted them because I don't think it's worth it. I've been really trying hard to get better at proportion.

Anyway, this is an illustration I started earlier this week. The drawing is almost done so I'll start painting it and hopefully have it finished by next week some time.

I thought I'd share the initial drawing. I know I have to clean it up which shouldn't be too hard. I also wanted to do something where I got to use some perspective. That's why all the grid lines.

When this is finished I'll post it.

[Istmin52]

Yes. I did some dog sketches today. I had some free time at work so I figured what the hell. I still need to get better at drawing dogs anyway. I can never seem to get their heads right when I draw them out of my imagination anyway. These were fun to do.

Something I learned recently, I haven't seem too much progress in myself because I'm not challenging myself enough. I haven't finished anything out of fear that it won't be good. Because of this I haven't been too dedicated to my work so I haven't made much improvement.

Recently, however, I've been working on my Illustration (It changed quite a bit from the sketch btw) and I've been learning a lot more and have seen a lot of improvement because I'm pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I'm going to continue this and keep pushing myself because I feel like I'm capable of doing more than what I've posted on this sketchbook. I'm also actually enjoying the process of drawing and having some fun with it. I haven't felt this way in a long time.

I plan on posting the finished illustration on here by the end of this week.

More drawings to come.

[Hamorhage]

Looking at your sketchbook your strengths really are drawing animals (dogs and horses) and cool creature designs. When you draw these concept humanoids I would really try to pose them in a more interesting way. A dead on view is not that exciting, even if it's just to practice (I fall for the same pitfall too ). That last demon T-Rex pic looks amazing, please finish it!

[Istmin52]

Thanks for the feedback Hamorhage. Speaking of the last demon T-Rex pic, it's almost finished. Just putting some finishing touches on it. And I realized a couple of days ago that I need to draw people and other animals and such in more interesting poses. I've been drawing a dead on view for too long and I feel like I have suffered from this. I will be challenging myself more. As for drawing humans, I need to get better at that too. I just find drawing people a little boring for some reason. Not sure why. I need to overcome that.

As for dogs, I did some more drawings of them today. Some are more gestural. I realize gesture drawing is still a weakness I have so I'm trying to get better at it.

[Istmin52]

Since I haven't done much human gesture drawing in a while, I figured I would do it since I had some time this morning. Also, some more dog gestures.

[Istmin52]

As to the sketch above, I finally finished this illustration. Certain things changed from the original sketch. I didn't like how the figure was drawn in the sketch so I ended up changing it. I also didn't like how the towel rack was touching the monsters face so I moved it up. I also redrew the monsters face and arms and made the toilet more obvious.

I've learned a lot from finishing this illustration, especially with light and shadow and drawing the figure. I realized certain weaknesses I had but felt I overcame them with persistence and not quitting on it like I normally would.

I'm curious to know what others think.

[Istmin52]

I decided to do some gesture drawing this morning before I get too busy with other stuff I have to do.

On a side note, I'm planning on a new illustration. It's another idea I had for a while now. I didn't start it because I didn't think I could execute it. I think I can now.

[Istmin52]

Did some animal gesture drawings. These were harder than I thought.

[Istmin52]

So regarding my illustration on post #355, I originally put it in the It's Finally Finished Section not fully understanding the rules of putting finished work in there. It was moved to the critique center which is fine. After some feedback, I can understand why it doesn't appear to be finished yet and I can start to see what others mean. I am a bit surprised that no one had anything more positive to say like cool t-rex poop creature or like the idea but.. etc. I guess it's a tough crowd.

I know this wasn't anyone's intention but my issue is that I feel like people look down on me and my work. Maybe they think I'm a joke or they don't take me seriously. I have a sneaking suspicion others do. I don't consider myself a newbie. Granted what I'm trying to do I am still new at and feel like I'm just starting to grasp it now but it isn't like I started drawing yesterday. That's what got me upset.

Also considering the fact that my parents don't understand why I don't know this stuff already since I went to art school is even more annoying. They think I should already know everything and maybe they look down on me too. I feel like I've failed them to some extent. When I draw now, they think it's just a hobby or just doing something for myself. They don't get that I'm trying to improve and get better. Maybe when I went to art college, I wasn't yet ready to learn or didn't have a plan. Basically what happened when I was in art college was that I was pushed into a certain direction style wise and I didn't realize until after I graduated that I wanted to draw in a different style. I also realized my drawing skills weren't good enough to get work and maybe I still hold a grudge to this day because of that. Some people did but they were probably doing this stuff long before they went to art college and had some basic foundation skills under their belt. Maybe I get jealous easily but I know jealously is just pointless. Unfortunately, it's my first reaction to things sometimes. And then there is the doubt that maybe I'm pursuing the wrong career.

I quit art a year ago to get better at writing. I thought about pursuing a career in screenwriting but after thinking about it, I'm not sure I would want that as a career. I ended up falling in love with art again and just started to get back into it a couple of months ago. I feel like I'm made some strong progress so maybe the fact that this illustration as moved was like a big slap in the face. Like "Sorry, you still suck." That's what hurt.

So how do I get over this hump? I'm still gonna keep drawing because that's what I do. This isn't a hobby for me. I'd like to do this professionally some day and despite these pitfalls, I'm still gonna try because I don't want to go through life thinking "what if?" Maybe I need a good therapist. lol.

[Klaustrophil]

I think that your sense for perspective is very good and you have also good ideas for compositions. However, your paintings have this muddy touch and I think you should do some photostudies and landscapes, landscapes.
Besides of that, good work and keep it up man.
greetings
klaus

[Istmin52]

I decided to do a black and white still life. All the objects are white. It was quite relaxing doing this. I'm going to try and do one once a week at least.