Getting Motivated!

[theglitteronthesnow]

New to CA and basically I'm starting a sketchbook to keep myself motivated to draw. But I would also appreciate any critiques! And I hope to be inspired too!
I haven't really had formal art training, though I've finished a graphic design degree, and I'm considering studying fine art in future. I'm definitely going to start life drawing classes soon. Mostly my interests lie in illustration and design rather than concept design.

I have lurked a bit on CA and studied some Loomis and Bridgman, and I did a lot of Posemaniacs drawings last year and early this year too.

Anatomy studies from Deviantart stock photos, Posemaniacs studies, drawings from photos








Photoshop portrait of Anna Paquin from a reference photo

recent sketch w/o reference

[theglitteronthesnow]

First life drawing class ever!

[NickTrip]

Looks like you're doing great. Keep up the studies!

[theglitteronthesnow]

well, so much for getting motivated, I haven't posted here in ages :/

Thanks Nick! Had a look through your sketchbook and your DeviantArt account and your work is great. It really pops both in black and white and in colour. Keep up the good stuff!

Here's about 2 weeks worth of life drawing (with some repeated images, oh well).

[SketchAlike]

Hey keep it up. I've had some problems with sticking to drawing but your drawings look great. You should try to study the muscles so when your next in your class you can faintly draw them or picture them in your mind. It does help for understanding what is going on structure wise. I'm no pro though please keep it up though.

[theglitteronthesnow]

Oh dear, long time no post. Here's a sketchdump. 4 or 5 of the sketches are from reference.

[theglitteronthesnow]

And a speedpaint of a mermaid. I used some webcam shots as quick reference for the arms...

[theglitteronthesnow]

Final post for today: a pencil drawing inspired by the miniseries Pillars of the Earth.

[spiralpen]

You are really really good at hair, and I could see it was Anna before you wrote it, good job! You seem to need to work on anatomy and the flow, like a lot of us do ^^ Your starting off really good tho so keep it up

[theglitteronthesnow]

thanks spiralpen! yes I think my figures don't flow very well... I shall definitely try to work on that!

[theglitteronthesnow]

A couple sketches since the beginning of this year from reference and imagination (easy to tell which is which) and a self-portrait. My neck is not that freakishly long, I'm just bad at sitting still, even why trying to draw myself :p I had a sore throat and was very sick when I drew it, too...

[theglitteronthesnow]

Things from last night. I was very frustrated with the first set of drawings, I find it all too easy to slip into drawing flat, stylised, ugly faces e.g. the lady with the long hair. Sigh.
Everything else was an attempt to remember proportions/practice loosening up and blocking in figures. I used some Inception stills for reference.

[theglitteronthesnow]

From my last two life drawing sessions. I tried to focus more on shading and modeling the form.

[Jeff Bartzis]

excellent start! Im loving the last few, more rendered, life drawings.

[theglitteronthesnow]

thank you Jeff! I'm definitely going to focus on rendering in future!

here are the rest of the life drawings I was having difficulty adding to the last post.

[theglitteronthesnow]

Some inked drawings. After these I read a chunk of/did some studies and exercises from a book (Figure Drawing: Design and Invention) which helped my understanding of the spine a lot. Underneath are some drawings from imagination, I also did another quick sketch of the pose for the girl holding a cup, hopefully it's more anatomically accurate and less flat.
The mermaid is for the Illustration Friday theme Bottled. I drew the bottle from life but the inking messed it up even more than the bad sketch...
And some nose and head studies from the same anatomy book c:

I think I need to start working in an A4 sketchbook for my own drawings, my current book is much too small :p

[kitana_mk]

Good exercises - I suggest you more rounded shapes in the female bodies and more shading at the moment it is a bit shy. Use more seeking lines - do not be afraid of the shape.