2 months to reach drawing milestones

[Dreamingofbetterdays]

I want to draw whatever pops in my head but I can't seem to do that too successful. I figure I should be able to draw whats in front of me before I can draw whats in my head. I have trouble applying 1 and 2 pnt perspective to actual drawing things in front of me.
I also don't understand the difference between tone and value.
You can notice that when i'm not using the blue pencil my lines aren't as confident for some reason but really scratchy.
I would like most help on drawing FORMS.

this is just for a good sketchbook avatar

[ThomasM]

good start here to a sketchbook - I suggest doing some simple studies to allow you to develop an idea of values (black and white and everything in between). Do greyscale (black and white) shadings of really simple shapes like a ball or a cone. That will help you learn about how light hits things.

[Mr.Tom]

I'm in a similar boat, trying to improve loads in a small amount of time, not an easy task, but i'm sure with dedication, not an impossible one, keep up the good work, i agree with ThomasM there (weird we both share the same name..almost creepy) keep up study, figures and observations, then mix it up with your imagination and go for the gold, you've got a good sense of volume i think, very good at showing roundness to objects through shading, something i need to work on myself. good luck

[Dreamingofbetterdays]

Thomas M- thanks, I already have an understanding of gradiation I just don't understand difference between tone and value. But I'm also fairly stupid.

Mr. Tom- Thanks, the only way to get anywhere is dedication. Think about what you want all the time and you'll have it if you stay focused.

[123Michael321]

Not to give you a hard time, but is there some compelling reason for setting a 2 month deadline on reaching these milestones?

I appreciate that for some people, in some situations, setting a fixed date by which a goal must be achieved can prove helpful. But just as often - and particularly in areas where achievement is more qualitative and subjective in nature than it is quantitative and objective - it can result in needless stress and a sense of failure when results come somewhat more slowly than had been originally anticipated.

So I'm just wondering about your reasons for setting 22 December as the cut-off date on this project.

Anyway, are you currently taking any classes that might help you progress? Have you any books which seem like they might be of benefit to you (or, conversely, have you studied any texts which have proven unhelpful)?
--
Michael

[Dana_T]

Alright I love this kind of dedication!
Drawing forms can be a pain in the ass at first (I know I had a lot of trouble when I started taking it seriously) but after a while it becomes really fun. A cool way to help you learn how to come up with junk from your head is to draw a model from a photo, take however long you think you need with it, then a few hours later try to draw that same pose again from memory. It will always be a little different but each time you do that you'll see what you missed and learn from it.

Also, try not to be so scratchy with your lines. If you can, always try to make things flow in a continuos line. It'll look a little like spaghetti at first but later along the way it will start bringing movement and life into your work.

If you're able to, take a figure drawing class. Don't worry so much about tone and value before you got the basics down, either. Everything will come in time.

Sorry if this sounds corny but keep posting and trying your best and you're bound to improve! Seriously! xD

[Dreamingofbetterdays]

I plan on udating later tonight, posemaniacs, perspective practice, and character.

123 Michael- the reason for the 2 month deadline is that I won't have internet. I won't be discurreged by the results because the results will be an outcome of how much effort I put in.
I dnt take classes cause I can't afford, even if I could I wouldn't know the teacher before hand and it could be a waste of my money.

Dana T- Thank you for the comet, I do need to do what you said. And it doesn't sound corny to me at all.

[Dreamingofbetterdays]

Posemaniacs: what did I learn? That my gesture drawing is horrible, my leg muscles have been forgotten for the most part, and i cant makes small poses.

[andres333]

hey man great effort
good to know ur trying to understand form
but i strongly recommend starting with G-E-S-T-U-R-E studies

keep artin
btw thanks for stopping by my sb

[JuliaLSingh]

You're drawings are NOT terrible!! They are actually quite good - you have a great sense of volume. What you are most likely getting frustrated with is the fight between what you *know* you're looking at (i.e. "arm") and what your are actually *seeing*. This is something that comes with practice and maintenance.

Have you ever tried to do the exercises in "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain"? That book is excellent for helping you to learn how to *see* what you are drawing much better. I highly recommend it - most libraries have it.

Keep at it - you are MUCH better than you think you are!!!

[JRStagg]

That's some good work! loving your studies, keep at it, try something completely new to break the mould

[Dreamingofbetterdays]

Hey thanks alot for the comments. I've been doing posemaniacs going to do something else for awhile.

[Dreamingofbetterdays]

............

[Dana_T]

Good to see you're still working on those gestures! Pose-maniacs is a pretty great site.
Lookin' good man.

[Charmer]

I'm already in the beginning of drawing/painting myself. I can say that your stuff is good for now, just keep practicing and draw everything from life you want to. For example a towel, a cup of coffee, an apple, your computer, mobile phone, mouse or whatever. EVERYTHING will help you to get better.
Always simplify your stuff and get more details and more and more. First do the easyer big parts etc.

Have fun and good luck for the next weeks.
Keep your good work ab :-)

Best regards,
Flo

[Dreamingofbetterdays]

hey thanks guys. I'll update in a couple of more days with plain gestures and life drawing.