xiola's sketchbook - figure drawing, perspective practice and various studies!

[xiola]

I want to improve!

I have some basic skills, but I am getting lost along the way. I need to provoke my imagination more, but also I need to draw way more from observation! My mind still acts as a filter and I need to break that down in order to actually recreate details, be it texture or value or colour or form, in my art. I feel like I over-simplify everything. I want to learn more about colour theory, about perspective, about rendering form accurately, about anatomy!

I do instructorless figure drawing once a week at a local art centre, and in addition to that once a week or so a group of friends gets together and we draw each other. In addition to that, I've got a fair amount of time to do other studies... but, again, I am finding myself lost.

So, here's a place for sketches and studies for me to practice these things and jump start my brain!

[xiola]

Sorry for the terrible quality photos. I don't have access to a scanner, unfortunately. I will try to rectify this for future posts.

[xiola]

Figure drawings from about three weeks ago.

You can see on some of them that I tried to use value to indicate form, but in some instances I way overdid it.

[xiola]

Wow, it's been a while. Here are some things I've scanned and/or drawn in the last couple of months.

Working on my portfolio for my interview at OCAD next month. Much of this, though not all, is part of my portfolio. Thoughts?

[Catish]

this is really gorgeous

http://attachments.conceptart.org/fo...1&d=1296173766


is it from life? did you then embelish on it later? or was it like, a 45min pose?

maybe try doing more like this one.

[xiola]

Catish - Thanks. It is embellished afterward, but I tried to make note of various shadows and value divisions before the pose ended. It was 20 minutes, with basically 85% of the value added later, which obviously took a while longer. I think I shall continue working at it, though I'm not sure where to take it because the legs are cut off. It wouldn't work very well compositionally overall I think.

[Aresa]

Nice start so far! I definitely see improvement in your latest post compared to your first post. Your line quality looks better and has more energy. Great life drawings as well. I think adding more contrast in your work will make them stand out. If possible, try and experiment more and use some color. Keep up with those life drawings! You're doing great!

[Cyberman]

really great work xiola!

[MeZergy]

Keep up the good work! Only one post and I have already seen much improvement in your technique.

[xiola]

aresa - Ah, colour. Now there's the tricky bit, something I definitely have to work on. But I feel like I need to understand light and value a little more thoroughly before I can move on to that and feel really confident.

Sean McClain - Thanks very much!

MeZergy - Thanks for the encouragement! Here's hoping improvement continues.

[xiola]

Here's something I'm currently working on for my portfolio. The top is cut off because I've got a tiny scanner and since it's not detailed in yet, it's not important to get it all right now. Just know that it's a clock behind her, yes?

She can control time by controlling the wind using her breath. NEAT.

[xiola]

Still working on it...

Really pleased so far. Pencil crayon is fun to work with for the most part.

[Naidy]

I really like how you draw faces, and your studies are looking good so I say you're off to a good start- just keep up the good work!

[xiola]

Naidy - Thank you very much.

Strangely, as you were making this comment, I've been perusing your sketchbook as well! I'll head back there and leave a comment for you there.

[xiola]

My first real oil painting ever. It's hard to control and keep from getting muddy. I'll put some more details in when it's dry, but here we are.

Apple, tomato, orange and egg.

[TheGreekDollmaker]

Hey ,xlola those are some damn great paintings but i have a question.

What type did you use for the coloring of the previous paintings.Was it water colors because its very clean and nice looking and im interesting in trying new things.

[xiola]

TheGreekDollMaker - Thanks Glad someone out there thinks they are 'damn great', haha! Thanks for the great compliment!

As for the medium, well, the one of the lady in front of the clock is actually in coloured pencil - Prismacolors to be precise. They're nice and waxy so they blend well. I feel like I have way more control over dry media and prefer it, so it's interesting that it seems to give a painterly effect nonetheless.

[xiola]

Wooo, more oils.

This time, a self portrait! :3