Alex's Sketchbook

**Alex J Cunningham** · October 2nd, 2005, 03:07 PM

Welcome to my sketchbook thread!

I have big aspirations with my art, but have motivational problems. I'm trying to turn art into something more passionate, as it is feeling more like a chore right now.

Will you be so kind and help? A comment or criticism would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers.

**Alex J Cunningham** · October 2nd, 2005, 03:20 PM

Here is some of the work I did for my art courses. Sorry it's dull, but I'm trying to get some solid fundamentals out of the way first.

**JAIR428** · October 2nd, 2005, 03:28 PM

nice stuff! i love that drawing! ---great mood! and the still life are good as well ...very round

but i think the sphere has a bit too much reflective lighting on it. if it where to have that much reflective lighting, then it would be very metalic and smooth but there isn't a reflection of the bottles behind it...

but good first post ...nice studies

-peace

**styler** · October 2nd, 2005, 08:59 PM

damn, that shit is badass. I'm not kidding...i'm a newb though so I don't know if my feedback is really that important. I'm simply stating that I am very impressed.

**Alex J Cunningham** · October 3rd, 2005, 01:00 PM

JAIR428 Yeah, you're right, I did exaggerate the reflected light. I was concentrating on how the lighting reads the form. I guess I'll have to do more of these to make it look like it was simply white, and not metallic.

styler Thanks, kind words are always appreciated

Here's something I did today, I learned something important, that the direction you shade in with your pencil helps read the form. I'm not sure how well you can tell from the photo, but on the right arm, the shading is done diagonally, and has nothing to do with the curvature of the upper arm of the mannikin, and looks flat as a result.

**antant** · October 3rd, 2005, 01:12 PM

Hey Alex,

I think you have a great thing going on with you pieces. Please, do post more!

As for your problem with motivation, and feeling like art is a "chore..." I know how you feel, I have the same issue. The only things I try to do is tell myself that, especially when I don't feel like doing drawing studies or color studies, thats when I should force myself to do it.

Honestly, the more I study when I don't want to, the easier it becomes, and the happier I am with my art

I also use this forum as food for my enthusiasm, even just looking at your artwork makes me want to run off from work and curl up with my sketchbook! eheheh. Good luck! I look forward to seeing more.