contour practice

I decided to practice the contour and gesture line technique learned recently in class.

My friend was painting his frames for his art project and he couldn't sit still, but I managed to get something. The feet were the most detailed since his feet didn't move as much.

Even as he was watching a movie, the slightest movement can throw off the entire image. Looks like George Bush to me.

Medium: 2B pencil

First in a long time

Inspired by Frida Kahlo and her famous self portraits, I decided to draw one. I drew a couple before, but haven't drawn one recently. And I'm sure my drawing skills have improved so shall my self portraits.

I think I started with a difficult position. I wanted to draw one where my head is slightly facing downwards emphasizing my eyes and de-emphasizing the lower part of my face.

Maybe I should have done one with one facing head on. That's my next project!

Medium: 2B pencil.

Tiger

My friend sent me three photos to draw from and I selected these two for now, contemplating about the third's approach.

Both of these were photos of him in the car, but I decided to just draw a different background for the first one. I was thinking about a get well card for Asian Gangstas.

Yes, this one is Asian. I hope that came across in your first impression. Still more practice!

I'm going for black and white drawings now rather than outlining and coloring in photoshop. Let's see how this works out.

Medium: 2H and 4B

Viewport & negative space as shapes [02/25/11]

2 minutes

I did all my 2 minute drawings with negative space shapes and contour lines. They really came out pretty nice.

I felt bad for the model since she heard Gordon tell some students that he didn't know about this model since she was late the first time and was assumed late this class. She wasn't late.



20 minute
Viewport

I remember frustration. I kept on looking through the viewport, but my organization on paper was still inaccurate. I probably spent 5 or 10 minutes figuring out where everything went.

During the first drawing, she kept on looking at me through the viewport. We made eye contact, which somewhat threw me off.

I didn't use the large newsprint and only used the rectangular paper from home. Also, this was also the first time I only used a 2B pencil throughout the entire class.

Medium: 2B pencil

Contour and Negative Space [02/22/11]

2 minute

This new model, Julie, didn't use a timer so her 2 minute poses seemed longer. She was probably counting in her head.

Before she arrived, we did a lesson on drawing the shape of negative shape with contour lines. Gordon brought out the skeleton and we practiced with the ribs and arm bones until Julie arrived. It has an interesting look, the negative space contour drawing.

I tried doing negative space contour drawing within these two minutes and it seemed to only work best with certain poses with large amounts of space. You can tell which drawings had negative space contour lines.

20 minute
I found that when certain body parts are abnormally bigger than average, my proportions are off, such as the darker one I drew.

A classmate came over and commented on the lighter drawing, saying that he really liked the body proportions. I wasn't that proud of it, but it seems that things that we may not be too proud of can please others. He suggested I go home and fix up the leg and I'll be set.

I was thinking that I wouldn't edit the drawing because it wouldn't be considered a 20 minute drawing if I spent more time on it.


Long pose (55 or so minutes)

This went by fairly quickly. She asked if she could end a few minutes early, so I'm not too sure the exact time for this pose.

I used my new used charcoal from SCRAP and there was this very dark one that really brought out the very dark parts of the drawing.
Gordon was surprised! He was like "wow! this is very good!"

There was a lot to draw too since she used many props. I used the negative space contour technique here and it helped specifically with the airpit, breast and arm area. I made her should too long and corrected it with the help of this technique.

Medium: Dark charcoal and Charcoal Pencil - 4b soft

Something learned: As long as I scan the whole drawing, I can still use "Auto" under photomerge and "Interactive Layout" wouldn't be necessary.

Gesture and Contour [02/17/11]

2 minute

20 minute

I'm beginning to notice things about figure drawing that I haven't before.

• Drawing the background really brings the model to life. My first 20 minute drawing implied a background, but looking at it some more, darkening it would have made it pop.
  
• Little marks in the background can make a big impact on the drawing, so every mark is important.
  
• Dark and light is vital as well. I'll need to work on this too.

I also bought used charcoal sticks from SCRAP and can't wait till I use it in the next class. So, my medium wouldn't be as specific since there is a variety of them, which I don't have the exact name for.

Contour and Gesture [02/15/11]

2 minute
This new model didn't set her timer correctly at first since she posed for more than 2 minutes on her first two poses.

Note the differences between the left and the middle compared to the rest of the two minute poses.







10 minute
I find that my drawings turn out very fat. Somewhat vertically condensed since the head looks so big and then somewhat wide too.

I'm also wanting to draw the face with more accuracy, but it seems that with time, I will get better doing both. I see some of the more advanced students drawing faces that look very accurate.



20 minute


My first, second and third 20 minute drawing from left to right. I decided to emphasis the shading more as time went on. I used the compressed charcoal for the dark shading and then smudged it with my fingers to give it a more solid look.

I'm also beginning to incorporate some of the background into the drawing as well to give it more ground, stability. I feel more committed to the drawing when the background and deep dark shading is added.

I used vine charcoal for the overall sketch and for the lighter shading while Charcoal pencil for outline and slight dark shading.

Medium: Vine, Compressed Charcoal - soft, Charcoal Pencil - 6B