Visionspring's sketchbook of learning

[stuart]

WIN, this is a really cool thread way to go man

[Visionspring]

Shoo >> Thanks for taking the time to reply! Always appreciated I usually only hold my drawing tool like that for detailed stuff, and also when I work on my tablet. When I'm in lifedrawing I like to hold the pencil on it's side, like a knife - this is better especially when working on bigger pieces of paper as it allows your whole arm to move more freely. And yeah, drawing is TOTALLY a learned skill that you need to constantly maintain, just like bodybuilding. I'm adamant that anyone can learn to draw and keep it up if they have a proper learning program and enough motivation - http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showth ... ght=rookie

I was watching one of the Gnomon Workshop DVDs with the artist Feng Zhu, and he starts off the day drawing basic lines and cubes in perspective. I guess it helps him warmup before doing all those awesome enviroment shots!

And it seems that your daily lunchtime sketching is really paying off - your figures in your sketchbook are improving heaps, as well as your sketching style - its tightening up lots

My old lifedrawing instructor always says "the first 20 years are the hardest" so that inspires me not to give up

fish_cakes >> Thanks heaps for the feedback regarding Helena - believe me, I had no say in the hair/costume choices, but nonetheless its been fun painting something so cheesy. I've got an update below, would be great to get some more feedback



Looks like Xena warrior princess now

[Visionspring]

[fish_cakes]

yeah, haha. silly commissioners . I think its down to nit picking all ready. I think there is a funny tangent going on with her hair and the line of the costume that makes it look like she has no boob or her hair is going into her costume... just not as clear as it could be.

and her hip was still bothering me a little. i don't know if what i did is right, but maybe steers you in the right direction? Also a few lighting inconsistencies... in there. but its lookin nice

[cwans]

About the proportion as pointed out by Tom, I think considering there is a little bit of foreshortening looking up...

Maybe try drawing a 50% opaque layer of trying to add in some skeletons and see if they fit in properly. It's what I do if I get stuck on overall proportions.

[Toko]

Hey missing ur updates!

[fish_cakes]

As am I!

[sevans]

Yeah, more updates (like I can talk).

As for the holding your pencil comment, after watching Painting with Fire (again - Love Frazetta). Try holding the pencil right near the back/end and almost drawing with the side of it (think charcoal). Apparently he sketches like this intially to keep loose and the lines flowing.

[Visionspring]

OH MY GOD BACK FROM THE DEAD! Its about time that I resuscitate this thing. What's been happening? Nothing too unusual - just working hard to improve my art and also got married Thought I'd start again with a piece that I'm currently working on....I hope it turns out good!

The scene is basically Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, battling a hoarde of munchkins - the munchkins are horrific little buggers who are trying to kill her, but she is going crazy with the tinman's axe and is fighting them off - lopping off heads, limbs etc. Should look like a children's book gone wrong

Some studies (I do these so that I don't spend lots of time later on worrying about how to design the characters in the painting) -



Basic basic thumbnail scribble, just to get the movement ~ Will post a more refined sketch after this, might be easier to critique and get some feedback on the next one!



THanks for looking

[Shoo]

That, is some incredibly tight panting. Also, I am a lot creeped out by that munchkin.
Such a mix of hues and washes of colours, I am having fun just trying to pick them all! Ooh, though, her lips - maybe just a nick of black in there in the very, very recesses of them. And the yellow on her forehead, Im guessing thats from the sky or the sun? It makes her look a little sickly, or borrowed from the munchkins range. Yes, but oh wow, I enjoy the way you did the eyes, specially the cold blue in hers, really makes her look like she could swing an axe with the best of them!

[Toko]

Congrats on getting married! awesome news!

[Visionspring]

Hi Shoo! Yeah she was supposed to look sickly, as if she had been crying. BUt I think I will tone down the sickliness because its looking a little unnattractive

Thanks Toko! I is wife now

Okay heres the linework.....not accurate, just to give placeholder info. I will fill in the details when painting starts -

[Visionspring]

Her hair will be less frazzled in the final

[Visionspring]

Her right leg bugs me, so will change that

[Visionspring]

Not sure if I"ll do any more on this. Time to comment on the other sketchbooks/WIPs!!