26.2.12

Toronto Zoo 2012!!!

Dan, Annie and I went to the zoo today to check out the animals. I am pretty sure I saw the hyenas AWAKE for the very first time. We spent some time drawing them... SOOOO COOOOOL!

Below is my pencil drawing and a rendered version.




I have more zoo drawings, but nothing worth showing.... 

Not that anyone follows my blog... but I have a question...

How does everyone feel about drawing from life versus a photograph? I always draw from life (when I am not at work) and I find it to be a lot more challenging, but I also notice I learn a lot more about structure and form....

Any thoughts?



Life Drawing Tips

So I have been going to life drawing classes for about two months now and I feel like I can share some of the things I have learned (not that I know much, if anything at all!!!!)

I think the most helpful tip I could give anyone who is struggling with life drawing is to make sure the feet are flat on the floor. It is super hard to make that model stand on a surface as if they are a MASS putting pressure on the surface they are standing/sitting on. I'm still trying to figure it out, but when I get it right, it feels really good! They are usually placing their weight on one side, one leg. You can push the drawing to exaggerate it and make it more readable.

Another shortcut I have been using is to start with a bean-shaped body. I love the bean! I'm not sure how else to explain it, but if you look below, you might notice it in my drawings.

Draw feet as triangles to begin with... it makes it much faster....

As far as heads go, draw the neckline and note the placement of the ear first. That way, your heads are at least kind of in the right place. I used to just throw a circle in, but now I draw the head last and I always do neck and ear first.

That's all I know so far!!!!

I'll keep doing figure drawing until the summer, then you will probably see a lot of animals instead from my multiple zoo trips!!!!

I really hope I am improving and this isn't all for nothing!!!!!

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Below is a 20 minute drawing from class. We used the skewers to check our proportions and try to draw a perfectly proportioned person... I'm not really sure how well I did...

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The following drawings are from extra life drawing. No instructor.. just drawing. I find these a lot more enjoyable since we are not being stopped (for a lesson) and can get into a groove. I think I was a little off this night, but I'm still noticing an improvement.


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The last two drawings I was really starting to feel it. If you look at the legs of the 15 minute one, you can see the structure lines of the planes of the body (if you look really carefully). I was feeling pretty good!

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Thanks for the support everyone!


Cutest Eraser


I got this eraser from a co-worker for valentines day. I just love it!

18.2.12

Extra Life Drawing

I think I am actually getting better! I had a really good day (by my standards) on Thursday at extra life drawing. I didn't realize until this week I was allowed to practice at Sheridan with the Art Fundies kids outside of class. I can't express how much of a help this is. It isn't that the class I take is not helping me, but we don't have enough time to apply what we have learned. I think I'll be going as often as possible from now on... I only have a month left!

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15.2.12

Life Drawing...


Here's another round of life drawing. I'm not sure I am improving... I'll just keep at it until I get it!!!!

Cat catching a mouse



I was playing with a cintiq and I came up with this kitty drawing. I sometimes wish I was able to draw cartoons at work because I love them so much.... maybe one day I'll have my chance... until then, I'll just draw them in my free time.

I think I am FINALLY starting to get the hang of simple shapes... practice practice practice...



12.2.12

Valentines Mailbox

There is a competition at work to make a cool Valentines Mailbox. I bought a box at the dollar store and painted it this morning. I don't know if this is valentines enough to win... but at least I had fun!

This is the final product:







Here is my process: