Learning to Sketch

[Amazingreys]

While sitting here, I grabbed a cheapo sketch pad and did some very quick scribbles of my dogs laying about...
Is there any merit to this type of sketching, if it is any good, and/or do I need to be doing more formal type of drawings (or both).
I've never done this before so all is new.
This was about as much as I could do before one of them "noticed" me and moved in for the look-see.
Not even sure if my sketch will scan but I'll try....

[Amazingreys]

Here's another very quick one I did......this is supposed to be one of my dogs curled up in my chair and the cat was on the ottoman ... yes the dogs can curl that tight and the cat looks like a lump of dough :p After a few minutes the scene had dispersed.....
Ok is this the type of stuff I'm supposed to be doing? It's rather fun but is there any merit to it?

Gemma could have named this "Dana's Dumb Newbie Question Forum" :angel:

[KarenCardinal]

Hey Dana!

Well first let me say that I am a true believer in sketches. For every finished work I know I have at least 2 sketchpads worth of sketches.

Sketching is VERY important in helping us develop our observational skills. Quick gesture sketches like this are absolutely terrific in this! Learning how to very quickly capture the pose and movement of our subjects are the best way to really learn how to capture those important elements that will create a believable likeness!

I LOVE your sketches! They are terrific! Much better than the ones I make (which sometimes only I can interpret). I can tell you really know the look and movements of your dogs. :clap:

Definately keep doing these! You never know... sometimes it's the quickly scribbled sketch that gives us the best ideas for our artwork. :D

[Dorell]

Hi Dana. I think your sketches are great :clap:
And I also think you've answered your own question... you know the one you asked in another thread "Real life vs photos". If you carry on doing this kind of quick sketch, you will find that you rely more on your sketches, than on any photo you may have in front of you. You will get the "feel" of your subject better. And there's nothing wrong with drawing the dog (or whatever it is) with 8 legs, depending on how often it moved while you were sketching :D .

Keep at it.

Dorell.

[lene]

Hi Dana
I think your sketches are terrific; meaning sketches are not meant to be "finished artwork" (even some can be ;) ), but a more or less quick impression of flow, line, "body"-language, mood etc. Doing (looking) sketches will improve your awarness to how things "really look"....
I think sketching is a very personal thing. We have different techniques/expressions just as it is in "finished drawings". And remember you don't have to show them to anybody - I say that if that makes you wanna do "pretty sketches". Because sketches are not meant to be pretty. You can sketch with just one line showing the "movement" (like a greyhound running :p ) or you can go "into" the structure of things as you also did with the study of the dogs paw ....
ohh... one very important thing; getting to know the geometric figures that are the structure in all things, are a great help.

[oozoo]

Take a look at Da Vinci's sketches sometime...it's a real eye opener on this subject!!

Gestural sketches like these are absolutely fantastic for capturing movement and form!! I remember doing this with people as models back in art school many times...in fact I'm tempted to go to the mall or a park and do this now! I've come to rely far too much on digital photos on my computer rather than real life and I need to get my eye back into practice. This is the perfect way to do it!

[Brenda]

OH, yeah Dana.... absolutely! I sketch pretty much all the time. If I'm sitting still long enough to have a pencil in hand, it's moving.

It's wonderful for making your eye see things and then for your brain to figure out how to get what you are seeing down on paper. Sketch often, Dana! You are definitely on the right track.

Perhaps... perhaps we could start posting some of our sketches. You know, just as an encouragement to us all to keep sketching. And sketches are fun to look at it. Did you know your doodles have meaning?

This is going to be a terrific forum!

[Arlene]

sketching is the most important thing you can do to hone your skills...these are great. if you were in an art program at a school you'd have to take figure drawing. in figure drawing the students do sketches that last anywhere from 20 seconds on up to 20 minutes. the point being each time limit teaches you...

what you should also be fleshing out is the bone and muscle structure of your dogs...even when fur covers, it's so important to learn that.

[Amazingreys]

what you should also be fleshing out is the bone and muscle structure of your dogs...even when fur covers, it's so important to learn that.


Thank you Arlene and everyone for your comments.

Arlene, in what you wrote above, I'm sorry to be such a :bangin: but could you please explain what you mean more specifically? I'd love to try it if I knew what you meant....(duh).... :blushing:
Thanks :)

[Elankat]

I agree with Arlene. Sketching is critical. It teaches you to observe and to get to a place where you can open your eye and mind to perceive form, shapes, line, value, and all the basic elements that are critical to art.

Not to mention sketching can do wonders for your creativity since it doesn't have the pressures that formal pieces can carry.

[artfulscribe]

I think you already got the message ( :) ), but I wanted to pop in and say these are great! I love looking at the masters' sketches almost as much as their art. There's something so deeply personal about it that it's almost voyeuristic! (And besides being constructive, it's just plain fun!)

Roxana

[Angela]

Yes, I defnintely have to agree - these are fantastic sketches!!

[Paula]

I had to pop in to comment on sketches being hung on walls. To be totally honest :angel: sketches (pencil or pen and ink) are by far my all time favorite art work. However, having said that, I do prefer sketches that have a bit more detail than just a few reference lines. Sketches seem ... sexier :devil2: more intimate, even when the picture itself isn't meant to be.
I also love sketches with a light cp wash or even a light watercolour wash just to add that extra umph.

Funny thing is over the last few weeks I have realized that even before I begin to learn how to draw, I should learn to sketch first. So I have packed away my coloured pencils (for now) and have picked up my graphites. I am about to order a few how to sketch books and will take it from there. I also realized with the CPs I was trying to swim the Channel before I could tread water. :D

Amazingreys (this is a great handle) both your dogs and sketches are beautiful. I think you should do more and post them for all of us to enjoy.

[Amazingreys]

Thank you, I'm just a beginner and I so very much appreciate everyone's input! :)

[Arlene]

I had to pop in to comment on sketches being hung on walls. To be totally honest :angel: sketches (pencil or pen and ink) are by far my all time favorite art work. However, having said that, I do prefer sketches that have a bit more detail than just a few reference lines. Sketches seem ... sexier :devil2: more intimate, even when the picture itself isn't meant to be.
I also love sketches with a light cp wash or even a light watercolour wash just to add that extra umph.

Funny thing is over the last few weeks I have realized that even before I begin to learn how to draw, I should learn to sketch first. So I have packed away my coloured pencils (for now) and have picked up my graphites. I am about to order a few how to sketch books and will take it from there. I also realized with the CPs I was trying to swim the Channel before I could tread water. :D

Amazingreys (this is a great handle) both your dogs and sketches are beautiful. I think you should do more and post them for all of us to enjoy.ann kullberg has what looks like an excellent course on how to draw. check it out.

[Paula]

Thanks Arlene, I will visit her site.