A practice drawings

[ste]

Hi,Does any-one do these sort of practice drawings?just drawn on printer paper,I picked them up from an old book by Andrew Loomis.
This one I set myself 10-15 minutes,drawn in pencil and then sometimes in pen(if I am bored :) ) on this one the 1st drawing is a mistake,but we learn from those don't we?I also do lots of basic heads starting with a circle,these are drawn to practice positioning of eyes,nose mouth,and are great practice,will post some if interested.

Steve
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/xrover/wip1/drw.jpg

[Dave.R]

Hi Steve...... these drawings are very interesting. Are the skeletical shapes taken from Andrew Loomis book? I haven't seen them represented in quite this way before. The one with the VP is enlightening.
Would like to see your others.

Well done on sketching...something I must really start doing more often :D

[ste]

Hi Dave,I refer to his books quite a lot (I have 4)and do these type of drawings when I start doodling,usually when I have a pencil and not much to do or trying to get ideas for a drawing.
These others took 15 minutes (I've added shorts and teeshirt as I'm not sure if its classed as nudity without them)and I like to draw hands and feet whenever I can as they are the hardest part of the anatomy to draw it is something I like to keep up with.
Steve
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/xrover/wip1/drw1.jpg

[Dave.R]

These are very impressive Steve, thanks for posting them, you have excellent drawing skills
I will look up Andrew Loomis. I'm sure this sort of sketching would benefit me...must make it a new years resolution to do it regularly.

[oozoo]

Great job...life drawing is something I definitely plan to sharpen my skills on. I was going to take a class at the local university, but the time factor is prohibitive. It's usually 4 hours twice a week. I think I might check out those books first :D Thanks!

[ste]

Thanks Dave and Oozoo,I do love doodling and it is a great release and use these for ideas.I have used this method to start my latest one of a Samurai.

Steve

[Angela]

These are very good. Sketching isn't something I do on a regular basis. It just seems like I have so little time to actually sit and work with two young kids that when I do get a chance, I feel like it MUST be a masterpiece. . . but maybe sketching is something I should look into. Thanks for the inspiration!

[ste]

I'm pleased you like them Angela and hope you can find time to draw,even doodles help I find,they don't have to be anything great,just help for ideas and keeping a "feel" for the pencil and for drawing in general.
Here is one in my "Doodle Book" as I call it and was done while I was waiting for a visitor and delivery,as you can see I don't like to waste paper :D and has all kinds of bits and bobs on it.
The what I call the Skinny Egg on the R/H side is something I made up to get the skin tones practice from light to dark,and have put a face on it,same as the skin tube I've drawn which is handy for fingers,arms and legs.
Steve

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/xrover/bits/d1.jpg

[visualawakenings]

They are all really great/helpful! I love how you did the skin colors on just a finger and the tiny tube. I really need to try that as I have found that doing small areas with all of the values of skintones is very hard for me! How many colors/values are you using on that tiny tube, may I ask? I think I am set up with 5 total values (Ann Kuhlburg's book) and I use at least 2 different shades in each value range for a total of about 10 colors. that is really hard to get in those little areas!

[visualawakenings]

Steve,

I just had a chance to check out your website and you work is wonderful. My fav piece is the ballerina on the floor but the detail in the CP piece that you did of the hands is amazing! Also, the little puppy done in sepia is adorable!

That is wonderful that you are able to create like this with just picking up art after many years of working!

Beautiful work!

[Arlene]

These are very good. Sketching isn't something I do on a regular basis. It just seems like I have so little time to actually sit and work with two young kids that when I do get a chance, I feel like it MUST be a masterpiece. . . but maybe sketching is something I should look into. Thanks for the inspiration!you can't do that masterpiece until you have the foundation and the foundation is good drawing skills ;)

[ste]

Thankyou so much Brandi I'm so pleased you like the websites drawings.
I used the same 5 as Annes portrait book uses and maybe a brown for the darkest area,cream.jasmine L\Pink.Blush.Deco Pink but lots more layers when doing a full portrait.
I've had lots of spare time since finishing my working career allmost 3years ago due to ill health,it gives me a great release and satisfaction and also gives me great pleasure when people like yourself compliment me on my work,and I'm still striving to learn more and improve.
Thankyou it does mean a lot to me :)

Steve

[visualawakenings]

Steve,

The comments were very well deserved! I am sorry to hear about your illness but am so happy that lead you to creating art!

Thanks for sharing on the skin tones, really, that sample is blended just perfectly! That Ann, she really does know her skin tones!

[artfulscribe]

Cool studies, Steve! I agree that drawing skills are prerequisite. Even if your art shows no resemblance to realism, it's absolutely fundamental to other areas of understanding--areas that do contribute to the quality of your work, no matter what kind of art you produce.

I haven't done studies for paintings, but I do keep sketchbook journals and also do a lot of pen & watercolor in them, especially when I travel (although I've been doing a lot right in my backyard, lately!). I have books filled with these types of sketches/journal entries.

Roxana

[ste]

Hear,Hear to that Brandi,it was Annes portrait book that got me into cp in the first place after being disallusioned with water colours as I love drawing and cp met my needs especially with portraits.

Thanks Roxana,yes,I believe it is essential to be able to sketch and doodling is very relaxing with no deadlines and is very good for learning.
I too have lots of old sketches and like you spend more time sketching in the back garden,but never go on vacation without my pads and colour pencils.

Steve

[Tracy]

Steve, great web site and so many beautiful drawings. I have to add you are very lucky to have 4 Andrew Loomis' books. I love his books but cannot afford the current prices. I have been trying to download them from the internet, not the same though. Keep sharing your methods and drawings, it is always helpful to see how other people practice and improve their skills.

[ganri]

Here is a link to Loomis' drawing books. From what I can tell most are out of print and if you can find one, buy it! Walter Foster does publish a few "Figures in Action" and "Heads/2".

http://www.fineart.sk/index.php?cat=1

Oh, the link does contain nudity.

[Monkey]

Steve thanks for all the info! If we can find any of those books, what sequence should we read/ practice? What order should we use?

I clicked your links and all I can say is, "Wow, WoW, WOW!!!"

(Sorry, I'm not sure of the breed) The dog on the cp page, 4th row, second from end... It's awesome! Caravaggio would have been jealous. It's the best light capturing in the Caravaggio way that I have ever seen. (http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/caravaggio.html)

And, as soon as weather permits, I'm going out to buy apples to do your exercise. But, I got a question, can you explain the use(s) of a rolling ruler? I don't own one, and was wondering how it's used and if I should purchase one.

[Monkey]

Can any one tell me where I can get a copy of Ann Kuhlburg's book? I'm getting no hits on google or at Amazon. Thanks!

[Cleo]

Ann Kullberg....sounds like it should have a " h " but doesn't:D

[Monkey]

Thanks just ordered her books and 2 Loomis book. Ok, I spent too much money today. :bangin: Time to go back to bed.

[Belinda]

I too have looked at Andrew Loomis books online, they are great but i find it a little difficult to follow.

I have been doing these: The Structure of Man - http://the-structure-of-man.blogspot.com/

Which follow similar principle to the Andrew Loomis books but its video. You can do the first series of videos via YouTube for free and then buy the DVD's. They are fantastic. The way he teaches you to "invent" retrains your brain to draw the human figure. its for 3D animation but the principles are great for picking up your drawing skills.