beastathon's Sketchbook | Updates reguarly

[beastathon]

I'm 15, turning 16 in July. Need encouragement and need to be pushed to draw EVERYDAY, hopefully this sketchbook helps.
The holidays seem like a good time to start, got some free time (even though I've been working nearly all the holidays)

Looking for lots of criticism because I know I'm pretty bad and it's the only way I'll improve.

[Ignominious]

hey, this stuff really isn't bad. :)
you're already doing anatomy sketches which will really help you, if you just keep practicing, you'll be amazed at how much you'll improve

[beastathon]

Ignominious: Thanks. Any critiques?

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[Loolarge]

Thanks for posting in my SB, beastathon. Cool to start drawing at that young age. I really like the creature sketch page. I think both of the male figures have their neck too thick and in the last one maybe the legs are to short or the torso long. I am struggling with everything myself, so maybe somebody else can give better crits. I hope you can inhabit drawing whenever you can, because did not accomplish that yet :)

I will keep watching your stuff!

[beastathon]

My god, I am so fucking lazy. Now, I have been drawing since January, probably , but it's usually just scribbles or a head or something like that. The problem is that my drawings are still out of proportion, has terrible anatomy and I never practice the basics of drawing. I never do any figure drawing, I never doing any anatomical studies...I never really learn, and of course I never update this damn sketchbook. I do like to draw, but I find it hard to sit down and start actually learning and practicing drawing things. I like to do figure drawing, but every time I draw a figure, it comes out terrible. I like to draw the figure, but I can't. Quite a predicament. So I've finally come to the realization that I need to learn proportions (I seriously think I've never, ever seriously learnt proportions), I need to study anatomy (I've done some, but I always start and fizzle out) Oh yes, that problem. I seem to start going strong at something, but I never fucking finish it. Ever. I need help with that. I need to stop saying, "I'm serious guys, I'm going to do all anatomy and proportions and everything and update every day!!!" (which what this sounds like, right?) and I actually need to do it.

I need to realize that I'm pretty fucked if I want a career in art and I can't draw. I'm pissed off. I'm pissed off at myself so being such a lazy bastard. I need to set some goals and I need to complete those fucking goals.
Just writing this rant has helped me put things in perspective and maybe it's been an interesting read too...but how about I actually post some art and stop being a self-loathing retard.

First two are done today, the rest? God knows.

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[beastathon]

One more Loomis before bed.
Man, this stuff is really goddamn useful. Why the hell did I never learn this?

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...and a hogarth
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I've decided I want to do 4-5 A4 pages a week minimum. Aaaand, i'll probably start that in two weeks time, since I have exams coming up and I better study.

[beastathon]

Heh, I'm actually drawing after work. I usually make up some excuse that I'm too tired to draw...when in fact, drawing isn't all that exhausting. Especially not a few studies.

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actually, not too happy with this. i think it's because i rarely draw the rear of a character.

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i'm really enjoying Bridgman's thumbnails

I am getting more relaxed. Of course I like to draw, but I (and probably everyone else) go into huge periods where I'm so goddamn frustrated at art. It's gah...frustrating. heh.

Critiques and Advice please!

[beastathon]

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Started an apple, but I really didn't approach it right. Probably start over tonight.

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Doodle.

Hopefully more studies tonight.

[fantasyartist]

Great job on those studies. Your proportions are looking quite decent already. I would advise you to slow down with the anatomy stuff and learn the basics of perspective. Then learn to draw and shade simple forms likes cubes and cylinders correctly from all angles. Specially the cube will be very important and handy when you want to draw/paint complex objects so I suggest you to start there. Bridgman uses it a lot. Once you can draw and shade these simple forms you'll just have to combine them to create complex ones. Take a look at Kchen's drawings and notice how he constructs his figures:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1432

I'll be back soon to see how you are doing.

[ABC]

Hey, beastathon, thanks for stopping by my sketchbook.

I'd like to second what fantasyartist said about beginning with basic geometry. It will make more complex form easier as you progress. Also, NOW is the time to start drawing from life. The gesture sketch is where to begin there. I used to sketch another student in almost every class I had in high-school. It should only take a moment and will definitely set a habit of looking with an eye towards drawing.


here's a link about gesture sketching (http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=search&sval=vilppu&article_no=573&page=3)

and one showing the possibilities of basic geometric composition (http://haikai.net/content/archive/studies/box_people.jpg)

PS: I'll keep posting if you keep posting!

[beastathon]

No, I didn't completely abandoned drawing and posting again. For the past two weeks I've had my mid-year exams, so I didn't do any drawing because I really needed to study.

This is what I've done over the weekend.

doodle
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shape and light 'studies'
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fantasyartist: Thanks for the advice. I took a look at Kchen's drawings and the construction method is really nice to use.

ABC: Thanks for the links, I find it really hard to sketch gestures. I'll try and draw some more from life during classes, while still paying attention, of course.

I mentioned before I wanted to do 4 pages a week minimum, I hope I can.

[beastathon]

Well, it's an update. Some ref figures and imaginative and trying a portrait...ugh.

[beastathon]

Days need to be longer, I don't have enough time. Must. Update. More.

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these looked better...there is maybe one i like

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more progress on the portrait, would like some help with this one please!

[ABC]

Okay, I'll dive right in.

If you began the painting from the photo with those right angles, scrap that habit. There aren't going to be occasions where you'll actually see a true right angle; anywhere, ever. You want to judge lengths and tilts at their specific, unique angles. You're already doing it a little. Check out this page for a slideshow of a master draftsman in action. (http://www.tonyryder.com/demo/block_in/pages_slideshow/P7240001.htm) When you block-in, remember to look for the tilts in relation to each other and try to judge the whole silhouette of the shape. Keep it simple at first.

Oh, and try this as a self-portrait in front of a mirror. You want to train your eye to see nature, not some mechanically derived chemical impression on paper. Photos have very little to do with vision. Drawing your own hand also makes for a great challenge that will bring your skills up.

Those little sketches of figures have gotten much better. Keep at them. Draw a bazillion.

And do more basic gemometry to learn how to make space into the paper.

[beastathon]

Holidays. Finally. Seriously, I've been really busy (and tired) with school, but now it's finally holidays. I've got two studios to finish for school.

ABC: I don't think I was trying to draw with a right angle...I think i was just drawing in a box or something that I can't remember now. I will hopefully try and get some more figures drawn and a self portrait.

Heres my first time using Acrylics...uhh, the arm just looks like it's melting in to his body...I really messed it up. All tips/critques on painting would be greatly appriciated!
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[beastathon]

Need to start drawing and painting these holidays. Will scan some more stuff from my art folios now that they're home.

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