frog's sketchbook

[frog from itchy]

My aims over the next couple of years are to try and break out of being merely an intermediate artist to a really good one, by doing as many studies as I possibly can. Over time I also want to try and improve my ability to paint without reference, which I find really hard for figures.

Here are some recent studies, all from reference:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/head-9.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/sofia.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/feather-girl-02.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/landscape-20a.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/landscape-19.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/landscape-16.jpg

[JaneM]

With all respect, you are good. What shines brightest to me here, is the very first portrait painting you posted, the dark man. At first I thought it was a traditional painting, but when I look closer I see that it is digital. Anyway, that one is incredibly good! And the rest ain't bad either. If you want to become a master in painting, I'd say you've got a solid ramp to fly from.

Good luck.

[Mossi]

What I´d like to know is how much time you spent on the dark man,

Like JaneM, i had to look closely to determine if it was traditional or digital.

I want to see more soon. you´ve got (to say the least) great potential to be with the masters

[frog from itchy]

Most of these studies were under an hour, however the African guy was probably closer to two.

Here's the ref I used, actual size, it was from an article on the Guardian newspaper website:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/misc/nyandoro10c.jpg

[RandAlThor]

Very nice portraits and the landscapes are very good too, i like you aerial perspective and the brush marks too, keep it up dude ;-)

[frog from itchy]

Earlier this year I did 100 drawings of people from various references. Here are ten of the better ones, in chronological order:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/people-6a.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/people-8a.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/people-15a.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/people-38.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/people-39.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/people-50.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/people-64.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/people-65.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/people-77.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/people-79.jpg

[frog from itchy]

A new head study:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/head-10.jpg

And some sketches based on ref from from Virtual Pose 3:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/life-01.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/life-02.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/life-04.jpg

[frog from itchy]

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/brush.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/sketch03.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/face-10.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/face-11.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/face-12.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/misc/OneNote.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/head-12.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/face-21.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/face-22.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/face-sketch-08.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/soldier.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/buffalo2.jpg

[Timmi-o-Tool]

I like the first and the sixth head the most :star:
your studies going good *thumbup*

[meddling kid]

your line drawing studies are very good - however, your shading/ colour studies still lack the same confidence - which is fine - that's the correct order! It seems your tone balance still needs refining - your darks and lights are too far apart at the moment. What I tend to do is "leave" the highlight areas light, and slowly bring colour and shadow/ dark tone up to a comfortable level. Then I begin working the highlighted areas down a bit - then I look at the piece after a day or two, and deepen and lighten when necessary - judging from the line studies, you're not too far away from consistantly good work - keep at it

[frog from itchy]

latest:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/head-14.jpg

[Kian]

Some really cool work here :)
All i can suggest with the digital work, is keep your brush as big as possible for as long as possible!

[kasblue]

beautiful work. really neat studies. love the details. you're putting in good effort.

[Joey-b]

Niceee, The buffalo and that lost one are very very nice

[frog from itchy]

A few more.

A newscaster doodled while watching TV:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/TV-sketch-05.jpg

A still from Indiana Jones:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/indy-1.jpg

And a character design for Dorian Gray, complete with rotting portrait:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/dorian-2.jpg

Might turn the last one into something more finished.

[frog from itchy]

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/head-15.jpg

[vinay vikram singh]

Nice studies... good work...

[frog from itchy]

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/Fabio.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/life-05.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/face-26.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/sfumato-1.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/face-31.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/head-16.jpg

[Mischeviouslittleelf]

Hey man, good start here, but I think you are going about the learning buisness a bit wrong. First thing you need to learn are some different techniques of drawing, then a bit more of anatomy, and then you should start study some more colours I think. THere is a lot of potential in your effort, but be sure to apply your enthusiasm to the right places;)

-E

[frog from itchy]

First thing you need to learn are some different techniques of drawing, then a bit more of anatomy, and then you should start study some more colours I think.
-E

In the humblest possible way, I'm puzzled by your suggestions - it seems I'm already doing those things?

It might just be a misunderstanding, and I would happily accept a critique that I can understand clearly, so if you could explain in a way I can understand that would be great :D

[frog from itchy]

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/life-07.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/life-06.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/life-08.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/keith.jpg

[frog from itchy]

Some character designs:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/infantry-1.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/infantry-2.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/cavalry-01.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/character-06.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/character-07.jpg


A sketch from photo ref:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/hendrix.jpg

Some roughs for a painting:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/tentacles-thumb-1.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/tentacles-thumb-2.jpg

And the finished thing, with a nod to Aly Fell (AKA Poshspice):

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/death-star.jpg

[frog from itchy]

Some sketches and studies:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/fisherman-02.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/hill-walkers.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/self-portrait-02.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/eyes-close-up-01.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/torso-01.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/torso-03.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/head-17.jpg

And finally some character designs, these were done for advertising agencies for potential use on campaigns:

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/character-3.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/character-render-01-lores.jpg

[frog from itchy]

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/face-44.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/face-46.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/face-45.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/face-43.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/crocodile-eye.jpg

http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/sketches/cast-1.jpg