.:FraserMcT - 14th March -Bus sketches, Hands, Bouguereau and Zombie Selfportrait:.

[FraserMcT]

Hey guys. This thread will be over 100 pages long, just you wait....

Little thing:
Name - Fraser
Age - 18
Location - Scotland
Occupation -Graphics Student

[chriis.zed]

nice start mate. liking the bridgemen studies. Another great book is Andrew Loomis Figure Drawing for all its worth, definitely recommend that one.

great start to the sketchbook keep it up :)

[Φ phil]

nice dude! good hand study (the very first one looks odd though…)
I hope being in the same SSG will motivate ourselves to draw harder!
speaking of hard work, your portraits need some. But your dedications good so I dont worry bout you! and why do I have the feeling of recognizing your sketchz ;)

cheers

keep it coming

[FraserMcT]

Chriss.zed: Thanks a lot for my first comment :)
bigfootrooper: Thanks for the comment. I agree, and get ready for some longer portraits. :)

Here is some more stuff. Oil paints, Acrylics, Pencils, Pen and paper. (all of these were pretty short time wise) The skull was on the thinnest paper known to man.

[Man Made God]

Where in Scotland?

Alright, couple of things...

The pencils could use more contrast, they lack dark values especially when compared to the pen drawings.

You can get a Wacom Bamboo for just over £50. They are only A6 and they lack some of the extras, but they are really good value, better than what I had for 2 years.

The studies are great. Try and get into of the habit of drawing from your mind too. You don't have to post the crappier stuff you do, but it gets ideas flowing.

In my opinion, gesture and figure are better starting points than anatomy and features. Try and do gesture studies too, and focus on visualising force and volume. You can get more done and the anatomy and feature studies can be applied on top.

Keep it up!

[FraserMcT]

Aberdeen ;)
And yeah, I have thought about a tablet, but I can't afford one (not even a cheap one (I crashed my car into a bmw :( ) I like traditional right now anyway. I love getting my hands dirty. Thanks a lot for the comment. And I do draw doodles from my mind, but I don't have a lot of thoughts that I have the skill to draw yet.
Thanks for the tips. :D

[walnut]

What ManMadGod said. Though you don't really NEED need it a WAcom and PS. If anything, it'd probably spoil you silly. It's spoiled me for sure.

[Φ phil]

the pen still lifes are really nice dude!! the render is cool!
I crashed my car into a bmw
and yeah! thats the right car you crashed in! these fuckn rich pplz:D!
but shitty for you budget…

MOAR

[Dilated]

Nice to see you back in action man
The last tap looks really solid nice work.
If you want to get better at potraits go back to basics, drawing in structure lines etc, I think I need to do it again myself.
Look forward to watching your progress.
again.... :P

[FraserMcT]

Man Made Go: Working on the contrast man. I half blame my scanner, but I know you won't believe me. The pens I adjusted the levels, but when I do that to my pencils they look like ass. Thanks for the comment.
walnut: Thanks for the comment, and yeah, a tablet would be far too much for me right now. I can't even use a pencil half decent yet!
bigfooTrooper: Yeah, I hate rich people. Thanks<3
Dilated: Thanks, thanks and yeah. I am working on faces

Here is some of the stuff. Some I couldn't be bothered scanning. I am taking longer on my sketchbook stuff, and I am gonna actually plan a composition before I start them from now on.
A few drawings of my hand while I was at work. A portrait page, and a figure study. I am annoyed at a few silly mistakes, especially in the portraits. I need to use the gray matter a bit more when drawing.
I am gonna do more painting this week.

[kikindaface]

Hey mate, sorry for not posting here ! Anyway, you did a nice improvment, especially with the last nude drawing, proportions are better than usual ! Keep working on it ! Peace

[FraserMcT]

Walid D - Thanks man dog. <3
Here is a stuff dump. Expect lots of large updates this week as I am on holiday.
In this it includes a long painting (it says 2-3 hours in), it is for the final piece for my garden shit expressive unit. The worst thing is that I feel that in every stroke I make, I learn something, so I wanna start again every time. Ah well. I can't stretch canvas at home.
Everything looks worse here due to my shitty photography skills.
I have done loads more, lot of eyes and stuff. Gonna do an oil portrait this weekend hopefully.
http://i42.tinypic.com/14x0wg0.jpg
The upload manager says it is too big. BLAHSAFAD

[kikindaface]

Nice work ! your bargue studies is cool, maybe try to use a bigger range of values ! The oil iis good, you're thinking about light and shadow ! Now i know that it's hard to mix colors, but it will come with practice, so do more of oils !!! Keep working

[Φ phil]

dude, that is THE shit man! lovin it

is the pot and the shuffle pencil?

[Nrx]

Jesus christ your nailing those observational skills, good shit man, good shit

[Dilated]

cool update man especially the pot and shovel graphite drawing.
things to watch out for is the perpective on the square cup thing and the foot is a little out of proportion, other than that keep it going.

[amarryth]

i like that you're working purely in traditional media.. hold off on that tablet as long as possible.. i know too many people today that pick up a tablet and that's all they ever use.. there is a real difference in the skills you can get from each, and many people that are incredible digital artists can't do shit on paper.. traditional painting will give you a better base for when you finally do go digital.. keep going.. draw everything, use tone, do contours, go to some public place a sketch people from real life.. it's very different than having everything figured out by a photograph.

[FraserMcT]

Long time no post. Gotten a cool new job, have exams, other excuses, etc etc.


http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/Endofschoolstartofart/1.jpg
Second attempt at acrylic. roughly 1 hour. On paper (1:1)
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/Endofschoolstartofart/2.jpg
Oil paint - an hourish. On non primed mdf (this picture is larger than the painting)
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/Endofschoolstartofart/3.jpg
Sharpie on paper
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/Endofschoolstartofart/4.jpg
Pencil sketch, going to be painted. On primed mdf

[kikindaface]

yeah buddy, really nice paintings !! great skills ! i was looking for someone who can teach me to paint with acrylics, and i finally found you :D ! the portraits have some mistakes, especially around the mouth/chin area ! try to check the proportions ! Keep working !

[Φ phil]

moar moar moar!

second walid on the chin, otherwise good! and the poses! yeah!, just keep doing em, they already look good to me (not that that means much :D)

[FraserMcT]

Thanks Walid and Mr. Phil. I have fixed up the chin and some overall proportions, I will get some pics when I finally get around to painting it.


Just got my intuos3 a4. I have got a permanent hard on to how sexy it is.
I did this in about 30 mins. I didn't think at all as I was far too excited lol. Expect shit loads of digital paintings to come.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/1apple2ndjunecopy.png

[kikindaface]

hey buddy ! CONGRAT FOR YOUR INTUOS A4 !! I'm jaleous, lucky bastard :D anyway, now you don't have any excuses to not work your ass off and to be a great concept artist ! do more life painting ! take care !

[FraserMcT]

I'm not lucky, I spent ages saving up for this bitch :P
Thanks for the comment Walid, and I am gonna be working hard, just you wait.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/wacom3rdjunecopy.jpg

[FraserMcT]

Another digital painting. I need more practice. I am gonna do a longer study on Tuesday and take like the whole day. My 'schedule' is packed until then.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/facee3rdjunecopy.jpg

[FraserMcT]

I went back into the apple for another 15 minutes. Better?
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/hgjhfh.jpg?t=1244211069

[kikindaface]

hey dude ! well, first, i think you should only work with b&w refs, to learn about how to manage your brushstrokes, and also to more think about the shape, and to paint more accurately ( you can check the 2 first pages of my sb, it really helped me ) then you can work with colors, and train your mental color pickup skill, which takes a lot of time to fully master ! So first, learn the basics, the b&w painting, brushstrokes, proportions, etc, then colors ! ok buddy ? well, i agree that your new apple is better, but it still have mistakes, and if you work from photo, you should post it too, we could give better crits ! Keep it up !

[FraserMcT]

Thanks Walid for all of the tips. Much appreciated.

Here is one that I remembered to save. I keep on forgetting to save and just painting over stuff lol.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/portrait15thjune.jpg

[kikindaface]

Yeah dude, nice painting ! values looks good ! next time be focused on your brushstrokes, follow the form, work on edges ! nice improvment ! Keep workin on it bro !

[F87]

How do you like your tablet? Seems like you are getting used to it somewhat, great work man! A few pages more in this sketchbook and I bet you will be kicking ass digitally.

[Nrx]

dude your absolutely nailing the form on those heads, all i could suggest to improve them is pushing the polish a little more so the brush strokes dont fuck with composition (maybe stroke with the form? )

but top shit man im impressed

[FraserMcT]

Yey comments :D

- Thanks a lot Walid, I will be focusing on brushstrokes more, and in general just thinking more. I am working too much without thinking of anything, but I am gonna work on this

- I love my tablet F87. And hopefully I will!

- Cheers Nrx. Much appreciated.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/portrait19thjunewip1.jpghttp://i42.tinypic.com/2efuqes.jpg
Just started this one, her mouth is open, which is proving troublesome for me, but I will keep at it. I erased it to start over. Need to work into it all. obviously.
I think the nose looks awesome, but the rest is gonna get better!

[FraserMcT]

testing
http://i39.tinypic.com/fk8iys.jpg

[kikindaface]

hey buddy, more contrast, MORE CONTRAAAAAAAST !!!!!

[FraserMcT]

Ok dokey. I continued the above portrait. How is it?
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/portrait19thcopy.jpg

[OmertA]

Whats up FraserMcT!
some great progression being shown.
She looks hot good work!
Keep having fun drawing/painting -Omerta

[FraserMcT]

Thanks a lot man. I will always have fun!

Started on a Sargent study. About an hour in, maybe more.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/sargstudpro1.jpg

[kikindaface]

Hey dude, nice girl ! For the last painting, a thing that i used to do is to find the darkest, and the lightest values of the painting and to paint them well, then for the other values, you'll always compared them to either the lightest or the darkest ones ! It helped me, so i hope it will help you too ! Take care

[AvisNocturna]

I like how the eyes turned out in the female portrait. Maybe you could still improve when you define some more edges and try to blend the tones, right now you have so many strokes. Maybe try a brush witch higher opacity. Sargent study's looking nice so far, keep it up :)

[laxkor]

Here's a few tip from my experience.

-Usually, the brightest brights appear as speculars on highlights (usually kept as a minimal) so its probably better to block in the mid tones first and then work the shadows. Everything else (the highlights, or stuff above the mid tone) can be done after shadows are in. The trick is to select the right mid-tone, which usually is something out of cast shadows on a plane facing the light.

-Also select the photo references carefully. If the picture doesn't seem to have enough contrast, i.e. many of the known planes are blurred due to overexposed lighting or too many shadows, it is sometimes better to photoshop the reference (brightness/contrast) to see the details.

[ricardowb]

Hi. I'm not as experienced as many around here, but I'll give you a suggestion that might help: when painting in greyscale, instead of only painting with white you can separate 4 or 5 shades of grey and try to block all major forms first and then start blending them all.

keep painting! And posting!

[dU5K]

keep up the work. i can already see that your portraits are improving.

[Elz]

Agreed with above, your portraits have improved so much already, love the painting with the tap in it on the first page though, shiny things look great when painted well :D
Keep up the good work!

[Elz]

Agreed with above, your portraits have improved so much already, love the painting with the tap in it on the first page though, shiny things look great when painted well :D
Keep up the good work!

[FraserMcT]

Thanks to all for the comments.
I apologise for being lazy and not uploading anything, and not drawing nearly as much as I could have/should have.

A lot of thinking, not enough drawing.
Here are 2 pages to show you I am still alive. I really want to do a sketch swap thing, maybe Walid, if you want to do it?

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/Drawing/sketchbook2/76.jpg

[kikindaface]

hey dude, ncice to see you're still alive ! I really like your sketches, especially the girl from the right ! i like the dark contour, with the lighter values inside ! Remind me some wes' stuff ! Btw, what is sketch swap ? anyway, even if i dunno what is it i would like to sketch with ya ! Keep it up and take care !

[FraserMcT]

Like, we exchange addresses, and mail each other a drawing that we did, then we can put it on our wall or whatever. It would be cool to get loads of different peoples art on my wall, and to have my art on theirs.
Thanks for the comment

[Black Spot]

If you want to do portraits, you need to draw more from life to find that inner soul. Get your mates or parents to sit for you. I'd love to see them.

[FraserMcT]

Thanks blackspot, will do. Thanks for bumping this. I will update at least once a week from now on, I swear!
I don't have access to a scanner right now, but here are some photos that I have taken:
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/yey2.png
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/yey7.png
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/DSC_0244.jpg

[FraserMcT]

reference:
http://i38.tinypic.com/73fo7d.jpg
Tested doing a skin texture with brushes on her arm.
1 and a half hours ish.
I should have made her eye darker, and her eyebrow could have been corrected. I only notice these things after I upload :(
I like the bit I cropped, as normal the eye and hair let me down:[ http://i35.tinypic.com/svi4q1.jpg

[FraserMcT]

I did a little bit more, I think it is better.

[latigid]

Hey i really like your traditional stuff something i think i really need to get on! and your digital stuff is coming along in leaps and bounds keep at it

[FraserMcT]

Thanks latigid. Much appreciated.

Steps:
798754
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=798754
Posted for this thread:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=169392
Please contribute to it!

[FraserMcT]

Another photo study. This one was quick. 45 mins for both.

[FraserMcT]

And steps, I forgot to post these, and I forgot to make new layers for the second guy. duuuuhhh

[FraserMcT]

some sketches. Trying different methods. The third works best for me(considering outcome and time taken), which is thinking abstract. I will try some more.

[FraserMcT]

I should just wait until the end of the day to update.
I will do that tomorrow.

Also, it seems that I either get a half decent body, or a half decent face. Never both.

[Φ phil]

big fan of your photography! yay!

good updating. suit pose study. you seem to get more comfortable with proportions. great:)!

thanks for the yell in! and yeah I guess the ssg is somewhat alive:P

[FraserMcT]

Comment, WOOT
Thanks man, a little more comfortable, still having issues though.
Hope you stop by again sometime..

Some sketches for today. Art and me aren't getting on well today. So I am leaving it at that for tonight.

[FraserMcT]

I think today was better than yesterday.

[Φ phil]

I think its good that you keep your values close together to start out. your much more in control and you dont go to dark too early. but its not done yet:) dont be afraid to kick in the darker values and the highlights. ( you will be able to handle form better) just approach em slowly and find out how far you can go. I hope that makes sense, my english is bad today:P

Φ

[FraserMcT]

Thanks man. Yeah, I think I will do some longer stuff soon, although I seem to enjoy sketching more...

[Φ phil]

cool man, i think you placed the facial features quite well. though, the mouth seems to be too much on the right. if you flip your img horizontally, you can tackle such issues without much pain:)
now, bout painting, heres a little trick. I guess its just taste and personal way of working, but I found that working from a non-white background was extremely helpful. I usually start with somewhat between 40% 60% black. then I add the darks first before I work into so lighter tones. to finish it up, I add highlights. I guess this way you have your value range under control. also, you dont risk ending up with annoying white spots. just a hint, try it if you want:)

[FraserMcT]

Thanks for the tips. I completely forgot about the flipping, I need to do that more, as it really does help!
I just did a little colour piece. Cropped, as the eyes are positioned wrongly on the face (I HATE EYES), however it looks not too bad when cropped like so:

Oh yeah, I got a tattoo today aswell, check it out!:
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/cheeky.jpg

I also went to the art gallery in my town today. I was surprised to see some Sargent pieces, and a lot of Raeburn paintings. I will take my sketchbook in some time and throw down some lines.

[FraserMcT]

Stop being so lazy god damn it.

[Φ phil]

look at that, your growing with every piece, very nice. I find th last one def. very interesting. I took me a while to figure out if the rather dark values bothered me:D but no, it actually works. though, I recommend to bring it a little more up by adding more light tones? you choose, keep rockin (EDIT: sexy tat, sexy mofo!" lol!)

[Black Spot]

Looking at page 2, I think you need to learn how the body works together so it doesn't turn into a lump. I'm not one for insisting on intimate knowledge of anatomy, but just some thought going into a sketch. We all learn in different ways, but relying on photo reference to get it right can lead to a dead end. Now work what you've learnt about form into your imaginative bits.

[FraserMcT]

I have been enjoying having fun recently, but I cant slack on art, or else my work will get from bad, to worse. So here is a little sketch to keep up my digi skills. I sketch with a pen during lectures, mostly faces(unreffed) I'll try to scan them some time.
Blackspot: Thanks for the tips. I need to do a lot more figure work before I even feel relatively comfortable doing it.
Phil - Cheers!

[FraserMcT]

Decided to take it further.

[FraserMcT]

anddddd my attempt at colour. A few colour layers, and a few overlayers, then a few straight painting in colour layers. I prefer the b&w personally....
I obviously needed to spend a lot more time on the hair, jacket and hand.

[Black Spot]

You told me to work in grey scale and I'm telling you start with colour to get more familiar with it. Colour values can look very different to grey ones. Maybe we'll meet in the middle.

[FraserMcT]

Thanks for the comment blackspot, I will keep that in mind.
Done a few things, but didn't save them because they sucked / and I was just testing stuff out.
Here is a quick selfportrait.

[Black Spot]

I'm a firm believer that SP's should look you in the eye. You need to address what you see in the mirror not a photo where half the work is already done. It's tough being honest with yourself about yourself, but when you can reach there and touch it, that's when the magic starts. I'm still lying - are you?

[FraserMcT]

I'm not gonna lie, you just confused the shit out of me. But, ok. I will try with a mirror next time. haha
I have also started drawing on the bus in the morning. Good fun, and good practice. Although it can be quite shaky. Not gonna upload them, as I still see improvement with every one I do, when I slow down with the quick sketches, then I will ask for help. :)

[FraserMcT]

I did a painting for the secret santa thing, but A. Forgot to take a photo B. Can't show you it anyway
I just did some thumbnails, I dunno if they will make sense to anyone else, but I thought I might aswell show you. Everything from mind obviously.
Top left is a miners cave environment. The second is a plane fight. Third is a monster in a city. 4th is a face. 5th is a face. 6th is a face off in a forest. But looks shit, just like the other 5. haha

[FraserMcT]

Colour study. I am not used to using the colour window instead of the foreground colour picker. If that made sense. Using HSB, I think it makes it easier to control saturation.
There is something about her eyes I just cant get right...

[Cranberry]

Definitely seeing a lot of improvement in here! I subscribed, so keep it coming!

Greets, Cran

[merrycarousel]

ditto with cranberry!

nice colouring on your latest update.. the proportion looks pretty good, although the lips are a little 'tilted' as if the girl slightly facing to the right instead. easy way to spot it is that the centre of the nose does not line up with the dip in the upper lip. as for the eyes, hmm, the only thing i can spot is the eye on the left should match the right side one more.... i'm also learning, so i can't comment much on that. hopefully someone with better knowledge could help you out.

for your thumbnail, be careful with the distance in their features. like, the top right guy's mouth is too low/far away from his nose. i used to make that mistake a lot, so though i'd mention.

keep on posting!

[Kevin_McDowell]

Hey thanks for visiting my SB. This is my favorite of your work. Very nice.


http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa249/Frazart/portrait19thcopy.jpg

[avocado]

your sketchbook is looking good, keep it up!

though to practice color more, i would give yourself a couple of colors and dont go into the color picker unless you have to, until your well into the painting.

im just starting to learn about color so im not sure if thats even sound advice or if you are already doing that... but regardless. keep up the good practice!

[gabs]

i love your digital stuff! It's incredible how seemingly easy you can blend and draw people using your tablet. I like that you show the different stages, cause most people just put up the finished product...
I'm getting one soon, and am a complete noob. Got any suggestions on how to learn to draw on it? And got any opinions of my figures in my sb...*hint hint*...? :)

[FraserMcT]

gabs - Thanks. I don't have any tips, as I don't believe I am anywhere near good yet. I would advise checking out the photoshop section though, as that helps tons.
Comment returned.
As I said, I had another go at that figure. I think it is 110 x better. Started completely from scratch again, instead of reusing the sketch.
Just looking at the difference side by side is amazing imo. I have learnt a huge amount from these last two paintings.
I need to remember to flip my images. Every time I do, I notice so much. And need to remember to zoom out.
The neck is still shit agahgjks And the stomach is shit too aghksjkld
But it is still way better, so I am quite pleased. Better, but still shit.. haha
http://i45.tinypic.com/ekf2fo.jpg
I just noticed I screwed up the headsize, and arm length. In fact, I don't think I made my canvas tall enough. Oh well, Live and learn as they say.

[FraserMcT]

Fixed up most of the errors. Might do her face and hair tomorrow.
And a quick sketch. She is sitting in some reddish rocks, hence her bright colour. Might fix up the errors and paint more another day.

[aguilas990]

Cool work, you seem to be going in the right direction! I paint mostly from photographs too, but I think it's good to do some life sketching as well!

Also something i picked up from Jason Chan's downloads, he always makes sure his values are right in black and white before he goes in with colors on overlay layers. It really simplified it for me and I think it will help you transition to full color

keep it up

[drd]

I also went to the art gallery in my town today. I was surprised to see some Sargent pieces, and a lot of Raeburn paintings. I will take my sketchbook in some time and throw down some lines.

mmm, I love Raeburn. Really great portrait painter. There were some Raeburns in in a museum down in Sarasota I saw not too long ago.

I really like this sketchbook. Some points on this last study; you need to just up and shift her entire head over quite a ways, its way to far to the left, and this is what's mainly making it look off. You can see that, if you draw a line straight up from the leftmost side of that shape of yellow light on her left breast (our right), it would line up with the side of her mouth and the depression in the middle of the bottom of the neck. Straight up shifting everything over some would fix a lot right there.

Good sketchbook dude, enjoyin it.

[scottishmidget]

Hey Frasier, Merry Christmas. :) Correct me if I'm wrong but I dont think I left a comment before.

Your seriously working hard! The digitals are improving quicky - keep at it. :D

The only thing I can really say is seeing some more traditional painting would be cool - the ones on the first page are looking great. :)

[FraserMcT]

aguilas990 - Thanks for the tips. I have tried doing colour overlay layers, however I prefer to paint straight into colour when doing colour, as it not only helps digital, but also traditional painting alla prima. Cheers for dropping in.


drd - Wow, thanks mucho for the comment. I never noticed these things until you pointed them out. I definitely need to be more careful with things! And I agree, Raeburn has some kickass portraits. There is a whole room dedicated to his stuff in Aberdeen. Must be almost 40 paintings by him there.
Thanks again!

scottishmidget - I can't remember seeing you before. Thanks for giving me a a comment. And yes, I should do more traditional painting. I guess I am just lazy in that sense. I hate tidying up.

Comments returned to all. Here are my latest sketchbook pages. Some sketches suck, and I don't get why some of them really don't work(note:pic3, the full page head). I am fairly pleased with a few of them. Need to sketch more! Some reffed, some head, some from people I look up to. I think using the side of the pencil definitely works for me also. I feel more confident using it.

[alexson]

Hey nice sketchbook you have here! Your rendering on your digital pieces is steadily improving! And your sketches is also looking good, don't be too hard on yourself :)
Have you done any stuff from the Loomis books? On some of your pieces it seems you have some trouble with the construction of the head, Loomis book "drawing the head and hands" helped me a lot at least.
Also, I don't know if this is a widely knowned theory but don't draw to many celebrities etc. you might get too hung up on nailing the likeness and that is hard, it may get you discouraged to finish them. PBase.com (http://www.pbase.com/galleries?view=popular&period=all) has alot of portrait gallerys if you look around some. That is what I use when I do my studies.
Anyway looking great, keep up the good work!

[Φ phil]

hey man,happy new year to you as well! hows it going?

good sketching. and yeah, I need to sketch more too. I dont know what it is with me, everyday I go to myself: " -do you like to draw? -yes -so why dont you sketch for a minute or 2? -ah Im lazy"…… :/ anyhow, I guess it comes after sketching everyday over and over again. sometimes we need to force ourselves a little. but youre not alone:)

back to your drawings, I like a lot of them, specially the second last page. I dont get why that should be a "fail" as you type below it ;) dont be that hard with yourself! I mean it would be a different story if you spent days and days on that :)
about page 3, the face that "fails on so many levels" :D I get why you dont like it that much. I cant point out concrete mistakes (maybe the nose and the forehead appear really flat?) but hey, its a face: one of the more challenging things you can draw ;) so all I can say is: cheer up and draw another face…and then another one and another one…i think you get the point! keep up the good work

(no idea why I ended up writing that much without giving you some serious help, but if it only helps a little, it was worth it:) cheers)

[Saska Ithiur]

Great SB you have! :)
I think the face you said you failed with has some problems with the nose length and the eyes that are a bit crooked and small.
Your digital paintings are very good, if you have problems with the colour you might find some tutorials, just keep in mind that skin has a lot of different colours in it, especially with different light sources, so try a bit of everything. :)

[trexmaster]

Your stuff is very good! I especially like how you rendered in the shading!

[OmertA]

digging the pencils man my favorite would have to be the portrait right under the hands holding the apple.
keep it up
have a good one
-Jamie

[FraserMcT]

Commented everyones sketchbooks, and thanks for the comments.
I will reply later, but I am in a rush. Sorry!

[FraserMcT]

alexson - Thanks :) Steadily improving, but I still find it slow and quite difficult. But I am combating it haha.
I haven't studied Loomis yet, I have skimmed through a few of his books, but not enough to actually get anything from them. I will get to it soon, I promise. :) Thanks.

Φ phil - Haha, thanks. It did help. And I write fail because when I do a really bad drawing, it annoys me. Hence why I am annoyed a lot of the time. But we all suck in the beginning, so at least I have something to look forward to.

Saska Ithiur - Thanks :) I think you are right with the failed face. I noticed the eyes were small, but not the other points. Thanks for pointing them out. And I don't think I am too bad with colour. I get the values fairly close most of the time when painting straight into colour. But I need to work on controlling my saturation range. I definately need to look at different light sources though. Cheers for the comment.

trexmaster - Thanks

Omerta - Thanks a lot. I love your pencils, so that comment means a lot. Cheers.

And I did a quick digital painting. Mainly trying out another way of working. Worked ok, but didn't go to plan. Need to play with painting textures. All mine look similar. Painted straight into colour, but I think it is ok value wise. I painted the reflected light at the bottom a bit too bright though.

[FraserMcT]

quick one from head:
871430
And a Kchen study.
871431

[Eddieee]

Watch the proportion on the figures.

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=871429&d=1262677287

Head's kinda big on this one

Keep up the studies, Kevin Chen is the man! His anatomy thread's really useful. Keep it up, good progress so far.

[kikindaface]

Hey dude ! I find the painting of the aple really great, the portrait from head too, i find that the proportions are really goos, the features are nice ! tho i think you could improve the jaw line a bit ! For the figure studies, there are some proportions' mistakes ! Try to make a line for the shoulder's angle and the hips angle, it's help yo to have a better gesture, then, , watch out the negative space, and fix them ! Keep it up dude !

[andres333]

Nice SB!
I think you should focus more on gesture, I mean when drawing from a photo or a master study, you should try to feel the gesture, try to represent the gesture only in a couple of lines, a couple of lines full of life.
keep it up!

[merrycarousel]

liking the colour studies! the girl that you sketched from imagination is pretty good too, in the sense that she looks alive, with attitude. at the same time, her softness is in her hair, the roundness of her face shows that she can be gentle and tender as well. try to finish it! apply what you learnt so far on her... the bones and muscle beneath, how light will wrap around the form, and the choice of colours too.

[Kambei Shimada]

Nice sketchbook,


Good to see your trying different things.

Some of the figure studies are really nice.

Keep on posting and i'll keep commenting.

Kambei.

[Roia]

Lovelovelove your stuff :D The lines are really smooth!

[FraserMcT]

Eddieee - Thanks for the comment. I need to pay more attention about everything in general haha. Oh well, I'm sure I will get better with more practice :)

kikindaface - Thanks for your kind works, and your crit. I see people doing the lines for the shoulders and hips like bridgman, I always forget. More things I need to pay attention of when drawing haha. My head is gonna explode. So much to learn, so little time. I don't think the rest of my life will be enough, it never is. But hey, if I don't try, then I will never find out!

andres333 - cheers for the tips. I am doing life drawing in a month or so, so hopefully the tutors will help me there. I need to get into more of a routine when drawing. I think it will make it easier to improve.

merrycarousel - Thanks mucho. I like her, I would continue, but I hope I will be more informed soon to make a better drawing to focus time on. I always feel this way, I guess that is why I don't do many finished works.

Kambei Shimada - Thanks for the comment, and I hope you do come back for a visit!

Roia - Thanks man/woman! hehe

Comments returned to all.


I have started doing Loomis Head and Hands, like someone told me to earlier. I find his way quite difficult, but I will soldier on and hopefully it will become easier.
880480
First one, and oil painting of coro. I used a the largest brush I had on the smalled gessod board I had to try and make me work from big to small.
880481
Definately my best oil painting of a head yet. I need to take a lot of care when mixing paints. I find it very difficult, but I believe it is meant to get easier with practice. I didn't put in a background because I didn't feel like it... haha

Pen until I say.
Just drawing really., and then loomis.
880482
880483
880484
880485
Acrylic head and pencil bot (from head)
880486
Landscape speedie. I am happy, considering I never do lanscapes. I want to do a lot more.
880487

[FraserMcT]

Here is one of the drawings from today. I definitely need to do some leg studies. Every time I do them, I need to think ridiculous amounts compared to the other body parts. Ribcage is another must study part.
ref:http://www.gracefulnudes.com/Galleries/mplstudio_tiffany_feels_like_fall/tiffany_fall-006.jpg (i forgot to flip it back).

[GoGoJojo]

Woah, I did a double take at the girl with the giraffe, it kinda looks like me!! those studies are lookin real good there. I don't know what else I can say besides that.

[Turbosnail]

Nice SB Fraser!! Your pose studies are definitely showing progress. The leg length in post #105 is much more realistic than in a couple of your earlier studies. Keep up the good work my Scottish brother!!

[artistcaleb]

Nice work man!

[Keeviin]

You're coming along nicely, I also just started with the Loomis heads, they're great! I recommend you also check out Loomis' figure drawing (http://www.scribd.com/doc/255814/Andrew-Loomis-Figure-Drawing), it'll do a lot to your proportions.

best wishes

[FraserMcT]

GoGoJojo - Haha, cool! Thanks :D
Turbosnail - Cheers. I still have a lot of trouble with figures, especially the legs. I'm glad there is a bit of improvement! hehe
artistcaleb - Thanks
Keeviin - Thanks for the comment. I'm not really a fan of Loomis's method of creating figures, I don't think it suits with my way of drawing, bridgman seems to agree more with me. I'm sure I will give it another try someday though, it can't hurt :D


Comments given to everyone's sketchbook.

As for my art, I have done quite a bit, at least it has felt like it. I have set up a little studio type thing in my loft today. It is cold up there, but at least there is room to breathe. Lighting is a bit annoying, but again, it is better than my bedroom.
I went out to the art gallery yesterday with my friend, and we both did some sketching. Was awesome fun. My friend got 4 guys chatting her up, so I am glad I am a guy, so I got peace and quiet! haha
Heres two pics of my set up, only thing is that I am too far away, easy to fix haha:
886115
886116

Anyhoo, heres some stuff:
First is a pen drawing of the same ref as above
886117
More pen fun:

886118
886119

Pencil fun (I prefer using pen now, haha):
886120
886121

Pencil from life and a mirror:
886133

And pen from life at the art gallery (painting, then two sculptures) I should have spent more time drawing, instead of wandering about looking at paintings:
886122
886123
886124

I hate charcoal, but I am liking it more now. Both copies from a book:
886125

Finally, that felt like the upload took days haha

[GoGoJojo]

No need to comment back, I just wanted to say that I like YOUR line quality. I'll keep looking here to make sure I catch up!

[Anid Maro]

Hey man, I was just checking on who dropped me a "thanks" and happened upon your sketchbook.

I have to say you've made some progress in the past year, and progress always deserves applause. My personal motto is, "so long as I'm improving, the work is worth doing". And you've done well in that respect.

However for the present, I was looking at one of your more recent referenced drawings (second down in post #97, the FemJoy sample) and noted that you could do with some better observation. As far as I can see it would seem as though you had placed the lines of your drawing as quickly as possible and did not care to re-check them, this is a fatal mistake.

Comparing your drawing to your reference, I can readily state the following:

- The space between her thighs far exceeds that of the reference, by at least double.
- Her left breast (the one that can be seen) is not nearly as pointed as you had represented, it is more round from the viewed angle than anything else.
- You drew her face more flat than is represented in the photo, although that may not have been a primary concern considering the lack of detail.
- The lady's left arm (the straight one on the right) was drawn somewhat longer than what was depicted in the reference picture.

And that's just what I could notice off the cuff. Not that you did poorly, per se, but rather that I think you could do with a lil' more time studying the reference.

Go ahead and tackle the reference as you do now, but once you do so take a 5 to 10 minute break. Once you do so, compare your drawing to your reference and make adjustments as necessary. This will help you see as an artist does, as opposed to merely seeing as a layman does.

A very important aspect to art, be it drawing or painting or whatever, is to be able to see as an artist. Seeing as an artist entails not just looking at a subject as an ordinary person might, but removing oneself from the subject in order to view it in the abstract. That means measuring the space between a woman's thighs in centimeters as opposed to what you think the distance might be, or curving a woman's breast as what is actual as opposed to the impression you received, or drawing a woman's arm as long as what it is as opposed to swore was true.

So take the time, after you have drawn your subject, to double-check whether or not the proportions and dimensions are correct. If need be, use any tricks you can think of to help you view your drawing truthfully (e.g. digitally you can flip the canvas horizontally, if you're drawing in pencil then turn the page around and view it before a light), but just make sure to re-check your drawing for accuracy.

As I said, I think you've made great progress and you have done well so far. However I believe your next step is more accurate observation.

[FraserMcT]

GoGoJojo - Thanks, and I am not far ahead at all, if I'm even ahead at all!

Anid Maro - Thanks again, seem to be thanking you a bit haha. Just want to say thanks for putting out a lot of helpful posts recently. I does go noticed.
And much appreciated for your post. Very helpful. I need to be much more aware of observing. In this post for example, I thought my second guy was great, until I flipped it in photoshop, and I facepalmed! Had the features positioned way too far to the right. Mouth is too far up, chin too low. Right side of chin is wrong shape. Left eye is a bit wrong shape. His forehead isn't dark enough, and I didn't manage to get the form to read like the photo. Depressing really.
I took a break in that too, hmph. I guess it just needs more practice and thinking.
I tried the light trick, but it doesn't really work on the thick paper that is moleskine. Oh well. Serves me right for loving it silky smooth texture.
Thank you very much for taking the time!

I started a new moleskine the other day. I am trying to change one thing every two pages, for example:
Female portrait in graphite:
893092
Male portraits in graphite:
893098
Could be figures next, or a medium switchup. I think this will be quite beneficial to get me to try new things!

[latigid]

Nice improvement since i last visited i really like the charcoal portraits just tried charcoal myself for the first time and that stuff is hard to use! Keep on trucking!

[Φ phil]

this is not true…THIS CANT bE HAPPENING…I just wrote a fucking long comment and then my browser rapes my brain by crashing and deleting all the wisdom :D haha, so here we go again:

Nice portraits bud! I digg that one (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=880480&d=1263581656) making stuff work with simple, big strokes is really cool.

a point of critique about the last post would be: the left one (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=893092&d=1264949568) appears flat. I know its hard when you draw a face that is shows the front view. but try to get the planes and that stuff going. model it as if is was made of sculpey (or however that stuff is called) :)

also, the landscape a few posts back: you kinda tried to pump in a ton of detail. but your values a pretty much the same all over the piece, thus leading to a flat appearance. for a start, try to keep a landscape as simple as possible. its not worth painting 100 stones or so. I hope you get what I mean.

g, not so long after all. I forgot what I was going to say before I lost the post. now Im really tired. haha, I think this post reads as if an eight year old wrote it. Ill edit it if I remember more……these fucking browsers! Im telling you! ;)

[Turbosnail]

Nice updates Fraser!! I think the sketch of the girl with long hair (post#113) needs tweaking. The bottom part of her nose looks ok, but as it rises to the bridge it looks off-set. Love pic on the easel btw. Keep pushing yourself my friend.

[FraserMcT]

latigid - Thanks! Charcoal is hard, I have to use it more often now, it is growing on me. I need to be much lighter handed though haha.
Φ phil - Got to hate it when that happens. yeah, landscapes are savage, I dunno why I don't draw more of them. It would make sense considering that I love looking at them. Thanks mucho for the crit though!
Turbosnail - Thanks mate. I find hair quite difficult. I need to simplify forms on the hair, that is my major problem. The easel pic didn't turn out as good as I wanted, I noticed quite late on how mad some of my shapes were. Oh well! I will do better next time.

Comments returned to all.

Here is some updates. I reworked a few of the sb portraits and did a few figures.
I also started lifedrawing today. So every wednesday we will be doing that for a few months. Very fun to be drawing on A2.
Nice to have a person there saying things and critiquing. Although I would much prefer if he was harsher, as he seemed to only concentrate on the good things, and never on the bad :/
Anyhoo, heres some stuff.
2 minute poses. There are 3 here, but I drew over the faint lines with the other 2. lol
I found the short poses the hardest. I need to prioritise.
896150
Next, a 30 min pose where we could do what we wanted. I went fast, and got quite a bit of tone in. However I should have focused more on form, and been more careful proportionally.
896151
And a 20 min pose, where the model seemed to be very uncomfortable
I like the arms.
896152

Drawings from life of paintings at the local art gallery Bout 45mins on each. I'm gonna go back and finish these off sometime. Maybe.
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Sketchbook pages.
896157

The two sb portraits modified a bit.
896160
896162

[donalfall]

Love the improvement visible on just this page alone. Hard work pays off. The last few SB pages are great, the two girls (black/white stripes and rope) are a massive level up on your last ones from reference. I'm impressed.

[OmertA]

keep it up man really like the painting of the apple really good colors there
if you dont already you should get your hands on some Bridgemen books think theres some free ones on the net
looking forward to seeing more of your progession
have a good one
-Jamie

[FraserMcT]

donalfall - I know right! I haven't worked nearly as hard as what I could have, and I see a large improvement too. If I work harder, I reckon it could be even better! Thanks for the comment.
OmertA - I got some, but haven't had the time to properly go through it. Thanks!

Here is some sb pages. These are pretty quick, apart from my moleskine. 2 Male figures. I like them!

[FraserMcT]

I couldn't sleep, so I did a painting instead.
A bit less than 2 hours. Photo reffed.
900424
Steps:
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/3420/howididit.gif

[mike butkus]

Terrific sketch book! Keep it up, i look forward to new posts.

[FraserMcT]

Thank you very much Mike. It means loads hearing it from an inspiring artist such as yourself.

Another life drawing session this week. Unfortunatly she was late, but I modeled (clothed) for about 20 minutes and she turned up, so we still got some drawing done. Oh yeah, also ran out of newsprint so had to use a3 cartridge. blah. Not fun with charcoal....
First one on newsprint, second not. I don't like the second one, although I got a really good likeness in her face, even though you don't see much of it haha. Sounds weird I know, but that is what I am happy about
903737
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Drawings on the bus. 1 of a guy reading his magazine, and 2ndpage is bridgman studies.
903741
2 sketches from the art gallery. One of a sargent portrait, and second of a sculpture. Not happy with that one, I was really messy value wise, and didn't simplify enough.
903744
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Last, a quick painting in acrylic. Focussing on having fun.
903749

[FraserMcT]

I don't normally do things like this, but here is a quick spaceship. I did a few, but they looked soooo bad that I just drew over them.
I found it really interesting. Made me think loads. I need to work on these haha.

[Osau]

Fantastic sketchbook, really phenomenal. Your renders in graphite are very impressive in particular.
100 pages? Do it. I'll give you at least two pieces of apple pie if you do.

[NicG]

Hi! Like your sketchbook! Especially the pics from your Moleskine on page 4. Your portraits are looking pretty good.

[FraserMcT]

Hey you two, thanks for the comments.

Osau- Thanks, 100 it will be! And I like pie, so motivation + 1. Cheers for stopping by.
NicG - Thanks. They are what I have practised most, so I'm glad it shows. Now to bring everything else up to that standard, and raise everything after that. hehe

Here is a painting of a space ship again. Started with shapes and built up. I find it very brain tingling to have to keep everything symmetrical and in 3d (still some problems, need to fix quite a few things, including a lot of cast shadows, and a lot of things with the wings). Very fun to just render things as I want. I think it is going pretty good, I will go back to it.

[FraserMcT]

RAGE:
907656
It was from life, on a laptop. It wouldn't let me print screen.
And a quick landscape.
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Oh, and a photomanip, of a photo of me, taken by me.
907653

[FraserMcT]

Here's another painting. This one was straight into colour. Fun, but difficult.
I neeeed to go sleep now............
Tried to get a mysterious mood. And was trying to get my brush strokes to describe the form. Need to pay more attention to things. blah blah blah
907979

[NicG]

I know the feeling. I like portraits, too. The spaceship is pretty cool and I like the new painting.

[FraserMcT]

Thanks NicG, comment returned.

Here is my bunch of stuff for today.

Some very quick clothed females
908657
Here are some ideas for more finished pieces. For college, but I am gonna do them in pencil and hopefully oils later on. All from imagination.
908658
Zoom:
908659
Life drawing, conte crayons. A2(15 mins):
908661
Skeleton life drawing in pencil. A2 (forearm fail)(about 45 mins):
908660
Oil painting from life, first this year and many to come. Little bit bigger than A5 (about an hour?)
908662
Zoom:
908663

[Φ phil]

hey man, hows it going?

sorry for not commenting for a long time. there certainly has happened good stuff since my last post in here. I like where your figure drawing is going. What you should try to do is to see the shape of the figure. the whole figure--> the silhouette. if you get that right, your drawing will read more clearly. to see only the shape of a figure is obviously not that easy as your eye also sees all the crazy flesh tones and highlights and whatsoever! but you can force yourself to learn to see the shape and get away from a linear world by taking a piece of charcoal and literally "blocking in" the silhouette. once you are happy with that you can go back to lines. but your perception will have changed, now you will try to draw the outlines of a shape, not some crazy unrelated lines in space. if you think about it, the world around us is made up of shapes anyways, not lines.

this will make much more sense if you try it. :P

I hope I didn't confuse you. "try to see that shape" I guess thats my message in this comment:P

EDIT: the thing I want to say is hovering very clearly in my head, but man! the english language is hittin hard on me today :/

EDIT: EDIT: XD that still life is great, keep doing more of them!

[Φ phil]

double post…blah!

[Turbosnail]

Nice updates Fraser. Really like the portrait in post# 129. Keep pushing yourself my friend!!

[GoGoJojo]

RAGE is right. When ever that happens, I make basically what is that "FFFFFUUUUUUUUU..." face. It was beautiful while you had it, at least.

[Istmin52]

Keep posting more work. Your in the right direction for someone who is 18. Keep practicing your values and tones. It looks like it is paying off.

[FraserMcT]

Φ phil - Thanks a lot for the comment dude. Much appreciated, and mega help. <3 I however can't just do what I like in the life drawing sessions. Our 'tutor' tells us what to do. For example, we had to use one line for 4 poses, which I thought was uber pointless, but whatever. Thanks anyhoo.

Turbosnail - Thanks! Will do

GoGoJojo - I know, I was sooo pissed. Thanks.

Istmin52 - Cheers, I'm working on it.

Here is another oil paint. Parts I like, parts I don't. I really need to get a cardboard box and some black paint so I can actually have a black background, instead of just doing one anyway. It was white, but changed things accordingly. I like the bit I'm showing you the detail shot on. Need to think more of temperature shifts. blah blah blah.
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[Nrx]

Well man i feel like a dick because i cant give you as indepth crit as you gave me but anyway,

well many your painting skills are fucking awesome your drawing skills are great, they could use work if you want to be able to draw amazingly but if you ever look at the impressionists sketchbooks n such they wernt the best pencil draftsment, pencils just a tool for recording ideas more so i think these days, i think your right to focus on painting rendering n using pencil to learn.

so for the draftman ship i think your really setting a excellent example, just keep working your ass off, experiment too look from alot of differnt sources n shit all that bullshit they tell you in college.

anyway, here is the big thing i think you've really reached the limit of were your gonna get by painting for paintings sake. look around you you see tons of peeps who do what youve done get good and then just plateu for a few year. i think you need to set your goals higher now and start making actually artwork rather than studies if you know what i mean, think up a really worthy goal put in loads of work and then finally execute that piece. n i dont mean go look up a character of the week topic and aimlessly paint till you get somthing that looks cool.

but again i can see your starting this but i honestly think if you really start using your skills as a tool rather than the ends you'll reach that next level, sorry bout the terrible grammar... really fucking tired!

keep it up homie

[citrusfrukt]

Wow, lots of great stuff here. Seems to quiet a shift in quality between some posts though, are you also suffering from inconsistensy? :D

I don't know if i should be giving advice being that you are clearly a lot better than me but i think your ellipses could really use some polishing as well as your perspective in general. Just cranking out hundreds upon hundreds of ellipses is great if you need a break or as a warmup, i find it really relaxing myself.

Check out this free section of a book by Scott Robertson if you feel like working up your ellipses a bit.

http://books.google.com/books?id=_ErpvrM6NdoC&pg=PA32&lpg=PA32&dq=scott+robertson+ellipse&source=bl&ots=Dbjj_bI4Yv&sig=aN3G97JeW8eekbbE1EBqjIwvx1g&hl=sv&ei=qzqDS-6GKNy_-Qai1OV_&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBQQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=&f=false

[Zorcron]

great work, values are looking spot on i want to see a lot more compositional work

keep up the good fight

[Ariel9]

Hey there :)

This is a great sketchbook, you work hard and you work well. Your painting skills are good (especially in digital, considering you've just started oil painting! But you're in the right direction with that already), even better than your drawing skills to some degree! You definitely have a form-focused mind more than a line-focused mind, which is great and kind of unusual!
The stuff in your Moleskine's really showing all your improvement. I'll be checking you out!

P.S. It also amuses me that you're 18 and a graphics design student like me :)

[mdbauman]

Holy crap man, so much improvement in here. You make me feel so lazy. That last digital paint is just beast.

[FraserMcT]

Nrx - Don't feel like a dick haha. I could definately experiment more and work harder. I have a few finished pieces planned. Sketches done and thoughts explored. Just need to get my ass in gear and do them. I want to get my oil painting skills improved before I do any finished work in that medium. I need to do some figures and faces from life in oils. Thanks! Food for thought!

Citrusfrukt - Don't be silly! You don't need to be a perfect artist to see flaws in art. I have been doing some perspective. A lot of reading, and a lot to take in. Thanks for the comment.

Zorcron - Thanks for the compliments. Will do, cheers :D

Ariel 9 - Hi! Thanks a lot. I kinda wish I wasn't doing the graphics course, and I would have dropped out if it wasn't such a laugh and because of the life drawing classes.

mdbauman - Thanks, I could work a lot harder though. Cheers :D

Not a large update. I am pretty ill. I did some life drawings yesterday though:
5 minutes: The one of her back is particularly awful
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Foreshortening nightmare. I think I made head way too big I cant remember how long, about 15 minutes?
915164

I like this one, was going to be 2 * 10 minutes, but it was 10 minutes, then 2 minutes and a fire alarm. I was pretty annoyed considering it was looking strong for me. Oh well.
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[rossipoo]

Keep it up dude!

[Nrx]

rocking my world dude! but dont wait to make mistakes just make them if you fuck up a finished piece just re do it, how many times did bourgerou make the same painting ? :P

[NicG]

Hi! I like the new paintings. Especially the bottle and glass!

[FraserMcT]

rossipoo - Thanks!
Nrx - haha, cheers. I have got a breif for college, and I am planning to digital paint most of it. It will be my best work yet.
NicG - Thanks man.

I'm just uber psyched for art right now. Bobby Chiu has totally pumped me up.
Got more, but am too psyched to take photos.
WIP:

[Exon-Ion]

Impressive sketchbook, love your oils, keep it up dude! :)

[FraserMcT]

Thanks Exon-Ion. I will hopefully do more oil paints. I did 1 last night, but was too tired/ill to finish it. And I just wasn't thinking about stuff, turned out shit.

Still uber pumped. Now I am gonna start targeting my weaknesses and building a portfolio. Landscapes, cause I suck at them and need to get better.
Weapon designs, to help my imagination and design skills.
Animals was to draw using curves instead of straight lines, Just trying to change things up and see how it goes.
Faces and half body was to test different hatching ways and see what happens haha
Man riding horse- Gonna be a more finished drawing. Will smooth out tones later. Just trying to render it nicely really.
Last one, I think I will leave it there. About an hour and a half, maybe 2. I didn't pay attention to time after the first 45 mins (the post earlier). I noticed a few errors when saving, mainly edges.

[Brushcommander]

Very cool sketchbook! I should also tackle some enrivonments :/

[FraserMcT]

Thanks Brushcommander! Love your sketchbook, beautiful rendering.

I'm pretty hungover today, but have done a few things.
I ruined a sketch today:
http://i47.tinypic.com/2ew2jba.jpg
It looks awful. I totally wrecked her eyes. And she looks 90 because I tried to make it look less 2d. Whatever. Live and learn.

And a photostudy. For this one I worked from the the back toward the front. Was quite fun having a different way of working. I have a list of things to try so that I learn more, and I just ticked that one off!
919618

[Turbosnail]

Nice updates Fraser. The master study in post#149 is looking real good. Keep up the good work my friend!!

[mike butkus]

I love # 28, wonderfully executed, intense, dramatic and

[FraserMcT]

Hey guys. Thanks for the comments!

Turbosnail : Thanks for another comment in my SB. I will swing by yours later and return the favour. Thanks mate.

Mike : Nice to see you revisited. Huge thanks! As I have mentioned so many times, your work is fantastic, I hope to one day be as skilled as yourself.

Here are some things! I am going to hit down on colour from here on in. I keep going grayscale in my comfort zone. What kind of a shitty habit is that?!? I suck at colour, and NEED to get better.
Here is a start. SOOO hard. Like seriously. Spent like an hour on this failure of a piece. Kinda embarrassing, but whatever. The only way is up!
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Start of a bouguereau study. Gonna do it in colour, then glaze down some colour layer. After that, I hope to do it straight into colour. Gonna take a while, but should be worth it. I have learnt a lot from this piece already, and not too much time into it. Exciting!
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And a soon to be colour zombie image. For college. I know there is a large problem with the neck, was gonna be stylised, but decided that was only because I was being lazy. Will fix up proportions tomorrow, and hopefully get some crit. Time for bed.
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Need to do more traditional stuffs. Bought some black fabric for setting up a still life, then hopefully do some longer oil paintings and charcoal drawings. So much to do, so little time. Why do we need sleep?!
Wow, I wrote so much babble. Probably cause I am so pumped for art!

[Vatsel]

Hey man good work with the faces.
Maybe try to do a REALLY polished version once?

Keep it up looks like youre doing the right stuff

[mike butkus]

Looks good!

[FraserMcT]

Vatsel - Cheers for the comment bro. Thanks a lot. Working on a more polished image today. Gonna take this Bouguereau as far as I can.
Thanks again

Mike - Thanks, same to you. haha

Here is a couple more hours on the Bouguereau. Getting there. So much detail, and I am not even on to colour haha. Prob 3 hours all together now.
This guy is insane btw. Seriously a god among men.
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[FraserMcT]

I have done a little more of the Bouguereau study, but have been totally swamped with college work.
Here is something I did for college though, sorry for the link, but the image is transparent so it would look weird with this colour:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/frasermctaggart/t-shirts/4782236-1-reach-out
http://ih1.redbubble.net/work.4782236.1.fig,asphalt,mens,fbfbfb.reach-out.jpg
That image might work though.

[GoGoJojo]

The hand is lovely, you managed the shadows well, so it doesn't look flattened out at all.

[FraserMcT]

Thanks GoGoJojo. Much appreciated :D

Here is what I did today. Spent LOADS of time on it, but had some uber fun (in between photoshop closing randomly (this is the third attempt, the first one was like 2 hours in when photoshop died))
That is a self portait. I will zombify me soon. That is meant to be a bin bag that I am holding... Will refine more another day. The laptop screen is shit compared to this one. So much bad rendering haha

[FraserMcT]

Here is the start of zombification:
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And another tshirt design:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/frasermctaggart/t-shirts/4788997-4-monkboot
http://ih2.redbubble.net/work.4788997.4.ts,482x482,black,mens,fafafa.jpg

[rodriguez]

Hey man looked through your sketchbook, showing some good improvement, keep going. More i need MORE :teeth:

[FraserMcT]

Rodriguez- Thanks! More is always on its way

Bus sketches - I tried flipping it in my mind and drawing with the one facing the other way. Was useful. Makes you think more
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Drawing of my hand-
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Just a page for college. Like the top right.
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Bridgman hands on a5, drawn in car while very nervous (dentist) -
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Zombie taken a bit further, text to be done properly, all to be taken to a higher standard:
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[Turbosnail]

Looking forward to seeing that zombie finished Fraser. How's the Bouguereau study going mate? Keep up the good work my friend!!

[FraserMcT]

Looking forward to seeing that zombie finished Fraser. How's the Bouguereau study going mate? Keep up the good work my friend!!

Thanks broski.
Honestly, I forgot about it, but you made me open it up! I have done this so far:

[My57]

digging the stuff here! Thanks for dropping by my SB, keep on posting your stuff. I like the zombie guy. Also like the Bridgman hands.