Spartan Camp #89 - 50 gestures + Optional Study of "Facial Expression"

[Anthis]

Spartan Camp #89 - 50 gestures + Optional Study of "Facial Expression"
The aim is to produce 50 gestures by Sunday the 31th of May.

The gestures can be of anything, human, animal, cavorting capybaras....and can be in any media, digital or traditional is fine. Both with and without reference is OK. 50 poses is a challenge, but don't stress yourself reaching it! Practice is the main goal.

In addition to this, participants can choose to do a Optional Study of "Facial Expression", in any media. Black and White or Colour is fine.

:muscle: Come on soldiers! Flex those muscles!! :muscle:

PS...critting each other is highly encouraged!! Let's help each other get better!

HALL OF FAME - SPARTAN CAMP #88

Ian RB Webb
jefflarose
Mindbendermind:star:
shiNIN:star:
Sealegs
Anthis

[Mindbendermind]

I will try something new this week - have made my own little "posemaniac" video with paintings from different masters (from Botticelli to Frazetta) shown 90 sec/each. Should bring a little variation to my practice - and add some interesting animals and creature gestures to it as well. :-)

If anyone here is looking for great art and haven't heard about this site I can truly recommend it for inspiration:
imagenetion.com (http://imagenetion.com)

EDIT: My first gestures of the week - from masterworks (90 s each):

[shiNIN]

I definitely do the optional, my favourite subject :) and I feel I have some idea about how a human face looks like.
but when I try to do the shoulders for the head in a picture - I fail in an epic way. totally no idea about angles and lengths. if it's a man in suit, even references don't help, I don't understand. I feel horrible though not very surprised. I can mess a simple face after (very lazy) years of drawing them...

I don't know how much could help if I draw poses but not analyze them enough and don't draw my succesful ones from my memory... I should try far more harder to speed up, I want to learn to draw a bit in this life of mine... I know I improved but without references I'm totally lost and a tougher pose is impossible for me even with references.

I did some posemaniacs just now.
I think I will do more when I will be in a better shape.
human body is incredibly hard for me. many little kids do it better.

[Mindbendermind]

Remember the human figure is one of the hardest subjects to draw. Even harder without ref.

You could always join the free "drawing basic classes" over at wetcanvas as I've done, you know. Just passed the class on "fundamental perspective", moving on to "cubical shaped objects"... Really fun and you get constant feedback, all without paying a dime. Take a look in my "Drawing basics" thread (in my sig) if you want to see some examples of the first exercises I've done. A perfect complement to these great camps. Probably should mention that there are NO deadlines whatsoever, you work entirely at your own pace. Suits me, so I figured it might suit you as well. :-)

And - once again: Don't be so hard on yourself. Makes me sad - and you don't want that, do you? ;-) :-P

[A/R/F?]

Hi!
I'm new here and have a question. Are the 50 poses on any specific time limit? I've done some of the P.M. 60 and 90 sec poses. For the assignment do they need to be timed, or can you spend as much time on them as you want (until the deadline, that is...) Any help would be great, thanks!

[Mindbendermind]

Hi and welcome. There is no demand that the gesture has to be drawn within a specific time limit. I have posted drawings ranging from 10 sec PM to untimed that I added a little more to. I guess it's all up to you. In order to draw 50 in a week, I'd suggest you go more for "quantity" than "quality" though. If you have extra time left, you can always give the optional a go.

Anthis will have to correct me if I'm wrong in any of this - it's the approach I have. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing figures in ANY stage of completion and those submitted usually are in very various stages. Most important is that it's good practice for you and that you have a good time as well.

Looking forward to seeing your drawings. :-)

EDIT: Couldn't resist giving the optional a go. Quick facial expression studies from Loomis:

[shiNIN]

Mindbendermind: thanks. I know it's hard but still, I need more improvement. I saw your topic and I'm considering joining ;) it helps not being on my own :)

I was busy and/or tired in the past few days but I will do my gestures in the next days...

[Kogaras]

not exactly 50 poses but its a start. might post some more later if i have the time.

[Mindbendermind]

Looking good - keep them coming. :-)

Here are some more 90 sec gestures from masterworks:

(tried using thin digital felt pen instead of digital pencil - believe the line quality looks better with pen, what do you guys think?)

[Anthis]

Mindbendermind; That's one big archive. Lot of inspiration there though.
Good choice to go for the Loomis expressions, they are very clear and well explained. I think that in 'delight' and 'remorse, you stayed true to facial proportions. Which can be tough with strong expressions. Nice!
Great idea to make your own posemaniac vid. Think I'll try the same, just scrolling trough an inspiration folder to study and draw each subsequent picture on a time limit.
Always be careful, that you do not loose track of the picture as a 'whole' while drawing the details. The viking legs are small, for example. Your poses are definitely getting cleaner and easier to read. Keep working on the quality linework! "Every line should serve a purpose!" I read that a while a go on these forums, though it was great advice.
shiNIN; Looking forward to it! I agree it is a tough topic. I think it takes a lot of practice and testing. A head is like a whole body on its own, with so many features. Change one thing and the whole expression looks different.
Whether you draw for relaxation or exercise, rushing those drawings will probably do you little good. Look for some inspiration and get into the right mood. Know that we all start somewhere, and look what's possible! You probably have an inspiration folder yourself. Good luck and have fun!
A/R/F?; Sent you a PM!
Kogaras; No problem! 50 is just a general goal. And welcome. Not sure how long your first timer was, but it must be quick. Be careful, don't get caught up in those long lines that you can't stop any more! Easy to make mistakes that way. Last poses, without the time limit, are looking tight. Some good construction in there. See you around!
Nice going on the perspective, always try to understand how your figure 'works'!

I'd just like to post this link, it might inspire you.
http://picasaweb.google.com/aaronpaint/Gestures08#

2 scans posemaniac,
2 scans http://imageevent.com/justmeina/refc/bytype
some stuff semi ref semi mind
expressions from ref

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Anthis_/spartan%20trainings/89-1.jpghttp://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Anthis_/spartan%20trainings/89-2.jpg
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Anthis_/spartan%20trainings/89-3.jpghttp://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Anthis_/spartan%20trainings/89-4.jpg
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Anthis_/spartan%20trainings/89-5.jpghttp://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Anthis_/spartan%20trainings/89-6.jpg
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Anthis_/spartan%20trainings/89-7.jpghttp://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Anthis_/spartan%20trainings/89-optional.jpg

[A/R/F?]

Ok, here we go! The first 12 are just general ones I did from my mind, no reference. I didn't use a timer either, but I only spent a few minutes on each. This whole concept art experience for me is about pushing myself out of my comfort zone and realistically looking at what I need to improve.

Anthis I never recieved your pm. There's nothing in my private message or sketchbook. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place? (This is my 1st on-line community lol) Great looking sketches too!

[A/R/F?]

These next 7 I did from posemaniacs. Not exactly sure the amount of time spent on them...but I know when I look at them that I'm not happy with how they turned out lol. I know I can do better stuff than this. Will hopefully post more later today!

[Mindbendermind]

Mindbendermind; That's one big archive. Lot of inspiration there though.
Your poses are definitely getting cleaner and easier to read. Keep working on the quality linework! "Every line should serve a purpose!" I read that a while a go on these forums, though it was great advice.


Thanks, glad to hear you see progress.

I'm actually a bit confused when it comes to which lines to draw. I have three different "schools" in my head and don't know quite which one to follow:

1. Nicolaides - "Draw the gesture furiously, feel what the model feels, never lift the pen. Draw as if you would through the drawing in the bin as soon as you're finished. Never start with the head"
2. Vilppu - "Start with quick lines to capture the pose, then build the forms in relation to those. Start with the head"
3. Use as FEW line as possible to convey the gesture.

Actually not quite sure which one of these three approaches to focus on. Any advices?

[Anthis]

A/R/F? ; Nah, something went wrong on my end. Though I think Mindbendermind cleared up most of your questions now. You can spend as much time on the poses as you wish. Any media is fine, both referenced or from imagination. You can also do animals, legs, eyes, faces. Feel free to deviate from 'poses'.
Nice going on the poses. I can see the construction and flow lines. Still if you are drawing from imagination and not copying reference, you can have reference nearby. Just for comparison, proportions, as a reminder of how a pose should look. You can also compare your own poses to the reference after you're done.
I like that you have a lot of poses in perspective with a lot of foreshortening. It will surely help you! Not sure on what timer the posemaniacs were. Seems short, which is a good exercise. Nice going!
Mindbendermind ; Hah that's confusing. I wouldn't know where to start. I only have experience with Bridgman and Loomis. They both start with big masses and some lines for the general flow. Building blocks. Though I don't think they share the same approach either. I'd have to look it up. From that point, they really place every line very deliberately. With a strong sense of function. I guess it helps you really realize and learn what you are drawing. Or at least, it feels so to me. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone has his own approach that works best. I'd recommend trying different things out.

[Mindbendermind]

Yes, that makes sense - following my instincts, finding my "own" approach in the end.

Do find Vilppu's approach very useful for quickly grasping the entire pose though. Apply the same when i draw horses, dragons etc. One quick head, one quick spine and then the limbs. Guess its one of those "supports" I'll kick to the side when comfortable. :-)

Nice face studies by the way, don't believe I mentioned it.

[Kogaras]

Kogaras; No problem! 50 is just a general goal. And welcome. Not sure how long your first timer was, but it must be quick. Be careful, don't get caught up in those long lines that you can't stop any more! Easy to make mistakes that way. Last poses, without the time limit, are looking tight. Some good construction in there. See you around!
Nice going on the perspective, always try to understand how your figure 'works'!

ok cool, well that makes sense lol
well the first couple of sketches were about 45 secs, wanted to help get myself to sketch gestures and poses with few lines possible
thanks for the link Anthis, some awesome stuff there =)