Sylph wants to improve, the quest begins... (occational nudity)

[Sylph]

Hello! I'm new here ^_^ I've been looking for a place to get some honest, serious advice for improvement, and this is definitely looking like the right place to be :) This place is bleeding skill :O
I've been drawing on and off for years, but often fall off the practicing wagon. I've recently graduated college and have a job which leaves me with limited free time, and I've ended up valuing that time more as a result. I really want to make the best use of my time.

Trying to draw more from life, although it's fairly limited now. I want to draw people from life, but I haven't been able to find any sessions that meet my schedule, and I'm kind of afraid that people might object if I draw them in public >_> Any advice or suggestions on how to make the best use of my time would be much loved!

Here's a couple quick sketches from life I did on Monday.

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[morningbloom915]

Hello! You are definitely in the right place for good advice. Keep up the sketchbook. Its the best way for the awesomely talented people here to see your weaknesses and help you with them. I've just recently started back on the drawing wagon, myself. Theres lots of good instruction and good practice stuff in the mentoring forum.

Drawing from life is fantastic. Don't be afraid to just go out and draw people in public. Most people don't even notice if you're subtle about it and those that do notice generally are just curious. Go park yourself in a coffee shop or a bookstore. You can get all kinds of practice without looking obtrusive.

These sketches are looking good. One thing I notice you can work on (mostly because its a HUGE struggle for me) is you seem to be going over and over the same line, muddying it. Be more confident in your strokes. You can always erase if its not placed right! You did a good job making the lightbulb actually look like glass. My only critique is it looks a bit like its floating above the edge of the table.

Sketch often. Maybe we can challenge each other and keep us both in the game, drawing more frequently!

[Sylph]

morningbloom915: Thanks for the advice! ^_^ I'll try to keep my lines more in check.

Anyways, here's a figure study I did from photo reference. Done in acrylic, playing around with limited colors. Only used orange, purple, white and black. That probably wasn't my best idea ever, but I learned a bit, I think.

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I also got a small set of oils and played around. I'll post something when I figure out how to photograph it without the paint shine glaring.

Last week wasn't very productive, as I spent most of my free time waiting in doctors offices and being prodded :( next time I'll remember to bring my sketch book to the waiting room!

[zippy]

I dig the acrylic, it turned out well I think. I'm thinking I may actually try to do a few with limited pallette now. Couldn't do anything but help with values.

[SirCalypso]

At my school there was a substitute teacher who would always draw the students, and if that's any indication I think you'd have more trouble trying to keep subjects away than people objecting to you drawing them (be you at a park or the mall). For the candle study, I would suggest paying more attention next time to how the bulb is reflecting the light from the flame.

[Sylph]

zippy: Thanks! Limited pallet was definitely an interesting challenge, looking forward to seeing your results! ^_^

SirCalypso: Thanks for the advice :)

Taking a step out of my comfort zone and trying some odder shapes.
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Trying to learn to sketch quickly :dead: