The more time spent on a drawing, the better?

[OptimusDinkus]

Ive noticed that in my own artwork, if Im given enough time (say 4 to 6 hours) I can create magistry pieces of art usually. However, latly my professor wants us to draw every day at lease one sketch on top of the other work we have (Im a graphic arts major). So all I do are really crappy sketches, however, there for my reference when working in 3d. But I dont know if when I were to go interview for a job and they looked at my sketch book, if they were to higher me if they saw these sketches instead of what Im really capable of. Any thoughts on this?

[mtw]

You should be able to come up with a good looking sketch in under a minute. It won't have a finished look to it, but it is a sketch after all. To do this, you need to think about what is actually necessary in the drawing, and being good with gesture helps. It takes practice to get good at this, which is why it's good to do quick practice drawings.

You might be focusing too much on the details, so try to loosen up and think about the whole image. Get a marking for everything that will be on your page as quick as possible.

[danteort]

While a lot of drawings require a long time, you shouldn't neglect your skill of hitting things very quickly. Sometimes you need to be able to nail something in two minutes, and it definitely comes with practice. I'm BARELY getting the hang of gestures and hitting things the first time.

Also, remember that just because something took longer to do, it doesn't mean it's necessarily better than something that didn't take long at all. If someone can hit what they want in 30 seconds, the person who spent 6 hours doesn't necessarily have a better drawing; it just means they spent 5 hours 59 minutes and 30 seconds longer to do it.

[OptimusDinkus]

true, and through much earasing, it was probably best to just start over, which is the concept behind doing short termed drawing

[ChyChsco]

Always start a professional peice with a light sketch, and if you're going to really use it for that professional interview, never settle for anything less than 10 hours. I want to say 20-30, but that's more for full peices. A single character, no background should be no less than 10 hours. 5-6 if you're just doing a half-attempt. I've had teachers that educated the people that now work for EverQuest II, Electronic Arts, Paramount, Blizzard, etc.. you name it and even though I like to do quick peices he told me that those people expect fine detail quality art. Quick sketches don't belong in a portfolio.

[edit]

and yeah, sketching is fine, but it's just a sketch... don't expect to impress anyone professional with one.

[OptimusDinkus]

man I look at samwises stuff and you can tell how well he marks his lines first then draws out the rest of the piece. Not to mention the amount of research he must know on anatomy of different species. Does anyone know of an anatomy class specifically for artists?

[kosio]

Originally posted by ChyChsco
and yeah, sketching is fine, but it's just a sketch... don't expect to impress anyone professional with one. [/B]

I couldn't disagree more. Looking at a person's sketchbook is the easiest way to see how well that person can draw. And while of course your portfolio will have to include finished renderings and such, it will also need to include sketches from life, most often figure drawings and animal drawings. As for impressing professionals with a sketch, you absolutely can, that is if you can actually draw well. For example if the sketchbook section of your portfolio looks something like this: http://www.vilppustudio.com/italy.htm your renderings have to be pretty bad for you not to stand out to the pros. In fact I know pros who have 2” x 1” layout thumbnails in their portfolios. This shows how clearly and quickly you can communicate an idea on the job, and since time is money, this ability is very much desired. Any who, keep on drawing!