Casual Marquette drawings- Post tonal studies/theories

[Switch]

I made this little sculpture from clay in drawing class using just my hands. It's pretty rough but it should be good to draw. We were told to draw it each day so i thought why not start a thread.

I want to improve my observation of tone and work on compositions also.

Here is the first batch of pictures which I did this morning. HB pencil:

http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/freehand/daily_marquette_drawing_1.jpg

Any crits or comments along the way would be great.

[Switch]

http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/freehand/dmd2.jpg :rolleyes:

[bonedog]

drawings look good. values are good... handling of the pencil looks good.

don't forget that composition isn't just the placement of the objects on the page... but also about the placement of the values and everything else on the page. In the big drawing on the top page you placed a dark value around the sculpture, but it doesn't represent anything. Avoid the black aura, if you know what I mean. Just complete that value by giving it shape (a rectangle for instance) and I think that will make the drawing look a whole lot better.

Makes sense?

-Bone

[Switch]

http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/freehand/dmd3.jpg

[Switch]

thanks, I 'll avoid the black in my next one. I put the dark background in to make the figure stand out, but I understand what your saying.

I think I'll use a spotlight next so I can get some strong shadows. The shadows seem so subtle and hard to see in the lighting I've got.

[Switch]

http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/freehand/dmd5.jpg



http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/freehand/getting_back_to_it.jpg

[Switch]

:bootyshak :dance: :bootyshak :dance: :bootyshak :dance: :bootyshak :dance: :bootyshak :dance: :bootyshak :dance: :bootyshak :dance: :bootyshak :dance: :bootyshak :dance:

[davi]

looks like great practice :)
I always wanted to make a great sculpey arm with all the muscles showing and use it for reference but i never got around to it.

Keep up the good work. Don't forget to try different mediums

[Switch]

http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/freehand/draw_until_my_arm_falls_off.jpg

the arm fell off while I was drawing it! Haha. (top right)

[ironfinger]

Nice work. I have a suggestion. If you're really into value/tonal studies, try something other than pencils. When studying values you want to use something that will give a extreme range of values and a the same time give you the ability to lay them in quickly. Charcoal Sticks are a great tool(not conte). I used pencils to make me think "line quality" when I draw from life. Thinking "line" vs thinking "value" are often 2 seperate schools of thought. Sargent is a great example of someone who thought "value" over line.

[Wietse]

Originally posted by Switch
the arm fell off while I was drawing it! Haha.

Famous statues with missing limbs:D :
http://www.steelmagnolias.org/images/31656.jpg

Your on to big money kid:D !

Seriously though, I really like this thread, please keep it up.

This goes as well for some off the comments, very nice reading:) ....

Seeya.

[Switch]

Thanks guys I used charcoal for this next one as suggested but it's only about 20 x 20cm in my sketchbook.

Im guessing charcoal is only good at a large scale. I smudged with my fingers a lot.

http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/charcoal_dmd.jpg

I prefer to work at a small scale so I'm wondering what media would be good for quick small tonal work. Anything apart from graphic markers?

:chug:

[ironfinger]

I like your charcoal, much nicer.

20x20 cm isn't really bad. It will force you to simplify. If you want detail, try drawing sections of the model rather that the whole thing.
Also there are smudge sticks you can buy at the art store that are a little more precise than the finger. Oh yeah, carefull not to smudge over areas that should be hard edged.

take it easy

[J.Peckham]

small tonal work?? watercolors!! i met this amazing artist a few months ago and his sketchbook was only about 5x7. but because he used watercolors he was able to capture the whole meme and attitude of the situation with very minimal detail. this is also extremely good pratice, working so small i don't know why. BTW...i love this idea of making the little figure model for yourself! i'm going out to buy sculpy today!
-JKP

[Switch]

Ironfinger: thanks for your tips. I noticed a few edges became too lost due to my finger smudging. I checked out your site yesterday, the content is really good.

Peckham: I haven't thought of watercolours. Watercolours have always seemed a washed-out looking medium but I've recently seen work in some art mags which are really photorealistic. They actually have a huge tonal range. Leaving paper showing for the highlighted areas must be a real challenge though.

I'm going to take my weird sculture home today and see what I can do with Painter 7 and wacom combo.

Thanks guys.

[Oblio]

Boy.. I have a sculpture home... except for my Moses replica and I've just been looking to it and imagine myself drawing it - I've even tried once or twice but.. hell the result was UGLY!
Don't worry "Hello Kid" (this is how I've named it - after a coffee commercial" your time has come... today!

So Switch... keep it up because your statue drawings made waves ;)

Oblio