E.M. Gist life drawing/ Updated 11/30/08

[E.M.GIST]

UPDATED! in post 146 on page 5

Here are a bunch of life drawings, mostly demonstrations from my classes at Watts, but there are a few longer drawings as well

20-25 min fig demos
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo1.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo2.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo3.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo4.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo5.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo6.jpg

Some longer figure drawings 2-9 hrs
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/fig1.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/fig2.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/fig3.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/fig4.jpg

20-25 min head demos
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo1.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo2.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo3.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo4.jpg

2 hr head drawing
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/head1.jpg

5 min quicksketches
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min1.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min2.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min3.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min4.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min6.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min7.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min8b.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min9.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/headqs1.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/headqs2.jpg

various random demos
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/drapdemo1.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/footdemo1.jpg
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/skulldemo1.jpg

[glikster]

:xpld:

[Main Loop]

most impressive, i saved a few of these.. quick sketches are very nice. i especially like the design shapes in qs5min8..

[timpaatkins]

Wow, incredible! You make me wanna take more Lifedrawing right now! And its 23.00 hrs here... Beautiful stuff, please keep posting!

Cheers TIm

I just checked your site, and had an eyegasm all over my computerscreen...

[Lim]

fantastic stuff! MOOOOREEEE!

[silverslash]

jesus Erik...what are the chances of luring you out to the east coast>??

looks like your really hitting a stride with serious momentum, im so glad i got the chance to learn from you.

later,
Jose

[DSillustration]

killer stuff, erik!

[strych9ine]

I saved the whole thread. Beautiful.

[Pixeldragoon]

What medium is that? It's incredible.

[CreationEdge]

There's no way in hell you made those that fast.

That's it. I'm going to have to kill all you guys and steal your talent from your souls! MWAHAHAHA

Seriously though, these are sweet. I'm taking a Life Drawing class myself, and I have neither the control over charcoal, technique, or skill to pump out that kind of stuff that quickly.

[Dizon]

GREAT job! I enjoy that shadow pattern study of the old man.

[E.M.GIST]

Thankyou everyone, I really appreciate it. I have not posted in awhile and allot of my illustration work is still under NDA so I thought I would post a bunch of life stuff. Anyway...

patdzon-Thanks, I'm glad you like it

CreationEdge-Stick with it, in the end it really pays dividends in professional work.

Pixeldragoon-Conte 1710 B charcoal pencil on smooth newsprint

strych9ine-A huge compliment

DSillustration-Thanks Dan, man I wish I could make it out for Art Out Loud

silverslash-Great to hear from you Jose. East Coast, not bloody likely.

Lim- Thaaaaaaaanks!!!

timpaatkins-Then I have succeeded

Main Loop-I am honored

glikster-:tihi:

[Matt Smith]

hey erik, these are all really awsome, of course ive seen many of them before at class. you are going to finish that one of van next monday right? I cant wait to be full time at watts soon...

[|NTeRN]

http://erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo2.jpg


If you and Chris (the model) had a baby this would so be him. - JetPack42

Very cool Erik. very glad i was able to see about 90% of these take place in person. the head drawing of Van with his hair down is too freakin cool. anyways see ya in class tomorrow

[ChrisMayernik]

very impressive. Gosh it's 3 am here and I've been drawing all day but after seeing these I just want to keep on drawing. I could HONestly DIe because of your drawings.... THat powerful.

[tinyhands]

amatuerhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/aikimark/kekekegay.gif

[E.M.GIST]

Hey Matt-Yeah I hope to finish it monday, then I will post it here
Intern"the other white Matt"-Thanks man, your stuff if blowing my mind
Chris-Great compliment, I checked out your site... NICE!
tinyhands=shinyhair

[silverslash]

[QUOTE=E.M.GIST]

DSillustration-Thanks Dan, man I wish I could make it out for Art Out Loud

silverslash-Great to hear from you Jose. East Coast, not bloody likely.

[QUOTE]


lol, where do u think art out loud is??

make it out to art out loud? sheet you should be in it.

-jose

[Jedmo]

Wow, thanks for posting these, they're really great. Really makes me anxious to take some classes at Watts. I'm planning on moving out there after I finish my BFA in June but I want to go now. I've been waiting long enough. Well thanks for sharing and I look forward to taking classes with you when I get out there.

[|NTeRN]

Intern"the other white Matt"-Thanks man, your stuff if blowing my mind



oh snap thanks Erik. oh BTW why not post the quick head sjetches ya did of tiny hands? :D comon i know you want to show everyone :blah:

[tinyhands]

oh snap thanks Erik. oh BTW why not post the quick head sjetches ya did of tiny hands? :D comon i know you want to show everyone :blah:
He will do nothing of the sort if he knows whats good for him...

[E.M.GIST]

Jose-Society of illustrators is like the U.N. its nuetral soil, not technically east coast. No just kidding, I love the east coast, I am just so happy to be teaching at Watts that I can't imagine going anywhere else to teach. Plus my wife hates the cold. Though I am hoping to make a trip out there in the next year to checkout the Met again, and go down to PA to see all the museums down there.
And as far as being in Art Out Loud, that is very, very flattering

Jedmo-I look forward to it

Mat-Those are for my own private use :wink:

tiny-oh, I know whats good for me!!!

[Fl3wk]

How many models do you have at your disposal? Our college just as a middle aged female <.< we need a male one too I think.

The 2 hour one, did the guy actually sit there for 2 hours straight?

[E.M.GIST]

If I had to guess I would say 15-20 different models, but we use mainly 10 of them, and no he would sit for 20 and take a 5-7 min break.

[B-Man]

You just poked my eye out with those drawings! Damn... :)
The values in those life drawings are great! I'm trying hard to get a good flow like this in my life drawings. I've been so hung up on comics I lost focus on whats important. I will study your drawings if its ok?
Great stuff. Truly inspiering! :)

[TheYellowDart]

Erik, you've obviously upped the ante in the last year since I've been there...

All I can say is...shit, that's some awesome stuff man! Great to see you posting here with those other watts dudes as well.
-Kyle

[sve]

Ahhh. How much I love charcoal, nothing is better than this medium for me. I just adore those deep, exciting, appetitive shadows it produces. Soft and straightforward to the most in the same time. Such a agreeable and expressive tool.
Hello, E.M.GIST, the same kind of excitement I went through when I read your advice for me in my thread. Very thoughtful and given in such a clear comprehensible form. I appreciate it very much and very, very grateful. Thank you so much.
You have very rich style. so many gradations of black and grey. Maybe that's why I like the charcoal drawings so much, they depict life in all its richness. Your drawings are bold and velvety soft in the same time. Sharp, loose manner is balanced with soft shadows. Striking mix. Very straightforward and smoothing in the same time.
My favorites are

http://erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo2.jpg I like the soft play of light in this drawing, how you show sweet friendly nature of the model and all this feeling of current spontaneous moment. Lovely piece.

http://erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo3.jpg very interesting in contrast to previous one. the girl was draw in in much lighter gentle manner, the man is much rougher. The first one was playful and lighthearted, this one has pondering mood.

http://erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo4.jpg dreamy girl and kind of time stopping effect in this piece, And it's kind of strange considering those fast dynamic strokes.

http://erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo4.jpg Wonderful softness and dynamics in this drawing. My eyes just following all these wonderful folds and twists of the fabric. Very soothing too.

http://erikgist.com/images/forum/fig2.jpg Volume is very enjoyable

http://erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo3.jpg I could guess the personality of this person from your drawing. I think she is very patient and calm person. Didn't lose her integrity through all her life. Probably has a very nice, quiet manner to talk and interact with people. Doesn't talk much. Introvert. I might be hugely wrong :).
So thank you so much for sharing your art with me. Hope to see more and more.
Sveta

[Molly]

...absolutely love these, thank you for sharing. I was gonna ask a few questions, but they have already been answered; also, the life drawing demo/tut in the other thread is very informative. Its always good for the brain to read up on methods for life drawing. One day I hope to pop over to Watts and draw with you guys; the technique taught is highly desirable and a beautiful style...(also, I know its nice and warm over there...)

Mollyx

[|NTeRN]

dont forget we can see the ocean from the parking lot at Watts. only about a 5-10 min walk to the beach itself. :D

[Pencilator]

Wow, a must for me to save :D
Thanks for sharing.

Hugs!

[Icey]

5 stars
no doubt
wonderful style

[seth1]

Wounderful drawings mate! Truly amazing! I hope one day i can create some thing like this.... Keep posting..

[koroshiya001]

Awesome-splosion. Everything here is gold.

[E.M.GIST]

B-Man: Thankyou, and please study away

Kyle: It was great to hear from you, hopfully we will see you back someday

sve- WOW!

Molly- The more the merrier

Intern-Ah it's not that nice, okay yeah it is, but shhhhhhh. Everyone will want to move here.

Pencilator- love the avatar

Icey- Thanks

seth1- Thanks, and I will. infact I should have some new stuff next week

koroshiya001- Thanks

[E.M.GIST]

15 hr figure
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/fig7.jpg
3 hr figure
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/fig6.jpg
20-25 min
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/fig5.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo7.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo8.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo5.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo6.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo7.jpg
5 min quicksketch
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/headqs3.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/headqs4.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min10.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min11.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min12.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min13.jpg
Misc.
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/skulldemo2.jpg

[Dizon]

Very nice, EM GIST! I just have some problems with some of the heads in very few of the drawings. And I don't want to sound rude, but that woman looks grotesquely huge. Looks like you had fun though. And the other stout man, looks like you exaggerated it a bit, which I don't find wrong at all. The 5 min heads are fantastic! You put down a lot of info in under short time.

Anyway, I enjoyed these. Looking forward for more! THanks.

[Molly]

beautiful, thank you.

Im loving the quick sketches, the amount of detail you get down in a small space of time....
This may sound like a silly request, but any chance you could post what your charcoal pencil looks like? The application of your lines are kinda soft, and well, I'd like to see how you've managed to get them so smooth and even, I reckon the nib is sanded down one side??? If no-can-do, no worries:)

How much life drawing a day/week do you do?

Mollyx

[ChrisMayernik]

So awesome. Watts! I seriously want to go there. I was just looking at art center and I realize theres no possible way I can afford 20 thousand a semester so maybe I can afford Watts. I'm really impressed and inspired by your work and I bet I'd learn a ton and improve faster at watts. How are you liking watts so far? Is it a good deal? Oh do you know if they offer scholarships? ahha so many questions. Later!

[E.M.GIST]

Patdzon- Thanks, what specifically about the heads bothers you?

Molly-I don't have a picture handy but, I sharpen the charcoal pencil to a long 1.5 inch taper sanded smooth but not flat. I teach 8-9 classes a week and take 1-3 classes so 30 hours a week or so.

Chris- I have actually been at Watts for going on 10 yrs the first 3 as just a student the last 3 as a fulltime instructor, the 4 in the middle a bit of both while working in video games as well. The price I think is very fair at $360 per class at 3 hrs a week for ten weeks, thats $12 per hour. I made back every penny I ever spent my first 6 months working as an artist. While this might not be typical it is not unusual either. Like any school you get out of it what you put in. As far as scholarships we do not offer any, but places like ARC offer some that can be applied at Watts.

[Dizon]

I'm referring to the head of the 20-25 min full length, standing female figure and the portrait of the young male with the short beard.

On the female figure, the light side of her face looks flat. Maybe a suggestion of the forms on that side would help. Also, the shape of her head looks as plane and smooth as a mannikin's. There's not much variety in it.

On the portrait, I feel weird about the comparison of his eyes. One looks lively and the other, dead. Hehe...But I don't know his actual appearance. Maybe darken the value of his right eye's iris?

[E.M.GIST]

patdzon-Thanks, yeah I had trouble matching up the eyes on that head drawing, I am still not sure what it is, but I will give your comment a try. And the figure, it was a 25 min figure demonstration so I wanted to spend more time on the figure, I tried to get back to the head, but just ran out of time. Thanks for the input.

[Dizon]

patdzon-Thanks, yeah I had trouble matching up the eyes on that head drawing, I am still not sure what it is, but I will give your comment a try. And the figure, it was a 25 min figure demonstration so I wanted to spend more time on the figure, I tried to get back to the head, but just ran out of time. Thanks for the input.


Ahhh I see. I know what you mean on those eyes. I was copying a Bargue a few weeks ago, and I wasn't able to figure out why it was still off in one part, in spite of working on it for a number of days.

[mentler]

Extremely solid works <> enjoyed it very much <> miss you at SoFA

[E.M.GIST]

Patdzon- matching up eyes without killing the life in them has always been a nemesis of mine

mentler- Thanks, I had not posted here in awhile either, work, work, work. I love it, but between that and being married it leaves little time for anything else. Infact I will probably be disappearing again for about a month or two, but hopefully when I come back I will have some cool stuff to show.

[sve]

Was sitting and looking at your wonderful 15hours figure, beautiful, to the smallest details, and such a wonderfully drawn feet and hands, especially the one with fore shortening ( on the other one the cast shadow is a bit too dark and deceits eyes a bit. And texture of the fur is very beautiful.
3 hours drawing has a wonderful volume and just pure pleasure to look at.
5 min sketches are so much fun and information to observe, thank you so much.

I was wondering if I may ask you to tell the most important clues to look and watch for when drawing a human figure. I know some of them and actually should probably figure it out myself from the construction of the skeleton. But I thought I better ask you, no pressure to answer though, but I will appreciate it greatly. I meant clues like this: the length of the person's hand should be approximately the length of his face, or the length of the foot should be the same as a length of the arm from the wrist to the elbow... I was thinking maybe you can help to know more tricks like those, where should rib cage stop comparing to other parts, for example.

Thanks,
Sveta

[E.M.GIST]

sve-I really don't use that many standard proportion measurments, because with foreshortening and standard human variation I find they only confuse. But some that I do find myself using most, to double check, would be those you mentioned, hand the size of the face, foot the length of the for forearm. As well as others, ribcage roughly 1.5 times the size of the head, but the one I use most often is an odd one, and that is the pit of the neck is half way between the navel and the top of the head. The reason I use this so often is most times I start my drawings by finding the center of the pose, 3 out of four times the navel is a short distance from there(one I can comfortably eyeball) then halfway to the top of the head is the pit of the neck, just above that is the chin, now I have a reasonable estimate for the size of the head.

More important than any of that I use a sort of triangulation. For instance, I will draw an angle from one shoulder to the other, then an angle from the top of the head to the shoulder, where these lines cross gives me the tip of the shoulder. As I get more established I double check this off of other angles and plumb lines.
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/tut.jpg
here is a drawing I forgot to add
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo8.jpg

[sve]

Hello, E.M.Gist :teeth: . Well, I don't have enough words to express my delight and respect to you. Thank you, thank you, thank you and I'm sending huge positive vibes and best wishes in your direction. :heart: . I'm so glad I can have the possibility to learn from you!!!. You are the greatest! I bet you are an awesome teacher. A rare combination, btw, with being a great artist, as you are too!
Such a funny guy, the model of yours, not from our time at all. Looks like from the end of the 18th century.
So thank you again.
Sveta

[Carl Dobsky]

Those quick sketches are f*ckin awesome.

[Carl Dobsky]

No, really.....holy sh*t!

[Carl Dobsky]

I'm interested to know what size you are working at for these.
Especially the 3 hour and the 5 minute poses.

[E.M.GIST]

Carl- Um thanks, they are all done on 18x24 sheets of paper

[Hybridstar]

Great work, especially the quick poses. What paper are you working on?, looks quite light. Watts obviously produces some great artists.:teeth:

[E.M.GIST]

Hybridstar-Thanks,I work on smooth newsprint for the most part. They are talking about it here http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=38849. My longer drawings(over 6 hrs) are done on either 300 or 500 series bristol board from strathmore

[Hybridstar]

Thanks alot E.M, just ordered 2000 sheets from dickblick!!!. Anyone have any feedback on ordering overseas from DB? As in did it go pretty smoothly without complications. After reading that thread it seems like Watts have a sugested materials list. I use the Conte Pierre Noir regularly and also the conte charcoal pencils, any others i should check out?. I teach life drawing classes and workshops and would like to pass on any suggestions to my students.

Thanks again.

[E.M.GIST]

Here is a bunch of stuff from last semester
5 min head quicksketch
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/headqs5.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/headqs6.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forums/headqs7.jpg
25 min head demos
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo9.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo10.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo11.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo12.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/headdemo13.jpg
25 min figure demos
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo9.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo10.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo11.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo12.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo13.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo15.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo16.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo18.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo19.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/figdemo20.jpg
5 min figure quicksketch
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min14.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min15.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min16.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min17.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min18.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min19.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min20.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min22.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs5min23.jpg
Anatomy studies
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/anatomy1.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/anatomy2.jpg
2 hour head drawing
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/head2.jpg

[mentler]

great stuff <> your students are lucky

[stephen]

nice work :o

[Josef Sy]

Wow wow wow! All of these are awesome. Awesome is not the word to discribe it! Really inspiring. Erik, What do you usually use? It looks like charcoal pencil and some are conte?

[E.M.GIST]

Josef,
Here is the pencil I use and how I sharpen it.
http://www.erikgist.com/images/pencil.jpg
The paper I use is Seth Cole smooth newsprint.

[Evil_Sloth]

Your stuff reminds me of Kevin Chen.
Just absolutley beautiful and inspiring.
Also the way you block in shadows even though it doesn't take long it puts so much life into your drawings.
Btw do you block in the initial figure with contruction like you have shown above?

[Kitsu]

Lots of great stuff here, but I especially like the negative space sketches in the first post :yayca:

[Matt Smith]

these images should provide me for some good practice over break.

[Pencilator]

Last batch is nothing but beautiful. I agree with the bone doctor, your students are very lucky :)

Hugs!

[the_allejo05]

excellent work..

[egerie]

I find conté tu be especially unforgiving on white paper. Very inspiring stuff Gist!

[redehlert]

Masterful, gestural, delish! Thank you for sharing your skills! These are a real treat to behold.
Cheers!
D

[ammoburger]

Beautiful/inspiring work!

[sleeperservice]

Erik, those latest updates are smokin! It was great meeting you at the workshop this summer. Please send Meadow my best and thank her again for making my paintings looks so good- :) Hope you are doing well!

-Kate

[Sirkenneth]

Hey-Im adding this page to my favorites-im going to come back later and study after on these-if you dont mind. its absolutly amazing stuff! Im too young and live in too small of a community to have a good life drawing class. and my g/f mom wouldnt be happy if i ever got caught drawing her daughter! ha! just wanted to tell you-that this work is very inspiring!
thanks for sharing

[Gryphon]

Absolutely beautiful stuff... I agree with mentler, your students are lucky!

[SprayNation]

:af: :au: :ac: :ak: :ay: :ae: :aa: :ah: :a!: :canadian:

[malachi]

You're work is a complete inspiration. Keep posting and explaining how you go about measuring please.

[Icey]

i wish you could keep this thread updated.... There's a lot to learn and i think you have much to offer... I wish i was one of the lucky ones Mr. Mentler Talks about ;)

[Mikael Leger]

Awesome! Really inspiring. Thank you.

[ChrisMayernik]

Flippin awesome. I hope I can take classes from you someday.

[pennington]

oh yeah really inspiring!!

[GordMacDonald]

Beautiful drawings!!!

Gord

[E.M.GIST]

2-5 min quick sketch
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2qs5min1.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2qs5min2.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2qs5min3.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2qsmin4.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2qs5min5.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2qs5min6.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2qs5min7.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2qs5min8.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2qs5min9.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2qs5min10.JPG

25 min portrait demos
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2headdemo1.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2headdemo2.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2headdemo3.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2headdemo4.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2headdemo5.JPG

20-25 min figure demos
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2figdemo1.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2figdemo2.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2figdemo3.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2figdemo4.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2figdemo5.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2figdemo6.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2figdemo7.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2figdemo8.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2figdemo9.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2figdemo10.JPG

[E.M.GIST]

anatomy studies
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2anatomy1.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2anatomy2.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2anatomy3.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2anatomy4.JPG
from Bridgman
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2anatomy5.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2anatomy6.JPG

hand and foot studies
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2handsfeet1.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2handsfeet2.JPG
from Phil Hale and Robert McGinnis
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2handsfeet3.JPG

Misc. stuff
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2misc1.JPG
http://erikgist.com/images/forum/2misc2.JPG

[Idiot Apathy]

Always a treat!
Congratulations on getting into Spectrum 14! (no surprise :) )

What did you get in?

[Torgovix]

Some of the best life drawings I've ever seen. Thanks.

[tensai]

Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous...

[DecktillDawn]

Holy shi+. Amazing.

[drd]

I'm guessing you use the side of the pencil for the braod shadows and the point fo detail work, yeah...

How do you hold your hand when you draw with that?

[Dizon]

you make me wanna lick all that charcoal off the page! wonderful work!

[Pencilator]

Fantastic show of observation, thanks for sharing. And as IdiotApathy asked, what did you get in?

Hugs!

[E.M.GIST]

Idiot Apathy- Thank you very much, the piece I got in is the cover for "To Sleep With Evil"
Torgovix- Very flattering, but I doubt that

tensai- Thanks

DecktillDawn- Jeremy right? I was checking out your thread, very impressive stuff!

drd- More or less that is true, I will also use the "blade" of the pencil for line work. To clarify for broad strokes I use it like I am spreading butter on toast, for line work more like I am cutting a steak, and for details more like pushing a sowing needle through cloth. For all three I hold it underhand, more like a sword than a tradition pencil

patdzon- always great to hear from you

Pencilator- Thanks and for those that care this is the piece that got into spectrum

http://www.erikgist.com/images/sleepwithevil.jpg

[TheYellowDart]

Erik, this stuff looks awesome. Bold, punchy, strong. I love it man. Definitely less "Jeff" and more "you." Awesome. Glad I randomly logged on here, lol. -kyle

[pennington]

i have to agree with torgovix:)
very inspiring

More or less that is true, I will also use the "blade" of the pencil for line work. To clarify for broad strokes I use it like I am spreading butter on toast, for line work more like I am cutting a steak, and for details more like pushing a sowing needle through cloth. For all three I hold it underhand, more like a sword than a tradition pencil

that's the greatest way i've ever heard anybody describe underhand drawing. great for kids imaginations :

when drawing this way, i always have trouble on the core shadow. specially like on your anatomy studies what type of strokes do you use for it?

[Josef Sy]

Always a treat to see your stuff E.M.Gist ! Awesome as usual! Thanks for sharing this and congrats on S14! Cheers.

[AmadorL]

awsome sthread need more.

[drd]

Thanks for the info Gist =) I appreciate it. I sometimes use my pencil this way, it just feels more natural to me when I'm doing figure studies. Dunno why though. Love your work.

[asoir]

i absolutely love how you've brought bridgman "to life", incredible work

[E.M.GIST]

More drawings all questions, comments, and critiques are welcome

some anatomy studies done from life
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erik_anatomy_2_1.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erik_anatomy_2_2.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erik_anatomy_2_3.jpg

some features also done from life
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erik_features_2_1.jpg

figure demo @25 min
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erik_fig_2_1.jpg

Head demos @25 min
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erik_head_2_1.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erik_head_2_2.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erik_head_2_3.jpg

Quick sketches 5-15 min
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erik_qs_2_1.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erik_qs_2_2.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erik_qs_2_3.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erik_qs_2_4.jpg
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erik_qs_2_5.jpg

[Pencilator]

Hi Erik. Glad to see more new studies from you. Great inspiration.
The head demos and portraits are great. I recognise the last one from the oil painting tutorial you did. It's also fun to see how you play with composition and placement on the paper. You're doing a fantastic work here.

Hugs!

[rblitz7]

Gah! your work is soooo good, really puts my stuff to shame, haha. Any tips for me? I really like the charcoal look over my pencil drawings.
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/139/1dayportqr3.jpg
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/9512/portrait2drawn6xt.jpg

[panchosimpson]

Mr. Gist, your stuff is truly amazing, haha it's crazy to think that you're so close to here too....go san diego!!!!

[E.M.GIST]

Pencilator- thanks
rblitz7-Your work looks really good in general, if anything I would say focus on form and try to think three dimensionally. Learn to push the form into your drawing
panchosimpson- Thanks, you should come up and visit us at the Watts Atelier.

Here are a few more images
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erikfig_3_1.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erikfig_3_4.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/erikqs_3_2.JPG

[Justin.]

Love this thread.

[paperX]

WOW....this thread is so inspirational...i cant believe alot of these were done so quickly.........maybe it's just me but it would be great if u made the photos a bit brighter (could just be my screen though :S) thanks again for all the inspiration :)

[openanewworld]

your art makes me feel how less knowlege I have about art, thank you, looking forward to see more, you are real artist

[Jasonwclark]

Those are some sharp contes man. You must have a nice blade laying around the studio.

Truly Beautiful drawings

[depict]

Sorry for the sketchbook intrusion, but I had to comment, These are beautiful works man, all of them!!!! Inspiration stuff!

[enthombed]

Oh man this is one the most exciting thread i found here in CA, this is really inpiring, i hope learning something cool here.

Keep posting and thnks for share this wonderfull stuff.

Cheers

[E.M.GIST]

It's been awhile, but here is some new stuff
25 min demos +or-
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/fig08.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/fig08 (2).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/fig08 (3).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/fig08 (4).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/fig08 (5).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/fig08 (6).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/fig08 (7).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/fig088.JPG

[E.M.GIST]

and more
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/head08.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/head08 (2).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/head08 (3).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/head08 (4).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/head08 (5).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/head08 (6).JPG

some head quick sketch 5min
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/hqs.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/hqs2.JPG

Some anatomy
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/anatomy08.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/anatomy08 (2).JPG

[E.M.GIST]

and figure quick sketch 2-5 min
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs08.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs08 (11).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs08 (2).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs08 (3).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs08 (4).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs08 (5).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs08 (6).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs08 (7).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs088.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs08 (9).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/qs08 (10).JPG

[HunterKiller_]

Phenomenal work. Thank you for sharing.

[Kai H]

Great stuff.... anatomy, rythms of lines and gestures are unbeliveble!

[panchosimpson]

There's no stopping you is there? :) hahah these are great Mr. Gist, your students are a lucky bunch. It's great to see the form diagrams on the side, like on the drawing of the pregnant lady. I don't know if you remember me, you gave some very useful crits a few months ago here on CA. Anyway, I took 2 classes with Vilppu in LA and one with one of his best students, it's nice to see that Watts stresses the same concepts of form and gesture, I remember spending a lot of time finding trochanters and ribcages! Anyway, I still want to go visit Watts...and hopefully enroll once I get some money...which might not happen soon, but we'll see :)

Anyway, keep up the great work, it's always a pleasure to see what you're up to!

-Ramon

PS. any chance that we can sneak a peak at the great paintings you probably have lying around?

[snubbed]

This is fantastic! Your proportions and shapes are enviable! I really enjoyed this piece in particular: http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/fig08%20(4).JPG

I think it's her face - the shape of the lips and the markings around her eyes are well done. Plus the angle of the pose is great. Maybe the lower leg is a little elongated, but it has a great flow!

Very inspirational!

[Nigel_Robertson]

Thanks for the inspiration! You have an amazing hand and eye. I think im going to sign up for some more figure drawing classes now....

I must learn more indeed. I plan on going to Florence Academy of Art, and They said I can get in off just my paintings, but they would also like to see some recent figure drawings, but all of my figure drawings are at least three years old. :(

[E.M.GIST]

Hey guys,
Thanks a lot.
Ramon- unfortunately I have been taking a bit of a hiatus from life painting, to work on more illustrative painting techniques. I have a tough time separating the two, but I miss it so I am getting back to it soon enough.

[Azalin]

really great & impressive work, please keep posting.
mind if i ask you what medium do you use? and how big are you original drawings?

[Pencilator]

Nice work Erik. Very impressed by your speed.
Would very much like to try working like that after finishing my atelier studies.

[biggjoee5790]

are all of these from life or some from imagination? If there all from life I would love to see what youve got in that head of yours. Im interested in how much life drawing helps you get a mental image of human form

[E.M.GIST]

biggjoee5790-I would have to go back through all of them to say for sure, but I am pretty sure they are all from life or ref. Check out my sketchbook (link in my sig) for some madeup zombies

[biggjoee5790]

Thanks I've actually seen them.. Very nice. What would you say is the best method of learning how to draw the figure from imagination. Like really getting good at it. Its really important to me to be able to do this it would really help

[E.M.GIST]

I would say the first step to drawing from the imagination is getting really good at drawing from life. The second step is to master drawing simple forms (cubes, spheres, cylinders) from your imagination. On top of that relax, don't rush it, take time to let the idea focus. Quite often people rush into a finished drawing without having a clear idea. You might come up with a cool concept, but you need to let it germinate and develop, so that not all you see in your head is the cool idea. On the zombies you will notice most of them have a core gimmick, that was usually the first thing I saw, but then I needed to slow down and visualize the ear, foot, knee, everything. It doesn't need to be crystal clear, but you should have it somewhat resolved in your head. Quite often I will do little scribbles in the corner before I start, about a centimeter tall to capture the gesture of the figure. Hope that helps

[biggjoee5790]

Thanks a lot for that.. I'm also wondering what method you favor when drawing from life. I've read and used loomis books, bridgeman, villpu, and I haven't really decided the best method. Do you prefer starting with a quick gesture then drawing block forms like bridgman? A manequin figure like loomis? Those weird bean shaped forms like the villpu manual? I'm looking for. Solid approach that I can stick to each and every time.. Something that will help me nail the figure down well

[E.M.GIST]

Here is an outline to the general approach that I teach for drawing. It is a derivation on the Reilly Method.
LINK (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=60753)

[Jasonwclark]

Man, this link is great.
Thanks for reposting it

Carlsbad eh? I just got back from Tamarack Beach like an hour ago. Do you teach down here, or do they force you to make that deadly commute up to LA?

[E.M.GIST]

Jasonwclark- Thanks, to answer your question I teach at Watts Atelier of the Arts in Encinitas, there is a link to the schools website in my sig if you are interested. P.S. I just checked out your thread Jason, very nice!

[Lee W]

I just have to say beautiful life drawings :) amazing work on the portrait demos done in 25 minutes

[jread]

my friend you have just blown my eyeballs clean out of my skull... :xpld:

this is the best life drawing I have ever seen, such strong form...its almost like your sculpting with clay! the fact that your doing this stuff in under 25 mins is unbelievable. This is so inspirational I want to go get everyone on the street naked and start drawing them! ...ahem... sorry getting a bit over excited there...

truly amazing stuff...and for the first time in forever, I want to put down my wacom and pick up my pencil, thank you.

If you ever come see us smoggy Londoners, you should host some life drawing classes (with free entry to CA.org members!...ahem...sorry carried away again).

get it coming!

[the_allejo05]

nice..can i borrow some of your beautiful female models :)

[E.M.GIST]

Here is a new batch
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/8head (2).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/8head.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/8head (3).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/8head (4).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/8head (5).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/8Fig.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/8Fig (2).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/8qs (2).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/8qs.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/8qs (3).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/8qs (4).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/forum/abe.JPG

[panchosimpson]

nice to see you around here my friend, I like this Lincoln with a dose of badass-itude. Keep 'em coming!

[TASmith]

Wow, just found this thread for the first time, and I'm dumbfounded. I can't get enough of your geometric figure studies, and your portraits are spell binding. Everything is, really.

Here are a couple anatomy questions, if you have the time.

1. I read that there's a special fluid in the wrist between the bones to allow for motion (in pretty much all joints). So, how much space is there really between these wrist bones, and how do they attach to the forearm Ulna and radius? What's the relationship when the wrist waves side to side? Same question goes for the foot.

2. what's the purpose of the tibia? Is it just extra surface area to hold down muscles, or does it allow foot rotation, etc?

3. Which forearm and lower leg muscles attach first to the bone, and which sit on top? What's the order?

4. Which back muscles attach to the spine first, and which sit on top? What's the order?

5. Alot of anatomy books show the latisimus dorsi muscles attaching to the ribs, but there are always these nameless muscles that wrap around the ribs themselves. Does the latisimus dorsi attach directly to the ribs or some other muscles?

Any help clarifying this would be great (by anyone, but especially by an expert).

[E.M.GIST]

Ramon-Thanks man, your stuff is looking great as per usual
Tasmith- WOW! I will answer as best I can, but these are some pretty specific questions
1. The space is neglegable
2.I suspect you mean fibula here, because the purpose of the tibia (I hope) is pretty clear. The function of the fibula however is not so clear, probably somewhat vestigial it does aid in a limited rotation, weight bearing, and as additional muscular attachment
3-4 I would recommend buying this book (http://www.amazon.com/Human-Anatomy-Artists-Elements-Form/dp/0195052064/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220455111&sr=8-1) for these types of questions, Because this makes up about six weeks of my anatomy class.
5)As far as I know the "Lats" originate at all these points, no muscle to muscle or aponeuroses attachments
a) spinous process of T7-L5
b) upper 2-3 sacral segments
c) iliac crest
d) lower 3 or 4 Ribs
Moreover, while it is great to have an in depth anatomical knowledge, most of your questions here have little to nothing to do with actual surface morphology or locomotion, so I wouldn't worry too much about such things.
hope that helps

[TASmith]

It does help, thanks. One more question. Is the ribcage itself static? When I breathe, is my rib cage moving as a whole unit up and down, or is it swelling out, like the lungs themselves?

[HunterKiller_]

Once again, a pleasure to view your drawings, Sir.

I've seen your PDF tutorial before, but I didn't read the discussion which followed until now.

About the 3D construction vs. 2D uh... whatever is it you call it, haha.
Would you say that it is definitely more important to practice the former approach to drawing for somebody who does stuff like animation and other 'memory intensive' drawing?

[boreen]

I have been an admirer of your drawings for some time now and wondered what your learning path was.

I have a question in relation to the Reilly method you mention.

I heard the name of Reilly in a book about painting by Jack Faragasso, which I bought some years ago. He apparently was Reilly's student. The book is very good and unlike almost any book on painting I ever saw. I know that Faragasso also has written a book on drawing based on the Reilly teaching. I saw some pages from it on the iternet and it certainly looks strange and different and intriguing.

The painter John Asaro was exposed to the Reilly method during his studies in New York. You can see it in some of the teaching materials he later used at ACCD. And now you mention the Reilly method and use it.

Could you say anything about the method from your experience. How you found it and why you like it? It looks very technical and off-putting. Not that well known, either.

This post comes from half way around the world - Ireland, but I had some drawing classes with students of Vilppu which made a lot of sense.

[E.M.GIST]

TASmith- I am glad to help, the quick answer is neither, but the former is closer, better described as a spreading, than a swelling. This fellow describes it better than I can (http://www.blobs.org/science/article.php?article=9)

HunterKiller-thanks

boteen-thanks, all you said is correct. I found the Reilly method (or rather a derivation of it) through Jeff Watts (http://www.jeffreyrwatts.com), who was a student of Glen Orbik (http://www.orbikart.com) who in turn was a student of Fred Fixler, who was a Reilly student and room mate of James Bama. I feel the Reilly method is a great foundation that is easily built upon and added to with other approaches. It is a great form of breaking down both simple and complex picture making into simple concepts. It can be very technical, but the basic tenets are not necessarily so. I would say study with anyone and everyone that looks and sounds like they know what they are doing. Study many different schools of thought and mix and match what best works for you

[TASmith]

thank you very much for the link! I've read through it, and it helps a great deal! Great animations there.

[MM Howard]

TASmith recommended this thead to me to get an understanding of why features come out so long in my portraits and I am very glad he did. I honestly have to say your life drawings are so inspiring. They make me excited to take a life drawing class again.

The tips you gave others was so helpful and it helped me to. Beautiful studies. I can't wait for more!

[HunterKiller_]

2.I suspect you mean fibula here, because the purpose of the tibia (I hope) is pretty clear. The function of the fibula however is not so clear, probably somewhat vestigial it does aid in a limited rotation, weight bearing, and as additional muscular attachment


I was just reading Bridgman, and was reminded of this post.

Bridgman says, "The lower ends of these bones project so as to form the inner and outer ankle joints, respectively, where they receive the articulation joint of the foot, the astragalus."

If we had only the Tibia, then the joint to the foot would need to be some sort of ball joint, which would not provide much stability.

[bleupencil]

Latecomer to the thread... I am absolutely floored by the quality of work that's here. You are abso-frickn-lutely amazing! What an inspiration. I'll be watching!

[Lateman]

i fall in love with your works ... my whole short life i had to learn all of my own and now i beginn to understand. thank you for this!

cheers lateman

ps: witch type of pencil do you use?

[Senira]

Amazing stuff, absolutely amazing. Someone in my sketchbook pointed me to your thread, and I'm not sure how I've missed it up to now. Your figures are fluid, your line variation is slick, and your command of facial and muscular structure shines through in even your simplest sketches. I've got a ways to go to be even half this amazing, but you've definitely inspired me to kick my butt into gear. :)

[E.M.GIST]

Thanks all
Lateman- conte 1710 B
Hunterkiller_-I just realized I never answered your question, I think it is very important to study many different ways of drawing, but definitely more important to master the 3d constructive side for more invention type work

here are a few new pieces
469023

469024

469025

469026

469027

469028

469029

469030

469031

[HunterKiller_]

Thanks for answering my question, Sir.

Are you still working with WotC on MTG? I think I read you were directing now or something?

[vvv]

love every drawing in this thread. U make it look so easy. Everything so simplified but describes form so well.

Thanks for the inspiration. I hope to get to study under you someday.

[grinn]

Greatest drawing ever? (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=469025&d=1221926960) I think so.

[staaron]

definitely one of the best threads in the conceptart abyss. I finally got a hold of some charcoal myself, and boy howdy is it fun to bust on some huge ass newsprint :) thanks for sharing man I hope you keep posting, I'll update my thread soon

[E.M.GIST]

HunterKiller- occasionally yeah. No directing for me.
vvv-thanks
grinn- I still owe you that drawing don't I.
staaron- here ya go
http://www.erikgist.com/images/IMG_0037.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/IMG_0038.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/novfigdemo.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/novfigdemo (2).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/novfigdemo (3).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/novfigdemo (4).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/novfigqs.JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/novfigqs (2).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/novfigqs (3).JPG
http://www.erikgist.com/images/novfigqs (4).JPG

[Senira]

The sweep of the action line on the largest figure in the the second-to-last page is beautiful. I've always found charcoal to be a difficult and messy medium, but your work really demonstrates how it can be applied in very subtle, artful ways. Excellent stuff.

[tinyhands]

Someone's been practicing. ;)

[E.M.GIST]

Senira- thanks
tinyhands- Hey Mark, when are you going to come by and say hi. You should come to the x-mas party, I know a lot of people would like to see you.