Sonaj's book - Pencils and more

[Sonaj]

Hello!
First post here; i'm a 25 year old student from germany.

I used to draw a little bit when i was younger but i just was too lazy and did quite nothing for a long time now.
Then recently I found this site and it was so much fun and so inspiring to browse through all of these amazing threads. Made me want to draw again just for the fun of it.

So I start this sketchbook to get me drawing again and hopefully get some crits, cause I want to improve. I hope I can update at least once in a week, but I can't promise. Most stuff in here is going to be pencil work

Thanks for visiting

Cheers

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[j a k e]

Very strong stuff here! Seems like you know what you're doing. Keep it up mate.

[Zombie_dla]

Really good stuff. Can't wait to see some more ;)

[Sonaj]

@j a k e:

Thanks a lot; i appreciate it and i watched your stuff; i really like your digital portraits; always welcome here

@Zombie_dla:

Thx; got here another one finished tonight just for you :)

crits always welcome

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[zacharybear]

noice, your anatomy is tight, but the hand looks a little clothy.

that portrait is bogging though, it's great!

[JesArt]

Come on, it has to be more great artwork, dont leave me hanging. I want more.

[Sonaj]

zacharybear - thanks mate, you're right about the hand; reference was a bronze statue, so i think that's the reason for what you describe as clothy look.

JesArt - Thx for visiting; more will come, hope you like it, it's another portrait
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[Onnophris]

That portrait looks fantastic! The rendering on it is great.

[Envisor]

Great studies here. The only critique I have is about the hand study up top. IT seems to look more metallic than flesh like.

My Sketchbook- C&C very welcome
http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=85772

[Sonaj]

Onnophris - thank you; i'm happy you like it

Envisor - thx for the crit; yeah it really looks metallic; as i mentioned above it was drawn with a bronze statue as reference, so i guess it should look metallic :} . Or maybe i just messed it up. I'll check your sketchbook out, cya

Don't want to post here without some new stuff, here comes another hand study. Not too glad with it. Actually it is my own left hand, so don't laugh :\

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[SantaClaus]

HI!

sweet stuff... I like your rendering. Its nice when you leave the white of the page as a highlight like in the first drawings. in the most recent drawings it doesnt look like you leave any of the page showing... just my opinion. more!

[Sonaj]

SantaClaus - thanks for looking here and your crit; i will try to take care of my highlights.
Your sketchbook is great
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[Envisor]

Wow dude, lovin the last posts, the demon guy is just awesome. How long did it take to finish.

My Sketchbook- C&C very welcome
http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=85772

[darkchild]

Beautiful work with your pencils! I need to take some tips from you. Really love your work, I'll be back.

[Rudeone]

Very solid stuff in here, awesome rendering and very convincing use of value. I in particular like the first portrait, I'll be watching :)

[kuroart]

So far, all I see is sweet work. I'll definitely be returning to this thread often.

[Sonaj]

Envisor - thanks for revisiting; i don't know how long it took exactly; more than an hour for sure; i'm drawing quite slow i think and atm the biggest task is getting my rough sketch right proportions and stuff. The rendering then just is fun and some patience

darkchild - well thanks a lot; tips from me sounds kinda strange (i don't have any art education or stuff), but i will try to help you if i can; I'll be checking your SB soon

Rudeone, kuroart - Thx guys, always welcome; checking your stuff too

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[Ashrumm]

Nice rendering, One thing that i think that could help you out would be to push your darks darker or lighten up your highlights so there is a clear distinction between darks and lights. Your work is really good keep it up I would like to see more keep it up!!

[Sonaj]

ashrumm - thanks for stopping by and leaving comment. I will try to push my values further.

Checking all your SBs soon. Just too tired right now, couldn't sleep

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[AztcFireFlower]

Sonaj, Nice start to your SB. The portrait at the beginning is very nicely done. Caught my eye. Fill this SB up.

[Sonaj]

AztcFireFlower - Thank you very much. I am honored that you look at my stuff. Love your Sketchbook :bow:

Right now it is quite hard getting time for drawing, cause my final exams are near. Staying up long at night to get at least a little something for weekly updates

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[Envisor]

Hey man. The latest samorai pic is just superb, is it from ref. Or from your head. Just wondering. Great work.

[DanielC]

Very nice stuff Sonaj !
The portrait are well done, nice expression. The one from the 12th of january is my fav.
Nice work, keep it up sir !

[Kronos]

hey man thanks for the comment in my sb, encouraging and helpful words so thanks a lot!

your renderings looking great, i love this (http://conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76953&stc=1&d=1168737453) hand. what are you studying? the way you introduced yourself at the beginning of your sb made it sound like you weren't an art student, well.... whats a non art student doing being so good at drawing? HUH!

anyway man, i don't think theres anything i can really crit, i'd love to see more stuff from your head, and just more in general :P KEEP IT UP!

[Chance.]

Awsome pencils. Your rendering is great. The hand studies really stand out.

[SantaClaus]

Hi

just really love the last post! its awesome. the environment in the back seems a bit plane though. I feel like you might be able to put a little something in there to subjest what kinda material the ground is made of a bit more.

[Chance.]

Looking through your sb again, it struck me how much character you put into your faces. I love the old man and grandson. That is a great piece. You must have so much patience to render like that with a pencil. I look forward to your next piece. Please post more soon

[Sonaj]

Envisor - Thanks a lot. It is at least in part from ref. I changed some things on the pic i had as ref and added some stuff, so it doesn't exist like this here. But generally it is from ref, yes. Keep up your work

DanielC - Great that you came by. I am very much in love with your sketchbook :perv: ; glad you like it, but there is no piece from 12th of january :dur: Sorry it's not exactly chronological. Thanks and visit again

Kronos - Hey there. I am studying biology and will finish my diploma this year (hopefully). Like i mentioned i was drawing when i was younger, my father is an artist and it was quite a hobby of mine. But i was stupid for a long time and wasted my time with too much lazyness and computer games, partying and stuff. Then my girlfriend left me, it was like a shock or waking up from being hypnotized. I was destroyed, and the only thing that seemed to help me out was drawing. It is like finding peace and putting your spirit in something that you can watch again when you want. I won't be stupid again wasting my life with shit that i don't care for, and right now i love to draw.
Why am i writing this stuff in a forum? Dunno, sorry but you asked why i draw :blahblah:
Visit again and thanks for looking mate

Q-Caddlewick
Thank you! Actually i am not as patient as you might think. Often i am just not satisfied with my work. When i have got a very rough sketch i often think there could be done so much more or how would this look taken further. And it is quite relaxing to take the time that you want for something you love to do. You are always welcome, cheers

SantaClaus
Thanks man
You are definitely right with that background. Maybe i will get into that piece again, but right now i will let it be. You are doing great in your sb, i will check it out soon.

I made up a stupid rule for me not to post in the sb without adding something new, so i had to draw anything to be able to reply at you guys.
More soon

[Envisor]

I love the lighting on this last one. It seems the head is too big for the body, but it may seem that way because her left arm kinda fades into the darkness. Anyways, keep it up.

[Sonaj]

Envisor - thanks for looking again. Good point about the head size. Yes, could be the shadow side, maybe i work it out. Main issue was lightning in that one.

Tiny update, a small attemt to capture some movement. C&C welcome

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[Chance.]

Cool updates,

Good lighting on the lantern, and good expressioin with the face. I agree that the head proportions seem a little off.

Keep doing the samurai. I like that subject. The samurai himself looks great. The background looks a little rushed though. Try [if you are going for a simple blank look] draw the lines all parrallel or crosshatched. Keep the tone even to make it look flat. Or render somethink like a landscape or whatever. With the way it looks now, there appears to be some sort of sheet hanging back there.

[savant]

Great stuff here man, killer rendering. I'm gonna keep my eye on this thread for sure. Keep it up and good luck to the exams too! :coke:

[Bartovan]

Strong SB here! Very good rendering - but you could push that anatomy a bit further here and there. Keep going!

[Ashrumm]

Keep it up man I like the last piece but i wish i could see a bit more of a value range other than that you are doing great.

[Sonaj]

Q - Thank you for C&C. You are totally right. That background was rushed and i should watch that. Maybe next time i will pay more attention to bg and stuff:bashful:

Savant - Hey, thanks. I like your avatar. And thx for wishing me luck, i can use it >:D

Bartovan - Yeah i think you are right. Anatomy could be pushed (it always could). I got into some loomis with this update. Thanks

ashrumm - thank you for visiting again. Yeah, values always are quite hard for me in these, i think to some amount cause these were pencil point renderings.
I promise a value study for next update.

Thx again to all leaving C&C and stopping by, i appreciate it. Made some good points. Cheers

Another fight movement study
Dürer line studies, he is one of my favourite artists since childhood
Loomis anatomy and head studies

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[Envisor]

lot of updates. The Loomis studies are great. And the fighting scenehas really good lighting. Ill definitely be checking Durer's work. From the studies, he has some great otherworldly skills. Also, you stated in one of your earler posts that your father was an artist, wondering if you could post up a couple of his work so we could see what kind of influneces he has had on you and your art. Doing great.

[JoeEffect]

wow man,pretty nice your whole drawings,i really like it your sb.by the way,i'm looking for an Anatomy book by a German Artist,i think his name is Gottfried Bammes(i'm not pretty sure).do you know about something of this?

[saa]

that's some great stuff you have here.

i like your confidence with your strokes, the dürer studies are my favorites. also your hand looks very good, i think it's the only thing here you drew from life, am i right?

[darkchild]

Thats some beautiful studies on anatomy! But I was blown away with that last portrait of the girl. Very impressive work. Keep it up!

[JoeEffect]

hey,i found a bammes's book(wir zeichnen den menschen)in pdf format.what do you think abou it,it's a good book?

[Sonaj]

Envisor - If you don't know Albrecht Dürer you should definitely check out his stuff, he was a master. Check his lines and engravings especially, he has some famous work. Concerning my fathers work i will have to check if i can get something to scan or take a foto, but i am worried that my stuff will look ridiculous then

Joe - thanks man; I haven't seen that book of Bammes, but i think it can't be wrong. So if you can have it for free, check it out for sure man. Bammes has great anatomical knowledge, i think it's good for people who really want to get into it not stylized. Give me that link to check it out :)

saa - thank you man. You are almost right, not completely. But i should draw more from life and also more from imagination i think. Thanks for stopping

darkchild - Hey dude, thanks. That was just a loomis study from that head and hands book, so don't be impressed

Well, today i was inspired by a small Michelangelo pocket book (?), and i started my very first pen study.
While i was doing it i realized how much i suck and how superior these old masters were. But nevertheless i finished it, so you have something to laugh :} . And i know now that i shouldn't start too small with a medium pen lead

Moreover i started a longer value study until i spilled red wine over it, so i won't post it. Maybe i will work it out, right now i am angry about my clumsiness.

Here's that Michelangelo study

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[Sonaj]

The value study i was talking about. I will not finish it, cause i ruined it with the wine :rolleyes:
I see so much stuff that is still wrong about it, but i won't go further, maybe i'll start a new one sometimes. I post it unfinished though, give you something to crit

Michelangelos Pieta

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[Envisor]

i would nt worry about looking ridiculos. Because most of us around here look that way around your works, and it would be nice to get a harder push in the right direction which is what youve been doing with your works. These studies are really good, especially this last one, it looks so smooth, the contrast, tones and values i mean. Did a real nice job on her, I like how you caught the eyelids. Really nice.

[Stormcrow135]

hey man, thanks for the post on my SB. I was flipping through yours and you have some beautiful work here. Alot of depth and weight in your pencil renderings. Do you use a fair amount of photo reference , or combine some out of your head and use photo reference as a guide? I know i do alot of the latter, though occasionally, i love to just render from a photo. Most of my stuff is out of my head, and is consequently weaker. Just asking. Beautiful stuff.

[Minja]

Hey, inspiration stuff! Thanks for the post on my SB, much appreciated, especially from someone of your talents :D

Great work, your rendering is amazing!

[Chance.]

Strong anatomy studies! Your lines are so confident. Your rendering is improving exponentially. The contrast of the rough dark mike study, with smooth tones of the pieta is great. Quite versitile, you are. The purpose of all our practice is to learn to become better. Mistakes are not wasted time if you learn from them. Keep at it.

You are rockin.

[Don-key]

wow man FANTASTIC pencils, last one caught my eye especially.
dude these are great, master studies and great, anatomy study is great.
i think you should change your name to "great"
keep it up!

[darkchild]

Beautiful Michaelangelo studies with the last two. Yes I am impressed with your work even if it's a study. You have a very nice smoothness to your work. Something I'm striving for:)

[Blaz]

wow impresive works man! I must say your rendering and pencil work is perfect!
you make me jealous ;)! 5 stars here they come...

keep it up!

[Sonaj]

Envisor - thx for kind words, i wish i could spend more time with art atm. You already got 5 pages in your sb man

Stormcrow135 - Yes some of the stuff is foto reffed, but there is also some life and head stuff, and obviously master studies.
I want to stick with studies right now, but sure more mind and life drawings will follow, too. Just trying to improve technically right now and get the basics. And don't worry, i don't think your out of head drawings are weak, they aren't.

Minja - thank you

Don-key - lol, i will think about a name change, hehehe (not really), thanks

darkchild - thx, you are doing great at your sb, just don't want to spam with short "nice" comments over there all time. Appreciate the support

Blaz - Hey thanks a lot. Not sure i deserve that though. I'm lousy compared to some other books here

anatomy
loomis and gamelin (from a link at someones sb)
Finally something from Mentlers book of Bones. Fantastic stuff for figure poses
and anatomy he has got there. I hope it is o.k. if i post it here, i'm planning to do some more figure work from his thread, this was about gravity
more lines: Dürer and Michelangelo

Next update has to be more head stuff, promise

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[Envisor]

[QUOTE=Sonaj]Envisor - thx for kind words, i wish i could spend more time with art atm. You already got 5 pages in your sb man

I have to stay home all day since i cant find a job anywhere. Drawing keeps my mind off the fact that im a loser still living at home. And the fact that i can improve my art cant be a bad thing now can it. lol. Man i love to draw!!!!!!!!!!!
I cant wait till Im able to render such things as you have done in your thread. These studies from anatomy to portraits, really great stuff. Inspiring. if you like figure studies and anatomy ive got a link here to a Kevin Chen, he was a teacher in the area of figures and life, and is now working in the game industry. So far he is my favorite figure artist.

Kevin Chen Tutorials
http://www.characterdesigns.com/index.php?sitepage=tutorials

Hope you enjoy!

[Zombie_dla]

Wow, great anatomy, great rendering, great everything! I can't tell if you've improved or not since your work was fantastic from the start :) Keep doing what you do

[Delmar]

MAn!! This is the third SB i´m looking through in the last two days, with such kickass pencil renderings, and i love it.
Thanks for inspiring me to go back to the roots, an doing some pencil practice.

C U

[SantaClaus]

hi

great new stuff. the studies are great. like the one where you broke the body into shapes. Also post #420 is great. the Michelangelo stud is nice too. but sometimes its a good idea to do master studies with the same mediums they used. the strokes they made were done taking in account the medium... I believe that this master study was done with red chalk or charcoal on a tanish paper. so he would have less contrast... just maybe something to think about. keep up your fantastic studies.

[Bojee]

Strong work here! :) I really like the anatomy work and the diversity of the new posts, it's good to try new things. One of my favorite posts overall is your sp, real sensitive handling in that one.


If I could offer any suggestion I might echo something SantaClaus has already mentioned, I think you handle the figure really pretty well, it'd be great to see you tackle the environments they inhabit, or at least include it in an abstract way. The things around a figure help to describe it as much as the figure itself. This is something I'm working on myself so I hope you don't mind the suggestion.

Thanks for the post in my book, i really appreciate it. Can't wait to see the new work. :)

[mrpank]

splendid drawings
cheers

[Zord]

Wanted to give thanks and stop by in your sketchbook. I'm digging the studies and sketches from reference but what about more color work? You've delved into that briefly with Mentler's studies and they look mighty fine, how about some more? Either way, keep up the progress and the studies, now let's see some imagination work! There are a couple of animal studies here and there, creatures ppppleeease? Cheers, mate. :)

[emily g]

Nice. I really like your drawing and shading style.

[darkchild]

This one rocks: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=94465&stc=1&d=1171580239

Very nice work with the structure and details!

[JoeEffect]

man i've been working in a new job and i have not time.This is the link of Bammes book,http://basangpanaginip.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_basangpanaginip_archive.html
you can download some books but some others books not because any shit or something.
well man enjoy the book and see you.

[Sonaj]

Failed at weekly updates - so much i want to do but not much time

Envisor - Hey thanks for that link; good stuff there; keep drawing as much as you do and you will make a living with art some day;) you can do it, so draw, draw, draw now

Zombie_dla - Thx man

Delmar - Thank you; it can't be wrong to do some pencil work sometimes; everytime something new to learn

Santa - You are so right about choice of medium; thank you for stopping and something to think about more. The original was a hematite (Rötel ?) study, i should really watch for these things more.

Bojee - Your comment is much appreciated too, especially because you made a valid point. I will try to get some more work with environment surrounding done soon. So much i have to do...thanks a lot

mrpank -thx; \w/

Zord - Hi Zord, yes another good suggestion; i should try to revive my rusty color abilities; Maybe soon, creatures and imagination soon :blahblah:
Did i mention there is so much i want to do and no time?
Thanks for a visit

Hello emily g - I am happy you like it, because i like your drawings too, especially the Bargues. It must be so great to work with Mr Whitaker. Thank you

darkchild - Hey dude, funny cause that one i didn't like. Thank you for your support , i am on my way to your SB

JoeEffect - Talking about no time ;)
Thanks for the link, it is a great and detailed anatomy book. I like it a lot, so i made some studies already. The text is quite hard to read though, even for germans

Thank you all for your replies, you really are helping me

More Mentler fanart; i have to do some more of these
Bammes anatomy studies
A very small and fast doodle from mind, no ref; sorry i know it's not much
A study of the incredible skull that David Kassan has posted in his sketchbook
If it's not ok i will remove it dear Mr Kassan <3

P.S.:
How can i write between the attachments?

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[DanielC]

Hello Sonaj !
Thought i'd return the favor.
The studies are looking very good. Keep doing some as long as you think you need to.
As for the last one, the lighting is a bit weird to me. There are too many highlights and it's hard to know where the light's coming from. So, imo, it'd look better if you add a light layer of shade over the highlights that should be too bright.
The imaginary pic is looking good too... .but maybe some more details would make it better? :=)
Keep it up !!

[Nekromisantrop]

Wow that skull is hot! Superb work on the edges and nice work on them natomy studies

[Sonaj]

Daniel - Yes you are right. I guess i was thinking too much in lines and forgot about distinct lighting there. I would like to change according to your suggestions but i gave that one away to a friend who liked it. Guess i will have to steal it and change it :} Thanks for C&C

Sarcophagus - Thank you

Small update, more Bammes and tonights start of an SP

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[Zord]

Wow man, nice SP. Not sure if likeness is there or not, but the values, tone, and highlights are well done. The shadow on the right side of the chin/collar bone/shoulder area is a little wierd, as the shadow should have slight variations in size/tone while it's cast upon your shoulder. But keep up this smooth rendering action, cheers!

[asoir]

hey man, really nice studies. that sp really is looking fantastic, great lines!

[Pyroclasm00]

Great anatomy studies man, I really like the skull. That self-portrait is mad good too, but I agree with Zord about the shadow on the shoulder area.

[buriedtalent]

gosh... you're good. your portraits are stunning. keep it up.

[Kronos]

AHH! sorry dude, i thought i had commented way more in your sb, turns out just the once :S i've been looking back here a lot though :D things are looking damn cool post #35 was particularly pleasant!

and that selfportrait is extremely nice, the highlight running down the bridge of the nose really pops the whole piece. and the cast shadows work very well.


sorry man i can't think of anything to crit!

ahh about writing between the attachments, its kind of a hassle, but once you have uploaded your images click on the paper clip and you can select them by name and it will insert the right code stuff and you can just write around that :)

awesome dude, i want more!!!

[Grim Reaper]

Wow! You're really good man. I can see you're taking it very seriously. And that's good 'cos it's the only way to get somewhere. I love the character with the straightjacket... ok , maybe it isn't a straightjacket but it's a very intersting concept. Great pencilwork.

[Envisor]

Congrats on Page Numero 2. Man that Self Portrait kicks ass. But since you didnt finish rendering the shirt, it makes you look a lot like Spok from star trek. Really good anatomy and Mentler studies, I'll have to do some of them as well.

[KLEVR]

Wow sonaj! I'm glad you decided to get yourself back into the swing of drawing, these look great! I suddenly feel the need to go draw something.

[JoeEffect]

hey man glad you like the book! i'm looking for Anatomy books,if i see something around i'll tell you.

[Chance.]

sorry not to get in here more often. I haven't been posting like usual recently.

You are taking off! your rendering is getting better (if thats' possible) you were strong already but you are improving. great work.

I love all the studies. That skull especially. I'm saving that onto my computer. You say it was reffed from someone else... was your ref a drawing? or was it a sculpture? anyway great job on that.

I really like your sp. I have a feeling you have captured yourself well.

Keep up the good work.

[Sonaj]

Just a short visit to not let this die

Zord - thank you, i think it looks quite like me ;) ; agreed on the cast shadow, maybe i will refine that one, just been too busy with other stuff.

asoir - hey thanks mate

Pyroclasm00 -thx, i agree with zord too:^^:

buriedtalent - thanks alot, i will try

kronos - no problem dude, i always think i should visit more threads myself. but we can't spend the whole day in here; thanks for that explanation

Grim Reaper - I could take it more serious, it is a hobby for fun, but everything is serious sometimes ;) thanks for visit

Envisor - lol beam me up scotty. Good youre back, maybe i will finish that sp someday

KLEVR - yea until now i don't regret it, thanks and glad i could inspire someone

JoeEffect - sure man, bring em on and thank you

Q - I am not posting very regular myself, so dont worry. Good to know i am improving, i feel like learning sloowwwly
That skull is from a drawing of the amazing David Kassan; homepage: http://www.davidkassan.com/
He has a sketchbook somewhere in here too, there i got the pic from.
Thank you for your support and putting my sb in your sig

I will try to visit all your sbs soon, right now i have to go back to the books.
Thank you all

WIP of a master study i am working on
When i'm finished i will post some detail pics and a little step by step of my progress if anyone should be interested
William Bouguereau - Au Bord du Ruisseau
go here for reference: http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/database/image.asp?id=22

[Envisor]

Very nice Bouguereau study. You never stop amazing me with the rendering. Kinda funny when you said beam me up Scotty because thats my middle name, Scott I mean. I havent even told anyone on here, as far as i know any ways. Cant wait for more man.

[Blade-14]

Have i commented on your book? cos i a fool if i ain't already!, the pencil rendering as most people wud have already mentioned in the most passionate of manners is GOD. U seem to know it so well and just possess a masterful ability with it, SO MANY SKETCHBOOKS TO WATCH SO LITTLE TIME!

Guess u know that means u have another watcher, keep the good stuff coming!!

[Chance.]

You amaze me with the amount of time you put into your work. You get an "A" for patience.

Keep rockin!

[Zord]

Nice one man! Masters studies are popping up all over everyone's SB these days! :) The one problem I noticed was the bottom of the girls face from the lips down. The lips are a little shorter than in the picture. But other than that, good work. You captured the folds in the cloth quite nicely. Cheers.

[darkchild]

Very nice muscle and master studies!! I think that skull stole the whole page so far. Excellent work with that!

[Stormcrow135]

Loving your pencil work. Very rich and quite solid. Very inspirational, and i love that picture of the girl! I really enjoy looking at your work:)

~Stormcrow

[Sonaj]

Thank you Envisor, or Scott :wink:

Blade-14 - Thank you; i know what you mean with the time thing.

Q - I don't know if that is always good. Sometimes i just want to draw fast scribbles and then i can't step away from it and leave it. I have to work on some quick figure studies soon. I think i am going for a life drawing course this summer if i can find the time

Zord - Yes i see them quite often, too. It's just a great source for learning. Do you mean that the chin is too long or the lips are too small? I changed little bits but i am tired of this one and leave it. Thanks for your comment.

darkchild and stormcrow135 - thank you both very much, appreciated


I worked just a little bit on the Bouguereau, leave it at this point

Did some da Vinci studies; i worked the first time in my life with pastels, i like it a lot

Gone wild with pastels after first use, lol; the colors are not looking like the real ones. I played a bit with the saturation, but my scanner seems to not like me. I think it is anywhere between the mid and right one looking not so muddy

Experimenting with graphite and pastel powder and charcoal pencil

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[DanielC]

Very nice work sonaj!
The shapes and contours are well executed.
I don't have any crit on the latest work though =)
Keep working hard, the sp's went directly in my favorite works from you.

[Ashrumm]

That Bouguereau study is golden my friend! Wow very impressive study he is by far my favorite among the 19th century classical artists. Good work man, I think this just turned on the light bulb in my brain, i need to jump on the band wagon.
Your other works are good as well keep experimenting its something I do very little of. Good work man and thanks for the constructive cratique in my sketchbook. My only crit is you could push the values of the dress a bit more so it matches the cool blue in the painting other than that good work!

cheers!

[Envisor]

Good update man. Im guessing the last one is sort of a selfportrait. The Da Vinci studies look great, did you get them froma book or from the internet because Ive been wanting to do some master studies here soon. Really good first try with pastels as well. I tried once but I didnt try real hard with them, I think I give them another try soo too.

[MUNIZ]

Man thoroughly enjoyed the SB. A lot of skill with the pencil shading. Keep up the good work.

[AztcFireFlower]

Hi Sonaj,

Thanks for stopping by and your nice comments.:) To answer your question: I use charcoal pencils exclusively for life drawing.
I use Ritmo, General, and one made by Kohinerhardmuth AQ - Reisskohl, which when you get the right pencil makes for a smooth charcoal "brush". I like mediums, but when I feel confident, I go softer.

What a nice SP in post #64.
You got it. Now it's just a matter of doing what you've been doing: A bunch of great studies.

I also like the skull,
To add to DanielC's comment. Just remember all form has a basic geometric shape. When you look at a ball, there is a light fall-off that you'll see more clearly when you squint at a real object. Same applies to the skull, torso etc. Think of the big effect when it comes to light. In any case, I think the construction is excellent and the render has many interesting strokes within. I like it.

Nice variety of studies: Life to master copies.

Keep it UP!

[costas]

hey man.... i don't know what to say.... they are just THE BEST i've ever seen... tell me two things...... what did you and how did you do it to have that result?? I'm 16 so now i know that when I'm 25 i'd like to draw like you... you're great..

[Burning Eyes]

very nice book, nice patience.... keep it up! cheers, will write more when im sober

[Chance.]

You are beginning to scare me. You are sooo far out of my league that I'm having a hard time thinking of anything to say but "Wow you are amazing" <-A boring thing to say all the time I think.

All the master studies are... amazing. That's all I can say about them.

The Viking dude... Wow. Did you have ref for that guy? Cause if he came from your head, I wanna see a ton more like him!

You are great with self portraits. It's scary how consistent you are. Now that I've see three of them, I'm sure I have a really really good idea of what you look like. You have great atmosphere in this last one. Keep experementing with different mediums, you are turning interesting results.

[Selfish Nika]

You're work is amazing! I'm lovin' it. I quess a great example for me to follow. I'll surely keep on looking here.

[Sopor+Aeternus]

nice anatomy studys! love your rendering! seems like you are improving! so keep it going

[Sonaj]

I am such a slacker; too long not updating, but i am in the middle of exams so forgive me

DanielC - thanks mate, but you sure can find something to crit, i can see enough flaws :^^:

ashrumm - hey dude, glad you like it; yes these are def. a great source for learning; thx

Envisor - yeah, kind of SP :x ; those are from pictures on the net; gave you a link already i think

MUNIZ - Thank you, i will keep it up

Aztc - Hey thank you for your precise answer and for your great comment; very encouraging and helpful; you are great

costas - i am flattered, didn't expect that; what to do? Well, you can't do much wrong, just draw as much as possible, keep trying new things and listen to people that give you tips. Study and practice from life and masters and draw what you want to; it is simple as that; thanks again

burning eyes - thx, sober yet? :tihi:

Q - nice words, i am far from where i could and want to be, but so is everyone i guess; yeah i had ref for that viking dude, but more in a non strict way; i will keep experimenting, i ordered some oil paints and will try something new for sure; thank you

Selfish Nika, Sopor + Aeternus - thank you both very much

As mentioned i am in the middle of exams and it is quite hard to find any time for drawing but i managed to do few studies from michelangelo again; and a lip :P

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[Envisor]

Thx for the link to the masters. Ive got to get my ass in gear and do some master studies. The studies turned out great as usual. Keep it up and good luck with exams.

[Chance.]

nice studies.

Did the poor guy just get whacked in the head or something?

I think M was a little off witht that leg. It seems to stretched out. Don't the muscles originate and insert closer to the actual knee joint?

Cute lip. ;)

[Trollfar]

Good work!
I have no Crits or Comments, I´m not so skilled to see what could have been better in all these great pics.

Keep it up!

[Kronos]

gorgeous stuff as always man, sorry i can't think of anything helpful to say, your kicking BUTT!!!! i would definitely enjoy seeing more from your head, but only if you feel like it :P i mean imagination btw, although bring on the selfportraits cos they are awesome!

thanks a lot for the comment in my SB, i think i do need to start using a charcoal pencil for life drawing because i always end up running out of time when it comes to blocking in shadows and such. hoping a charcoal pencil can help speed me up :S longer poses would help though, the longest i have ever had was 25 mins.

what kind of paper are you using for those michalengelo studies?

keep it up man! always a pleasure stopping by here.

[Soja]

Oh my god! Great master studies!!!
U kicking ass man!! Dont know what to say else!
No crits at all...just wooohhhaaaa post more!!
And thx for ur post in my sketchbook!

Hey! Bin aus Deutschland ja! Studiere eigentlich in Augsburg
Kommunikations Design...bin aber gerade fuer ein Jahr Erasmus
in Belfast. Woher kommst du??

[Call0ps]

great studies matte, the lines are real nice and smooth. the rendering also great. keep it up

[markey2d]

great pencil work, really i wish i was this skilled.

i think your really talented, maybe u should draw for a living

[n1va]

Wow, incredible rendering with your pencils. The 5 stars are well deserved, put more in here though!

[Sonaj]

Hey all, i have been away quite a time. Exams are over now, everything is ok :) so i will have more time for art from now on i hope.

Envisor - thank you mate

Q - Now that you mention, looks really streched, good eye there

Trollfar - Thank you

Kronos - Hey, thanks for stopping; i def. need to do some more stuff out of my mind, thanks for reminding me. I think right now i am trying to get stronger foundation, the rest will propably come along soon.
I use a normal quite thick sketch pat for these and tone it down with graphite powder and pastel powder if i am in the mood. That allows some really quick midtone and you can pick out highlights with eraser in no time. It is a lot of fun. Just watch out not to breathe in the powder. Cheers mate

Hey Soja - Danke xD
Ich bin Student aus Würzburg, gerade fertig mit Prüfungen und werde jetzt Diplomarbeit anfangen. Scheinen ja einige Leute aus good old germany hier zu sein. Thanks for stopping by and keep it up yourself ;)

Call0ps - markey2d - n1va - thank you very much, i will try to post more regularly


Just to get back some Bridgman and a back study from Pierre Proudhon, quite quick stuff.
Finally got my Bridgman books so more will come i guess. And i started an oil painting, which is a lot of fun. As soon as i can get a decent pic i will post it up for some crits on my wacky painting skills
Cheers all

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[Envisor]

Nice update. Really good proportions on those studies. Cant wait to get a look at that oil painting.

[SantaClaus]

Hi

really sweet pencils and studies. your rendering is real nice. The skull was nicely rendered. although the lighting isn't distinct it does show dementionality to it for sure. nice stuff!

[Call0ps]

nice studies :D specially the from life, the rendering is great. keep it up

[reidaj]

Great sketchbook! I really like the master studies, the self portrait work, the life work... I like it all! Keep posting, I'll be keeping an eye on your SB.

[bunny]

hey sonaj!
I love your studies. Your rendering is quite subperb :)

I would like to see more of your personal concepts, though. And perhaps some colour work :) You have the skills, you could definitely create some beautiful personal pieces!

[Wasker]

Very nice bridgman studies! I like this Da vinci one too, sweet

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=110229&stc=1&d=1174333404

[Kronos]

more awesomeness, your drawings always give me a oow i want to touch that kind of feeling. like they are just so pleasing to the eye i want to get pleasure from touching them too... that wasn't supposed to sound dirty...

just keep the delicious updates coming :D

[Sonaj]

Envisor - thanks again, the oil is still in progress, but i post the version it is in now

Santa - good to see you around, you have some great updates. thx

Call0ps - thank you

reidaj - Hey thanks; i think i was in your book and saw great studies there. I have to check again

bunny - thank you; i will try myself on more personal work, getting into oil maybe; That is a good point you made, and appreciate the encouraging words

Wasker - Hey thanks, I saw you have some Bridgman going on yourself

Kronos - lol man, glad you like them, that didn't sound dirty. Thanks mate

So more Bridgman, quick ones in the bus and longer at home
Da Vinci head study
My first attempt at oil painting, it is in progress. It is so hard to get the colors like they look like in the real painting, especially red behaves strange in my scanner. And the canvas texture is not that visible in real. I really learned tons from this, concerning basic painting things, it was fun.
I will do more with oil now i guess, there are many things bugging me with this one right now, didn't feel like posting it. Crit me ;)

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[Thujon]

Hi Sonaj

Im really impressed by your productivity :xpld:
You have made some great progress!

Where do you take your poses from? I ve been drawing humens too for a long time...the problem is that I dont have a real person to draw...I have to imagine everything myself... how do you do it??

I would be very glad to hear from you...

Greetings & Keep it going! :confident

[Sonaj]

Thujon - thank you for your comment; there are many sources for figures you can use. You can draw from life (the best way), just ask a friend or draw from mirror or your hands for example. You can search for study material from other artists you look up to, that is just for learning progress and not for stealing other artists stuff. Or you can use foto reference, best use your own pics. I got all of it in this thread, i should do more from life and so you should too :)

sorry for short comment i am in a rush.

i started a william whitaker study today and the oil already feels better than before
bad phone pic of wip from today, excuse the quality

[mumrah]

The face is beautiful, the angle and colours, mwa x! Keep working on the shoulder and arm- the highlight on the neck and back makes it look too humped and the arm seems a little flat.

[AmadorL]

love this thread keep'em come'n

[Bojee]

The face is beautiful, the angle and colours, mwa x! Keep working on the shoulder and arm- the highlight on the neck and back makes it look too humped and the arm seems a little flat.

I agree,I don't know the piece you're working from, but it feels like you need to set the shoulder back (darken) so the arm comes forward. :^^:

[ChaoticKnight]

you've got some great rendered work here! I love the pencil medium, and I always enjoy seeing other people's pencil work. Your values and quality in your pencilwork is frankly outstanding. good stuff man

[Chromosome]

Great sketchbook with solid studies. Awesome work. I love that last study. The colors are beautiful.

[matejkovacic]

Nice work! Keep posting.

[Sonaj]

mumrah - thanks for that helpful comment. I already worked on that one a bit further and will post progress on oils as soon as i can get a decent picture

AmadorL - thank you for stopping, i will try to post now and then :)

Bojee - yeah i agree, too; i am working on it; i really like your paintings and appreciate the comment

ChaoticKnight - thank you, i love pencils quite a bit, too :}

Chromosome - that coming from one talented guy like you means a lot, thanks

matejkovacic - Thx, i will try


Mmmh, worked on the Whitaker study but i wait until i feel more comfortable about it and can get a pic that doesn't come from a phone

So more of the usual Bridgman and Michelangelo anatomy dump
and a life drawing i started of a statue that i worked on a bit more at home :evilmustache:

[Solon]

Wonderful work!!! Glad you leaded me in here. Makes me want to get my dusty brigemanns:)

[Lot]

keep the good work, very inspiring stuff!!

[maxetormer]

IMPRESSIVE handle of pencils and GREAT form!! man!! your are an inspiration
http://conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=100995&stc=1&d=1172728945

[Diego]

hey man, just stop by quickly to say great book so far, i got interested by your avatar pic, and i wasn't wrong. Seriously very good studies.
Hope to see more and more from you. 5 stars from me :)
Cheers man

[jMarkus]

:eyecandy: eyecandy :eyecandy:

[DeMoon]

Very nice stuff Sonaj !very very very good graphic arts!

[Sonaj]

Solon - Thank you, i would like to see some of your dusty :D ; really like your watercolor pieces

Lot - thanks, i will try

maxetormer - that is wrong man, YOU are the inspiration :) thanks for stopping by

Diego - wow, that is nice to hear; thank you

jmarkus and DeMoon - thank you very much guys, i am flattered

i will try to return the visits, it may take a while, but i hope to get around your books soon.

Bridgman and Alma Tadema studies
My left hand :rolleyes:

As mentioned i cleaned up the Whitaker painting a bit. I don't know if the arm and sholder area work better now, i just don't want to mess up. I think i leave it, was a good learning experience. Maybe i can get a decent pic soon, that is a phone pic again.

I will sure work with oils again in the near future, it is real fun

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[Call0ps]

great update Sonaj! that hand study is marvelous, and the last one ( women ) looks real nice as well. keep the sharing such inspiring works ^^

[matejkovacic]

Nice sketchbook! I especially like this hand study. Keep up the good work!

[DeMoon]

you are a very good artist . Thank you that was looked by my album and a good comment . you very helped me...
a girl very pleased in oily paints ...
I will be very glad to see your new works yet...

[Diego]

hey man, thanks for the nice comments in my thread. Your pretty right about everything you said, i keep drawing a lot so maybe i'll start a new thread.
Really love the latest update and the way you do some nice head studies and muscle studies, i'm sure it sticks better that way. Also bridgman is great for learning, the blocky figures gaves you a lot of sense in construction, balance and rhythm when it comes to imaginative work.
Anyways, just keep up the hard work your doing more than great.

PS: What are your goal? Fine Art, concept art? and HOW OLD ARE YOU? :)

Cheers man.

[Sonaj]

Call0ps - thanks mate

matejcovacic - thank you

DeMoon - You are doing good, i don't deserve the title artist yet; still learning basics, cheers

Diego - Hey, thanks again. Yes Bridgman has a good approach and i feel i get something out of these anatomy studies (not only for my art). I just have to do mooore;
I am 25 atm and working on my biology diploma thesis. Hmm goals, i am doing art as hobby, i think my main interest is the human figure, i will see where this hobby will take me. Generally i got more feeling for fine art, but who knows :wink: Thanks for stopping by

More studies, a friend af mine wants a painting for his new house, so soon i will have some pics of another oil painting i guess:}
Life, Photo, Bridgman, Anthony Ryder
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[motives]

Wow! wonderful.
Your sense of form are great and I really like the way you´r drawing.
Cheers

[Call0ps]

beautiful studies ! and when u finish that painting for your friend plz share with us :P keep it up

[JPW]

Hey Sonaj. Wonderful. Really wonderful. A biologist you may be, but do you really understand how great you talent is? ..Maybe that sounds slightly sycophantic, but you're certainly very, very good.

You should look at Bluefooted's work, she's a scientist who so happens to do this in her spare time too. How dare you both.

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=56348

Fuckin' ay.

Thanks

James.

[Shinryu]

Some really cool work man, studies looking great!

Cheers

[Tigermilk]

hm.. I wonder how I could ever miss this thread. Incredible work :)
/tiger

[blacky]

Nice stuff you have on here. Like em. some might be a bit stiff in the execution though
cheers

[Stormcrow135]

Man i love your work. Very well done, colorwise and technique wise. Very thought provoking as well. Bravo. Its always a real pleasure looking at your work. Very inspiring.

[costas]

man u are just amazing... i love your stuff...!! keep it up... and plz keep sharing!!!!

[reidaj]

Its been awhile since I've dropped by, and you've posted some great work recently! Especially posts #126 & #119. Looking forward to more!

[smws]

Wow, fantastic rendering ability. I too am a fan of Dürer, good studies after him! Please do update, it's been some time, we wonder what you're up to.

[Sonaj]

Hey,
wow, time flies and i couldn't work as much on my art as i wish.
Sorry for being away that long, but life is quite hectic for me atm. Hopefully I can focus better on this in near future.

motives - thank you very much

Call0ps - thanks again dude, I'll try to get a pic of that painting (didn't when I gave it away unfortunately)

JPW - Haha, thanks man; seems I don't understand, where is that talent you speak of, i can't see it :P
Ah, there it is, when i look at bluefooted's work. She is great, thanks for that link; scientists and art? Does that get together? Hehe

Shinryu - thanks dude, right back at you

Tigermilk - thank you so much

blacky - Glad you like; I can see what you mean with stiff, it is a problem i seem to have sometimes

Stormcrow135 - Thank you

costas - :teeth: way to kick my ass, reminding me i have to update; thanks for the compliment

reidaj - thanks man, waiting for your updates

smws - thx a lot; i will try to stay around again some time

Did something for the international day of self portrait (2 larger are from today)
and some Bridgman studies to get this going again.
hopefully more soon

[Diego]

really cool to have you back man. Your pencil rocks.
Hope to see more.

Cheers

[*~If*Destinys*Kind~*]

hiya, I was looking thrugh here, and I am speechless! you'rework is fantastic and so inspiring, just one question...do you draw from imagintion or observation? Sorry if you have had this question before.

xx

[RandAlThor]

Very cool traditional pieces, you have a visually pleasing handling of those media, im envious ;-) post more oils, loving that last one...

[ShadowOfTheSun]

i love your pencil renderings, very nice. is the muscular face from andrew loomis book? it looks very famiiar.

this pic
http://conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=139018&stc=1&d=1179266024

[JesArt]

Man you are an AWESOME and AMAZING artist, you render things so accurate, but sometimes i feel that when you get to the lighting of areas you kinda make it up a little,not too much, just a little bit, but hey i cant past judgement on anybodys artwork, I havent even started a sketchbook, those dame scanners are so expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyways keep up the great artwork man.

[Beelow]

Nice studies. I like those bridgeman studies. Keep posting! XD

[Chance.]

Hey, it has been a while since I have been in here.

You are going as strong as ever man, I wish I could borrow your pencil skills for a month while I finish up my portfolio!

Anyway, cool work, I love your anatomy studies. I'll see you around.

P.S. (don't be confused by the new name, my sig will tell you who I really am...)

[Sonaj]

Diego - Hey, thanks for the welcome back and compliment; You have to update your book, do it

If Destinys Kind - thanks a lot; most of the works here are just studies atm, so not much from imagination; maybe there will be more after getting some things into my head; cheers

RandAlThor - i am working on it; thanks for stopping

ShadowOfTheSun - thanks, you are right, that's Loomis

JesArt - heh, thanks man; there shure is a lot to learn about light for me, i agree; you could get a cheap scanner, it doesn't have to be the newest hi-tech if you just want to get some images up

Beelow - thank you, i hope i will :)

Chance - No prob, Q; i haven't updated in a while; i saw you are active in the mentoring forums; good luck and success there, i think you got a good mentor from what i have seen

Basically just replies and a little more Bridgman anatomy from today
Thanks all, you are too kind

[Chromosome]

That last batch of sp's are ridiculously good. Great job on the bridgman studies as well.

[Sonaj]

Chromosome - Thank you; i am a big fan of your work, mate

Anthony Ryder anatomy study;
60 Second posemaniac lines http://www.posemaniacs.com/pose/thirtysecond.html
and a work in progress drawing of a friend - a lot to fix

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[AztcFireFlower]

Really nice drawings in post #142.

You are sensitive to form. Your careful studies show in your self-portraits because they are solid in structure and have character and life. You definitely can draw!
Good latest studies. The portrait is coming along......always aware of structure -Nice!. some advice, and remember it's mostly my opinion - Most female depictions benefit from softness in rendering. What I would suggest is simply to smoothe out the pencil strokes. When you squint, you don't want to see any blots or dark streaks in her skin. Even if you see muscle shadows, keep them to a minimum. Perhaps, unify the tone on the side of her nose. At first wasn't sure if the shadows of her hair on her face were muscle forms. I think if the tone on her cheek was even, then the shadows would be clearer as cast from her hair.

I enjoy looking at your work. You have very good skills that I love seeing progress. Please keep up the studies. I like seeing the pay offs.

[Swampdigger]

Hey Sonaj, really nice stuff all around but I especially like you last round of SPs. They have a very nice expressive quality to them. Your pencil work is also extremely good, very inspiring stuff.

[Sonaj]

Aztc - Hey, thanks a lot; your encouraging words and thought out advices are really like early christmas presents; I always appreciate you stopping by

Swampdigger - Thank you for looking and the nice words

I found a sanguine brush pen in one shop here and thought i'd give it a try. Really like the fluid feeling and line variation;
here are some quick sketches and bridgmans; just messing around

Hope you all enjoy your holidays and have a tranquil time

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[Clodioz]

wow, your rendering skill is awesome,, I like all your penciled ones .D

[Sonaj]

Thank you, Clodioz

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[mentler]

! 5 Bones !

[Sonaj]

Thank you bonedoctor

means alot

[Sonaj]

Wow, last post really was a horrible photo; sorry

Anyway, more studies

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[Clochette]

Beautiful studies! This portrait is great too!

[Rockhart]

beautiful pencil work! although one quick thing that i noticed about your last portrait. maybe it's just me but your eyebrows don't really line up... might have something to do with the shadow above the right eye... anyways just something i noticed. great work and keep it up!

[Diego]

the pencils are great dude, love the rendering of the torso.
The pose maniacs is such a great source, they're looking good.
My only crit is the size of the pics, haha, i would like to see a BIG ASS portrait rendering just for the details.
Anyways, keep rocking dude.

[Chance.]

Really great patience in the hatching on the torso drawings.

[AztcFireFlower]

The last black and white painting is really quite impressive. Good value (as well in the pencil SP) and brushwork.

Thanks for your kind support, really appreciate it.

[Cepro]

very good work. You should do more paintings.

[Taboo]

fantastic, you've come a long way in a year!

[Hive_minD]

a study each day, keeps the doctor away :P
Take care mate. You're going in the right direction.

Chris

[Sonaj]

Clochette - thank you very much

Rockhart - Thanks for the crit, i can see what yo mean

Diego - Thx mate, next time i will post bigger pics for you

Chance - Thanks for stopping by, i appreciate the comment

Aztc - Thank you Esmeralda; i did these as really fast paintings to get a better control of it; i'm still pretty new to painting; nice to hear that the values are good, that was focus of these; keep on inspiring with your figures

Cepro - thanks, will do

Taboo - You really think so? That is what i came here for, so thanks

Hive_Mind - thanks Chris; i hope you are right

I am working now as a biology PhD student and have a really interesting project; the good thing is i could quit my side job and will hopefully have more time on weekends for art; i will see if that will be really the case, because my project sure will require a lot of effort and time, so we will see.

Here some more posemaniac quickies and a WIP of a painting i started; i am not very far in it, crits would be great and i will try to adress them during the process.

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[jletourneau07]

Great compositions and use of lighting. I like you're attention to detail. I can see there's always more for me to learn. Great stuff keep it up!

[vanbythevaseline]

Beautiful. I like how your drawings start out with so much value and you pull back a little more. It's those little open white spaces that really define contrast. Makes your drawings POP. Keep it up.

[Lalilulelo]

That oil(?) painting is beautiful. You're on the right track, just keep pushing yourself man. I think more contrast in your drawings would help them. But I've got little else to say man.

[Murido]

Nice artwork!! Really amazing how u can put the realism in some of your work... Love the portrait ;)... keep it up!