Journey of an Absolute Rookie: Paintings and Sketches

[MindCandyMan]

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September 21st

90144

90145
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***Below is for everyone who hasn't seen my previous posts***
__________________________________________________ ________
Hi Everyone,
If you didn't see my last post(s) on www.conceptart.org then I will bring you up to speed. Basically I have been inspired by the art produced and the work ethic of Jon Foster, Andrew Jones, Jason Manley, and my brother "Smeagol71" (among many others) and have decided to learn how to paint (primarily digitally). I am starting from rock bottom and I am going to paint at least one painting and do at least one sketch every day...probably two on the weekends. The order you see them in is the order that I am painting and/or sketching them...every day starting on 9/15/02. I am bearing my soul to everyone. I will post everything I do...whether it is awful or not. Most of the paintings and sketches, in the beginning, are going to look like crap but hopefully over the days/weeks/months/years they will start to get better. I have no formal art training but have signed up for classes this semester. I have a passion to paint and welcome any encouragement or critique that you want to give. Any feedback you want to give me you can leave in the threads I or just email me.
Thanks

[killing.people]

huge imporvements, cant wait for your sketches, try to keep all your stuff in one thread homie, that way we can see your progress easier,
keep it up - its up to you now.

-killing

[Dark_Crystal]

http://www.teamgt.com/ft-tutes.htm
http://www.anticz.com/drawing1.htm

If you haven't already read these tutorials you should.
I found them to be really usefull.

http://www.geocities.com/david_malc/cubes.txt

This is how my cubes turned after reading them



damn url's

[MindCandyMan]

September 22nd

Hi All,
Thanks for the encouragement and help killing.people and Dark_Crystal. I am going to read those tutorials tomorrow Dark_Crystal...it's kind of late tonight and I am just going to get one painting in...but wow they look really informative...btw...your cubes look awesome (did you do them in photoshop?) At any rate here are some sketches that I posted the other day...tell me what you think of them...any criticism is welcome...first is a candle that I sketched while sitting on my toilet (not using it at the time hehe) and the other was just a wooden spoon sitting on a stack of white papers.

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Also I just painted this one right now...it's late at night and I am definitely having problems keeping my head up...but tell me what you think...

90148

***Below is for everyone who hasn't seen my previous posts***
__________________________________________________ ________
Hi Everyone,
If you didn't see my last post(s) on www.conceptart.org then I will bring you up to speed. Basically I have been inspired by the art produced and the work ethic of Jon Foster, Andrew Jones, Jason Manley, and my brother "Smeagol71" (among many others) and have decided to learn how to paint (primarily digitally). I am starting from rock bottom and I am going to paint at least one painting and do at least one sketch every day...probably two on the weekends. The order you see them in is the order that I am painting and/or sketching them...every day starting on 9/15/02. I am bearing my soul to everyone. I will post everything I do...whether it is awful or not. Most of the paintings and sketches, in the beginning, are going to look like crap but hopefully over the days/weeks/months/years they will start to get better. I have no formal art training but have signed up for classes this semester. I have a passion to paint and welcome any encouragement or critique that you want to give. Any feedback you want to give me you can leave in the threads I or just email me.
Thanks

[MindCandyMan]

Hi All,
I got my wacom intuos 2 9 x 12 tablet last night!!!! Man it is awesome...but I have a shaky hand...I sketched out a cup and tried to shade it...this is the first thing I did with my wacom...it didn't work to well...hehe...but here it is:

90540

Here are 3 more sketches I did as well...tell me what you think...I'm just trying to draw objects as they are. Also...do you guys use templates a lot?...is that sort of cheating? Anyways here they are...also I think I am starting to understand the perspective idea...I am going to buy a few of the recommended books on it...this is so much fun.

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[gekitsu]

hey mcm :)
i have a tip for the cylindrical hollow objects you are painting:

the shadowline on the outside works pretty well. it's like a vertical on the outer surface.
the inner shadow line, though you draw at a strange angle. so it looks like it is a bit concave on top but not like a jar orr anything like that.
try to get the inner shadowline like a vertical on the surface, too. just the inner surface, not the outer one.

hope that made sense :)

[Death.By.Pencil]

your energy is inspiring and improvement is great. keep on going :)

[MindCandyMan]

September 24th
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Death.By.Pencil - Thanks so much for the encouragement I really appreciate it.

Gekitsu - Thanks for always giving me tips and encouraging me. It helps so much...I am still painting Gekitsu cubes hehe.

You guys help keep me going. I was up really late last night doing homework (of course after I painted and sketched hehe) so it's good to get encouragment to keep going...especially now since I can't really draw anything cool hehe...just household items...etc. Well last night I tried but both my painting and my sketch came out really crappy. I still finished them though and will try again tomorrow night. Hopefully things will get better hehe...I am fumbling through painter's interface at this point so it makes it hard for me...but I will learn it eventually.

Ok here is painting number 11...I was trying to get the shading to fall on the second cube...I realized after I finished that the front of the blue cube should be way darker than it is...cause it would be in shadow...it turned out really really crappy but here it is (I definitely took a step back last night hehe):

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Here are two sketches I did last night as well...the first one was of this bowl that had these spiral divets in it...I had no idea how to draw that...I tried but it looks really bad. The second picture is just a cube that I purposefully did really quick in like 1-2 minutes to just try to learn light, perspective, etc...

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[MindCandyMan]

September 25th
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Hey Everybody...Once again thanks for the constant encouragement I am just moving along here...staying up late and drawing and painting hehe. I love my new wacom...I picked up painter 7 too which is awesome. I am really loving it. Last night I really wanted to focus on getting the concept down for perspective. I really want to nail that down because I feel like (I'm assuming) that if I don't nail that down now then I will pay for it later. At any rate here is the sketch I did last night and I am going to paint it...I want to take my time on this painting so I painted part of it...I am gonna finish it tonight...check these out...I guess I had dali on the mind...weird huh.

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And I am going to try to paint it...

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[Dark_Crystal]

nice work, The perspective looks much better in these.
Maybe you could try ruling the perspective lines?

Cool idea with the ground melting as well :)

[MindCandyMan]

September 26th
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Dark_Crystal - Thanks so much for the feedback...I thought I had the perspective lines right when I started drawing but I messed them up hehe...but I just completed the drawing anyways. I will definitely use a ruler next time. Hey can anyone help me understand how to calculate the shadows...I am having a really hard time understanding it for some reason. I went to that website on perspective but I am still having trouble understanding what lines and from where to draw them...thanks.


Well here is last nights work...I am still working on finishing the painting of that double cube picture...it isn't turning out the greatest but I just want to finish it...we'll see how it turns out.

This first one was sort of an experiment with strokes...I wanted to see how different strokes would change the conception of how the foliage looked.

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This was just a sphere for practice and to try to achieve the "apogee" effect.

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This was an apple that I did last night...I was using the seegmiller tutorial on his website as a reference but I didn't do it exactly as he said...but close.

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[MindCandyMan]

September 27th
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Hi All,
I have to post these early...I am shooting a short scene for submission to the contest "project greenlight" tonight so I will be busy for like 7-8 hours (will be up all night hehe). So I wanted to post early (early in my time zone at least). Thanks for all the constant encouragement everybody...you keep me going. I am having a blast drawing and painting all this stuff. Ok don't make me cry... :( At any rate here is my new drawing and "painting"...I did them totally in painter...sketch and all. The original sketch was from a reference sketch in a drawing book that I bought.

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I tried painting into this one...didn't work out at all...Oh well...gotta try right.

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[NoonThirty]

Hey MindCandyMan, I just wanted to say that I think it's absolutely great what you're doing here. I wish more people were willing to pursue a goal with the kind of courage and positive attitude you obviously have.

I can scarcely believe you've only been doing this since September 15th. And with no formal training! Maybe you don't realize it, since you're posting on this board so full of skilled artists and you haven't been able to compare your work to other beginners, but you've reached a point in two weeks that it takes most people months or even years to reach.

I do have a little general advice for you:

Try not to dismiss your own work. I think it's counterproductive. I mean, of course you should evaluate your stuff as honestly as you can, and identify problems to work on, but don't be reductive. Try not to say "this sucks" or "I was trying to do thus-and-so, but totally botched it." Even in a piece that doesn't accomplish what you intended, you should be able to find a few things you did well. Look for those things and remind yourself of them when you're self-critiquing. No drawing is a complete train wreck. Hope this helps!

Keep posting! I think I speak for a lot of beginners and intermediate artists (and perhaps even some of the pros?) when I say that your progress has an inspiring effect on others.


Noon:30

[gekitsu]

i feel he won't stop practising until he ownz us all :)
i wish i had that energy...

[killing.people]

such engery and passion for drawing you have!
-Change the Light Source and you need a new shadow-

http://www2.evansville.edu/studiochalkboard/chlk/lp-shadow.gif

you must define the shadows vanishing point, and the lights vanishing point.

the light's vanishing point is the source or center of the light. you must realize that in real life not all light has a center that it radiates from, with perspective they try to generalize the concepts - for an easier way to apply measurement to a picture as well as to make it simpler to understand. in this image it shows a box in to point pespective. it shows the lights origin and its base/position. think of it like a spot light.

the shadow's vanishing point defines the distance of the spotlight - or its placement on the ground. this point marks how far left and right the light is and how far forward and back the spot light is being placed. if it where the sun it would be all the way back as far as you could see - on the horizon line.

the light's vanishing point[/i] defines how tall your spot light is.

when drawing a casted shadow think of the light's vanishing point as your eye - you are filling the areas the light can see with light. think about where the shadow will start (the edge of the object), and where the edge will be projected (whatever is blocking the straight path/beam of light.)

now i think you should have more practice in perspective drawing and get used to perspective drawing all together before you jump into shadows, but if you want to lurk with in the shadows try it with one point perspective to keep it simple.

well i gave it a try and yeah! it is crazy hard, its not even fun.
i will try another in the future and try to make it more readable.
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/shadow_study.jpg
what a pain that was! goood luck!

i hear this is a good book:
perspective made easy: by ernest norling

-kill

[Dark_Crystal]

again, great work Noon Thirty said it all.
as for shadows in perspective the only thing I can say is have a go. It definitely took me several goes before I began to understand it, and I still having problems using it.

[MindCandyMan]

Hi All,
I gotta post this quickly...I am editing some footage my crew and I shot last night for project greenlight. I will post some quick drawings I did throughout the weekend...I have been drawing and painting everyday and I just wanted to let everyone know that I read all your responses and I will reply in detail tomorrow. Here are some scanned in images (I will post my paintings, etc... from the weekend tomorrow).

This first one was done in 5 minutes...I wanted to stretch that part of my brain.

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This one was done in about 45 seconds of a man sitting on a side rail thing at the train station. I will post more later...thanks.

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[killing.people]

great job, i love the guy chillin on the railing :D that looks like quality study. your positive enthusiasim is contaigious.

-killing

[MindCandyMan]

September 29th
__________________

WOW---ok first off I am floored by the positive responses I have been getting.

Noon 30 - Wow thanks so much for that encouragement. It is great to have someone around to encourage you because I can only draw silly things like cubes and trees right now to learn the basics so it can be a little frustrating...and you are right about seeing the amazing artists on here hehe...although I will say that I am the type of person who sees someone with a whole bunch of skill and it just drives me harder till I can attain their level. And there is always someone better so that's what keeps me going. Also...that is definitely a good call on not "busting on your own material". You are right...I shouldn't minimize it. I should learn from it but not dog it. Again thanks so much for the encouragement...3 weeks and still going strong haha.

Gekitsu - Thanks for the ever constant encouragment. I am your student and your cubes have taught me well hehe :D ... and you are exactly right...I am going to practice till I own Jon Foster, and till Justin Sweet says, "Man that guy is good". That is...unless my hands get chopped off or something. That's up to God though. Hehe...thanks again for the encouragement.

Killing.People - Wow thanks so much for going the extra mile and helping me out...I know it's a pain to get the links for all those pictures and stuff like that but I want you to know that it is helping TREMENDOUSLY...I am really benefiting from your input. BTW...I love the portrait that you have as your avatar right now...the colors are awesome. Thanks again.

Dark_Crystal - Thanks for always keeping up with me and for dropping me tips. It's also good to know that someone else struggles with perspective as well. Thanks for all your encouragement.

...sorry for the delayed posting...I have been editing a short film together for days on end...man I am beat...but of course I found time for drawing and painting hehe. I bought a bunch of new supplies too today so I can have more options when sketching (2b-8b, etc...). Here is a medicine bottle that I painted on my wacom in painter 7...I will post more tomorrow as well.

[MindCandyMan]

September 30th
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Hey Everybody...just wanted to post these sketches up...I wanted to do more of that "quick sketching technique" to try to learn what shapes make up everything and also to quickly look at the light and just try to duplicate it. The first one was in the subway while I was waiting for a train (my wife was sitting in front of me) I don't know how long it took me...probably like 15 minutes maybe less I can't remember...the second one was done in literally like 30 seconds...The guy was a little husky that's why the shapes look like that and he was reading the paper. I am just gonna leave my medicine bottle painting up cause that's only been posted for a little while.

92110

92111

***Below is for everyone who hasn't seen my previous posts***
__________________________________________________
________
Hi Everyone,
If you didn't see my last post(s) on www.conceptart.org then I will bring you up to speed. Basically I have been inspired by the art produced and the work ethic of Jon Foster, Andrew Jones, Jason Manley, and my brother "Smeagol71" (among many others) and have decided to learn how to paint (primarily digitally). I am starting from rock bottom and I am going to paint at least one painting and do at least one sketch every day...probably two on the weekends. The order you see them in is the order that I am painting and/or sketching them...every day starting on 9/15/02. I am bearing my soul to everyone. I will post everything I do...whether it is awful or not. Most of the paintings and sketches, in the beginning, are going to look like crap but hopefully over the days/weeks/months/years they will start to get better. I have no formal art training but have signed up for classes this semester. I have a passion to paint and welcome any encouragement or critique that you want to give. Any feedback you want to give me you can leave in the threads I or just email me.
Thanks

[franz]

Hey, I'm in a similar situation (beginner, but very eager to learn) and I'd love to see your images.. only they won't load :(

[MindCandyMan]

October 1st
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Franz: Hey thanks for checking out my images...sorry they weren't loading for you. I have them uploaded to an image hosting website and for some reason that website goes down for like 15-30 minutes on some days. I think they might be restarting the server or something. Everything was working for me when I logged on this morning so I guess everything is ok now. You can try back again and hopefully they will be working when you log on. Sorry about that.


Hey Everybody...got a couple from last night...one was a sketch of a tree stump and the other was a flower that I did in painter 7. I tried to follow the script in painter 7 for the flower but it went way too fast...so I kind of did my own thing...hope you like it.

92112

92113

***Below is for everyone who hasn't seen my previous posts***
__________________________________________________
________
Hi Everyone,
If you didn't see my last post(s) on www.conceptart.org then I will bring you up to speed. Basically I have been inspired by the art produced and the work ethic of Jon Foster, Andrew Jones, Jason Manley, and my brother "Smeagol71" (among many others) and have decided to learn how to paint (primarily digitally). I am starting from rock bottom and I am going to paint at least one painting and do at least one sketch every day...probably two on the weekends. The order you see them in is the order that I am painting and/or sketching them...every day starting on 9/15/02. I am bearing my soul to everyone. I will post everything I do...whether it is awful or not. Most of the paintings and sketches, in the beginning, are going to look like crap but hopefully over the days/weeks/months/years they will start to get better. I have no formal art training but have signed up for classes this semester. I have a passion to paint and welcome any encouragement or critique that you want to give. Any feedback you want to give me you can leave in the threads I or just email me.
Thanks

[cmortier2002]

Great, now I want also to learn drawing ... :mad:

Ok, you've convince me, I will learn ... ;)

[MindCandyMan]

October 2nd
_________________

cmortier2002 - That's great...definitely start learning to draw/paint and just go out with boldness. I would definitely push yourself in the beginning hard as well because, I don't know if you are like me but I like to see results. So I keep pushing myself until I see results. I have already seen some improvement for me and it has just been 2 1/2-3 weeks of me drawing and painting. But the key is doing it everyday I think...no matter what time of day or not I make sure to do a painting and a drawing every day. Andrew Jones inspired me to do that with his portrait posts. So yeah definitely start doing it and post your work up and you and I can compare notes. :nod:

Pretty soon hopefully we will evolved into full fledge Conceptartorgians....and we can kick the poo out of pooeaters. :evilbat:

Ok Everybody...here is my latest drawing...I was having problems transferring my painting files from last night to my zip disk...I am gonna post them when I get home but I will post my sketch now...it's of a squirrel in two position I used a reference sketch when I did this. Here ya go:

[Oblio]

Me beginer too.
Some day we will kick big butt!

Oblio

[cmortier2002]

I just buy a graphic tablet... and started drawing with it, and see that I really need practice... anyway, this is not a Wacom tablet...

I don't beleive it, I can finaly draw a circle, it was impossible with a mouse...

[MindCandyMan]

October 3rd
____________________

Oblio - Thanks so much for your encouragment. That is absolutely right! Someday we will kick major butt! And the harder we work...the sooner we will get there! :clapping2

cmortier2002 - That's awesome that you have a tablet! I know what you mean...it is the greatest thing when you don't have to draw with your mouse anymore heheh...luckily I only had to draw with my mouse for a little while before I got one...but on the other hand...my brother paints a lot with his mouse and he does really good...but he definitely prefers a stylus and a wacom tablet. Keep it going! Keep practicing.

Alright here is the painting and sketch from yesterday...I revisited that medicine bottle theme cause I wanted to try it again cause it was fun...my sketch was of my hand (Yes I'm married and I'm only 22 hehe...my wife is awesome). Hope you like 'em.

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[NoonThirty]

It's clear from these pieces that you've kept your momentum going.

Good color choices on the ink bottle. The cool/warm contrast really makes it pop.

Hands are really complex forms, so they can be tricky. You've done a good job of keeping the proportions in line. A couple of things to look for in the future: If you look closely, I think you'll see that the knuckles on the back of the hand don't have wrinkles on them the way the knuckles on the fingers do. Those first knuckles are defined by rather subtle tent-like shapes of tendons running over bones. (Hope this makes sense.)

In my experience, beginners seem to want to put the first knuckles way up where the fingers separate. You've avoided that, which is good. But I think they should probably be even a little farther down from where you have them. On my hands, anyway, the webbing where the fingers separate is a good 1/3 or more along the first phalanges.

I did a little excercise a while back where I traced the outline of my hand on the paper as if I were making a kindergarten turkey cutout (remember those?) and then made myself render the tones inside without using any further line. I found it very helpful. (I'd post it if only I had a scanner.)

I hope this helps. Great work as always, MCM. Stick with it!


Noon:30

[cmortier2002]

MindCandyMan : Thanks for the encouragements.

I've tryed to paint a tree with my new tablet, here is what i've done with it:
http://www.ifrance.com/cmortier/drawing/001oiltree.jpg

[MindCandyMan]

October 4th
_____________________________

Noon:30 - Hey Thanks for the constant encouragement man. I really appreciate it! It helps to get tips too because I am not in an art program yet so I have to just learn from you guys or from my brother. It's funny cause I actual did that "Thanksgiving Turkey outline" as well. I didn't have enough time to add the shading but hey great minds think alike right hehe. You are absolutely right about the webbing going up further...definitely. I need to pay closer attention!!!! hehe. Good tip about the knuckles too...it's funny cause you look at your hand and you think you "see" it...but your brain isn't trained to see things like an artist...that's a process I guess...and I am not stopping hehe.

cmortier - Thanks for posting your stuff man!!!! That's great that you are putting your nose to the grind and drawing with your tablet...here are the tips I would give you.

Draw the same exact tree that you posted this time. Don't draw the landscape or the sky or clouds or anything like that. Just draw the tree. Don't put any leaves on the tree either. Draw the tree and make some branches coming off of the top. When you draw the tree pick a light source...say it's coming from the right side of the tree...the right side of the tree will be a lighter brown than the left side of the tree because the right side is in direct line of the sun. Try to define the light and dark areas. Also I would practice drawing with a pencil as well. To paint well one needs to be able to draw well. Try to think about it not in terms of "where do I draw the lines that make this tree"...think about it in terms of ...where is there a lack of light...I should make that area darker...and in nature...nothing is usually Black and then pure white...light reflects off of everything and everywhere...capturing the way light works is the key to everything. Hope that helps...I would post some stuff in some other forums with experienced artists as well and get their feedback cause I am new like you! Thanks for posting...keep up the hard work! Here are some links that might help with visualizing the idea of that tree. The first one is just so you can see the leaves...look at the leaves...see the black mingled in there...and the whiter highlights...if you want to do leaves study that and see if you can emulate it.

http://ww4.bhg.com/default.sph/garden_db.class?FNC=SearchList2__Asearch_html___29

http://homepage.mac.com/jguzy/trees/bogayTreeA.html



Well for my "digital imaging" class...photoshop, illustrator, etc... my teacher announced that this weekend we have to do 3 self portraits! I got scared to say the least hehe. Oh man..."I couldn't even draw squirrels last night how can I draw myself"....I thought to myself. Well here's my 22nd drawing and first self portrait ever.

[cmortier2002]

thanks for the tips mindcandyman, I will try do to just what you said, and I will take time to do it, to do it properly.
I've tried to find a good book about drawing today, but without success.

[cmortier2002]

Here is the tree I do with pencil. It looks better than that color one, I've tried too fast to use colors.
http://www.ifrance.com/cmortier/drawing/004-coverpenciltree.jpg

[killing.people]

mindcandy:
very brave of you! if you keep it up, your effort will pay off i promise you! good study on form, follow me to the shading just above your lips .. that little bump of skin where your lips meet your skin .. not that lips arent skin .. well you know, look at how wonderful that looks! great display of good shading! the same quality in the valleys created from the masses in your cheeks that run to the folds of your nose. i think you should try another self portrait and concentrate more on what you look like - try not to worry about the outcome, dont even look at the paper if you dont want to there is no need. but when doing this also try this! - try not to use contour lines or sharp lines - instead try shading the entire subject light to lighter so on to dark. just like with the shading of the more realistic areas of your portrait where there is not hard line defining where your gradent starts and begins. i think it might help and if you want give it a try; communicate the form by shades without lines.

cmortier2002:
great to see a new aspiring artist! i personally like your color one better and feel you used color really well. i think you should try what mindcandyman has done in which he practiced with drawing objects from life and tried his best to communicate them onto his paper as best he could. :)
also give a stab at a "gekitsu cube".

-killing

[NoonThirty]

Jonathan, that's gotta be the best first self portrait I've ever seen. You have the knack; just keep practicing...

The best art teacher I ever had told me that the keys to getting a good likeness in a (self-) portrait are the eyes and mouth. If you get the shape of them right, you can mess up a lot of other stuff and the portrait will still look like the model to a casual observer. I don't know what you look like, but I get the feeling the eyes and mouth in this piece are correct. So good work!

The only other thing I can tell you that might help is try to avoid drawing individual hairs or eyebrows. It's difficult, but try to draw hair as you would any other form, with light and dark areas, and hint at its texture rather than drawing each hair.


Noon:30
(Paul)

[MindCandyMan]

Hey Everyone...gotta do this quick...this is my latest self portrait...I will post number 2 and 3 tomorrow...but this was done in painter and I don't have a scanner to post the other ones. So here is number 4...I will be posting in reverse tomorrow with numbers 2 and 3 hehe...kind of weird but oh well hehe.

cmortier - nice...I like the tree...definitely showed you had an understanding of the light source and shading. Keep going...draw draw draw every day. That's the way to get better right!

noon:30 - Thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad to know that I seem to have some natural talent...I would hate to be wasting my time hehe. Thanks again for all your help...don't worry I don't plan on stopping any time soon hehe.

Well here is my latest self portrait. This is number 4...tell me what you think. My wife came in and said, "Wow that's funny...that looks a lot like you"...so I guess I am getting closer. Is it just me or am I the only one posting Self portraits that has glasses???? The right eye is really unproportionate but hey...you win some and you lose some right?...I'll get em next time.

[cmortier2002]

killing.people: I will do that, draw from real life object, and start studying perspective. I think I will wait a little that my drawing skills become better before painting in color again...

Mindcandyman: I've drawed during my meeting this morning, an apple and other little stuff, but because I have not scanner, I can't show you what I've done. Anyway, I wait for your 2 others self portrait, perhaps you can post a picture of you, so we can compare. The 2 you've posted have the same shape, so I think that you've done them pretty well. :clapping2

[MindCandyMan]

Hey Everybody,
I am gonna leave my previous post up a bit longer but these are actually the self portraits that I did "before" I did that one. I did 3 self portraits yesterday so these were are number 2 and 3 respectively. The first one was done all in charcoal. I limited myself on the last one to 2 minutes with three different colors of pastels. Lemme know what you think:

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[Oblio]

very nice in fact but... what color is your skin ;)

Oblio

[MindCandyMan]

It is very late for me right now and I am very angry. I can't draw myself worth crap. I am gonna try to go to bed but I don't think I will be able to sleep. ARrrrrrrrhghhhhhhhhhghghghghgh...:mad: :confused: :bash: :hothead: :rant: :crazy:

[Adam]

Dude this is seriously the most inspiring enthusiastic thing that I think I've ever encountered short of Andrew's all-out quest for the self-portrait - I've never had any formal training either and most of my art has been very comic-booky, if that makes sense (short of some poor Bateman imitations in High School). Seeing your work and your progress and sheer dedication to the basics and the fundamentals (which are everything!!!) is outstanding and - well, i don't know what else to call it except inspiring. I hope that in a few weeks i have the courage to post what will be my first meager attempts at digital painting - thank you.

[MindCandyMan]

Adam: Thanks for saying that man. I am starting to get out of the honeymoon phase and starting to get down to it and at times (like last night) I am sure it is going to get really frustrating. But I am going to just keep going! I am not giving myself another option...I will not give up on this. Adam please feel free to post what you do here in this thread. I know cmortier2000 has posted his stuff and you are welcome to post your stuff. I would love to see your work man. We can help each other and give criticism where it's needed. Any attempt isn't meager...it's a step away from mediocrity. And you and I are at the bottom of a tower with a whole mess of steps. But take it a day at a time. And when 20 years from now rolls around we will be saying...hey I have been drawing and painting for 20 years? Wow! And we will be good by then! Probably even before then. Definitely post your stuff up here bro.

I'm doing much better this morning than I was last night...I wanted to smash my wacom but my wallet definitely got the best of me hehehe. I drew this on the train on my way to work this morning. It was with a ball point pen and was done in about 5 minutes...it's better than the first hand that I sketched so I am glad about that...but I am still not happy with the results. I felt bad just posting that angry half made self portrait hehe. So here it is:

[cmortier2002]

Hi,

Here is my last painting, I finally think that digital painting is easier than on paper drawing...
It's an apple for those that can't say if it's an apple or a tomato :D
http://www.ifrance.com/cmortier/drawing/005applebristle.jpg
MindCandyMan : You are better now as I see on your last drawing, forget about that nightmare night, I'm with you.:cool:

[MindCandyMan]

Hey cmortier...did you use a tutorial for this? I made an apple a little while ago using a tutorial from www.seegmillerart.com . At any rate this apple is AWESOME. Wow I must say that scrolling up and looking at your trees and then scrolling down to this shows HUGE improvement. That is totally awesome man! Wow I was floored when I saw this. Great job man. You are improving quickly! Paint some more stuff so I can see it! Hey let's both paint apples tonight in 2 different sets of lighting. Pick 2 different sets of lighting and we will both come back tomorrow with 2 different scenarios for an apple. If you have the time that is...

The only thing I would say is watch the shape of the apple...apples really aren't round...they have a weird shape and are bumpy, etc... Also paint over that black line that you used to sketch it. You don't want to see any explicit outlines of it when you are painting. Let the shading that you use create the lines. Wow great job. If you are using Painter...try using the "just add water" tool to smooth over the tones...that will create a nice transition from light to dark.
:shocked: :rock: :clapping2 :clapping1 :bow: :bigeyes: :btu: :blue:

[cmortier2002]

Actually, I have read a very good tutorial on painter Classic this morning, and then tonight I wanted to do a test, I will try follow it more seriously next time... but this time, it was only by remembering a picture I saw in this tutorial. I will try to find it...

Here is the link if you are interested, the picture I remembered for this painting is on the last page of lesson 3.
http://www.3dluvr.com/content/section/9

Anyway, for the apple study, lets do it, but give me more time (2 or 3 days), I just come back from a long working session and I'm very tired.

PS, thnaks for the tips, I will use them for the 2 following apple paintings ;)

[Adam]

phew - i'm kind of excited, feels like the first step out into a freaky new world :) I made myself draw for 30 minutes last night (even though it was already 4am) and i sketched for 30 minutes again today and then took 20 minutes to take a swing at digital painting, based on some of the links i found around here - here it is. Please, BE HARSH, i'm trying as hard as I can to learn this stuff as fast as I can so please let me know all the stuff i'm doin wrong :) thanks!!!

http://bombshelter.ghostopsmod.com/pics/dp/Torso---10-8-02.jpg

hehe - forgot the picture :)

[MindCandyMan]

October 8th

ADAM - WOW HOLY COW!!!!!!!! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME...JUST STARTING? WOW...I am really impressed. The human form is one of the hardest things to do and I think you have captured the muscle structure of this headless guy really well. Wow for your first attempts this is amazing. Really good. Here are the things that I think need improvement. The bicep on the right side of the picture is too small...it starts it's connection to the elbow too early. The brown hues were used very well in my opinion...but I think the white highlights were a little too hard edge. I would have liked to see you use the "just add water" tool or the airbrush to get those highlights a little more smooth. The highlights on the throat and neck area don't look quite right. The abdomen looks pretty good man. Wow I am really impressed...great job man.

cmortier - yeah don't sweat it...you can post whenever you want...I started my apples last night but you can just post whenever you are able. Don't you wish we didn't have to work and we could just paint all day!


Well I hate having to post after Adam's...heheh...but here are my paintings from last night. The first is of an apple:

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This second one was a really quick self portrait that I did...I wanted to just do it really quickly and with a wide chalk tool so I couldn't really go for much detail. It doesn't look anything like me and I really don't like the final look at all. But it was fun so hey...why not right? hehe.

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____
Oh I painted this bottle like a week and a half ago. It took me about 15 min...thought it would be interesting to post as well.

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[Adam]

wow! thanks mcm - i've been drawing for a long time but you know copying comic books and comic-book style art will only get you so far - i have that experience to work from but going beyond it feels like a real pilgrimage - it's really exciting! I've never tried really painting before, so this is a really fun thing to start playing with

PS - the shading on your apple is totally stellar - the shadow could use some work, but the apple itself is very natural, you should be VERY happy with it!!

[MindCandyMan]

Adam: I can't wait to see more of your stuff. Thanks for the comments about the apple too...I liked the way the shading went as well...I used the "just add water" tool primarily.

This first portrait I cheated on hehe. I wanted to get an idea of shading and how light reacts to my particular facial features (I am doing self portraits lately) so I took a digital photograph of myself and turned the contrast way up so I could see the distinct differences in the way the light was hitting my face. I put that on a seperate layer and lowered the opacity and then I blocked in all the dark/light areas. This is what I came up with. This looks more like me than the other self portraits I have done...obviously right...hehe. But seriously this exercise really helped me a whole bunch. There were some problems that really got solved "in my head" through doing that. I would recommend doing it. It really helped me. Here it is:

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I tried to take that knowledge and apply it to this second self portrait....the eyes started to look bad so I just got really close to the mirror and started messing around with it. It ended up really weird...my wife actually said she was scared of it heheh. Man I really stink at drawing ears...and everything else haha...oh well. I will get better!!!!! Here it is:

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[cmortier2002]

Ok, here is my second apple study. Again, without reference, so probably wrong shape...

http://www.ifrance.com/cmortier/drawing/006sketchapplesf.jpg

I will post the third study tomorrow.

Mindcandyman - Your apple is great, did you use the tutorials ?

[cmortier2002]

Adam - Your torso is simply amazing, great work !

[MindCandyMan]

cmortier - I see a huge improvement in your rendering of the apples. Wow great job. Try this when you do them next time. Try making your contrast of colors even stronger...Make the darks even darker...the lights even lighter and keep the midtones the same and use the "just add water" tool to blend it all. Try that...you will like the results...gives it a more 3d look.

I was up till 2:30 last night...my wife comes in at 2:30 and says, "It's 2:30"...I had absolutely no concept of time. I was having a blast. Note to self: Don't do this every night...hehe

Here's the stuff I did last night.


This is a robot I did cause I got inspired by the quick painting thread (with the robot theme)...I saved 3 steps in the process...here they are:

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Self Portrait from last night:

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Proportion study from last night...I tried to utilize some techniques that Loomis talks about in his book "Drawing the head and the hands"...so here they are:

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[cmortier2002]

Wow Mindcandyman, I see also a big improvement in your drawings, this robot is absolutly awasome :)

I will try this weekend to do also a robot, just to see my level. Patience is the key I think, It will take less and less time to do the same thing...

[MindCandyMan]

Thanks cmortier...yeah I was having so much fun painting that robot that I just couldn't go to bed hehe. Here are some close ups if you are curious...I see a lot of the other guys do this so it might be interesting. I can't wait to see your robot! I can see a MASSIVE improvement in the first tree painting you did to this last apple one. Keep going you are doing great. We will both move forward together! :cool: Thanks for the encouragement! Here are the close ups

Head:

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Torso:

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[MindCandyMan]

hey guys...Rest assured I am still doing stuff...but my image hosting website is going to be down for a couple days so I can't post anything right now. But as soon as it is up I will post more. Thanks,

[cmortier2002]

Here is the robot I've done this morning for the robot speed paint. It has take 30 minutes , It's not finished, but 30 min was my limit before I stop ;) , but I'm very happy with the result, only 30 minutes and I've got that already, I don't beleive it :confused: Speed painting make you do the stuff faster, and you learn so much more than if you take your time I believe. Anyway, I've learn that during this session : Always make the background first, then the sketch, then draw the front subject. (And not the sketch then the front subject, then background...)
http://www.ifrance.com/cmortier/drawing/007robotb.jpg

[MindCandyMan]

October 12-13

cmortier - Wow that's pretty good man...keep it up...good job! Check out the post that oblio started...jon foster replied to it in there and added a lot of extra instruction to what Jason Manley had originally posted. I am going to be trying out those techniques tonight for sure. Back to creating spheres heheh...the basics are everything though.

At any rate here is the weekend stuff.


This is a wizard's altar that I might try to paint if I have the ability...there is more to the room but I couldn't fit it on the scanner:

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This is more of my head study...still not getting it right but I will keep trying.

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This is a robot that turned out REALLY BAD...OUCH...THIS ONE STINKS

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Here are some other things from this weekend:

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These next three were really quick pastel studies...like 2 - 3 minutes each...the last one is not of me but I just was having fun drawing a nameless man.

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[Oblio]

Mind i am amazed by your efforts. These are very nice.
Yet.. you HAVE to work on your proportions and to clean up a bit.
Try this: SIMPLIFY FORM. Try a lowpoly approach.
Use a marker and fo outline - think twice before putting a line on the paper.
Drawing is LOGIC - you have done one eye - then draw two lines to se where that other eye goes. Use the reflection of yourself only as a reference. Try to understand the form - split it in cubes, cilinders, etc - primitives.
If you realy have to hatch - quit those vertical lines - the lines should work around the shape. Draw a sphere and do vertical lines hatch - then do hatch with lines going around.
Both ways are fine but the seccond reveals form better!

I hope you get this as a kind advice since this is all it is. Yours,

Oblio

[MindCandyMan]

Thanks Oblio,
I appreciate the encouragement. You are dead on about my proportions. I am having such a hard time with them. I think you are right about just taking a mathematical approach to it. Maybe I should just do a bunch with just a sharpee pen or something. I think it will help me when I actually study the anatomy of the face as well. I will try that tonight as well. Question: What do you draw first...do you draw your eyes first...head...etc? Do you think that makes a difference? :confused:

[MindCandyMan]

Newest Stuff:


I am having problems with my proportions in my self portraits...can anyone offer an effective way to measure(map out) the face for when I do my self portraits. I am having such a hard time.


This first one is a study of light and the different shades it creates...trying to learn from a post that foster did in the SCHOOLYARD section...tell me what you guys think...just spheres in different lighting.

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This is my latest self portrait...as you can see I am having problems with proportions...so I wrote on the "chalkboard"...not to have bad proportions hehe.

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[NoonThirty]

Hey all. I was out of town for a few days, which is why I haven't been posting.

Jonathan, you may not see it, but you really are getting better by the day.

Stick with those anatomy books. Keep working on the proportions, and don't get discouraged that you don't get everything correct right away. No one does. I guarantee even the pros on this board who have been drawing for 20 years still work on their anatomy/proportions from time to time. It really is a lifelong process, and not something you learn all at once and then never have to worry about again. (And believe me, I remind myself of this all the time whenever I'm struggling with drawing anatomy.)

I really liked the portrait you said you "cheated" on with the digital photograph. The final piece looks very Van Gogh-esque. That's a big compliment coming from me. And that wizard's altar was sweet.

You asked what order we drew facial features in. I can't speak for everyone else, but I think you'll be pleased with the results if you try this: Rather than drawing an eye completely and then moving on to the nose and so on, try sketching out the basic forms of the whole portrait very lightly right at the start. It's much easier to correct obvious errors in proportion at this preliminary stage.

Once you think things are laid out basically correctly, then go back in with heavier, more permanent lines and do your rendering. I guess some people do one sketching pass and one final rendering pass. I usually do a sketch, a correcting sketching pass if need be, and then at least two rendering passes. This approach helps me to apply detail only where it's really helpful to the whole piece, rather than obsessing over every square inch.


Noon:30

[MindCandyMan]

October 15th

NoonThirty - I think that approach to drawing the face is really really good. I am going to try that tonight. It makes sense to just draw everything lightly...I feel embarassed I didn't think of doing that hehehe...so simple but so good. Keeping the big picture in mind is something that is important I am starting to see. It doesn't matter how good an "eye" looks Thanks for the compliments on the portrait. Yeah I was going for a van goghish type of look. Yeah I might paint that wizards altar this weekend I think...I liked that design too thanks :D . I had a blast drawing that...it started off as three legs of a robot but then I ditched that idea and went with the wizard theme type thing. Thanks so much for your encouragement Noon I really appreciate it. It helps me keep going!

Here's the two newest pics...one is a self portrait and the other is just practicing values...tear them up.

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[Smeagol71]

Greetings brother! Your most accurate portrait to date, good job. I see you were trying to develop the "less is more" principle we talked about. Great studies with the spheres too, nice use of the existing canvas colors you chose.

Keep up the great work spanky!

[Dark_Crystal]

Nice job on the value studies, they look awesome
:)
The main problem I can see with the portrait Is that the forhead looks to small. The eyes are usually around halfway on the head.

[MindCandyMan]

October 16

I totally didn't feel good at all last night. So this is a byproduct of that. As far as the halo and other little chalkboard thing. I'm sorry...I have no excuse hehe.

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Smeagol71 - Hey bro (he is really my brother :D )...thanks for the encouragement. Before I worry about the shading the image I need to get down where everything goes first. So I am just trying to do that "less is more" type of thing. Thanks for all your help.

Dark_Crystal - Thanks! Yeah I noticed that about the portrait too. I actually wasn't quite sure about the ratio so thanks! I know it probably just seemed like a small thing to you but actually those little details really really help me when I draw. I keep them in mind so thanks!!

[MindCandyMan]

I hate the human face...


http://www.mindcandyman.com/jons_uploads/Drawing 39 Self Portrait.jpg


I will be away this weekend but I am bringing my drawing supplies...but I won't be able to post until monday morning. So look for my stuff from the weekend then. See ya.

[cmortier2002]

Long time no draw... tOO mUCH wORK ... now the weekend is coming and I just get my new Wacom tablet...

Mind: You last portrait is great, I see a lot of improvement in it, the shading is a LOT better. You're moving so fast compare to me ... :( for me and :) for you.

Anyway, here is what I just done with my wacom and painter, with the airbrush tool... this is my promised second apple study, I tried to put a bright highlight...

http://www.ifrance.com/cmortier/drawing/008appleairbrush.jpg

Mind : I will draw all the weekend, and try to get my skills a fast as you.:p

[MindCandyMan]

cmortier - I like that last apple it has a real cartoony style to it. I like it a lot. I can see some definite improvement. Nice! You just got your new wacom tablet that's awesome! They are fun fun fun. When you do your next apple go for realism. Stick to that tutorial as close as you can...it will really help. I need to paint some apples tonight too. Great job man keep it up.

Here are my latest slew of images from the weekend:


I had to go away for the weekend...my wife, graciously, offerred to drive on the way up so I could draw in the car. This was my self portrait done in the car looking at that flip down mirror thing on the visor.

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This is me trying to understand Loomis and get a human head right...I like a couple of the heads but over all I need wayyyyy more practice with this as you can see:

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This was just a gargoyle and a tower that I doodled in the car as well:

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I felt like experimenting with my self portrait last night and this is what I came out with...

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This was a quick robot I did for the robot thread. This is totally bizarre but I thought about what if there was a tiny daddy long legs that was used as a spy tool that could record people's conversations and all...it's late right now heheh. At any rate here it is.

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[Smeagol71]

That last portrait is creepy! I see you have a hidden visitor behind you too..LOL! Good work bro, keep it up. Your stuff just keeps getting better!

[MindCandyMan]

October 21
_________________________-

Thanks so much for the encouragement bro. I appreciate it. Slowly but surely hehe.

Here are my latest pics. Last night was a really weird night just to warn you.


Ok here is my first pic. Just as a disclaimer I was REALLY REALLY tired last night. My wife got me a new computer chair too and it is really comfortable and makes me want to sleep heheh. But here is the first product of exhaustion. It's really really bad sorry.

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This was another portrait that started off as a self portrait but then it started to not look like me at all so I just went with it and finished out the drawing...weird.

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This is something I wanted to post as well because I think everyone should do this...I take a notebook with me whereever I go and try to sketch just little things. I sketch people waiting for the train...reading their papers...people standing...etc...or whatever I want. All quick sketches. I think it's really good to always be drawing. Try it...it's really fun. Little do these people know...I am spying on them.

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[MindCandyMan]

October 22nd
__________________

Hey guys here is my stuff from last night:


This started off as a normal self portrait but I was so angry with how crappy my boss treated me yesterday. She is a really unhappy person I think. But at any rate here is a release for my anger. I will get back to the basics tonight...had too much emotion inside last night.

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Just drawing my hand to get some practice:

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Here is another page from my spiral bound notebook. I quickly sketched more unsuspecting people on the train and waiting for the train. Some other sketches too.

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[MindCandyMan]

October 23rd
______________________

My stuff from yesterday.

More quick sketches of people on the train, etc..

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I tried to draw this mug...rather unsuccessfully.

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Last night I had a hard time. It was difficult to look myself straight in the eyes. I felt really sad.

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[MindCandyMan]

October 24th
______________________

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[MindCandyMan]

I AM COMING UP ON MY 2 MONTH ANNIVERSARY DRAWING!!!! So you all can buy me some big presents! Yeah right hehe...I don't plan on stopping either...it is becoming steadily frustrating but fun at the same time. I love challenges. Anyways...here is my stuff from the weekend. Sorry for the broken links...phantomarts reached its bandwidth limits recently.

Here is a self portrait done with the pencil tool.

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These are some animal sketches that I did with a book as my guide. I am trying to learn how to draw their anatomy...wow talk about hard. As I was drawing I was saying to my friend...ok yeah I am gonna have to do this like a thousand times before I can do it from memory heheh. Anyways here they are:

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I snuck away from my desk at work on friday and drew this with my ball point pen...I just opened a magazine real quick and found an interesting picture of a gorilla and then tried to sketch it...here is the flawed result:

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I like to do this periodically with pastel stick just to show myself that I am making progress. I give myself like 1.5 minutes or like 2 minutes to draw my sp...I usually do this type of thing on the weekend. So here is my most recent one...

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This tomato study was done using a tutorial to help me with the tools, setup....etc... I am doing to do this again...it didn't turn out half as good as it could have. So I will try again.

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There is a discovery that works in painter that I absolutely had to share...if you use the "just add water" tool as a support technique for the grainy water brush you can blend really well. The grainy water brush is under Liquid in the brushes category of painter 7. Just leave the grainy water brush to it's original settings and also the just add water if you don't know what you're doing (I screwed up the brush once trying to play with it heheh)...but try that out...I used the digital airbrush, etc... and did that to blend the tones. The tutorial recommended only the "just add water" tool but I found the grainy water one worked best. Try it out!


Here is my latest picture for the "Stream of Consciousness" thread:

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Ok I think that's it. Have a good day everyone.

[Smeagol71]

Wow...I'm really impressed! Tutorial or not, your attention to detail, your ability to see is really improving. Those tomatoes are nice and I like the landscape too. Keep pushing those tools and playing around with new ways to do things bro! Keep up the good work! :D

Oh...by the way. Play around with the wetness and dry rates on your water brushes and you'll notice some neat effects!

[cmortier2002]

Your selfportraits start to be very good Mindcandy. Keep going :) If you can do that after 2 months, imagine what you will do in a year.

I haven't done the tutorials, will probably do them in a week or so.

[coriat]

dude!! you are getting so much better FAST!!

just wanted to say that :D keep it up...:thumbsup:

nice dream-stream thingy...
oh yeah, i had this totally kickass idea for it and i just forget all about it, thanks for reminding!




wow, DUDE!! you are brilliant :)

[MindCandyMan]

Hey guys thanks so much for the encouragment I really appreciate it! My dad always told me that the plodders are the ones that win. So that's what I am doing...just plodding along drawing every day. I figure...the more hours I spend doing it...the more mistakes I make...the better I will become and the quicker I will get there. My wife has been really supportive by allowing me to sketch and paint into the wee hours of the night...not to mention doing virtually everything around the house and working...she is too awesome for words. At any rate thanks so much guys...this kind of positive feedback helps me be motivated to move forward and draw even more! Thanks again for the encouragement! You guys are the best!

:electric: :trippy: :flower: :ep:

[MindCandyMan]

October 28th
_________________


I felt so alone last night. I could see my own sinfulness and I felt like the shadows were winning.

[MindCandyMan]

October 29th
___________________

Here are my latest images. Page from my on the train sketchbook, a value study, and a self portrait... Bada Bing Bada boom.

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[MindCandyMan]

October 30th
_______________

Here the latest stuff.

This is a self portrait inspired by the style of "Blackhawk" in the guest self portrait gallery. I think this is the closes likeness to myself I think I have achieved so far.

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This is a stream of consciousness that I did for the "stream of consciousness" speed painting thread.

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This is another one of my ongoing value studies hehe.

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[MindCandyMan]

More stuff from October 30th
___________________________

This is a page from my quick sketches on the train

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This was actually something really funny. Since it is Halloween people are dressing up and all...I saw this guy waiting for a train and he looked hilarious...a business man with this briefcase bag thingee and glasses wearing this bizarre outfit...I had to sketch him.

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[MindCandyMan]

Happy Halloween hehe...


So it inspired me to do this later that night...It isn't that great but I was falling asleep at my keyboard hehe.

[MindCandyMan]

November 1 - 3
__________________________

Here is the stuff from November 1st through the third.


I did this as a surprise for my nephew for Christmas...I am going to frame it and give it to him. He really likes Rolie Polie Olie so I painted it for him hehe. If you know my nephew don't tell him or his mom (my sister) hehe!

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Some self portraits. The last four are total crap...sorry I had a really hard time this weekend.

This first one was for Andrew in the guest self portrait thread...I tried to do something unique.

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These two were frustration pics...I couldn't get it right so I drew myself fat. I saved that one and moved on to the next one which you see right after it. Really frustrating.

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These last two were last night's.....ARRRGGGHHHHHHH talk about frustration...the first pic is step one and the second is the crappy final result. Looks absolutely nothing like me...stupid frustrating drawing.

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[MindCandyMan]

November 4th
___________________

Step by step self portrait from last night:

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Here are two stream of consciousness paintings I did last night as well:

This is the love totem.

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The sheltered bird's nest:

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Here are three self portraits that I did last night for fun as well:

Scratchboard tool

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Leaky pen tool

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Fine point Pen tool

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Sketches from my binder:

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[MindCandyMan]

Some self portraits.

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This one was done in the window of the train as I rode home...that's my friend there in the other side of the reflection.

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Wit the help of Seegmiller and his site...laid down some tones and painted away.

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Some really strange things come out in my sketchbook on the train...bizarre stuff. You get a look into my brain here hehe.

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[MindCandyMan]

November 7th
________________________

Hey guys this is stuff from last night.

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What I did on this self portrait was an experiment. I didn't erase or undo at all. I wanted to see where my problem areas were...found a lot hehe.

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[MindCandyMan]

November 8 - 10
______________________________

I had another self portrait in my sketchbook but I forgot to bring it here to work to scan so i will have to post that tomorrow. Here is some stuff from the weekend. This weekend was crazy busy...glad to be back in my normal schedule hehe.

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I realized with this self portrait that I have no idea how to shade that's for sure.

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[MindCandyMan]

November 11th
____________________________

The pencil sketch self portrait is from the weekend. The other one was done in painter last night.

HB pencil in around 15 minutes.

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Probably like 1.5 hours or somewhere similar to that time. Had to fix a lot of things as I went.

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Some of keyth's gladiatorial characters inspired this one. Drew this on the train with my ball point pen.

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[MindCandyMan]

Stuff from yesterday
_______________________

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[MindCandyMan]

November 13th
_______________________


The Hamburger Helper Self Portrait:

[MindCandyMan]

November 14th
_____________________

Stuff from last night. I am not done the self portrait yet. I am gonna finish it up tonight. The lighting for it was a desk lamp above my head pointing down.

http://www.mindcandyman.com/jons_uploads/Drawing 57 pencil severe lighting step 1 sp.jpg

http://www.mindcandyman.com/jons_uploads/spiral bound 19.jpg

[MindCandyMan]

November 15th - 17th
______________________

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[MindCandyMan]

November 18th
_________________________

Latest Stuff:

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I am drawing from an anatomy book every day as well. I will post those up tomorrow.


***Below is for everyone who hasn't seen my previous posts***
__________________________________________________
________
Hi Everyone,
If you didn't see my last post(s) on www.conceptart.org then I will bring you up to speed. Basically I have been inspired by the art produced and the work ethic of Jon Foster, Andrew Jones, Jason Manley, and my brother "Smeagol71" (among many others) and have decided to learn how to paint (primarily digitally). I am starting from rock bottom and I am going to paint at least one painting and do at least one sketch every day...probably two on the weekends. The order you see them in is the order that I am painting and/or sketching them...every day starting on 9/15/02. I am bearing my soul to everyone. I will post everything I do...whether it is awful or not. Most of the paintings and sketches, in the beginning, are going to look like crap but hopefully over the days/weeks/months/years they will start to get better. I have no formal art training but have signed up for classes this semester. I have a passion to paint and welcome any encouragement or critique that you want to give. Any feedback you want to give me you can leave in the threads I or just email me.
Thanks

[MindCandyMan]

November 19th
_______________________

Latest stuff...Sorry it's so crappy. My stomach was killing me last night...I had to go lay in bed. So here they are. The second one is a page out of my sketchbook. I am striving to draw a page of "Anatomy for the artist" every night. We will see how that works out.

[MindCandyMan]

latest stuff

Latest self portraits.

This was my warm up one...first one I did:

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Quick pencil one...I wanted to keep it really really loose and quick.

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Soupy Eyes

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[MindCandyMan]

November 21st
___________________

Latest stuff

Really quick self portrait

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I drew this the other day on my break at work. I am going to try to paint this sometime soon.

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[MindCandyMan]

November 22-24th
_____________________

I sketched some other stuff besides this but these are the ones I have scanned or are digital.

I will be away for a week starting tomorrow...I will be in Texas...I will post everything I do on my trip when I get back...peace

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[jester]

Just dropped by to say that your improvement is incredible!

:cool:

Jester

[MindCandyMan]

thanks so much Jester. You have helped me every step of the way. You always gave me honest responses to all my self portraits which is exactly what I need. And you have pointed me toward resources that have helped me, (like portrait-artist.org....etc..). And last but not least...your improvement has been an inspiration to me as well. I have seen you get LOADS better in the time that you have been posting on concept art. It's hard to see your own improvement but I have watched you get better from day to day. I look at your avatar every time and I can see how much closer you are getting to your likeness. Keep going bro...you are doing awesome. We will grow together! Thanks again for all the encouragement. It helps keep the frustration of learning to draw at bay. Thanks again friend.
jon

[StephenC]

wow mr candyman you really do draw everyday...i admire your discipline...you have the true spirit of an artist...i can see it as you've been doing what most true artists should do..that is practice practice practice.

[jester]

Jon - growing together, that's great! :D This forum is a really fine place with the pros giving us the chance to learn from them and the beginners, too (just by looking and analyzing the drawings - even the ones with lots of mistakes - I find to learn a lot, too). I have learned so much being here and since my motto is that the more you share the knowledge you've got the more it grows and spreads I always try to help as much as I can. Thank you as well (and all the others here), so cool :cool:!

Jester

[MindCandyMan]

Hey guys,
Thanks so much for all the encouragement. You are right Jester...the more you share your knowledge...the more people learn as a whole. I am with you on that one. We give each other motivation and criticism when it is needed. Thanks for the encouragement StephenC I really appreciate it. I may not be the best artist in the world ever but I will die trying. I have written off tv and video games (that was hard hehe) to draw in all my spare time. Jason Manley said it the best when someone asked him how would they get into Marvel by their early twenties. He said make drawing your first priority. For me in my life right now it goes in this order. God, my wife (family), drawing, school. Oops...sorry guys I have to go get on a plane to Texas. See ya soon...I will be drawing...you guys keep drawing too! You guys rock...thanks for dropping me a note in here.

[sic1]

CandyMan --

What a great idea you have here! I'm just starting out, and it's nice to see how someone else begins their journey down the art path. I was looking at some of your sketches (the ones on phantomarts aren't accessible due to bw limits) and they look very good. Your desire to learn has inspired me to draw a bit more too :D I'm going to add this to my favorites and stop by.

I'm also glad to see that the community here is so supportive of you :)

Keep drawing Candy Man! :cool:

[MindCandyMan]

sic1 - Thanks for the encouragement man I really appreciate it. I am working on getting a website up t hat catalogs all my progress so people can go to that instead of having broken links. That's really annoying...sorry about that. I don't have the money to pay monthly for a website for my art progression but I will see what I can come up with. I have a couple of ideas that might work to get around it hehe.

It's so hard to start off doing art because the stuff that you do is going to stink next to these guys who have been doing it since they were like 5 years old. This kind of a place is a great forum to grow in because people give you constant criticism, feedback, and encouragement. Everyone here has been really supportive and I have gotten tips from the masters (Jon Foster, Jason Manley, Andrew Jones, etc...)...which is something most people can't ever get so I am really thankful for that. I would definitely recommend drawing every day and also posting your stuff every day if you can because it is such a motivating force to have to always have something to post up...even if it sucks. There have been many nights where I have gotten home late and almost went to bed...but then I thought...hmmm...I should draw some more tonight so I have some stuff to post. So that has been a great motivator.

Honestly, feel free to post in this thread if you want. It doesn't just have to be me posting. This could be a place where all the "rookies" can post their stuff and discuss certain things as we learn. People have helped me out so much in the past two months...that makes me want to help everyone out just as much. Keep drawing bro...thanks for the encouragement. We will grow together.

I will post all my stuff in like 4 days when I get back from Texas.

peace,

[UnionSung]

The site sould be back up today some time.

[MindCandyMan]

Hey Thanks Unionsung...FINALLY I get to meet the person that is being so charitable with their web space. Thankyou!! I never knew who was running the site I was just given the link without any details. Thanks so much for allowing me and others to post our stuff using your web space. I honestly don't know if I could post on here any other way. I really appreciate it. Thanks so much!

p.s. - Is there a way that I can delete some older ones that I have posted to make room for the new ones. Thanks again for providing that service. It's awesome. I really appreciate it!

[mcotie]

Hey Jon

It was nice meeting you. You have alot of determination and you couple that with an unconquerable will to learn without fear of humiliation; you WILL be the artist you want to be.
Just follow your heart on what you should do as far as schools and stuff. I personnally don't believe it matters; you will learn and that's what counts.

don't hesitate to look me up when youre back in town.

draw, draw, draw, and always try to outdo your last piece. Push the envelope.

Mitch

[MindCandyMan]

Thanks Mitch,
It was awesome meeting you too...your stuff is AWESOME. And yeah...I am such a dufus in every other area of my life that being embarassed about one more thing doesn't bother me hehehe. At this stage I'm pretty embarassed about all my drawings but it's like you said...(which by the way I know is going to stick with me a long time)...Don't hold on to the drawings you do and be "satisfied" with how they are turning out. If something turns out good that's fine...but then put it away and move on and push yourself further. That is great advice. Jon Foster told me the same thing in different terms...he said, "Once you learn one style of doing things...don't settle...throw it away for the time being and keep learning."

I appreciate you taking the time out to show a rookie like me your stuff and to give me constructive criticism on my work. That is invaluable to me. Your stuff is KICKIN too. Even the other girl in that room that was talking with us knew how good your stuff was...she said people were saying stuff like, "Yeah even Mitch got yelled at today in class". That's awesome dude that your stuff is on that level. Keep pushing.

We will see what the future holds. As long as I have hands I will keep drawing. So we will see what happens. I'm just along for the ride. Thanks for the encouragement bro. I will definitely look you up next time I'm down...if my wife doesn't convince me to move permanently before then hehehe.

Peace,
jon

[MindCandyMan]

Ok this is a big post...sorry lots of sketchbook pages.

November 25th - December 3rd
_______________________________

I have really been getting into sketching with a pen. It has helped me become more controlled and more direct with my strokes...I will definitely do a lot more in pen.

I tried to get in as much drawing as I could over the thansgiving break...of course you always wish you could do more.

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[Smeagol71]

Whoa...that pen work is a real big step for you bro, I think you're accomplishing your goal. Keep that up, it will help you become more deliberate with every stroke you make. This is a lot of great work and is comprised of another big growth step for you. Great job!!!!

[MindCandyMan]

Hey Thanks bro I really appreciate it. I LOVE Justin Sweet's pen sketches on his website. They are so awesome. So I decided to try a pen out and you are exactly right. It has helped me think about my strokes and pay more attention to the forms etc... I really like sketching in pen I will definitely keep it up. Thanks for the encouragement man I really appreciate it.

I am officially signed up for drawing I and figure drawing I next semester so that will be cool to see how those go. Thanks bro I will keep em coming hehe.

[mime]

wow mindcandy, its awesome, you are improving in huge steps ...

those studies are great, i especially like the landscape things, and this frog is really nice looking too ...

i'm quite jealous of your improvement rate, its really awesome !! keep up the good work and dont slow down :)

[jester]

Great job on the pen and ink stuff - you have inspired me to try some in this technique, too. I'll post them later today; very busy working on my new business.

:)

Jester

[MindCandyMan]

Thanks so much for the encouragement guys. I am trying to work really hard. I appreciate all the encouragement you guys give. I definitely won't slow down. I am starting up drawing I and figure drawing I next semester so I can draw in class and then draw when I get home. HAHAHHAHAHAHA DRAW DRAW DRAW

[MindCandyMan]

self portrait

I will post more tonight

[MindCandyMan]

December 5th - 9th
----------------------------

.................................................. .

last week was really bad. One of the most stressful weeks in a long time. I won't bore you with the details.

I tried to sketch all weekend. Everything was turning out awful. I think the stress affected my brain. This was the only thing worth posting believe it or not.


All my finals are finished. No class this week. Lots of drawing. Man I am glad to have last week behind me.

[mcotie]

Hey Jon

it's looking good. You need to really push yourself to not draw things as the symbols of what they are and draw them more as they truly are. Try this on your next SP. rather than using lines, use only blocks or shapes of the shadows/hilights you see. only. no lines. still variate your tones, but look for the shapes in them. remember what I told you about looking at it without glasses on. blur your vision a little to really see those shapes. Give it a shot.

Mitch

[MindCandyMan]

hey mitch...thanks for the feedback man. I will try that tonight. I'm not sure if I quite understand but I think I do. I will try it and see how it comes out and you can tell me if I am way off hehe. I will take off my glasses too and squint. Thanks man.
jon

[MindCandyMan]

Well Mitch here it is. I didn't focus on the proportions or trying to get the likeness because I didn't want that to get in the way of learning this new way of seeing. So I just painted what I saw as best I could...the eyes are...well like an alien but oh well hehe. I took off my glasses and squinted so I could just make out he shapes of the shadows and to be honest when I started I didn't think it would end up looking like a person...but it did. Unless you have another suggestion I am going to do the same thing tonight except try to capture my likeness with it. Pay more attention to that. But I think I am starting to understand what you meant.

Here it is:

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Another pen drawing I did.

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[jester]

Pens seem to suit you - do more! :D

Jester

[MindCandyMan]

Thanks Jester hehe...I will do more tonight. I am really enjoying using the pen.

[MindCandyMan]

I keep forgetting to put the dates

December 10th
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Hey Jester your tree ents inspired me to try an idea of my own. This was just a really quick sketch on the train. But I might take this idea and flesh it out in a pen drawing tonight.

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Jolly Old Saint mixed with me

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[MindCandyMan]

December 11th
____________________________

Since the eyes on my last portrait stunk really bad. Mitch has assigned me the task of drawing my own eye. (Thanks Mitch!) This was hard. Here is the result.

http://www.mindcandyman.com/jons_uploads/Painting%2065%20close%20up%20of%20eye.jpg

[jester]

When the little figure is meant to indicate size this is a really big ent! How about trying it in color?

:)

Jester

[MindCandyMan]

Hey Jester,
Yeah I had imagined deep in the forest the great great great grandfather of all the ents. The oldest one alive. I will try to paint it tonight...I'm not sure how it will turn out but I will try!

[MindCandyMan]

Whats up...

my eye

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Take me back Mitch take me back!!!!!

Hey Jester I am working on my tree monster thingee but it is gonna take a little while to finish...I want to really try to render it out well. We will see what happens hehe.

Ok here is a small preview of one section of the painting just to prove I am working on it hehe...the bottom of the ent with some foliage near him

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[MindCandyMan]

December 13th - 15th
__________________________________

Sargent Brush

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I saw the Pennsylvania ballet this past weekend. They were performing "The Nutcracker". It was so beautiful...I had to come home and do a painting purely just so I could remember how I felt when I was there. This was more of a free form painting.

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I am still trying to learn how to paint...here is my tree ent...in process.

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Here are more pen and ink studies for you jester.

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[I.was.ink]

hey, those pen and ink studies are really nice. I like that face u did with the seargeant brush, nice stuff. I wish you had a diff. Avatar, not that I don't like the one you have. But it keeps making me think, your'e really young. I know you're 22, but I keep thinking early teens, cause of that avatart. no intentions to offend, just my two cents!

[MindCandyMan]

Thanks for the encouragement iwasink! HAHAHAHAH that is hilarious about my avatar. I'm glad you said something hehe. I changed to a temporary one till I get home. I made it from one of my self portraits. That is hilarious...if I wasnt at my desk at work I would laugh out loud hehehe.

[jester]

Hey, MindCandyMan, thanks for the pen and ink study! :D I'm pretty busy at the moment, preparing everything for our trip to Sweden, so I fear I'll only post a few sketches if any for the rest of this year! Keep working and improving!

Jester

[MindCandyMan]

Wow that's awesome Jester! Have fun man! That is gonna be a great time. Be safe. I will keep going...don't worry about that hehe.

[MindCandyMan]

December 16th
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Still struggling with this tree. Having a hard time getting it detailed. I am not sure quite what to do. Any help would be appreciated (Thanks for the pics Jester!)

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Hey Mitch I tried out some of those quick sketches that you were talking about. I tried to put muscles on them....boy oh boy...man these turned out bad. I did them on the train with a ball point pen which didn't help I guess but sheesh...these are awful...I can't wait to take figure drawing class. I will use these as before and after pics heheh...these being the before.

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Quick self portrait on the train from memory...looks nothing like me...oh well.

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[Six Digit Paw]

Go, go, go MindCandyMan!

The heart and moxie in this thread is amazing, man! Truly inspiring. Sure as hell keeps me at my sketchbooks (getting them to the scanner and posted up here is another matter entirely ;o) Thanks for putting up your stuff, and looking forward to the next pieces!

[MindCandyMan]

December 17th
___________________________

Hey everybody...I had to go to work...then screen a movie I did... and then I went to the LOTR midnight show so I did get home until 4 A.M. ....however I did make time to sketch when I was in line waiting for the movie. (why not right hehe)

This was a sketch that my brother (Smeagol71) was helping me with. I started the very base sketch and my brother was showing me how to form things and make proper lines and what those lines convey...he hated this sketch but I wanted to post it cause I liked it and plus we did it together (he did most of it heheh)...I learned a lot just walking through things with him.

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This was another quick sketch I did until the lights went dark hehe.

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six digit paw - Thanks man!! I really appreciate the encouragement. I am a rookie but I am trying:) . I can't wait to see your stuff. Draw every day...don't let yourself ever go a day without drawing. Thanks again!...my art isn't the greatest but I am glad I can inspire people in other ways...at least I'm doing something right haha.



________
Hi Everyone,
If you didn't see my last post(s) on www.conceptart.org then I will bring you up to speed. Basically I have been inspired by the art produced and the work ethic of Jon Foster, Justin Sweet, Andrew Jones, Jason Manley, and my brother "Smeagol71" (among many others) and have decided to learn how to paint (primarily digitally). I am starting from rock bottom and I am going to paint at least one painting and do at least one sketch every day...probably two on the weekends. The order you see them in is the order that I am painting and/or sketching them...every day starting on 9/15/02. I am bearing my soul to everyone. I will post everything I do...whether it is awful or not. Most of the paintings and sketches, in the beginning, are going to look like crap but hopefully over the days/weeks/months/years they will start to get better. I have no formal art training but have signed up for classes this semester. I have a passion to paint and welcome any encouragement or critique that you want to give. Any feedback you want to give me you can leave in the threads I or just email me.
Thanks

[I.was.ink]

check out this post (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2194) I know its directed towards jester, but I suggest the same to you. I still do it and I learn from it everyday:)

[MindCandyMan]

good call iwasink...wow under 20 bucks huh...I will buy that for Christmas...sounds awesome.

[MindCandyMan]

December 18th
___________________

Hey guys here is some stuff from yesterday. I am working on another piece that I am going to try and enter in the thunderdome contest. I won't win but I want to contribute to the contest and help support conceptart.org!!!!!!! Well here are the latest ones...

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I used the tubist brush...what a nightmare heheh...just trying to experiment though hehe.

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[MindCandyMan]

Some stuff from yesterday. Hey iwasink my brother let me borrow some bridgeman books...they are really good...his style for some reason really helps me understand. I used them to help with the hand sketches.

[ZippZopp]

your work is really paying off jon....there is such tremendous improvement! are you using a lot of reference, or are you working a lot from your head? either way, your work is going great! i'm still tryin to figure out how to draw from my head....can't quite do it well yet, gotta keep practicing!

cheers

[I.was.ink]

See MCM, I knew those books would help. Glad you took a look at em.

[MindCandyMan]

Hey guys thanks so much! I really appreciate the encouragement.

Iwasink...yeah you were absolutely right those books are awesome...I am gonna go through them some more today as well.

Zipp - Thanks for the encouragement bro. For the hand studies I look at the book and then I look at my hand and then I look at the book and my hand and try to draw it like the book has it...I try to work more to understand the principle than to just copy from the book. With Loomis though sometimes I just put the book down beside me and try to draw what he has sketched in the book...and during the process I think about why he put the lines there. For the monster and wizard/guy sketches I just do them from my head utilizing the knowledge I have gathered from the other sources. One thing that has helped me that mitch told me was to think about things in 3d and then try to represent them in 2d. That has helped me visualize how something would look on paper. Think about a 3d model of whatever you are drawing and then put that on paper. But also...open up bridgeman and loomis books and copy copy copy (understanding as you go)...Repitition till it *clicks*...is the key. Keep going bro your stuff is improving vastly as well...you may not see it but it definitely is. Sorry for babbling hehe.

I am still drawing everyone but I have no way to scan it in. As soon as I find a scanner I will post up all my stuff...peace

[N3W8I3]

ok quick post here.. the best thing that anyone ever told me .. (to do with basic drawing and painting :) ) was that if you are looking at drawing, rendering realistic objects while conveying a realistic environment, you should look at life and draw exactly what you see.
pretty basic i know but you are looking down the right path with the pictures you have posted here ... interesting studies on perspective and depth. Maybe you could try and look at the way people use tone and bush sensitivity in outline to convey depth of field and light.
look closeley at shadow and light and the colours that you associate with shadow... for example objects in the forground will be brighter and more vibrant whereas objects in shadow or in the background will look more blueish or dull in appearance...
i hope this is some help .. its pretty basic stuff but its where i started and its something i constantly have to refer back to.

try to get out of the digital medium every now and again and enjoy the freedom of a sketchpad ... it doesent have to be expensive equipment the work comes from you ... so artwork made by a genius with a piece of coal and some cardboard may look more impressive than someone using the latest mac and painter 7... not saying that the digital medium is bad ..coz i love it myself! -- sorry im blabbering so ill shut up an post this b4 i go on any longer

[I.was.ink]

Thanks for those words you guys. Kind of inspirational in a way. I too, MCM, am trying to do the same thing. I have drawn forever, but until now am I taking it seriously, because if i want to get into art Center, I need to try real hard. And concentrate on observing a lot more, thats why i came up with this (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2497)

I'm glad that so many of us are learning from each other and get inspired off of one another. I thank everyone that has helped me out in any way, its the only way We'll ever learn. :)

Thanks:D

P.S my avatar is pissing me off, Because I try and make one to the specifications that are allowed and it won't accept it. Can someone tell me how you did yours. Just a brief explanation will do. thanks:D

[MindCandyMan]

N3W8I3 - Thanks so much that is awesome advice. You are absolutely right about using a regular sketchpad every once and a while...I think it's really important to do that...to go back to the basics...which brings me to your other awesome advice. Those things that you mentioned are the key to everything else...drawing from life is where it's at. I can't wait for this upcoming semester when I am taking drawing I and life drawing I...they do mostly all drawing from life so that will be awesome. I try to do everything I can while I am here in the house. drawing cups, vases, etc.... Once again awesome advice...it is ALWAYS good to keep the essentials and foundational skills in mind...especially for a major rookie like me. Thanks again man...I really appreciate you offering advice...and good advice at that! :)

iwasink - hey...that's awesome about you going to the art Center...that is really cool. You are absolutely right as well...bouncing criticism and encouragement off of each other is a constant way to grow...it has helped me tremendously. Oh for the avatar...make it an 80 x 80 picture and make sure its under 15k and I think it will work then.

Thanks again everyone for the encouragment...together we will grow better!!!!!!

[MindCandyMan]

Here is a quick sketch I did for the speed painting thread... A lot of mistakes with this one but I did it in 15 minutes...oh well...the other stuff I have been doing is in my sketchbook so I have to wait till I can scan it. See ya guys.

[MindCandyMan]

some of the sketches I am doing

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[N3W8I3]

Hey man good stuff.. but i cant see most of it (*humph*)
i get a "the user has reached his bandwidth limit" message
i would like to see your stuff...
im still getting my stuff together to post up.. kinda embarrassed about the dody skull and stuff i put up earlier!
anyhoo i like! :chug:

[MindCandyMan]

Hey thanks man...phantomarts (the place where I store a lot of my stuff) went down and it won't be back up till probably in january...cause the monthly bandwidth was exceeded...I am gonna start storing all my stuff on my msn account web space from now on so that should be good. I will just upload all my files to that. I am gonna try and make a website eventually as well that documents my progress...we will see how that works out. Thanks again for the encouragement...on monday I will post some of the stuff I have been doing...I will have access to a scanner then...peace.

[MindCandyMan]

Some stuff

I'm trying to learn anatomy...going through the Loomis figure drawing book.........*sigh*.....I need so much more practice.

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[MindCandyMan]

December 30th
____________________________


Sketches from the train:

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Cyborg self portrait I did

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[sic1]

w00t! gooo loomis!

Ohhh btw, I like that cyborg self-portrait!

Nice CM :)

[ODIN SIX]

You got Focus and drive man....

I just looked through your whole thread,, and 2 hrs later I get
too post. I really do not know what else to say because it all
has been said.
I say keep doing what you are doing and never stop.
Draw, Draw, Draw, and when you get tiredd Draw some more,,
And then after your fingers are bleeding... Wrap them up and Draw some more....:chug:

[MindCandyMan]

December 31st - January 1st
_______________________________

ODIN SIX - Thanks so much for the encouragement man. I am trying but you are absolutely right...I need to push myself even harder. Thanks for looking at my stuff...I will keep posting you count on that. Honestly...the encouragement I get on these boards is astounding...it really helps me keep going. Thanks again...

-I should have asked for some gauze for Christmas...to wrap my fingers when they bleed-

sic1 - Thanks for the encouragement man. Yeah with that cyborg portrait (even though it may not show it) something clicked in my head...I was able to see how to achieve details...I was also able to see how hard it really is to make a detailed painting. Thanks so much for the encouragement man...I was actually in MD for New Years Eve...I lived in Bel Air for a really long time...exit 77B hehe. Thanks again man.



Ok I am kicking things up a notch now. The holidays were sort of an unwillful break from my stride...now I will hit things even harder.

Update:

[chudzta]

hey, im new as well to digital painting but dont have the time to paint everynight or anything.. my current wip is up in wip section.. anywho i wanted to say the second image the top right character gave a very sinister feel and some potential lies behind that one if u were to continue on.. keep up the devotion man..

[MindCandyMan]

January 2nd
__________________

Chudzta - Thanks for the comment. I think I am gonna work that guy a little more. I did a quick painting for the mercenary thread and that's kind of what he grew out of. Hey I checked out your post...looks good man! I know you asked about the sky...I would vary the values in the sky a little more...maybe put some clouds in there and stuff...add some darker greys. Push the values. Lookin good though man...landscapes like that are really hard...keep working.


Wanted to make a character that was in my head...turned out being a ring wraith rip off that's for sure.

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Got a little frustrated hehe

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This was done amidst the frustration as well

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[andru]

It's really amazing to go through this thread, from start to finish, and be able to see your incredible progress throughout. Really great work, it's nice to see someone so dedicated to improving their skills - it's really inspiring :)

As a not particularly talented artist, it's really motivating to be able to see what a bit of hard work and determination can really do. I'll be sketching everyday once I've moved house, and I intend to create a similar thread, charting my progress over the coming months...