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julien Gaumet
•
2yr
added comment inDrawing Basics
Hi everyone ! Here is my first attempt before watching the demonstration video. I'll give the portrait a try later today 😃
Feel free to give me your feedback !
Becca
2yr
Hi hi! These are really good, and I’m kind of jealous. The only critique I can come up with at this level is that I can see the line of your edge, and I think if you make that blend with your value shape, they’d be almost perfect. Very nice work! I wish my values were as clear as yours. 😊
Hello! Your value scale is really good, and your pear looks good, too. I think all you need to do is make the shapes in your drawing match the value scale more. For example, your shadow shape isn’t quite as dark as the second darkest value on your value scale. Your dark mid tone in your drawing isn’t quite as dark as your third darkest value.
My only other thought is to take another look at the shape of the cast shadow. Otherwise, this looks great!
@forznoles
•
2yr
My attempt at Project - Simplify From Observation. I haven't moved forward with the next video(s) yet. I need better tools (I had no idea that quality pencil sharpeners were so important!). Thoughts appreciated.
Hi there! I think you did a nice job with your proportions and your shadow shapes. You might try creating a value scale with your five values first and then trying to match those five values to your value scale. Instead of a crosshatch, try to create the value you want with just filling the shapes in with your pencil. With the value scale in front of you (and right next to your drawing), it will be easier to see the contrast between values. In your drawing, your mid-tones are very close to the shadow tone, so the light parts and the shadow parts get a bit muddled. Also, maybe try to avoid outlining your edges so darkly. You did a great job with maintaining the sharp edges, though. Maybe just make sure the edge matches the value of the entire shape. 😊
I’ve drawn this pear 8 times so far, and still haven’t been satisfied, haha
With respect to pencil sharpeners, I’ve tried a zillion of them and still haven’t found one I like. I use the ones that Stan hates - the ones that come free with every pencil set. They chew up my pencils, so he’s right about that, but they work ok for me in terms of getting my pencil to a sharp point. I have that black wing one that he likes - it’s expensive! (And not the only expensive one that I’ve tried) It worked great for about a month until a piece of graphite got caught in the blade. Even when I got the piece out, the thing won’t sharpen anymore. Rather than buy yet another expensive one, I just make the cheap ones work for me, and I don’t think it’s a huge deal. At some point, when I really know what I’m doing, I’ll learn how to do it with a blade. But right now, I can’t afford to ruin my pencils.
@anotherartdude
•
3yr
You've got a lot of good components in here but I think making sure they mesh well together should be a priority. For example I like your nose and the mouth you drew on their own. But when I look at them together, they don't look like they were drawn from the same reference in mind because of the angles.
Thank you! This is so interesting to me! What about the nose and the mouth looks like they don’t go together?
Leon ter Molen
•
3yr
Hi @Becca,
Lovely drawing!
I think that more focus on measuring the (main) proportions and construction would help improve the drawing. ;) Do you use the Loomis-head method when starting a portrait like this one? I like to keep the Loomis method 'in the back of my head' when drawing. I'm definitely not an expert on the method, but my basic knowlegde of the method often helps me to see, divide and 'deconstruct' a portrait in more simple shapes.
Hopefully this helps a bit!
-Leon
Thanks so much, Leon. I appreciate the response.
Yes, I use the Loomis method a lot, but to be honest, even when it works for volume and understanding the general proportions of the head, my proportions tend to still be way off. I didn’t use Loomis for this one (although you’re right that it always stays in the back of my head), and it’s really the first one of many that i didn’t. I tried to use straight lines this time - just for proportions purposes per a book I have called, “Lessons in Masterful Portrait Drawing” by Mau Kun-Yim.
Anyway, I have a long way to go and sometimes posting here makes me feel discouraged more than anything, so I’m not sure if it’s better to just keep going on my own for awhile.
I wonder if there are specific measurements that seem off to you? I felt like I got this one right, at least with respect to measurements, but of course I can’t always see my mistakes. And of course, it has a lot of other problems, so maybe it’s that.
Anyway, I appreciate the feedback. Thank you very much. ☺️
Hi! I'm in no way a professional artist so take what I say with a grain of salt ( I'm pretty sure that's the saying haha ) but I wanted to mention a few things I noticed while viewing your piece!
First of all, I love the way you drew the hair and shirt, I think it looks really good. Some issues I noticed with your piece is that the face is too thin, this in turn makes all the facial feature look too big compared to the reference. Furthermore, some of the details in the drawing seem too focused upon, especially the smile lines. I feel like if you blend them out a bit more accurate to the study ( if that's what you are going for ). Overall, I think that the study was really strong, especially with the lighting ( which I think you captured well ). For next time, I think I would focus more upon the initial proportions so that the rest of your features in the drawing falls into place.
I hope this post made sense and this helped even if it only helped a bit! Have a great day :))
( Also I totally agree that there needs to be a name for the community haha )
I am in no position to comment, but for what it’s worth, I love your drawing. I actually think you’ve captured something of the likeness, although you’re right about edge and shape. But, I also think you’ve captured the issues with edge that are also in the reference. It adds to the charm. 😊
Not that it’s easy (I’m struggling and failing with the same thing), but what I’m hearing over and over again is to work on the measurements. Of course, that’s much easier said than done, and I’m working on it too, but as far as I can tell, that’s where you might focus. Maybe this is what you mean by shape. I love it, though. 😊
Sean Rogers
•
3yr
This is great. The shading on the egg white, particularly at the edges, make it feel very 3 dimensional. Same with the highlight on the yolk. You should be very proud of this.
I wish I could give constructive critique, but I'm a beginner myself. I don't know how to make you better, but I don't think you should be embarrassed about sharing your stuff. This is a damn fine egg. :)
Account deleted
That’s beautiful and it’s making me hungry. What were the results of your experiment?
The highlight, mid tone, and form shadow on the yolk are super realistic. The egg white is goopy wet also so I’d expect to see highlights in places.
Regarding not sharing “bad” art,
@Stan Prokopenko mentioned on the Draftsman podcast something to the effect of ‘it’s what you’re here for’. That struck a bell with me and I decided to join Proko in order to learn by getting out of my comfort zone and getting some practical advice from fellow artists. Seeing your post made me feel less afraid, thanks.
Thank you so much. I was trying to decide if it was worth it to post stuff here, even if it’s beginner and horrible. I decided, at least for now, that it is. I appreciate the compliment so much. Thanks. ☺️
