Hi :). I tried some level 2 challenges: overhand grip with a charcoal pencil sharpened like a bullet and time limits (7 and 5 min.) Drawing with the overhand grip felt strange, I broke the charcoal and I'll need to get used to the sharpening technique. I am also confused about the soft/medium/hard charcoal types. I wonder which one would be best for this exercise (does it matter?). I also enjoyed the time limits because they forced me to make decisions faster. I think sometimes, having more time doesn't necessarily mean using it "well". I can see how practicing with different time limits can help train my brain to understand the subject in different levels of simplicity/complexity. I'll definitely do this exercise again, but for now, I'll move on to the demos. :)

Hi :). These were super fun. I can see how this exercise can help me improve a lot (line quality, making decisions faster, etc.) Next time, I'll try loosening up my lines more and I would love to try some of the level 2 challenges. I have a suggestion: I think it would be nice to include more male body types in the reference pictures (I think there is only one?) Feedback is obviously welcomed :)

Hi :). I loved looking at the reference pictures, they were full of emotions. Trying to have good line quality while drawing an animal that I'm not familiar with was challenging, as well as using my imagination/memory to figure out poses for level 2. Stan's line quality is truly inspiring. :)

Hi :). Here is my assignment. I drew in my 9 x 12 sketchbook. I would love to try a bigger surface.

Hi :). After watching the demos, I feel like I understand the assignment a lot more. So, I tried it again. :)

Hi :). Thinking in terms of shapes was hard. I found myself wanting to draw contours and add details.

Hi :). I chose Claire Wendling for this project. These two mice were too cute to pass. I love how interesting yet simple the lines are. They feel very intentional.

Hi :). Today was my last day of the challenge, that I successfully completed! I drew projects for this course, I completed longer drawings, I drew cats from life and I did lots of little doodles. Here are some of them. I enjoyed drawing more often. I found myself being less afraid to try new things: toned paper, drawing a background, drawing animals I never drew before. I don't think I would keep drawing everyday, but I will plan more drawing sessions during the week. I really saw the benefits. Feedback is obviously welcomed :)

Hi :). Here are my two drawings for level 1. :)

Hi :). I am not familiar with the anatomy of lizards and I think it shows in my drawings. If I did it again, I would take a subject I am more familiar with OR I would spend time sketching from observation before drawing more freely from imagination OR I would use the references only for inspiration (and I would not necessarily try to draw a lizard). If I did it again, I would definitively spend more time and effort on the preliminary sketches to build a "visual library" (I think I am using that term correctly) before going into the final sketch. I enjoyed exploring ideas on paper and seeing how it affected my interpretation of the sketches.