Critique - Learning to Sketch from Observation

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Critique - Learning to Sketch from Observation

118K
Mark as Completed
Course In Progress
Stan Prokopenko
Its time for critiques again! In this lesson, I’ll look over your sketches from observation and address the common mistakes. These two critique episodes took a bit longer to edit, so Level 2 critique coming out next week.
Newest
@samuva
23d
The drawings you are reviewing are better than level one! mine are awful. Proportions of people sketches are perfect
WilIiam tanuji
Hello, I need critiques or comments from someone about my lines in this drawing.Please let me know if you find some of the lines stiff or awkward to see. Thank you!
@mathtry2draw
Homework + bonus
Pakorn Kaewmijeen
I tried sketching something of my own. First, I tried sketching the big overall subject, and then I tunneled down into smaller parts in my second sketch. (I drew over the first by erasing some parts and adding just some positions.) I found that during my sketching, I tend to worry about getting the lines right on the first try and not explore (then double down on the existing lines) + with smaller parts, I tend not to explore and draw loosely at all. Resulting in no energy at all in the sketch. I spent around 30 minutes+ during the first sketch and second sketch each. (Seems kind of too long for the first sketch). The result isn't too bad, but I'm not satisfied yet. Any tips for sketching more loosely & faster with more energy?
Melanie Scearce
Try increasing the length of your stokes -- from what I can see you are making a lot of little strokes which give your lines a "hairy" appearance. Challenge yourself to make light, loose stroke and only darken your lines when you feel that you have found the right ones.
Pakorn Kaewmijeen
During this sketch I just drew the second sketch almost on top of the first one and erase some lines.(I know it's not the best idea but I kinda get lazy & impatient at the end - should have take breaks)
Catherina Petersen
After watching the demo and critique videos I tried this challenge again, this time more loose and confident with my lines.
Gabriel Kaiser
I attached a try before and after the demo for the penguin and the arm. I feel like I could have done more exploration especially with the second penguin even though it looks better. I am sorry to say that I couldn't do the arm. I abandoned my first try and did it again after watching the demo but it was terrible. I tried the same technique with a picture of some whales where I think I was doing more searching and more confident lines, maybe because it was easier.
Dominicque Arceo
I’ll admit, this assignment was one I probably didn’t approach it the way I should have. I’ll probably figure it out when I get a chance to view all the critiques.
@angelic_garbage
2nd attempt at observation sketching (ty Jack, I sniped your reference pics)
@apollon
3mo
I think the spider looks the best with the most confident lines although the line darkness feels too random. The car and the hand have good big lines indicating the larger shape but the lines get less confident and more fuzzy in the smaller details.
@josephl
4mo
Tayra Cotto
The last one didn't fully fit in the page so I finished it on the other page.
Jack H
4mo
Here's another set of 3 images that I did. Only the car was done after watching the critiques, which made me focus more on capturing the "gesture" of the car. Not sure if I did it well enough, but I do like how the car seems a bit alive with the way i drew the front
@manuela
4mo
I love the first penguin much more and maybe some of the first. But in the second attempt I tried to focus more on the gesture and the overboard idea of everything. I think that the first penguin escence went better because of its sharpness and sassy vibes. The second hand had more gesture than the first and lastly the girl is super cool in the first one but the second deffinitly captures mcuh more the gesture. I think the frist sketches might be more attractive because of the details but in tbe second ones i left myself feel more the asignment and liberated my hand to sketching
Agnieszka
4mo
I think the exercise went well (maybe I need more wrinkles in the hand, but it not bad in my opinion), so I didn't do a second version after watching the demo & critique, but I did an additional example - Akali from League of Legends
Jocelynn Darlene
These are great, keep up the good work!
Stefan Sharkov
These are excellent sketches, and your Akali sketch is great too. I would recommend trying to add wrinkles to the hands. They are an important detail and they'll help practice lighter lines.
Giovanni Mackie
Here what I did when I was using Prokopenko’s skills. I’m have to honest I’m mentally challenged and I keep erasing a lot.
Stefan Sharkov
These are great attempts. If you catch yourself erasing a lot, I'd suggest sketching with a lighter pencil first. You can also try Stan's line darkness exercise before you start sketching. Great work with these sketches, you're on the right track.
@vidar
6mo
I think I need some help! I am getting confused on what lines you are supposed to make. (1) it was CSI and contour(or rather line by line and how they relate to each other). (2) Then he taught us about the tapered stroke and different kind of searching lines. Basically dont think to much of each line(dont be scared in the beginning, just try to find the idea. (3) but now when sketching from imagination/Observation you are supposed to do (2) but think of the gesture and not the contour? Is that what you are supposed to do? I made this drawing down below. But I am not sure I did the right thing, I felt like I captured the contour but not the flow. Thats why I decided to change the duck to the right, because in my head he looked proud. Can this be "flow" or does it have to look like the character?
Stefan Sharkov
Hello, For this assignment, Stan wants us to use gestural lines to capture the simplified contours of the figure. Just make sure to keep your lines loose and confident, and look at other's work to get an idea of what the assignment is looking for. But I really like your duck sketches, they capture their essence very well.
Thanh Nguyen Thi Kieu
hello from a fellow student! From what I can understand (i didn't buy the course), drawing the gesture line is meant to capture the overall feeling (or the flow) and composition of the subject (so that you don't lose it when focusing on the parts and details). It certaintly would help if you try and exaggerate some parts of the duck to make the flow clearer. For example, I would try to puff the chest of the duck on the right photo.
Alex Smith
6mo
Wanted to try this one again after the critique and demo videos, see if I could get more loose with my sketches, and I think I got much closer to the mark this time around. Fought the urge to get more detailed this time and refine lines! I'll refine this one for fun later.
Stefan Sharkov
Your lines are loose and confident, which is excellent for this assignment. Now all you have to do is channel those lines into more accurate proportions. Your on a strong pace, keep up the good work.
Morphex
6mo
sketched a penguin! Tell me how i did. plz. ^^
Stefan Sharkov
Great attempt. It seems your first lines were very dark. I'd suggest ghosting the forms further before you get those final lines down. Nice work.
Rachel Dawn Owens
You did great! Your lines are really clean. Lovely line work. I really like the photo reference, so I tried my hand at it. I think it’s easier to start with the largest shapes first and then whittle away with smaller and smaller marks. He reminded me of a pear shape, so I started with that. Hope this is helpful. Keep it up.
@wellfleetman11
I am a new to sketching. Looking for some advice. When I see some of the images that Stan critiques, I am thinking many of these drawings are pretty good then I look at my drawings and think wow not so good. As a beginner, is it common to be hesitant about one's drawings and being too concerned about how they look.
Stefan Sharkov
Don't worry, if you keep sketching your skills will improve quickly. Just keep doing the warm-ups Stan provided; they are a relaxing way to start the day while listening to some music.
Rachel Dawn Owens
Confidence comes with time and practice. These drawings are looking good. I like the expression on the penguin. He looks like he’s thinking. The only suggestion I have is to try starting with the longest lines of a drawing first. This will help you establish proportions and flow. Here’s how I might draw the penguin. Hope this helps. Keep it up and you WILL improve.
@0liver
6mo
Don’t be concerned about proportions, that will come after time. Try to focus on general line quality. :)
Katherine Cleary
This is after watching the demo period it helps me a lot to see what Stan is doing. I get a lot more clarity out of it. I do attempt the drawing on my own but then I want to go in and make what we'll call a course correction. The VR girl will come later. That was really interesting because I never thought in the entire course of my life that I would be drawing a figure like that ever
Stefan Sharkov
Nice attempts. For the penguin, don't worry about capturing the feathers; just capture the form of the penguin as simply as possible.
Krisztina Eperjesi
See my second attempt on a second picture. Now I see what was wrong with my first attempt before the demo. I liked this task. Thank you.
Stefan Sharkov
Great second attempt. The lines are loose and confident.
Christina Unger
Your second attempt looks great! :) For me, watching the demo and critique videos is also an eye opener, making me understand what I should've done but didn't. Re-doing it has a significant learning effect, I think.
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About instructor
Founder of Proko, artist and teacher of drawing, painting, and anatomy. I try to make my lessons fun and ultra packed with information.
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