Drawing Basics
Getting Started
Lines
Shapes
How Perspective Works
Intuitive Perspective
Values
Bonus Content
Pear Critiques are here!
Critique for the portraits coming Thursday, but I recommend level 2 students watch this critique video too. I give advice and demonstrate things that should be useful to both levels.
Newest
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J B
1d
Second attempt after watching most critiques and demos... I like the added background, I'm a bit unhappy with my midtones still. I used HB, 2B, and 14B and 2B & 14b behaved OK but HB was super sharp comparatively. Maybe just a note to be slower and more careful. I also *still* find finding the darkest shadows a confusing fools errand. Fun though!
Aubrey Hannah
2d
I find it pretty interesting that you pointed out how simplifying an image can help an artist learn to portray values, lines, shapes, etc. more effectively. Over the last few years I've been drawing, one of my problems has been that I've gotten lost in all the detail of a reference image and been frustrated trying to capture everything accurately. I've had a hunch that I should be narrowing my focus more for a while, but it's nice to get that confirmation from an expert.
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@dowawitch
7d
first attempt with graphite. realized afterwards that i didn’t really simplify as much as i should have. second attempt was digital with procreate, limited myself to 30 minutes to force the simplification
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@chadcando
10d
Here is my first attempt at the three pears. I believe I did ok but went in to the detail a little too much and didn’t use the straights enough.
The second attempt after watching Stan’s demo and the critique I simplified the shapes more trying to get a sharpe edge between the values and creating the shapes with straight lines.
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@romero505
10d
Please some feedback?
Phil H
15d
One area I struggled with was pencil technique - getting good separation between the lightest dark and the darkest light, while still getting good separation in the lights.
My most successful attempts are just using an HB pencil, adding successive layers of graphite. Any tips for which hardness pencil to use for which value? I know it won't be a firm rule, just looking for ideas of other things to try!
Vandana Raut
15d
Second
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Risto Eskola
24d
My first attempt on my own model. Learnt so much from this critique. First thing I am going to try, is to use the tip of my pencil more and take more time refining the edges and planes to have more contrast.
Radu Rentea
28d
Here are my first and second attempt on this pear.
First attempt was before watching Stan's demo.
On the second attempt I really tried to squeeze my eyes and take all the information from this video and the demo
貼 郭
28d
pear simplifying ,the first try was really struggling.
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@geoff7t7
29d
Lv1 but did the portrait anyway. Overall....it looks alot like an old friend of mine and not alot like the subject :D
Blane Nasveschuk
1mo
TY for these simple reviews. Very helpful. This pear assignment was specific and clear, without question. Found myself saying to myself “… oh that’s what you mean”. I think.my ears need as much fine tuning as my eyes in their ability to see accurately. Ha!
Little Reimu
1mo
Sara
1mo
@crowlle
1mo
I've done this before but im here again to try and truly understand and learn and most of all to finish it , i am not new to drawing but i am new to learning art.(this is the attempt before watching his demo)
Sara
1mo
beautiful
@superokay
1mo
I tried this orange. Overall I’m happy with it but I feel like the shadow area isn’t giving it a realistic form
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@mikeprz13
1mo
Maybe I don't get it. My wife said it looks like a nice planet. Please help.
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Justin
1mo
I was inspired to try your photo while watching the critiques, thought I would share it in case it is helpful. That orange is so round! and I found a sphere is really difficult to do in this lesson. So I really tried to simplify it as much as a could, and focused on shading along the "planes".
I think the biggest thing that stood out to me on yours is the edges you darkened along the shaded values, they should be the same value of the shadow for that region so that they don't look like a "border" or intentional outline. And the 5 values should tend to transition like 'darkest > dark > mid > light > lightest' as you move from the deepest shadowed part toward the light source.
Just a beginner here and new to the site, sorry if I overstep but I liked your photo and just wanted to give it a try and send some friendly and hopefully helpful feedback :)
Good luck!
Oliver Wan
1mo
Tried the project a third time after watching this critique.
Not much of a difference compared to the last pear.
Still have trouble filling in flat tone. Especially in the light area.
First two are my first two attempts. Third picture is the reference for this attempt. And the last picture is the actual attempt.
Kira Kim
2mo
making my shading look even and nice was quite hard! I also realized the outline on the shading in the first photo down the middle of the pear is a bit harsh in retrospect. then a second version once I realized it was meant to only be 5 values.
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@berzerkerh
2mo
man, this was hard for me. i tried it three times and didnt seem successful any of the times. I’d love feedback i'm completely new to learning art. thank you all!! so excited to have started this journey.
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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.