Project - Learning to Sketch from Imagination

10K
Course In Progress

Project - Learning to Sketch from Imagination

10K
Course In Progress

Pick an animal, a bug, or some kind of creature, and find several reference photos to use as inspiration to sketch a new character.

Don't copy the photos. Feel free to explore with proportions and exaggerate or simplify things to make it your own. Do multiple sketches to experiment and try different ideas.

Once you think you have a clear idea of a character, do one full page sketch. Even in this final sketch, try to use loose, confident lines and focus on the shapes of the character you have in mind. We're trying something new here with this project by starting to develop our ability to draw from imagination. So it might be a bit of a challenge, but don't sweat it.

Let's keep it loose and rough with our sketches and just focus on letting those creative juices flow. Don't focus on the cleanliness of your lines. We're sketching, and when you post your assignments, please include the photos you found and all your experimental sketches.

If you'd like to have a chance to be included in the upcoming critique videos, you must submit your drawings below by March 9th 2023

And don't forget to have fun!

Newest
Ken STACKS
19h
I don't know what i'm doing anymore....
Michael de Graaf
Rachel Dawn Owens
These elk are some bad dudes. I dig it.
@piba
6d
Following the chicken saga I decided to try open winged poses and Im not sure of a cohesive way to simplify it Tips?
@piba
6d
Just a example of the biggest simplification I came up with
Hetty
7d
Lucas Santos
Apollo
8d
Patrick Bosworth
Nice work! I love the personality you've injected into this, the googly eyes and the extra round abdomen really takes the spider design from creepy-crawly to adorable. Reminds me of Lucas the Spider! Keep up the good work!
@piba
8d
Perfect time for this cuz Im currently making a mini comic for my collage assigment and its chicken themed (⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠)🐔🐣🐣 First page (with reference Second ( imagination chickens
Patrick Bosworth
These are great explorations! I really love the chicken in glasses reading the book! :D
@piba
8d
Late refs cuz I forgot
Rachel Dawn Owens
I love your chicken designs. Keep pushing them!
Blex
9d
re tried this one, think it worked out a bit better
Rachel Dawn Owens
I love your parrot. He’s got so much personality. Very fun drawing. If you want to take it to the next level, keep practicing making long marks. I think that would give your drawing even more character and life.
Blex
11d
know this one is to early for me, but wouldn't hurt to try. choose a canary as there was plenty of refrens photos to find online. top image is fianal result.
@kaecbrinster
Got a bit carried away with the mushroom warm up… but some of the mushrooms I studied had this almost like fabric looking thing on their stem, so somehow I got around to Monet mushroom people. Been thinking about getting in to painting as well so I tried to color with water colors..
Christian Ruiz
I had the idea for a manga Recently about a cat hitman so I tried to make him here, he looks a lot like Johnny from guilty gear with the black trench coat, wide brim hat and katana. I would have done some different angles but I wasn’t sure how but i think the concept still came out okay
Rachel Dawn Owens
He’s really cool. A Maine Coon is a great reference for this too. They already sorta look more like a person. Some variety in the fur design could level up your design. Try adding some more rhythm to the fur.
@toph
24d
Just wanted to upload my assignment again because I realized I didn’t show my exploratory lines. Which was the whole point of the assignment
@araka
25d
Hello, here is my work. It was really challenging; I find it easier to copy than to create. But I suppose that's the point of this exercise ^^ I'll stop with this drawing. I could keep struggling, but the upcoming lessons should help address my weaknesses. Issues I see in my drawing: misunderstood of volume, back legs of the wolf, and the head.
@toph
24d
Idky, but your take on the paws being boxy is my favorite part
@robkam
25d
Only ever drew from observation, so this was quite hard!
Sita Rabeling
This morning warmups from imagination. I’d love to be able to let the magic carpet dance, move in various ways and express recognizable emotions.
@abstract83
Nice, I feel your flow. Your curves in the flying carpet are expressive and full of energy. Nice work, thanks for sharing.
Tommy Pinedo
Amazing! :D
Melanie Scearce
These look awesome! The flatness of the carpet is a difficult quality to manipulate. The flour sack is used as an animation exercise -- it could be a good tool for you to explore weight, poses, and expressions. It's a bit more forgiving than the shape of the carpet but your explorations can be translated into that shape.
Mr. Renso
27d
Last one for today. Had a lot of fun with this lesson.
Mr. Renso
27d
Mr. Renso
27d
I will definitely have nightmares tonight 😭
Mr. Renso
27d
My cursed references
Mr. Renso
27d
Bears...the "polar opposites of a racoon" I suppose...polar bears...not seals or alien bears...or the ones in china people though were humans in costumes...but polar bears... I'll try cats or rats the next time...
Mr. Renso
27d
I forgot to attach my references 😅
@maetran09
27d
Decided to sketch an exaggerated borzoi :) I'm trying to find the balance between too loose & too rigid lines
Mr. Renso
28d
A very simple blend of a racoon and agent 47....
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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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