Project - Learning to Sketch from Observation

12K
Course In Progress

Project - Learning to Sketch from Observation

12K
Course In Progress

Use the three reference images of clean line drawings and sketch them using simple loose lines. Don't try to match the cleanliness of these drawings. Instead, sketch them out with energetic, tapered strokes. Don't hesitate. Just practice moving your arm with confidence. If you draw some lines and then you realize that, Oh, shoot, I need to curve that more. Go ahead and just draw the new curve right over it. As you get more confident that you've found the shape, you can darken those lines and the lighter lines start to disappear. Focus on the big idea and the shapes the lines represent, rather than on each individual line. 

For you, Level 2 monster trucks, I want you to start with this Level 1 project as a warmup, and then head over to the Learning to Sketch from Imagination project page for your instructions.

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

Good luck and please have some fun!

Newest
@kevinludraws
Critique me por favor.
C3
22h
mark bonaccorso
Haven't watched the demo yet, gotta admit had to power through vr girl a bit
PRADNYA DHUM
My 1st attempt before watching the demo.
Gokhan Sivrikaya
Quick and dirty
Jerome
5d
This is my second attempt of the penguin. Again, it is a bit too big for the page. But I have improved I think. Otherwise, feedback is welcome. Thanks
Stephan
5d
I uploaded the penguin earlier. Proportions are a bit off. Lines were hard for me in the circular shapes. Any further feedback is much appreciated. Thank you very much.
Tiana
5d
The first three photos I tried before the demo. Re-attempted after watching the demo. Definitely felt a bit more relaxed the second time around. I also drew on bigger paper so that helped, as well.
Melanie Scearce
Great improvement!
Krystian Lis
The one with dark lines was before I watched the demo, and I focused there on anything but exploration and sketching. The one with lighter lines I drew after watching the demo. I think I gravitate towards making one perfect line for some reason. I've also found that using a smaller brush size works better in this exercise, as multiple wider lines kind of merge into one, so the exploration is less visible. Drawing with low opacity allows drawing more lines without committing to any in particular, so it's easier to sketch this way. I noticed that having the right canvas-size-to-brush-size ratio is essential to getting these sketches right.
C3
6d
Eleena Monk
Assignment complete, thanks for looking! Feedback welcome 😋
Cubee
8d
Not really brave/confident enough on my lines yet. Great exercise though !
Stephan
9d
I tried my best to draw confident lines. I appreciate your suggestions for improvement.
@mwalker
9d
It’s still a challenge for me to lay down light lines (whether digital or paper) so I end up erasing a lot - I feel like I’m progressing a little though - at least mentally if not with my actual drawing :)
Melanie Scearce
That's a common experience, to feel improvement in your understanding of a concept but your technical skills haven't quite caught up yet. Just keep practicing, these are looking great! :)
@thomasw0221
I think these look great!
Pablo Torres
You can try to hold your pencil further away from the tip or shave off the wood from the tip. That's what helps me
@etoattic
10d
was a bit of a struggle but here's my first attempt at this assignment!
C3
10d
This is my first attempt.
Jerome
10d
Please help. I was not able to fit the entire penguin on my page. :-( Any advice? Thanks
Melanie Scearce
Try making a couple marks to indicate the top and bottom of your drawing before you start, and only draw within those marks.
Nathanael Borjas
I find myself kinda struggling to make smaller strokes confident. probably because I get to worried about getting proportions and line exactly right. I'd gladly appreciate any criticism.
pinkfin
12d
Wanted to use my own references that i found on internet. Struggled with cats head a lot and it still kind of looks weird? Would really like to hear some criticism.
C3
10d
Good jop
pinkfin
12d
Also drew project.
Frank M
13d
Penguin and a couple of hand drawings. I started with a thumbnail sketch with the penguin, which came out a little short but ok. I had a harder time with the penguin's feet on this one, so it would need a couple more passes. The spider hand drawing was an initial sketch that ended up with proportion errors. I need to practice drawing more hands.
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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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