Project - Rhythms

4.7K
Course In Progress

Project - Rhythms

4.7K
Course In Progress

It’s time to draw the figure! Use the rhythms method I showed in the previous lesson to draw the poses from the photo references in the downloads tab.

Deadline for submissions to be included in the video critique is 10/6/2023.

  • Capture the gesture of each pose using rhythms.
  • Spend at least 5 minutes on each pose, ideally 1-2 hours per session. Take breaks as needed.
  • Shoot for accurate proportions by eyeballing placement of the rhythms. Have an idea of where the line will end before you execute the line.
  • Use the the template as a starting point, but observe the pose. Remember that each pose might have some of their own unique rhythms that differ from the template I proposed. This will develop your own rhythms over time.
  • Balance loose, energetic lines with more committed singular lines. Don't let it get too messy. Consider what we've learned about line quality.

Level 2

There are a few ways to make this more challenging. Mix and match based on your comfort and experience.

  • Set a timer for 5 minutes to force yourself to draw only the most important rhythms.
  • If that's too easy, go for 3 minutes.
  • Practice developing the overhand grip.
  • Try charcoal pencils (sharpened like a bullet) on newsprint paper.
  • Add another layer of smaller rhythms indicating the muscle masses. You can add some time to the clock.
Newest
@silver847
I struggled with the proportions but I think I got the rhythms okay
@goobish
2d
My attempt from the project I tried to stick to around 5 minutes for each pose, but I took my time a bit more on some of the ones I found more difficult and went a bit faster on some others. I felt that sometimes would loose a sense of flow when doing the rhythms typically when I include more straights but this may just be needing to work on tapering more any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks.
Melanie Scearce
Some rhythm practice!
Steve Lenze
I like this pose, it's very cool. I can see the rhythms you are using for the legs, but for me, I look for rhythms through the whole body and the limbs. I did a quick sketch to show you how I do it, I hope you can see some value in it :)
Art Stark
Thanks for posting the thought process along with the final sketch. I wouldn't have imagined the horizontal rhythms (especially through the knees), but now that you've pointed them out I can't unsee them. The final sketch brings to mind Frazetta. Definitely has a bold strength to it! Very Cool!
Aleksander Steinsbekk
Hi, I did the assignment. The five first one I did without timing. I felt like I stressed a bit when I did them. I see clearly that some of my proportions are off. I feel that I wasn’t looking for rhythms. I also feel like I’m more focused on structure than gesture. For the tree last ones I timed myself. The first and the last one I used 7 minutes. The middle one I used a little over 3 minutes. I felt I did a better job on the ones I timed.Any feedback is welcome and appreciated.
Amu Noor
8d
Great job with these, they look awesome! I think you could improve upon them even more by simplifying your lines and looking for how one form flows into another. I noticed that some of your shapes are the same width all the way through. Instead try to look for where a shape tapers or widens. Look for where flow branches in multiple directions or when there a sudden switch in flow direction. You can try imagining arrows branching off from the main line of action like in the image below. Using your whole arm to draw tapered strokes can help you "feel" the gesture more and also don't be afraid to use some looser searching lines before committing to a darker stroke. Your drawings are great and I hope this helps!
Marzia
16d
Hi everyone! After a year-long break, I'm picking up the course where I left off. These are my assignments. I added the reference photo numbers next to the drawings. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
Melanie Scearce
Welcome back! These look awesome 👍
Timea
18d
Hey there! Here are my takes. I know my lines are a problem, I'm still having some issues controlling the pencil, especially in the ones where I tried the charcoal haha, those are a mess i know. But aside the lines, is the pose still flowing? Did i manage to capture the rhythm? Thanks :D
Melanie Scearce
Yes! You are on the right track. At the point, I think consistent practice with these quick sketches will be the best thing you can do, in tandem with anatomy studies. There's really nice gesture in these. Keep it up!
Art Stark
19d
Poses 19 - 24.
Thien Minh Pham
I feel like a lot of my issues is stem from I dont understand the proportion of the body yet. a lot of the pose is quite hard to see the flows all the bump and muscle make some lines blurry. How do i improve this what did i do wrong?
Rachel Dawn Owens
These are looking great! I would say you just need more mileage. Keep drawing and practice gesture. Your little notes will help you learn faster too.
@savagenomad
one is the dragon, bruce lee. you can barely see proko's brush work on the lady's bikini bottom😅
Art Stark
21d
Poses 15, 16, 17, & 18
Art Stark
24d
Poses 11, 12, 13, & 14
Gannon Beck
Good job on these. This is one of my favorite lessons in the course so far. I've been meaning to come back and revisit it to make sure I'm losing a step.
Art Stark
24d
Poses 7, 8, 9, & 10.
Art Stark
26d
Poses 4, 5, & 6. Including the struggles associated with pose 4.
John Harper
Can you post the photo references? I don't have access yet to this course.
Christina Unger
And yet another exercise to do a lot more. 😅
@agata02
1mo
Hey guys! Here is my attempt: I found this exercise really difficult!
Melanie Scearce
It's a good thing that you found it difficult, that means you're learning :) These rhythms look awesome, you nailed it. Theres a few anatomical mistakes, so make sure you are reading up on your anatomy while you practice the more gestural stuff. The anatomy takes a backseat to the gesture in this exercise, so don't sweat it. Keep it up!
Art Stark
1mo
Poses 1, 2, & 3.
Melanie Scearce
Really beautiful rhythms @Art Stark! The ankle and arm on pose 2 look a bit skinny but overall these are very dynamic. I like how the two poses on the second page overlap.
kelsey baker
this is hard to understand what im looking for when i draw the figure .i feel like im copying the outer lines shape of the image im looking at.
Melanie Scearce
I think what you have here is great for this project. The figure is a very complex subject that takes years to fully understand. Seeing the energy and motion of a pose is much easier, and only needs simple lines to be shown. You found some really nice rhythms here. I did notice that your lines are a bit hairy in some places, but that can be avoided by slowing down, being really conscious about where you place your lines, and concentrating on making long, light and loose strokes. Overall, great job!
Luke
1mo
I think I started getting the hang of it by the end. I figured out tilt controls on my brush, and its helped me make more elegant lines.
Melanie Scearce
Really elegant! Your gestures feel so fluid. Great work.
Nick Quason
Amazing gestures!
@artameki
1mo
are these too sloppy?
Luke
1mo
Your proportions are looking pretty good, nice work! This is a great exercise to practice the tapering strokes from the first section, it'll help the rhythm to continue flowing through connecting shapes
I did not Want to see that
This is all after the demo. I do like these exercises, and I will definitely do alot more of these. I might be too caught up in the anatomy sometimes, but I am not sure. A lot of my own personal studies have some sort of anatomy studies in there so that is maybe why. The overhand grip again was very hard for me. I did feel it is a little more cleaner than last time, but it is very uncomfortable for my hand. I do like some more than others, but overall I am not sure where I should place myself. if there are any big mistakes or things I am doing well I am not aware of, letting me know is something I have a lot of gratitude for!
Luke
1mo
It looks like you are getting some of the rhythms, but you are also breaking them up over several lines. You could try a few poses minimizing the number of lines you are using, and limit it to C S and I curves. Hopefully this helps!
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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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