Project - Rhythms

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Course In Progress

Project - Rhythms

5.0K
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
Văn Hiếu Võ
The overhand grip was soooo taxing to do, and so difficult to be precise with.
Rachel Dawn Owens
It gets easier with practice! It’s worth it once you get the hang of it too. The overhand grip will feel natural in no time. These are looking awesome!
@aakerhus
Pose 21-24
Martha Muniz
Nice work! While 21 & 22 seem a bit too contour and detailed focused for rhythm studies, pose 24 feels like your strongest of this set, as it has a strong demonstration of the pose's energy and use of rhythm lines. Capturing the relationship between the lines and the big picture idea of the figure, like that tilt of the shoulders and curve of the spine, is key. Keep up the good progress!
@aakerhus
Pose 17-20
@aakerhus
Pose 11-16
@aakerhus
Pose 06-10
@aakerhus
Pose 01-05
Gilles Dubuis
First hour ! I cannot bring myself to begin with the head, so they feel a bit stiff. But aside, what a great practice; the previous lessons lead so well to this one.
J. Menriv
14d
Project - Rhythms Level 1
Carlos Pérez
the first one looks neat ! , by rhythms you mean , the gesture or like reily rhythms ?
J. Menriv
14d
Alex Watson
Fell out of drawing for a while (whoops), but jumped back in and did some more of these. I think they got better as I went at least. Snuck in few comic book gestures too just to keep it fun. New year resolution: get back to drawing!
David D
20d
I did this assignment in order and definitely felt like by pose 24 I had seen modest improvement in line quality (from increased confidence) and figure proportion. Many of these took more than one iteration to reach these results, but mileage doesn’t happen by one and done-s! One observation is that this might finally be the antidote to my biggest drawing challenger, as I see it. I tend to focus too small even during initial layout which has lead to wild proportions. These rhythm drawings, by the end, felt like a more natural proportion of a person instead of crazy inflatable tube men/women. Id love to hear the observations of more experience artists on what I should add as a main focus point now that proportions seem to be moving in the right direction. Thanks!
David D
20d
Last 4 poses
Antonio Santiago
I really liked this project but I think I might not be loose enough with the poses. Can anyone let me know if these look too stiff? Any advice is welcome.
Melanie Scearce
Overall there is good movement in these, but some do feel a bit tight. How are you applying your lines? Do you find that you're making short and dark lines on average? The way that you hold your pencil, using your wrist vs using your whole arm, and the pressure that you apply when drawing your lines can all affect the looseness of your drawings. It's a good practice when working with rhythms to stay light and make long lines, especially when starting a drawing so you can indicate the overall gesture. Your anatomy is looking good, I really like the one on the second page in the top left.
@fluffybuttss
I think I've gotten better over time, with the standing one in red being the last one. Though after watching the critique video, I do feel like I'm forgetting to look for the rhythms between the forms, and have instead drawn..."dynamic contours"
Melanie Scearce
You are definitely warmed up by that last drawing! Did you do any quick studies before jumping in? If not, it may help you loosen up and be ready to go by the first drawing. Little 30 second gesture drawings can prime you for finding the rhythms in these poses as well.
Chauncey Holder
First attempt this was pretty hard, I was trying a bit harder to understand it
Jordan Andersen
I've struggled with rhythms so I came back to try again. I've been doing these almost daily. Not sure if I am making progress or not. The lines in these are a little rough because I am trying out the overhand grip . But I feel these are the best I have done so far. Anyways, any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Carlo Julian
I'm not totally clear on what rhythms are yet or how to apply them. I just tried to draw the poses and simplify the shapes where I felt like it made sense.
Carlo Julian
OK, so I just watched the demo and critiques and rhythm feels much clearer now. It's about finding flowing connections throughout the subject. Finding the rhythm helps your drawing feel unified and alive. I think I actually did that in some spots, but I also definitely followed contours too much. Going to practice more!
@ebendeelman
I think these look really good. Last two are my favourite. I DO get the sense of movement.
Mika Vermeulen
These are my attempts before the demo and I will do the rest after. Really enjoying this project! Feedbakc is appreciated :)
Rachel Dawn Owens
Looks like you’re on the right track! Looks great!
Quinton Larrimore
Attempt 1 before the demos. I'd love feedback if anyone has any for me! 1.) I started with the top left figure. I didn't start as loose with this one so I think it feels a bit stiff, but I got my proportions pretty good and I think the actual flow and shapes look nice. 2.) Next I did the left pose with the head measurements. Not quite warmed up yet still. I messed up the angle of the pose and I think there are some anatomical issues. However, I think I did a decent job salvaging the pose and the rhythm lines. 3.) The lady sitting in the middle was next. This was a bit more gesture-y and I think I did a decent job here. I also started to play with rhythms in the face and I discovered that that also kind of works! At least for this attempt. I went back and tried it on some of the other faces and I think it helps. 4.) I did the top right DIO pose. I kept this one loose and sketchy to try to capture the energy and time myself. I think that was a 1-2 minute job and I think I got the rhythms and pose down, but I wasn't quite sure how the anatomy works on his back left leg. 5.) Finished up with the bottom right. I spent a bit more time on this one and I'm very happy with how the rhythms and proportions turned out. I cleaned it up a bit just to experiment with the magic wand.
@veryartthing
Did my best to really dig into this assignment. Historically I have struggled a lot with gesture, so this rhythms concept feels like it has helped a bit with that. I still would appreciate any feedback about how I can improve my work in this area though.
@savagenomad
Melanie Scearce
Looks great! Keep it up :)
Alexandra Mayorova
Melanie Scearce
Fantastic!
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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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