Project - Rhythms

5.2K
Course In Progress

Project - Rhythms

5.2K
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
Sajil Sewpersad
Had a lot of fun with these
Laurent Van Acker
Challenged myself to do all 24 before watching demo and critiques (as that's a few hours of content). Most went fast, and noticeably got faster the more I progressed. What do you think could improve? I doubt I don't have blind spots :). I consulted the eBook a few times as well, but I'm really eager to watch the demos and continue with new drawings!
Melanie Scearce
Very solid drawings! I love the gesture of #3 and #20. Keep pushing the degree of exaggeration of gesture in these poses. Some of the less dynamic poses are a bit stiff. Look for patterns that you can push with some invention and lean into the power of asymmetric curves. Sometimes you might push it too far, but that's okay. You have to break it sometimes so you know where the limit is.
Laurent Van Acker
The remaining four (max 20 images).
@squash
3d
Started off a bit rough with the first few, but I think I got somewhat better by the end. Still a long way to go though.
Tyson
10d
I did four, to start. I'm not totally convinced this isn't some sort of woo-woo, but what the heck, it's kind of fun.
@deadsm
14d
My hand hurts from the overhand grip, but I feel like I am getting the hang of using the force shapes. These are, in order, left to right, and I can definitely see what Stan meant about warming up. My last one was quicker and more solid. I'm actually surprised that the proportions aren't the worst, even though I didn't think about them as I went.
Kira Hays
14d
I spent about an hour on this and I'm not sure if I'm just overthinking this or if I'm doing it right. It's really really difficult to get out of the detail mindset given the industry I work in but I'd love to get some feedback. I know it's not leaning forward like it should be, but I've drawn this a few times and I can't seem to stop getting her to lean back instead of forward, I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing wrong
Melanie Scearce
Just like with everything it takes practice to get an eye for rhythms. It does help to find an overall gesture to follow. The rhythms will flow off of that. There are different approaches you can take when it comes to gesture -- sometimes it's a matter of personal taste. It's usually the longest line from the top of the head to the feet. Look for alternating rhythms like in the structure of the legs and also repeating rhythms like the arms in this reference image. Think about which leg is weight bearing -- it will be more structural and stable -- and which leg is just supporting and can be a bit more gestural. The Rhythms Ebook is a really good at-a-glance reference to use for finding common rhythms in a specific part of the body: https://www.proko.com/course-lesson/ebook-rhythms/comments
Alan Massey
Hey everyone. I'm not so upset with how these turned out, but I do think they're a little sloppy. 5 minutes is super quick to draw something for me. Anyways, I had some problem with proportion, especially in the legs. I had fun though and would like to do this again.
@falv4397
23d
first couple were kinda rough but I think the latest one came out ok, I feel like they are still too stiff and not flowing rhythmically
Melanie Scearce
It takes a few of these to warm up! You have the right idea here, I think you can try a few different techniques that could help you feel better about the rhythms. One thing you could try is lightly sketching in an "envelope" to give yourself an idea of how the overall pose is proportioned. You could also use the measuring techniques from the How to Draw Accurate Proportions video to sketch in some guidelines to achieve the same result. After that, finding the angle of the shoulders and pelvis gives you a bit of structure to work off of and you can really explore and let loose with your rhythms. Try to find the largest rhythms first, especially the ones that flow from the torso to the legs. As you get the basic rhythms in, you can go back and refine -- so make sure you keep your lines light at first. Just some suggestions. You're on the right track here. I would say the most important thing is to try to lighten up on the pressure a bit and try to make more committed lines.
CharmLotta
1mo
This kind of poses drawing should probably take no more than 5 minutes per figure, I needed 20 or more... I focused on proportions and the methods of simplifying of the body parts. Maybe it's just not the time for me to speed up yet.
Martha Muniz
It's alright if you need more time, especially when starting out! There's a lot of different parts of the figure to break down, but once you get more familiarity with the subject, speed will be less of an issue. I do think you still keep fluidity throughout the poses with rhythms in mind, which is excellent. Do however watch out for the tendency to elongate and make the limbs, especially the arms, too fluid, almost into noodle arm territory. Adding structure by finding hard edges to incorporate as straight lines can help. Also, keep an eye out for the shoulder area as a transitional rhythm between the torso and arm that still holds it own mass, so it can be more fleshed out and developed in the drawings. I think this will also help with keeping the arms proportional, as the arm's starting point will be further away from the torso thus shorter. Hope this helps!
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
1mo
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
1mo
Pose 17-20
@aakerhus
1mo
Pose 11-16
@aakerhus
1mo
Pose 06-10
@aakerhus
1mo
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
2mo
Project - Rhythms Level 1
Carlos Pérez
the first one looks neat ! , by rhythms you mean , the gesture or like reily rhythms ?
J. Menriv
2mo
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
2mo
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
2mo
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.
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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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