Project - Rhythms

4.8K
Course In Progress

Project - Rhythms

4.8K
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
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!
@savagenomad
mein versuch.
Ben Whitfield
Are rhythms the same thing as gestures? Or are rhythms expanding on gestures?
Rachel Dawn Owens
Rhythm is a gestural idea. Gesture is the overall flow of a subject. It’s the energy that connects the parts. Rhythms are the ripples that echo throughout. I recommend working from the largest rhythms to the smallest ones. When done correctly, everything in the image will be working together for the greater gesture.
Jenna
1mo
Hi all! I was really excited for this one, as drawing people is one of my main goals with taking this course. I would love your feedback on these. I think #4 is my best one, and I think this might be because it's from a straight on pose, where the concept of connecting the legs/hips/torso is more easily applicable.
Rachel Dawn Owens
These are all great! I think the first one is my favorite.
Felipe Lopera
This is my fith attempt
@silver847
1mo
I struggled with the proportions but I think I got the rhythms okay
Martha Muniz
Good practice! When it comes to proportions, there's a bit of a tendency to make the torso larger, so being aware of this can help keep your eye on it as you continue to practice. It also helps to break up the torso into more defined areas, especially looking at how it twists and turns in the reference. With rhythms as well, you want to be careful with parallel lines or simpler box shapes, as they can remove the dynamic flow of the drawing. Try finding different start and end points for these lines, as that creates an ebb and flow as one line leads to another. Also varying the type of line, such as curves vs straights, can help bring in more variety. Hope this helps, keep up the good work! :)
@goobish
1mo
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
1mo
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
1mo
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
2mo
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
2mo
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
2mo
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
2mo
Poses 15, 16, 17, & 18
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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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