Project - Simplify from Observation

Lesson by

32K

Assignments 5.7KLesson NotesDownloads 9

Project - Simplify from Observation

Lesson by

Stan Prokopenko

in Drawing Basics

32K

Assignments 5.7KLesson NotesDownloads 9

Use the reference photos in the downloads tab or go find your own reference and start drawing! Remember, this project is all about simplifying to clarify.

Make sure to keep these 3 things in mind:

Shapes - Draw your shapes with straight lines
Values - Use only 5 values. 2 in the shadow and 3 in the lights
Edges - Make every single edge sharp!

I'll publish my drawing demos of both levels next Tuesday so you can watch me go through the problem solving process. For a chance to be included in the critique videos, you must submit your drawing to the community by January 26th, 2023, so I can begin filming and producing the critique video.

mateo tatis

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My first try in level 1, its my first day in the course.

@daredevildave

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Started the course last week, and I'm trying to do level 2 as a stretch goal. The first try was before watching the demo and critique, the second one was after.

Dylan Jagiello

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I decided to spend a week practicing what Stan taught before moving on to the next lesson.

Nicolás Mariño Parra

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My humble attempt

Nicole Marie

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15h

This is my first attempt. I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm so glad I came across Proko and absolutely love to see everyone's work!

@jeremijon07

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19h

@jeremijon07

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19h

didn't really know how to make things look behind others

Julio Serrano

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20h

My first attempt at the portrait

Julio Serrano

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Here is my 8 yr old daughter's first attempt at the pear.

Julio Serrano

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Here is my first attempt at the pear.

Chamii Lekamwasam

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This is my first attempt on level 01.

Melanie Scearce

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You nailed it!

Alexandru Atanasiu

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Attempts on both lvl 1 and lvl 2 drawings

R081n

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LVL 2 Attempt: I think I overcomplicated it too much and I'm not too happy with the proportions. But I think it is an excelent way of learning how to control the pencil and the values!

Kaity Littrell

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One is my first attempt without the demo. The second is trying to simplify after watching the demo.. yes, I excluded the cast shadow on the second. I just signed up and deadline was today so I was in a bit of a rush. LOVE seeing all the assignments! Everyone looks like they are doing so well!!

Martha Muniz

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Hey there! Great shape simplification! It's also great that you included a value scale, though I would recommend starting out your grey tones even lighter, as they are currently starting more in the midtone range, causing the overall drawing to get darker and difficult to visually distinguish the shape groups. Softer pencil pressure is the best way to start lighter, though using less hatch marks can also help. I think once you apply this, it will definitely highlight the three-dimensionality you already set in these drawings. Keep up the good work! :)

@jo_r

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This was the longest time I've spent drawing a single image. The eraser was my best friend during this exercise, it really helped fix a lot of proportion issues halfway through. It came out better than I expected, and I'm really happy with the shapes across the face and ear, but the eyes remain challenging!

sean kenna

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Hi first time trying something like this think the pear came out better than the portrait but was a fun exercise. Definitely can see my weakness in terms of how hard I press down with the shading but nice to feel like ive learned to try to get into the mindset of simplifying things down to the essentials.

Pro Gamer

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Hello I just started the drawing basics course on YouTube the free one I am not sure about the values and stuff but I still gave it a shot I drew the pear from that critic video

Joe Burris

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Three attempts at this assignment. My first attempt I was doing everything loose and added the sharper edges after. The second I defined my edges before shading which I think worked better. And the third was similar but I tried different ways of holding my pencil while shading. Id greatly appreciate any and all critiques I can get as I feel like Im missing something but I cant really pinpoint it. Ill see how I feel after the demo videos My little brother was drawing with me so I included his two pears in the fourth photo. This kid is already a natural and I couldn't be prouder.

Alonya M.

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Hi, this is my third attempt at this project after watching the demo. I had a lot of fun separating the planes and organizing the lights from the shadows. I simplified to 2 lights and 3 shadows however I need help with making the transitions pop and really defining the edges between the half tones and highlights maybe even a little in the shadows. can anyone critique?

@caprissa

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Hi! I’ve attempted this project before but then ended up having a break from the course and not finishing it. My New Year’s resolution is to actually go fully through it so here’s my second attempt, would appreciate any feedback :)

Melanie Scearce

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Welcome back! Good luck with the course. These are excellent, this is strong start. You've made a lot of improvement since your first attempts 👍

Luca Vigani

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Hello everyone! These are my firsts attempts on the project, in pencil and digital (Procreate). I haven't great experience In both medium but the digital one is the very first try. I have never drawn on iPad and I have few knowledge of levels and brushes and I wasn't consistent using the same tools while drawing. I've found very hard hatching the different tones and maintaining a constant filling in both drawings. Any feedback or suggestion is welcome. Thanks!

Nicole Marie

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15h

Love your work!!

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Stan Prokopenko

Founder of Proko, artist and teacher of drawing, painting, and anatomy. I try to make my lessons fun and ultra packed with information.