Project - Simplify to CSI

Lesson by

21K

Assignments 3.3KLesson NotesDownloads 9

Project - Simplify to CSI

Lesson by

Stan Prokopenko

in Drawing Basics

21K

Assignments 3.3KLesson NotesDownloads 9

Download the photo reference images and try to simplify them using CSI lines. Draw each line with a focused and intentional path.

Your pace should be quick, but not rushed.

For this exercise, we will just consider the individual segments of the contour of a shape.

Same instructions for level one and two. Just a difference in difficulty of reference. The level two photos have more fun little tidbits to tempt you to get into the details, but fight the urge and simplify.

Also, no shading in these please. This is not meant to be a portfolio piece.

CSI
C = C Curves
S = S Curves
I = Straights

If you'd like to have a chance to be included in the upcoming critique videos, you must submit your drawings below by February 16th.

@doodleibu

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First try at boots. Had a hard time with the shoelaces!

@daredevildave

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These turned out much better than I expected. The boots were super tough though. I wish I had ignored the thickness of the leather.

Rachel Dawn Owens

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Wow. These are perfect

@araka

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There is my first try at CSI, I don’t think I simplified enough, but I’ll try again with the level two after watching the level 1 demo.

Melanie Scearce

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These look great! The boots are very clean.

Thaddeus Mikle

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This was challenging but exciting at the same time any feedback would be appreciated

Melanie Scearce

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You did a good job simplifying to CSI! It is a challenging project and you definitely understand the concept. You can work on your line quality moving forward -- there are areas where you've seemed to go over the same lines a few times with very dark lines, so try to lighten up a bit until you find the line that you feel is right, then darken. It's a bit of a mindset shift but will give you more freedom to explore different shapes.

Márta Kovács

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15h

Here are all my attempts (and an additional bunny, just for practicing lines). After watching the demos I realized that I could've been more loose and brave with my lines instead of trying to make them as clean as possible, but either way it was a great way to practice confident lines. (I made the bunny after watching the demos) Would love some feedback!

Noah Murray

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After the snail I took about 4 attempts at the boots and it was unintelligible that they were even boots haha but I’ll attempt to try again with the demo. Everyone looks like they are crushing them though!

Tyler Durden

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If feel like a 3 year old.... This is really difficult

Melanie Scearce

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Simplification is deceivingly difficult. Way to take on the challenge 👍 You have a good variety of CSI lines here, especially in the snail drawing. The boots get a bit more complicated. It may be helpful to sketch a bit lighter so you can find the best marks before fully committing. Try to be as light and loose with your marks as possible, and darken the line that feels right.

Risto Eskola

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Shoelaces where the hardest part and to try to too things with one time lines. Snail was a quick one

Melanie Scearce

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For this exercise it's alright to lightly sketch in your lines so that you can find the right path, you're not constrained to only putting down one line! These turned out great and very gestural, nice work.

@marguelines

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My attempts before the demo. I think I focused more on the lines than on simplifying. I could have done that more!

@alanel

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The boots were really hard! I had to watch the demo just to get anything that looked vaguely boot-like.

Martha Muniz

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You did really well! Everything is very clear and simple without losing the description of the subject matter.

Lizzy Thompson

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My first attempt at the assignment without watching the example demonstration, could always use help with seeing what I cant! Anything helps!

Márta Kovács

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15h

Your lines look great I love them! And I also think you did a great job with simplifying. Keep up the good work!

@shopdoc

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Had a lot of trouble with the toe of the boot and shoestrings in particular. Also showing the wrinkles in the boot leather.

Radu Rentea

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I had two attempts at this snail, first time I felt the neck proportions were off. Still not satisfied, but it's honest work xD I cringed through the boots and I lost my patience Now I will watch Proko drew them, hopefully my morale will go up again xD

Márta Kovács

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15h

I like the first snail and the boots as well I think it would be worth it to try adding the laces. It's hard but I got through it and the final result still looks good even though I messed up a few laces. I think your lines are pretty confident, good work!

Anthony Huynh

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My attempts at the level 1 and 2 photos. Definitely struggled with simplifying the boots but gradually tried to think more about simplifying the others. Still struggling a bit with making more confident lines, lots of trouble just trying to get the line that I want.

Márta Kovács

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15h

Love the boots it looks so clean and professional to me! Good job simplifying the others, maybe a bit too many details on the camel, but still looks good overall.

@codycook124

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My attempt at the snail and boot.

Melanie Scearce

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Excellent simplification!

@pmirko

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second attempt from observation. done in 40 min...

Melanie Scearce

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Good variety of CSI 👍 Nice work

@pmirko

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first attempt from observation. done in 20 min more or less...

@ewan11

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I had a more difficult time with the shoes compared to the snail, this was one of my first times trying to make deliberate lines. For the snail, I had the instinctual urge to make "big shapes," but I opted myself to follow the contour lines instead. I'm not sure if I make chicken scratch lines, which was one of the things I wasn't aware about until identifying this habit last year.

@thirteenthlearner13

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These are my other three drawings for the “Simplify to CSI” project. - I felt uncomfortable drawing the very small parts of the boots, more specifically the little holes where the laces go in. I found myself using only my fingers to draw them which is something Stan said we shouldn't do but using anything more than that made it even harder (i.e. using my whole hand to draw those small circles). Other than that, I like the end result. - The skull was alright. I knew I should have simplified the vertebrae but ended up adding more detail than necessary. >.< - Out of all the drawings, the camel was my favorite for some reason haha. Such nice curves and straight lines. (And look at him, look how happy he is!)

Al Fleur

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Both of these are pre demo. Again, thank you for any feedback

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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.