Project - Simplify to CSI

Lesson by

22K

Assignments 3.5KLesson NotesDownloads 9

Project - Simplify to CSI

Lesson by

Stan Prokopenko

in Drawing Basics

22K

Assignments 3.5KLesson 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.

SuperPhero

•

11h

this is my attempt at Lvl 2. frustrated with how both of these turned out. but trying to trust the process.

@rcworshop

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16h

My lvl 2 exercices. Itried to be more mindfull of my proportions. Kept it up fellow artists!

Melanie Scearce

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14h

These are so clean! Great work 👍

SuperPhero

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Happy Sunday everyone! :) This my attempt at Level 1. got through the snail in 5-7 minutes. the boots frustrated me a bit, it was hard trying to find any shapes to simplify the composition and not get tangled up in the details of the laces (no pun intended), I am definitely going to attempt Level 2, but Until then I'd love the feedback and where I can get better. Thanks :)

@d32018

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Felt super frustrated with the boots because the left boot (the boot you wear on your left foot) was too thin and the laces for both shoes were tough. For both drawings my proportions are bad but other than that I like how they came out. I think my lines are confident and they both look like boots and a snail.

@caprissa

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Hi! This is my attempt at the level 2 CSI exercise - would love a critique, thanks a lot in advance :)!

@toph

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I was going to skip the skull because I honestly thought I would botch it but I decided to give it a try and honestly I feel like it came out pretty good!

@chadcando

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Here is my first attempts at the snail and boots. Found the laces on the boots the hardest part kept loosing my place. So filled in the darkest places to help me find my shapes needed to get the laces in the right places.

@torrianjh

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My first attempt at this project. Really wasn't too sure how detailed we wanted to make them but I tried to focus mostly on the outer contour lines! Would appreciate any criticism on my approach!

Melanie Scearce

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You're definitely on the right track. I like how your snail turned out. The laces on the boots are a great challenge and I think they would be worth trying. It may be helpful to begin again larger to give yourself enough room to work with (unless this is a large sketchpad -- it might be frustrating and counterproductive to try to place all of those small lines close together.

Ben Johnston

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The shoe was definitely tricky! Any feedback would be appreciated! Thanks!

Melanie Scearce

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Great line quality!

@toph

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Here are my attempts for this assignment! I think the shoes are my favorite haha. Any critiques would be greatly appreciated!

Rachel Dawn Owens

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Nice soft and hard lines. A lot of variability in the linework.

Michał Staniszewski

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Hi, I assume that this should be focused on contour and shapes, so shoelaces should be skipped? With shoes i dont know if i just tried to mimic their shape rather then focus of simplyfying shape that should be used.

Elsa

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My snail! I spent a lot of time on the proportions - they're still a little bit off, but hopefully close enough. If I redid it, I would push the S-shape of the neck a bit more.

Okaey KGZ

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I wanted to combine two different subjects into one drawing, and it turned out to be a fun drawing exercise.

@panawafful

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Here’s my lil’ snail guy!

Melanie Scearce

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Great work @panawafful! I have a couple of suggestions for that main body part of the snail. There's a really nice S curve that's counterbalanced by a straight line on the opposite side that gives the snail a lot of movement. I think if you include that in your drawing it will feel more as if the snail is folding over the ledge. Also, the shell doesn't feel quite attached to the snail, and I think it's because the snail is missing the bit of mass in its body that overlaps the shell (the arrow in my draw-over is pointing to it). Adding that would help the shell feel like it's resting on top instead of hovering over. I like the variety of CSI lines that you used -- nice job with the simplification. My suggestions are just small things, you have a really strong drawing here!

Kess Marks

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I enjoyed this exercise until I got to the laces. They annoyed me so much, which made me rush them, and it it shows. Any one any tips on how to tackle the laces better?

Melanie Scearce

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I think slowing down to the speed of your thoughts is the best way to move forward with the laces. It may also be a great time to take a break on that drawing -- once you're done with the main parts of the boots, come back in 15 mins to a half and hour and start fresh with the laces. That could help a lot with any tension built up while working and you'll be less likely to rush.

@kuhmu

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10d

Anthony Barros

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11d

The boots without laces was the first attempt toward this project. I've been working on genuinely simplifying objects recently so this section has been extremely helpful. The snail and second pair of boots were done after watching the demo. The demo itself really helped keep the goal in mind of simple forms and describing "important" features.

Maris

•

11d

Would love some feedback! Boots: Used pen and paper. I got tired drawing the boots so I only drew one. I think it turned out too wide. Skeleton: Digital. I think this turned out to be a bit wide as well.

Melanie Scearce

•

11d

It can help to make a few indications of proportions very lightly in the beginning. You can draw an “envelope” around the object, or make it up out of shapes. Whatever makes the most sense to you. Just keep it light!