Project - Simplify to CSI

22K
Course In Progress

Project - Simplify to CSI

22K
Course In Progress

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

Newest
Anthony Barros
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
20h
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
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!
Wesley Womack
I found the best gecko image. It is so cute so I used it
@schmal
2d
i tried it and tried to focus on not doing unintentional strokes. Is there maybe something really off about them?
Melanie Scearce
I think these are excellent. Great variety of CSI lines.
@rcworshop
Hello fellow artists! My shot on the lvl 1 exercise, the laces were pretty confusing. ONward to lvl 2!
Patrick Bosworth
Nice work! Clean, simplified lines, looks like you built it up in stages with straightlines, great job. Something to start looking out for are your proportions, the snail shell is pretty large compared to the reference, but overall this is looking really good, keep it up!
Dani Torres
Laces are the worst haha, but looks really good! :)
J B
2d
My snail guy. Gonna work on more confident strokes!
Melanie Scearce
Confidence will come with practice but you can definitely be mindful about the pressure you're putting on your pencil. Try to keep your strokes light until you are happy with the placement of your line, then darken. You did a great job with this assignment, nice work!
@stalbert
Hey :) This one was a real challenge for me but i just want to post my progress on the boots. Did a real quick review of the demo yesterday so i got to think how i would approach this while working. Really happy with the second pair of boots if i dont count the shoelaces.
Dani Torres
The second pair looks better, definitely. I bet if you did it a third time it would be even better! (And I see a missing line on the left boot heel 🙊)
@araka
3d
Hello, I now post my lvl 2 drawing, it was fun : )
Remi
4d
Had some trouble keeping the proportions correct and had to start the shell over a few times, and really need to remind myself to do solid lines and not chicken scratch.
@kuhmu
4d
Struggled with the laces but otherwise I'm fairly happy with them
Melanie Scearce
These look great! Good line quality.
@henryirving
Level 1 Snail!
Aubrey Hannah
M. Bahrainuddin S
Really enjoyed drawing the shoes and the skeleton though both were really tough to draw. They didn't turn out too shabby if I do say so myself :D
Scott7
6d
@caprissa
Here’s my 1st attempt at the Level 1 project. Generally I found the exercise to be really fun and interesting! I still do question whether I simplified enough as I often find it hard to pull myself out of the detail. Any feedback would be really appreciated :)
Franck
6d
This is great! The perspective is good, the line weights are super. Thick enough to understand the shape. The snail, to me, looks perfect. For the boots though, I find that the height of the bottom might not be thick enough...but that might just be how the boots are made. Either way, that's a job well done :)
@androida
I think you did a great job and especially the snail shape and lines are beautifully simplified.
@deepanshu12
@dukal
6d
2nd attempt after the demo. Just for the boots. I wanted to do the laces this time. I think my line quality is a little bit worse than the first attempt but I'm happy with the general result. I made the gap on the right boot wider because I like my "s" cuve, but maybe it left to many negative space has a result...
Nicole
6d
Did Level 1! Had fun doing the boots, it was a difficult but great challenge. Had a harder less precise time with the snail, probably because of the curves.
Nicole
5d
Tried my hand at level 2. Would appreciate some critique or comments! :0
@harrow
7d
Last one before I watch the demo. My proportions are getting better but they're still not quite there yet. Getting the four big curves of the hat and brim placed correctly from the start took a bit of work up it was well worth it.
@henryirving
Level 1 boots!
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