Life Drawing

On this session, I did not like the pose of the model so I chose to draw the upper portion of her torso. Conte Crayon



In class the assignment was to do a wash drawing with contour defining the body with as few strokes as possible.



This Conte crayon (below) sketch was a long session.

Life Drawing Class

Out of my artist funk...finally beginning to draw fast and effectively. It's been a long few weeks. This one is 20 minutes and it has the gesture and captures the pose and model fairly well.


Earlier the class did fast 1-3 minute gesture (below) drawings. I am seeing how important this is to get right. It is difficult and frustrating to do. This one the instructor liked very much. He let me know that he thought I was "getting it" and so I felt like a little kid getting patted on the head. Embarrassing good feeling.






This was a drawing exercise (below) from last week is designed to make the student "see" the nuances of the shapes in the human figure. It forces the artist to look at the model instead of focusing on the drawing. We were to draw for 20 seconds at a time focusing the eye on the model and drawing the shapes slowly . . . before looking back at the drawing for orientation. this is VERY slow drawing . . . a 20 minute drawing.

Illustration Lesson from Rob Howard - Cennini Forum

These are the preliminary rough sketches following the original formal assignment is below.

Create an illustration for a book cover.

DATE......02 February 2009

P.O. 277-009A

RATE ...$2800 plus model and costume fees

DUE DATE [Sketch]...09 Feb 09 [Finish]...13 Feb 09

TITLE: Deadly Love by Caroline Steele.

SYNOPSIS: set in an urban setting, Lucy is unaware that danger stalks her. A serial killer is on the loose and she is his next target. But her attentions are elsewhere since she met Charles. After only two weeks, the normally sceptical Lucy has been swept up in a love affair she's little too perfect.

This Hitchcockian thriller moves at a breath-taking pace with unexpected twists at every turn as a mysterious McGuffin falls into her lap, driving the story forward to it's final surprise ending.

Terms: 30 days from acceptance and billing. Supply copies of model and costume fees.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Rob said: "Pretty standard fare and deadline. The fee is from 30 years ago and, sadly, has not risen that much over the years. This is a paperback cover (measure one out and use those proportions). Leave room for the title but don't put it in.

Think of a paperback cover as a miniature poster that will be displayed on shelves next to other miniature posters. Your layout and color have to make it stand out from the pack.

Naturally, your characters will be beautiful, the settings will add to the tone and the cover will promise more than the book can deliver. In short, it's a potboiler and you have to make it stand out from hundreds of other potboilers. There's nothing wrong with making it classy and upscale. Just make it dynamic.

You can submit initial ideas before the 9th, but the final, accepted sketch must be on the art director's desk by the 9th. Finished art due on Friday the 13th.

HINT: do your thinking in pencil. Once the idea is done, then you can begin posing models and looking for photo reference. Do not start with photo reference and try to fit an idea around it."

***
This is the sketch he thought was the best.

Rob's critique: "Patti, I'm pleased at this, your first attempt at these assignments and you've kicked it off to a good start. The bottom middle is the one I'd choose for my basis. Your use of contrast has been excellent, conveying the violence of the mood. This definitely has the violence and i suspect that, using the same contrasts and layout, you could show a tender embrace and soft look and have it convey the impending violence. That would cover all of the bases. Keeping it to three tones is definitely the way to go here."

I will follow through and do a color comp and make some modifications for the title and author.

February Life Drawing

Learning something new is hard to do but this will correct some bad habits and help me achieve the correct gesture no matter what. These are very quick drawings and not my best work but it shows how I'm progressing

Not Okay...Okay.

Joy comes in the morning...okay. I'm okay.

DOWN....

Bad night at life drawing. I couldn't do anything. Couldn't concentrate. I tell myself it happens...tomorrow will be better. I know it will but I feel pretty bad at the moment.

AAAaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgh.

Life Drawing Classes

Glenn Thomas, instructor for Oklahoma City Arts
1 to 3 minute gestures . . .

Personal . . . a photo from my son.

This is for those who know my son Darren with his golden retriever Piper (duck in mouth)....he sent me this great picture from his iphone in Texas ... says "A Fun Morning". An Eagle Scout ... Darren was introduced to more outdoor interests than he will ever have time for.

Self Portrait - Conte Crayon on Strathmore Paper

UPDATE #2: According to Cennini pros...this is a badly off...it stinks. I feared that would be the case. Now I'm embarrassed and a bit discouraged...again...but that is how you grow is it not? It's hard work taking the criticism to heart and starting over. Glad I had the guts to post it.

Please take the poll - top right of the page.
Should I post this on Cennini self portrait thread?

Will I embarrass myself and should try again? I can't do a self portrait without looking severe because I am concentrating so hard and I can't photograph it so that it matches the drawing and that makes it worse. The strokes are much more subtle than it appears.

UPDATE #1: I posted this on Cennini with great reservations. Thanks Susan for encouraging me to do so ... I am always questioning myself wondering if I can't "see" how bad or amateurish my art is. (:O o) Most people don't respond at all to my art, and so I can only think it is not so good. If they do respond they are usually displaying reserved politeness ... kind of like "Oh that is so interesting. Oh that's good." (What does that mean? I'm thinking they really can't find anything to say ... not wanting to hurt my feelings.)

I won't think of exhibiting my art until I get better and I'm become more confident. If my work is good or if my work is amateurish I need to know ... regardless of the pronouncement it won't stop me from trying to improve myself. Obviously, I am insecure of my judgment and that is a first for me. This fine art level of art is throwing me for a loop.

These are from life drawing sessions provided by the Oklahoma Art Guild each week. To have a model each week for such a small membership fee is providing area artists with such a great opportunity to grow. The first drawing is a ten minute pose using vine charcoal. My photography continues to frustrate me. If I use a flash, the subtly of the drawing suffers. I photoshop them and still don't get satisfactory results. Any way, here are my versions of my work. I am starting a Wednesday night class with Glenn Thompson; hope that the instructions will be worth my time.



Pick your version. The real drawing is somewhere in between. This is conté on white Strathmore series 400 drawing paper.