Life Drawing class wrap-up

I took my first Life Drawing class last semester, posting some of my work on here. Silly student that I am, I didn't think a class on learning to draw realistically would benefit my cartoon work. I had severely underestimated the value of knowing anatomy.

 Done on the first day of class

I don't know if my new-found mastery of anatomy and human proportion shows at all in my work, but it has definitely made a difference for me. I now have the confidence to try poses and angles I shied away from before; and I can now draw decent hands and feet (!!!)

 My first self-portrait. Done as HW

The importance of trying different materials and techniques was never me true for me. I had always had a love/hate relationship with pencils....I loved to draw but hated pencils. I decided that this meant I can't draw. My teacher's insistence on using a variety of materials and techniques had me playing with charcoals for the first time.

 Half-way through the semester

If you are willing to get a bit messy, I highly recommend trying it before giving up drawing. I found myself making marks I had only dreamt about...I had been trying to make marks with pencils that, frankly, was impossible to do. I just had to find the right materials.

Second self-portrait HW

Last semester was incredibly rewarding and I am always pleasantly surprised when I realize that I have improved. I'm glad I stuck with it.

 More than one model for the first time! Last in-class drawing.

To see the entire progress of my work, check out my Life Drawing set on Flickr.

In-progress shot of my Final drawing

Sketches from Life Drawing class [NSFW]

35: Self portrait hw

For homework was a figure drawing assignment. I couldn't get anyone to model for me...but I do have a full-length mirror in my room.

Normally in Life Drawing class, we are not allowed to have our phones or cameras out. (Understandably  and rightfully so.) Unfortunately, I am not able to take in-progress shots. Since the model this time is myself, I figured I'd take the opportunity.

I started with vine charcoal. Just loose gesture drawings, trying to get the main masses down -- the head, ribcage and pelvis. Fleshed those out then added in the furniture.

First off, I realized the head was way too small. The left arm was too long, so that got shortened. The neck given a little more fleshing and the left leg fixed up. The boobs were also kind of lop-sided....fixed that! Just minor changes. Once I was satisfied with the over-all proportion, I went back in with a harder charcoal stick for the outlines. Defined the right arm a bit more, as well as the right knee.

Left the head pretty much un-touched for now. Started putting in some mid-tone shadows.

Finished! I wasn't sure about drawing in the face but I figured I might as well. I decided to leave the furniture lighter and more unfinished to keep the figure as the focal point.

34: Figure Drawings 2

So I've been seeing my Physical Therapist for a week now. My leg hasn't really changed much but my arm seems to be getting a lot better. They've been massaging it with an ultrasound machine which has reduced the swelling a lot and given me a wider range of motion. Hopefully this means I'll be better even sooner!

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An hour-long sketch from Life Drawing class tonight. This is the first one where I've had time to go back in and put some shading in. I'm not altogether satisfied with it, though. The pose was difficult for me and I feel that even though the proportions are correct and the line drawing is acceptably accurate, there is a lack of....movement...of...uhh...life in it.