About 6 weeks ago, I started going to a live model lab. I hadn't drawn "for real" much at all before; I could count all of my prior serious drawing attempts on one hand. This was a personal challenge and an experiment: Could I learn to draw just by trying? (I'm reading bits of a book, too, but haven't gone past page 20.)
Now, after 5 sessions, I'm becoming more comfortable with the pencil. Maybe in another couple of years I can try out compressed charcoal ... or perhaps even *gasp* paint!
Here is a chronological account of my progress.
First model:
The top pose from this was amazing in person... the curve of the back is so beautiful.
My favorite sketch of the first model. I love the shadows dancing across her back.
The second model was a man, and none of my sketches turned out like I had hoped. I find it much more enjoyable and actually easier to draw women.
Third model:
I asked the third model to pose like the top image in the first scan. She tried, but didn't get it exactly right. I was a little off when trying to draw this one, too.
I like the somewhat abstract lines in this one that lead to a feeling of clarity and detail.
After I drew this, it was instantly my favorite. Stunning pose, and my first face that looks somewhat like a face.
...then came this one, the last pose of the 5th session.
I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I'm so glad I gave this drawing thing a shot!