slimsam1

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!

la petite moi

Very nice work!

A few pieces of advice I would give you is to avoid using such heavy outlines. This causes the drewing to lose vitality. Also, try to make direct lines, and avoid sketchiness.

slimsam1

Thank you.

My girlfriend, who also attends the same model lab, gave me the very same advice about the outlines. I think I will have to start filling in the background so I don't have to draw outlines to form the shape of the brighter areas. I'll work on it and post the results eventually.

As far as sketchiness goes, I think I really had to allow myself to sketch around a bit to figure out how to draw direct lines. In other words, I had to allow myself to draw messily in order to learn how to form more accurate lines. In any case, I think you would agree that I wasn't as "sketchy" in the last drawing as I was in the ones before it.

Nancy

I disagree. It depends on the individual style of the artist.

Your use of heavy outlines and very dark shadows like in that last one + the somewhat messy and the incoherent lines like in picture nr. 4 is exactly what I love about your style!

This is very impressive work for a "rookie" black-and-white artist! Since you're new at this I'll advice you to keep experimenting with the looks and lines until you find your special style. I do hope that it won't be too different from the one displayed in that last picture. I can't tell you how much I love the style in that one!

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Charlatan

I agree with Nancy on this... personally I really like the heavy outlines... it is all a matter of taste and ultimately what you are trying to acheive with your work.

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slimsam1

I've thought about this outline thing some more, and I think that if an artist wanted to draw a photorealistic image, he or she would want to avoid outlines. However, I am not really aiming for photorealism with my drawings, and I now think that since I have come this far without any instruction, I should keep trying to improve on my own accord.

Thank you all for your kind comments.

buddhakahn

The one you said was from the last pose of the 5th session is my favorite. Very nice!

bbbbbb555

those look good, definetly a lot better then i could do. i like the outlines and the way that they are shaded. i wish that i could draw.

slimsam1

Thanks, it's definitely my favorite so far. I have another session tomorrow (erm, well, today), so we'll see how it goes!

If you really do wish you could draw... take a look at the book, "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain."

It's written for folks like you who have convinced themselves that they are not "gifted" enough to draw.

abe lincoln jr

It's all good from here. I've done a lot of drawing, and you are doing great. Just keep drawing that's all you need to do.

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ThatOnePerson

i like the outlines as well. add a cartoon-like look. (old definition of cartoon, not micky mouse shit) try varying the thickness of the outlines; thinner for far away parts, thicker for close ones. or the darkness of the outlines. darker for shadow areas, lighter(but still thick) for the highlited areas. just a thought. keep practicing though. draw sketches every day you can. if you have no model, draw what you remember or make stuff up to work on proportions. It can only help improve you style!

edit: forgot to say that i really like your drawings. can't beleive your new to this! took me a while to get to the point your already at!!!!! more please! also i agree with men being more difficult, although its not the gender, just the higher frequency of muscle definition. check out some of the masters(leonardo, michaelangelo) to get some ideas for how to draw muscles.

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Fate

I am very jealous of you're work. I like your work alot, especially reclined. I should really see if my College offers a Model Lab. I need to expand on my arting.

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neutone

I prefer the first drawings, perhaps with the exception of the boob pic, I think you were very excited to be able to draw them as they are glaring back, he he. The simple sculptural forms remind me of Henry Moore scultures or Modigliani.
Fall in love with art, there are lots of teachers who'll give you different opinions, ultimately you need to embrace realism and perfect it before cultivating your own style and becoming your own voice.

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Irishsean

Wow, that last one was great! I like the pose, and the shading is well done.

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FatherTed

The outlines work for me too.
I think they allow you to build better skin definition and shading. Better contrast between light and shade.
Great work, undoubted talent !

KinkyKiwi

omg your really talented!! ever thought about starting to use watercolors? oh and i love the last one..

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