Critique Of The Week – How To Draw A Cat

Critique Of The Week – How To Draw A Cat

by | Dec 19, 2017 | Video Critiques

Paul a member of Drawing Tutorials Online just recently uploaded one of his images for a critique.

I really liked his drawing of this cute furry cat. The drawing was done in a combination of pencil, colored pencil, pastels (both pencil and stick), as well as charcoal.

I thought the piece looked great. My recommendation for Paul was to add more texture to the drawing. Specifically where the cat hair touches the background. Creating more of a jagged edge in certain areas would make the cat fur look more like cat fur.

Plus I suggested adding more pencil strokes within the interior of the cat that showing volume. That would dramatically enhance the three dimensional quality of the cat.

The other item mentioned in the critique that would enhance Paul’s art is playing around with a couple of value studies. I’m all about loosing edges however arranging the value structure in a different way would certainly improve the look and feel of this image.

When working on an image take some time to create at least two value studies before you start working on the final art. Having two diverse value studies will just provide you with more options.

Thanks Paul for sharing your art for a critique.

 

 

You can read more about our drawing courses over at our member login page. Looking forward to working together with you.

How To Make Your Drawings Three Dimensional

How To Make Your Drawings Three Dimensional

by | Dec 12, 2017 | The Blog, Video Critiques

Every Monday at Drawing Tutorials Online I film three to four of video critiques. Members who take the time to upload their artwork definitely improve weekly. It’s pretty amazing what a different set of eyes can do to help you improve

Sometimes we get much too close to our drawings loosing all sense of objectivity.

Stella has been a member of Drawing Tutorials Online for a little over a month now. She is really taking the time to seek out feedback on her drawings. She is being super proactive learning new skills through our begin here step by step course. I really appreciate that.

In this short critique you can see what Stella is struggling with. She is doing too much outlining on the light side of the statue. She is separating each muscle with an outline. When you do that you compartmentalize your drawing. You chop up the muscles and bones into small stiff parts.

The second element in this critique, not shading the shadow shape in a solid dark enough way. This is a very common occurrence. For whatever reason many artists have a difficult time seeing the shadow side of what they are drawing in a solid dark way.

Stella is also showing too much crisp detail in the shadows. Shadow shapes should be left simple. If you put detail in the both the light and the shadows that creates a flat look.

So what can we all take away from this critique? Keep your shadows dark, solid with not too much crisp detail. Don’t outline each and every muscle. Keep your lights light. Be very cautious about dark outlines in the light. Yes you can and should put details in the light, just keep those details light.

Thank you Stella for sharing your artwork with us in our member critique gallery. Thank you too for reading this post.

 

 

Who can benefit from our weekly critiques? Are you putting together a portfolio to get into college? I can help you create a strong portfolio that gets you into the college of your dreams.

Is drawing your hobby? Do you have limited time? If so let me help you get the most out of your drawing time. Pointing out things you can do to improve your artwork on a weekly basis.

Sign up to Drawing Tutorials Online today and let’s start working together to improve your drawings.

Rex’s Second Sketchbook

Rex’s Second Sketchbook

by | Oct 21, 2017 | Sketchbook Videos, The Blog | 4 comments

Wow are you in for a treat, Rex’s second sketchbook is out of control awesome. It’s also a little overwhelming.

Rex is definitely a special individual. She is playing at a level different from most. Her sheer work ethic alone is a key takeaway from this video.

As you flip through her sketchbook like I said you might get a bit overwhelmed. Some self doubt might start to creep into your mind. The antidote to self doubt is focusing on what you can control right now. What you can control is working within your own sketchbook. Focus on you and your drawings.

Understanding that everyone improves at their own pace. Personally my entire 20’s set me up for my 30’s, I feel I didn’t get really good until I was in my 30’s. So needless to say I peaked late.

Draw with purpose in your sketchbook, don’t just doodle. Practice drawing some figures with light and shade. Practice drawing one anatomical part of the human form every week. Practice drawing from life, photos and your imagination.

Try your best not to always do the same thing. Challenge yourself, get out of your comfort zone. Be willing to crash and burn, your drawings will improve with time.

Enjoy Rex’s sketchbook. Turn that overwhelm into drive and determination.

 

 

Check out Rex’s Instagram. Thanks again Rex for sharing your art. looking forward to the next sketchbooks.

 

Creating A Simple Value Structure Study

Creating A Simple Value Structure Study

by | Sep 25, 2017 | The Blog, Video Critiques | 2 comments

What is one of the best techniques you can put into practice in order to create a powerful image? Creating a value study. Taking five minutes to create a simple three or five value study will do wonders for your image’s integrity.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the details, the textures that we forget to organize a simple value structure. I recommend creating a value structure study in your sketchbook with a soft 2B mechanical pencil. It should take you less than five minutes to complete.

Try using just three values to start off with. A dark, middle tone and light is a great way to create a three value study. If three values is too limiting for you try creating a five value study. The reason for this is to see if your image is working before you actually get to your final. Do your best to shade in the values as solid as possible. 

One of the worst feelings is when you are hours into creating your art only to see that your image might look too muddy. Trust me I’ve been there before. Plus creating multiple value studies will provide you with options.

Take a moment to watch the video below.

 

 

Thanks so much Simon for uploading your artwork to our member Critique Gallery! Keep up the good work.

Ting’s Long Lost Sketchbooks

Ting’s Long Lost Sketchbooks

by | Sep 2, 2017 | Sketchbook Videos

I just recently discovered that I had Ting’s sketchbooks on my iPhone. Her work is definitely special and I wanted to make sure that I shared it with you.

As I start off the new academic year this upcoming Friday September 8th I look forward to a new group of students. I’m really looking forward to filming some new inspiring sketchbooks.

My main goal as a teacher is to provide students with skills. Skills are the name of the game. Without them a career in the arts is just a fantasy.

I look forward to tirelessly teaching and training all of my students both in the classroom and online this Fall.

Enjoy Ting’s sketchbook. I’m really going to miss last semesters group of students. Thanks for watching!

 

 

Check out Ting’s tumblr. Thanks again Ting for sharing your amazing drawings with us.