Character Designs in Pen | Drawing Tutorials Online Blog

Haveson’s Sketchbook

by Matthew | Jan 3, 2020 | Sketchbook Videos, The Blog

Haveson was enrolled in my class for just one semester. Unfortunately Haveson was pretty sick for most of the semester. Although I am very happy to have had them in class.

Haveson’s work is very much centered around character design. My philosophy on becoming a professional artist, draw mainly what you love. It’s hard enough to become a professional artist, you might as well draw what you love.

With that being said, I also encourage students to experiment a lot during their first year at college. It’s so super important to draw many driverse things in your sketchbook early on.

Check out Haveson’s Instagram. Thanks again Haveson for sharing your art.

Kaylee’s Sketchbook

by Matthew | Nov 30, 2019 | Sketchbook Videos, The Blog

Kaylee is currently enrolled in my foundation drawing class at the School Of Visual Arts. She is an A+ student, to say the least.It was pretty cool to hear that she has been watching DTO’s sketchbook videos since grade school.

I forget how long I have been filming them. I guess since the first generation iPhone came out.

If you stick with Kaylee’s sketchbook video you can really see her progress. Towards the end of her first sketchbook, she is drawing in a looser way. Most of her drawings have a lot of movement.

When you see the beginning of her second sketchbook that is where we really see her progress.

Kaylee did flip through her sketchbook a little fast. But if you look hard enough you can find some awesome little gems.

Definitely check out Kaylee’s Instagram. Her artwork is pretty amazing there. There is lot’s of digital color work with movement. Thanks again Kaylee for sharing your art.

YeFei’s Sketchbook – Incredible

by Matthew | Nov 9, 2019 | Sketchbook Videos, The Blog

Every so often I get a student that has a perfect combination of raw talent, an incredible work ethic, tons of passion, and a good sense of humor. Yefei is that student.

I will let his sketchbook speak for itself. This one does not start slow, however, Yifei improves immensely as the sketchbook progresses.

As you look through Yefei’s sketchbook you will start to see a passion for history, specifically the history of Yefei’s home country, China. Personally, I would like to see him push this historic narrative in his work.

When working as an illustrator, the books I enjoyed working on the most were history books. I enjoyed painting historical costumes and all that came with the timeframe of the 1800s.

There are so many things to take away from Yefei’s sketchbook. One is to draw what you are passionate about no matter what anyone tells you, and, work hard. Yefei does not do one drawing for the assigned homework, he does five. We can all learn from Yefei.

Check out Yifei’s Instagram. Thanks again Yefei for sharing your art, we all look forward to your next sketchbook.

Jasper’s Sketchbooks

by Matthew | Jun 8, 2019 | Sketchbook Videos | 2 comments

Jasper was a student enrolled in my foundation drawing class at the School of Visual Arts. The semester has now come to a close and I am certainly going to miss the class.

Jasper, in particular, was truly such a great student to have in class. His life drawings were spectacular for a first-year student. We could have just filmed Jasper’s life drawing pad and I think we really should have. I will save that project for next semester.

Looking through Jasper’s sketchbooks is certainly inspiring. I truly love everything about them. The color, line, texture, and attention to detail.

What I love most about looking through Jasper’s sketchbooks in the boldness of just diving into a drawing. I hope you take some inspiration from his sketchbooks today.

Check out Jasper’s Instagram. Thanks again Jasper for sharing your art.

Delaney’s Sketchbook – Every Square Inch

by Matthew | Apr 13, 2019 | Sketchbook Videos, The Blog | 4 comments

Wow, how time flies by. I remember back in September when Delaney’s class just started. I also remember seeing Delaney’s first sketchbook. I never saw anything like it. It was one big hot mess, it looked like it was dragged to school behind the School of Visual Arts bus.

Delaney is definitely different and she plays by her own rules. I love that about her. I love having students like Delaney in class who’s work is so dramatically different. It makes the classroom such an interesting place to learn and grow.

What I also like about Delaney is that she puts her heart and soul into each assignment in class. She tried every single traditional technique taught in class. She approached each traditional technique in her own style.

Even if you mainly love traditional realistic type drawings you have got to love Delaney’s passion. Every single square inch of her sketchbook is filled to the brim.

Check out her sketchbook, I trust you will definitely get inspired to start drawing today.