Under-Drawing Critique – Avoiding Overwhelm

Under-Drawing Critique – Avoiding Overwhelm

by | Jan 21, 2020 | Video Critiques

Arjun recently uploaded an under-drawing for a critique over in the members area of Drawing Tutorials Online. He mentioned in the comment section of the post that he was feeling a bit overwhelmed with starting.

There is so much to think about when starting to draw the figure for an under-drawing. Proportions, gesture, anatomy as well as light and shade are just a few techniques to consider. I can see where an artist can become overwhelmed, especially when trying to do their best work.

What I do my best to show in this short little video, is a sequence of techniques. Where I like to start, as well as secondary options for starting. I also talk to the importance of using continuous line towards the end of the video.

Also, Arjun was using blind contour, I recommeded using blind contour for just a short period of time, like two seconds. I would save the pure blind contour for a longer thirty-second exercise.

 

 

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

 

Haveson’s Sketchbook

Haveson’s Sketchbook

by | 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

Kaylee’s Sketchbook

by | 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.

 

Coaching Options

Coaching Options

by | Nov 26, 2019 | Teaching, The Blog

Sean signed up to the One Month Coaching roughly three weeks ago. He was gracious enough to allow me to share part of his coaching critique with you.

Sean’s goal for the month is to improve his digital portrait paintings. He has improved immensely over the last three weeks. Would you ever consider hiring a coach? It is another expense no doubt.

I have hired coaches in the past, let’s just say I had a good experience. I hired a business coach, we met weekly. It was great to have someone on my side helping me achieve my goals.

There were things that he could see from the outside looking in that I would have never seen if I kept plodding along.

What I liked was being held accountable. It was certainly a challenge to fit the work in for the weekly deadline, but it was worth it.

I have also hired software coaches as well as a fitness coach. I felt empowered with their help. The problem is when the coaching is over. Sometimes we find ourselves going sideways instead of forwards.

That is why I have added an additional option to my coaching services.

Yes, I have the one month option which is great, not too short, not too long. I also offer the two-month coaching. Admittedly this is certainly for type-A personalities who are on a mission.

I have now added a bi-weekly subscription-based option for $87 a month.

What that includes is a forty-five-minute personalized critique followed up with a forty-five-minute phone call, every other week.

This new bi-weekly coaching option works great as a follow up to one or two month options.

Considering the time and effort put into the critique and call the price is well worth it. This monthly option will keep you heading towards your goals like never before.

 

 

 

If this sounds like something you might be interested in let me know. I would be happy to answer your questions.

To have a professional artist who has been teaching for twenty-two years at the School Of Visual Arts study and analyze your work to see how you can improve for $87. per month is totally worth it.

Not to mention having either years worth of experience working as a freelance illustrator for some of the biggest publishing companies in the world, including National Geographic Explorer, Bantam DoubleDay Dell, as well as Scholastic just to name a few.

You can find out more about the coaching here.

The Four Boxes Technique

The Four Boxes Technique

by | Nov 13, 2019 | The Blog, Video Critiques

Jan recently posted up this portrait drawing for a critique. It was from my Shea Portrait course. Jan is looking to get a likeness when drawing a portrait.

Being able to get a likeness is difficult. Sometimes a student will need to use many diverse techniques. Some techniques click with certain students while others do not. You will need to experiment with multiple techniques until you find the one that works for you.

In this video, I share with Jan the Four Boxes Technique. It’s pretty simple. First, you should draw the exact size of your photo reference frame. So if your reference is 8 x 10 inches, draw an 8 x 10-inch boarder on your piece of paper.

You will need to split the frame vertically down the middle, then across the middle. This will leave you with four boxes. You then draw what is in each box. Nothing earth -shattering here.

this is just a drawing technique that will help you look at drawing a portrait differently. Again, this is just an exercise. This four boxes technique just give you a different perspective on drawing correct proportions.

Thanks so much, Jan for sharing your artwork in DTO’s member critique gallery. 

 

 

If you are looking to get your artwork critique definitely check out Drawing Tutorials Online. I offer member critiques every Monday. If you are looking for a more in-depth approach to having your artwork critique read more about my one to one coaching.