Lin’s Sketchbook

Lin’s Sketchbook

Lin was a student enrolled in my drawing class last year at the School of Visual Arts. I guess I can start with the fact that Lin was the heart of the class. She really is the nicest person ever, the hardest working student truly devoted to improving.

Shea Portrait – Drawing The Mouth

Shea Portrait – Drawing The Mouth

In this portrait drawing lesson I share with you how to carefully lay in the mouth. By using a series of targets you can make sure you get proper placement of the lips. Simply put targets are little marks you place on paper. They help you to place the features of the...

Shea Portrait – Starting With The Eyes

Shea Portrait – Starting With The Eyes

I wanted to share with you lesson one from my latest portrait drawing course titled “Shea Portrait”. A few members had asked the question, can you start a portrait drawing with the eye first? The answer is of course. Diving deeper the real answer is that you can start a portrait wherever you see fit.

Portrait Painting Critique

Portrait Painting Critique

If you are looking for feedback on your artwork, I’m here to help. I devote every single Monday to critiquing member artwork. Sometimes we can get too close to our own artwork. Another set of eyes is always helpful. Thanks for sharing Yvon!

Portrait Drawing – Lesson Twelve

Portrait Drawing – Lesson Twelve

If you like a drawing style that is somewhat realistic you have to put in the time. An hour just won’t cut it. So know what you like, know what you aspire to. Be realistic with the time it takes to get there. This quite frankly is half the battle.

Portrait Drawing – Lesson Five

Portrait Drawing – Lesson Five

Okay lesson five, this video will show you the importance of solid shapes. It seems so simplistic, shading in a solid way. However I cannot stress the importance of being able to squint and see shapes, then shading them their appropriate value.

Portrait Drawing – Lesson Four

Portrait Drawing – Lesson Four

Okay great you have made it to lesson four. Once you have taken the time to get the basic shape of the head with a light middle tone it’s now time to dive in deeper. In essence you have basically drawn big shapes, then drawn smaller shapes within the big shapes. Start progressing into refining the features of the face.

Portrait Drawing – Lesson Three

Portrait Drawing – Lesson Three

In this lesson three I share with you the importance of adding shapes within shapes and refining edges. One you have established some basic shapes it’s then time to add smaller shapes within the big shapes. For instance once you have drawn the eye socket shape it’s time to place the eye within the eye socket shape.

Portrait Drawing – Lesson Two

Portrait Drawing – Lesson Two

In this sped up drawing tutorial world that we see on YouTube and Instagram we tend to forget that a good drawing takes time. It really takes time for me. A fourteen minute video clip up is basically a nano second in my drawing world. It's really important that you...

Portrait Drawing – Lesson One

Portrait Drawing – Lesson One

I just recently finished a brand new portrait drawing course over at Drawing Tutorials Online. I wanted to share with you a few of the chapters since the drawing has gotten a lot positive feedback. It’s been a while since I’ve posted any drawing tutorials outside of the members area.

Alice’s Last Sketchbook – Maybe

Alice’s Last Sketchbook – Maybe

It’s basically one month and one day before I start teaching a whole new group of students at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. I still have some sketchbook videos that I really need to post. This is a short but sweet sketchbook that Alice worked on when she was all out of ideas.

Albert Bierstadt Master Class

Albert Bierstadt Master Class

Every so often I film a Master Class lesson. What is a Master Class lesson you say? It’s where I analyze the work of an old master. In this case it’s the work of Albert Bierstadt. It’s a great way for members of DTO to hone their image making skills.

Alice’s Sketchbook Continued

Alice’s Sketchbook Continued

Thanks Alice for sharing your sketchbook with us. Alice’s improvement over the entire academic year was pretty incredible. She really is an example of what hard work and devotion can do for one’s portfolio of drawings. Improve them immensely.

Emily’s Sketchbook – Part Two – With Elmo

Emily’s Sketchbook – Part Two – With Elmo

Emily has really made some great strides with her artwork over two semesters. Her art is definitely unique to Emily. The shapes of her characters are really interesting. Emily also has this great knack for drawing really thin detailed line which I totally love.

Song’s sketchbook – Visiting Student Day

Song’s sketchbook – Visiting Student Day

I remember back in the day when song was a student in my class she was a little lost. She was completely unsure of herself. Her confidence just was not there. However she perservered and her skill set began to grow. Her confidence also started to grow.

Alice’s Two Mini Sketchbooks

Alice’s Two Mini Sketchbooks

Alice has ton of raw natural talent. She is doing a really great job of cultivating that talent with her hard work in class. Her two mini sketchbooks are a pleasure to look through. Thanks Alice so much for sharing your art.