Basic 101: Class 5 - Drawing Spherical Objects - Old thread

[Troy Rochford]

flippety that is excellent work, and is only hurt slightly by the unfortunate star trek reference;)

[robynsin]

Steve - That's brilliant:clap::clap: Now why you get to do the classical figure and I get the M&Ms - :confused:

Hi Guys - Stacy, CJ, Troy....

I'd rather eat 'em than draw 'em.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Feb-2006/66219-mmscan.jpg
And an Eye...
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Feb-2006/66219-eye.jpg
I'm rather keen to get back to Class 34 and start my Salvador Dali effort - you may recall his eyes are a great exercise in spheres.
:wave:robyn

[flippetygibbet]

Robyn: Thanks. Excellent work yerself on the Man Ray eye and the M & M's - the M & M's were just too darn cheerful for me, and the eye made me feel queezy (I faint at the sight of blood) :) I love the way that you got the roundedness of the top of the jukebox. Maybe that was the real spherical object - I thought it was the M & M's and didn't even notice that.

Troy: live long and prosper :)

[Troy Rochford]

Robyn - who gets to escape this class without doing the m&m's? I didn't sign off on that!

[Cathie Jones]

Excellent M's, Robyn! Told ya!!! Wasn't as hard as you thought it would be, was it?? I can't wait to see Dali!

Steve, be careful . . . Troy has a . . . um . . . different sense of humor and you may find your bed full of headless tribbles!!!

[mauricar]

Hello! I am officially here. Where do you want me to begin?

[mauricar]

I almost forgot to tell you. I am bound to my bed for a month, so that room is it for me. I'll try to draw everything that you ask of me. Here is my version of the M&Ms.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/22-Feb-2006/71456-m_m_ver_1.jpg
I have been working on it all week. I finished it at the doctor's office this morning. I hope it is what you were going to ask me for. If not, it was fun doing anyway.

[mauricar]

My first version of Bat....

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/23-Feb-2006/71456-lesson_5_ver_2.jpg
This is not the best portrait I have ever done, but it is surely the worst. There is not a lot of detail in the photo. May I use artistic license and put in some detail of my own?

[mauricar]

Here are two more:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/23-Feb-2006/71456-lesson_5_ver_3.jpg
Do we know who our teacher is going to be, or are we left to ourselves?

[*Deirdre*]

Hi Midge...I think some of the subbies are away...various reasons...given in the stickied sub assignments at the top of the classroom....meanwhile, can I help?

[JayD]

Midge that is because it is not the best photo to work with either. I think you were able to pull a likeness and that definitely is what portraiture is about! See if you can concentrate on moving away from hard edges--it will help greatly

[Fireman's kid]

Hi Midge! :wave: Sorry it took me so long to get to these. I am finding it tough to get back into the swing of things after being sick and on vacation. I should be cooking dinner for my family right now, but am doing this instead. Shhh...don't tell them. ;)

I see you have been very busy drawingh spheres. :thumbsup: Nice job on the M&M's. It is a complex drawing when you get into it. One spot to fix up...Mrs. M seems to have a small bump on her left (as we look at it) hip followed by a flat spot down toward her leg. Maybe Mr. M was a little rough in his dancing?

Bat was a tough guy to draw. Not the best reference. But for a first try this isn't so bad. One thing that stands out is his eyes. They seem to pointy. I think it might be a case of drawing what you think you should instead of what you actually see.

The eye looks good. I think I am seeing some shading on the whites of the eye which is correct but it looks like the shading was washed out a little by the photo. If the shading is really that light it could be darkened some. Also the inner corner of the eye is a bit too long.

The watch is nicely done. The outer circle could be a little more smooth. I know I find it hard to make a smooth, perfect circle freehand. Someone told me about a circle template to help with that. In fact I plan on picking one up tomorrow at the art store. If you have the same difficulty, you might look into one. They are supposedly readily available and only cost a dollar or two.

If you feel you want more practice you can draw the nut, egg and cup or redo one of your other drawings. But if you are comfortable with spheres I'll say you are good to go.

When you are finished with this class you can take any of the other 101 classes in any order you want. Congrats!! :clap:

[Fireman's kid]

Do we know who our teacher is going to be, or are we left to ourselves?

I wanted to put the answer to this question in a separate posts for the benefit of any newcomers.

I will continue to sub this class and, as far as I know, the other subbies named for classes 1 through 5 will also continue. JayD just posted a list of new teachers (in the Class 33 thread) for upcoming new classes. The other older classes (#s 6 through 31) are not as active as the first five, so they do not have assigned subs. Students who have already completed these classes keep an eye on them and help out new students as needed.

As a student of Drawing 101, you are encouraged to help out new students as they come along. That is how the classes stay "live". Once you have completed a class, fell free to return to it to add support to new students.

All of the teachers and subbies do this on a volunteer basis. We all have our own lives and art work to keep up with. So the more volunteers we have the easier it will be to keep up with the classes.

If you post to a class and no one comes by to sub in a day or so, feel free to pm a sub asking for help. But please be patient with us. We'll help you as soon as possible. :)

[GeorgeEen]

Hi Stacy,

Fancy you meeting here!
Just letting you know that I am ready to start Class 5.
Just have to look up what the assignments are etc.

[GeorgeEen]

?

[Fireman's kid]

Hi George! :wave: Welcome to Class 5!

I would start with the egg, nut and tea cup then move on to the eye and M&M's. With your spheres make sure you have smooth curves just like on your ellipses. Have fun!!

(By the way, I'm assuming the second post with the ? was a double post. If not and you have a question I missed let me know. :) )

[GeorgeEen]

Stacy, You guessed correctly. My first message took so long for it to move, so I clicked again and, boy, that one went fast...2 messages...couldn't remove it, so I just edited it to a ?

Will start on my drawings tomorrow.
Have a good day!

[GeorgeEen]

...Slow down she said...

Hi Tracy! Well. I did slow down, took the weekend off. But, now I am back full blast :lol:

Except for the M&M's I had fun drawing the rest. Three more coming yet!

[GeorgeEen]

And here are three more.
Now it's your turn :D

[Fozbot]

Hi George!:wave: the nuts look great! so does your coffee cup. it helps to draw a vertical center line when you're doing objects with equal sides like the cup. it's easier to tell if the shape of both sides match that way. i never did the M&M ref so my hat's off to you for attempting this! the pocket watch is very good and your eye is outstanding! Stacy will be along to comment soon, i'm sure.

[GeorgeEen]

Hi Neighbour!

Thanks for your helful comments. I really appreciate it.

[Fireman's kid]

Hi George! Good to see you. You know I said slow down, not take a holiday. :evil: :D But I guess I can forgive you a small break since you came back and made that pencil smoke. :)

The nut drawings look very nice. My only complaint is they are making me hungry. Yum! The tea cup is also nicely done - good and round, smooth lines, nice ellipse!

But I want to know why you didn't like the M&Ms? :confused: They are such a friendly couple - tasty too! And you did a nice job on them, Mrs. M especially. The shaded part of Mr. M looks good, but he has a few stray lines which make him look out of round. Erase them and he'll be done.

The lower left corner of the watch is out of round. Were you starting to get tired? You know I am a stickler for wobbly lines. Tsk, tsk.

You did a nice drawing of Bat, my only critique for him is I would have liked to see a little curve where his head met his hat. It seems a little too straight as it is. But truthfully, I think this man has a strange head and a strange hat (in the reference). :lol:

Now for the eye...it's not quite right. The shape looks more like an oval or egg shape than a sphere. You might want to try this one again, especially if you are interested in doing portraits. The eyes can make or break you in a portrait. I should know, that's why I only have one eye in my class 33 portrait. It was so hard to get that one right I've been procrastinating the second one. I'm such a good role model aren't I? :rolleyes:

Since you did such a nice job on the first set of drawings I'm going to say...
Congratulations! You Passed! You are free to go take any 101 class that interests you. :clap: :clap:

But if you decide to redo the eye, I'll be here to look at it for you. :)

[GeorgeEen]

...

Since you did such a nice job on the first set of drawings I'm going to say...
Congratulations! You Passed! You are free to go take any 101 class that interests you. :clap: :clap:

But if you decide to redo the eye, I'll be here to look at it for you. :)

I will redo the eye, and after that you can look me straight in the eye, not just at it :lol: I may do the watch again: good excercise!

Thanks for giving me permission to roam all over the place now!

I need some advice: I am planning to go on with Lesson 6 etc. But, I also want to take portraits. Now, I noticed there is lesson 18 and 33. Which one do you recommend first? Am also think of taking Figure drawing, but will do that later.

Tracy, thanks a lot for your C&C's. Very helpful and it has been fun!:clap: :clap:

[Fireman's kid]

George, if you haven't done portraits yet, then lesson 18 is a good place to start. We really focused on shapes and placement in that class. Class 33 is a more advanced class and is meant to teach the circulism technique for drawing highly realistic portraits.

The subbies and teachers watch all the classes, so whichever one you do next someone will come by to comment and give advice. You might even run into me again. Aren't you lucky? :lol:

Enjoy all of the 101 classes. They really are a fantastic learning tool.

[GeorgeEen]

Thanks again Stacy! I am planning to go on to Lesson 6 and Lesson 18 as well.

As far as your warning that I may run into you again, several weeks ago Judi gave me that same warning. Now,both of you are making the wrong assumption. It's the other way around: I may run into both of you and I will then let you both fight it out who is going to be the lucky one looking me into the eye. (Maybe I will end up with a black eye in the process. :eek: )

Talking about eyes: I redrew the eye.See what you think, ok?

[GeorgeEen]

Helloooo....anybody home?
I have moved on to Class 6 and 18, but just came back here to see what happened to my eye a few days ago?

[Fozbot]

your new eye looks wonderful, George! i thought the first one wasn't bad either.

[GeorgeEen]

your new eye looks wonderful, George! i thought the first one wasn't bad either.

Well, with two eyes you can see twice as much :lol: :lol:

See ya in Class 6!

[Fozbot]

you have a very good point George!:)

[Amadan]

Just letting you know Fireman kids I will be taking this class. Haven't had much free time to draw lately, I'm trying the eye at the moment, I always seem to have a lot of problems with the pupil. Can't seem to get it right. Don't know if it's too big or not round enough or what but it looks off.

George your eye looks great, I hope I get to produce something that looks like an eye!! Congratulations on finishing the class, you can stop showing off now! I'm like you - I'm excited to try a range of things, the figure and portraits ...every class I look at looks good to me and very tempting...I always want to do the shading class and the hand one.

[JayD]

Amadan and George-I wanted to say welcome to you both earlier. I appreciate you trying your hand at these excercises. We have some TRULY exciting stuff coming up that you are not going to want to miss. Thanks again for joining us-jay

[GeorgeEen]

Amadan and George-I wanted to say welcome to you both earlier. I appreciate you trying your hand at these excercises. We have some TRULY exciting stuff coming up that you are not going to want to miss. Thanks again for joining us-jay


Hi JayD!

Thank you for the welcome! BUT, I have moved on since :evil:
I am now in Class 6 and Class 18.
How true the saying is: It's the thought that counts... :evil:
But then again, you are making me want to come back here for the TRULY exciting stuff :lol:

[GeorgeEen]

Hi Amadan and thank you! I think we met before in, I forgot now, Class 2 or 3. Good to see you here. Hurry up (slowly!) so I will meet you in another class.
Keep practing, practicing and then some more practicing and at some point you will say WOW about your own stuff! :music: :music:

[Amadan]

Hi JayD thank you so much for the kind welcome...it is such a great honour to be welcomed by the legend who started these lessons. What a fantastic idea it was and what a truly remarkable legacy you have left behind, thanks for all the hard work you put into these classes and a massive thank you to all the subbies who have devoted their time to helping people like me.

George we met in Class 4 (how could you have forgotten...thought you would have marked the day and the hour in that little black diary of yours.!:p ) and I think we also met up in Class 3. I'm trying to get the time to practice...hopefully this weekend I'll catch up and complete this lesson.

[Fireman's kid]

Hi George! :wave: Sorry to disappear on you there. I had to take a couple days away from posting so I could get caught up at home and get back to drawing. I did manage to pick up the pencil for an hour or so yesterday. Hooray! :clap:

The new eye looks much better. Definitely more round. And I'm glad you can see more with two eyes. If you see better, you should be able to draw better. That means our critiques can get tougher. :evil: But don't worry, we don't expect perfection until you do the test drawing in Class 7. :lol:

Hi Amadan! :wave: I'll watch for your posts.

[Fozbot]

Welcome to class 5, Amadan!:)

[GeorgeEen]

Hi George! And I'm glad you can see more with two eyes. If you see better, you should be able to draw better. That means our critiques can get tougher. :evil: But don't worry, we don't expect perfection until you do the test drawing in Class 7. :lol:



Hi, I missed you so much that I keep coming back here.:) I welcome your critiques, especially when they are tough...! Anyone who wants to learn should welcome that! Anyway, hope to see you again. :wave:

[GeorgeEen]

[QUOTE=Amadan]
George we met in Class 4 (how could you have forgotten...thought you would have marked the day and the hour in that little black diary of yours.!:p ) and I think we also met up in Class 3. /QUOTE]

How could I have forgotten? Well, must have been my Irish son-in-law's influence.

Seriously, I don't need to mark this in a diary: I keep you in my heart :evil: :evil: :D :D :lol: :lol: So there!

[flawless_bone]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Mar-2006/35115-sphere2.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Mar-2006/35115-sphere.jpg

[Fireman's kid]

Hi flawless! Welcome to Class 5!

You are doing well with your spheres so far. The tea cups - all of them :) - look good. I really like the stack. A creative way to practice multiple cups without getting bored. :thumbsup:

Mr. M&M is looking good too. He has a lot of personality in your drawing which I like. There is one very small spot where he is out of round though. Check just to the left of his back leg. Do you see there is a small dip there? Maybe someone was nibbling on him? If so, I'm glad he got away. :D

It looks like you will have no trouble completing a few more of the sphere references so I will keep a lookout for them. :)

[flawless_bone]

:mad: This detergent measuring thing was really difficult. I would have needed much more patience. And when I wanted to ink the lines (before I earesed them there was much more dirt) three pens gave up their flow, this is also why they are so scratchy :mad:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Mar-2006/35115-sphere4.jpg
This one is a kitty from a bank once called Zentralsparkasse ("Z").
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Mar-2006/35115-sphere3.jpg

[Fireman's kid]

Hi again Flawless! I think you did a good job on the detergent measuring thing despite your pen difficulties. The kitty is good too. You have nice smooth curves with no flat spots. I'd say you are ready to move on.

Congratulations! You have passed the first five classes! :clap:

You may now go to any of the 101 classes you like and complete them in any order. You may also skip any that don't appeal to you. All of the subbies keep an eye on old classes so someone should show up to comment on your posts in a day or two. (Only the first 5 classes have a dedicated sub.)

Have fun and keep drawing!!!

[mjenk]

Rolling over here to class 5 from class 4...lol. Had a bit of difficultes with my first set of pictures scanning dark enough, so I went back and tried to darken their outline. Is Mr M trying to run away from the delicious Mrs M? How sad. Also sad there was no fun song in my head (like the slinky song). Anyways... here's my first attempts...looking forward to comments. Thank you! Not sure why my second set of pictures didn't come out as a thumbnail...came out as attached image instead...computers are still a bit of a mystery to me :)

[JayD]

Flawless just wanted to pop in and say that I have been watching the progress that you and mjenk are making. Keep goiing you folks are cookin'!

[mjenk]

Thanks Jay! cookin'....hmm...let's see... In this class drew an egg, nut and M&M...what do you think we could make? :)

[Fireman's kid]

cookin'....hmm...let's see... In this class drew an egg, nut and M&M...what do you think we could make? A very interesting omelet?!?

Hi Michelle! :wave: I'm Stacy. I typically sub this class, but Jay may kick me out for falling asleep on my watch. (Sorry! :o )

I took a look at your sphere drawings. Overall you did a good job, but I like to give comments on each piece just to help you with "seeing". Hope you don't mind my pickiness. :)

For the egg, the fatter end is nice and round and smooth, but there are some bumpy areas on the narrow end that make it look a little wobbly. That might have happened when you darkened your lines. I suggest you do some shading on the egg to give it the 3D feel. It is good practice.

You did a very nice job on Bat. He is a big challenge. I don't have any suggested improvements for him. :clap:

I had to laugh at your comment about Mr. M running away. I never thought of it before but it certainly looks that way. Mrs. M has a flat spot on the bottom by her legs. Mr. M has a flat spot on his back side, or maybe more accurately he is missing his back side. :lol:

The eye is also very good, especially the drop of water. You might need to shade the inner corner (the white area) of the eye some more unless the scanner just washed it out. Also make sure that the pupil and iris are perfectly round (you can use a circle template if it helps) and the pupil is centered in the iris. That's actually a lesson from a future class, but I thought I'd share it now. :)

Good work Michelle! :thumbsup: After you shade the egg, I'd say you are ready to move on to the other lessons. Remember you can pick and choose the order you do them in.

[mjenk]

Hi Stacy! It's a beautiful spring day here...it's okay if you fell asleep for a bit...it's called SPRING FEVER! Here's a shaded egg. Thoughts for moving on...aside from becoming a great chef and creating interesting omlets (lol)... my interests lie in doing portraits- people and animals. Where would you suggest be the next logical class for me? Thanks so much! I really appreciate all you wonderful folks here taking time out of your lives to help us all improve. :clap::thumbsup::clap::thumbsup::clap:

[m-girl]

Hi Stacy
Here are my pics for class 5
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Apr-2006/76893-April_3006_001.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Apr-2006/76893-April_3006a.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Apr-2006/76893-April_3006_003.jpg
thanks for your help and comments
Sylvia

[Fireman's kid]

Michelle, your shaded egg looks fantastic! That was quick.
my interests lie in doing portraits- people and animals. Where would you suggest be the next logical class for me? I made a list of classes that deal with people and animals. You can pick whichever one interests you most.

Lesson # and Topic
14 Figure Drawing
17 Hands & Feet
18 Portraits
19 Drawing Children
20 Caricatures
22 Animals
33 Advanced Portraits - Male
34 Advanced Portraits - Female

I seem to remember another animal class but couldn't find it on the list. I think there is a thread in the Learning Center that lists all the class numbers and their topics. You can check there to see everything that's available.

Also, many people found the scrtibble (?) technique taught in lesson 29 (Pen and Ink) to be helpful for learning the circulism technique in lesson 33.

Another helpful lesson is #7 which was a "test" lesson for putting everything from the first 6 lessons together in one drawing.

Oh heck, they're all great!! That's why I'm still here after a year and a half. :D

Just so you know, after this lesson there is not an assigned subbie for each class. We all just try to jump in when we see a lesson pop to the top of the list. So it may take a bit longer to get a response. If you don't get any responses after a day or so, PM one or two of the subbies you've already met and ask us to take a look. We'd be happy to!

And most importantly...HAVE FUN!!! :clap:

[Fireman's kid]

Hi Sylvia and welcome to Class 5, the last of the required classes.

The egg and the nut are well done, but the tea cup needs a little work. For starters, the ellipse is pointy. Even though this is a 'sphere' class, you can't stop using the things you learned in the first 4 classes. Also the sides of your tea cup are not symmetrical. I recommend you try this exercise again. This time draw the entire sphere like you did on the left. Once you are happy with the curves on the sphere, add the handle and the foot on the bottom. Then erase the top half of the sphere.

The watch is also well done and doesn't need any corrections. :clap:

But I have a few suggestions for the eye. Shade the white portion of the eye more to give it form. The shading is what makes it look round. Also the iris and pupil are not correct. The outer ring is the iris and should be shaded - a light value for a blue or green eye and a darker value for a brown eye. The second ring should be black because it is the pupil. I'm not sure what the white circle in the middle is. If you meant for it to be a highlight in the eye, make it smaller and move it off center.

The M&Ms are very well done. Only one minor change - Mr. M looks a little pointy where his body meets his legs.

You are almost ready to move on. Redo the tea cup and maybe try one more drawing. Then I'll set you free. :)

[m-girl]

Hi Stacy ...I redid the pics...thanks for all the help:)
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-May-2006/76893-April_3006d.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-May-2006/76893-April_3006b_003.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-May-2006/76893-April_3006b_004.jpg
and I also did Bat...
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-May-2006/76893-April_3006c.jpg
Thanks again for all your help...
Sylvia

[Fireman's kid]

Sylvia, nice work and fast!! I feel like I'm moving in slow motion compared to the people coming through this class. What are those other subbies feeding you?? :confused:

The redo of the tea cup is perfect - symmetrical and round and balanced. A big difference between the first and second try. And you went for the challenge of Bat. :clap: One note about him, the left hand side of his hat seems to bulge out a little bit. But otherwise... :thumbsup:

You are now free to take any class in 101 that interests you in any order you choose. Oh the possibilities! :D

[m-girl]

Thanks again Stacy for all your help:) :thumbsup: ... I was just wondering about one thing... my clock's face needs to be rechecked in class 3 and I reworked my negative spaces in class 4... should I wait for these to be checked before I go on?....
Thanks for all your help...I redid Bat...
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-May-2006/76893-May106.jpg
Thanks again...I have learned so much in these classes...
Sylvia

[mjenk]

Thanks Stacy! Off to find a new adventure! :)

[Fireman's kid]

Have fun Michelle! :)

[angelcat]

I know I need to go back and do all the excercises, but I jumped ahead to do Bat....I began by drawing circles/spheres lightly for the hat, head, ear....

[angelcat]

Here are a few more of the assignments/exercises--the eerie eye and some spherical objects.

[Judi1957]

Hey Christine:wave: -Your Batman looks GREAT!

The others look wonderful as well. I thing the eye in the ink looks the best of the two. Don't be afraid to go darker in key areas. With a pencil you can acomplish that w/ teeny tiney circles. Try it on the pupil of the pencil eye.

The nut and M & M man are :thumbsup: . I think on the lightbulb-Work on getting the shape totally smooth and symetrical - also think about how the threads would look at the positions you drew the bulbs in.

On the egg-again the symetry.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Jun-2006/37258-litebulb1.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Jun-2006/37258-litebulb2.jpg

[angelcat]

Thanks, Judi! I'm not sure what you mean about the eye and circles, but I'll give it a try. You're so right about the lightbulb and egg, I could tell they were off. Just being careless with the egg, and I wasn't actually looking at a light bulb, which I seem to need to do to draw thing right.

[JayD]

Hi, Christine--Judi is making reference to circulism. Its a technique in which you can achieve very dark values by interconnecting small (about the tip of you lead)circles--this allows you to go darker then you normally could.

[angelcat]

Thanks JayD...I'll give it a try on my lunch break!

[angelcat]

Back at home again....here's the eye, darkened by circles...It does look better and darker!

[Judi1957]

Yes Christine!!!! You are getting it! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Sorry I didn't explain very well about the teeny tiney circles. Now-can you take this one step further and see if you can get closer to the darks in the reference?
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jun-2006/37258-ManRayGlassTears.jpg

[angelcat]

Judi, I went back to darken the eye some more in the lashes, above the crease, the teardrops....Not sure I'm as dark as the reference, though.
I tried some more light bulbs also....It takes a long time to "get it" it seems...I read earlier in the thread that we should take our time and make each exercise something we'd be proud to save. The more I look at the work posted here, the higher the bar is raised....

[frieda L]

noone in this class right now... no lack of past activity, though... the work produced in this level is incredible. My dream is to live up to it...
While awaiting marks for previous classes, I cannot help myself from starting here...

egg, nut, and a few more little objects...
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Sep-2006/22676-lesson_5_002.jpg

teakettle, started as an easy, innocent project, until I suddenly realized that this "silver" kettle was a mirror... kitchen, palmleaf roof, with fringes and all, no walls in that part of the house, so even part of the yard... and ...me. What was I thinking? I am not ready for a self portrait, but this was fun.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Sep-2006/22676-lesson_5_001.jpg

last weeks weekly challenge...Improved on a little, during this class
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Sep-2006/22676-lesson_5_003.jpg

the eye...
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Sep-2006/22676-lesson_5.jpg

this one was a weekly challenge in august... my first one, ...
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Sep-2006/22676-aug_21_005.jpg

I was thinking about doing Bat... but now I may do the weekly challenge instead... its a sculpure... or both...I dread portraits. Since I am in learning mode, that probably means I should try some...

thank you
frieda

[frieda L]

ouch! with all my apologies to Bat, and JayD...
I may keep on working on it, but I must have made some major mistakes... and cannot figure it out.The hat is not quite high and round enough, that I could see on the screen. Maybe I should find another Bat picture, it shows really dark on my screen... but even the basic features are off, I know.
thanks for any c&c
frieda
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Sep-2006/22676-lesson_5_007.jpg

[Fireman's kid]

Hi frieda! Welcome to class 5! You will find yourself going in circles before you are done here. ;)

It looks like you are off to a good start! The toughest thing about drawing spheres is getting them round all the way around. Flat spots have a way of creeping in when we're not looking. :lol:

Your first page looks really good! The only one that is a little off is the nut. It has a bulge on the bottom. Nice spheres on all the rest. My only other comment for this page is I never knew how large goose eggs were. :eek: Poor goose. :D

The reflective tea kettle is a challenge. Good for you for sticking with it! I am wondering if the lid is actually centered on the top of the kettle. In your drawing it is slid down toward the handle. I'm not sure if the bottom ellipse is a little pointy or if the rim is making it look that way. Nice cylinder for the spout!

I'm not sure who made JayD mad, but that was one tough WDT last week! You have a flat spot on the right side of the largest sphere, but otherwise it looks great!

The eye from this lesson is well done and I can see improvement over your first eye. Can you see it too? Doesn't that feel great! One tip for drawing eyes...make sure the pupil is centered in the colored part of the eye. The reference for this lesson is dark so it is hard to see the pupil, but it is important to make it centered.

Bat is a tough reference to draw. I think I skipped it when I was in this class. :o Didn't feel I was up for the challenge. Don't tell Jay. :D If you want to do more work on Bat I would say start him again and take it slower. Really focus on drawing all of the spheres - his eyes, his head, his hat - before doing any shading or details.

I'd recommend giving the M&Ms a try or redoing Bat before moving on. You did great on the individual objects but you might find a little more practice working on spheres in a larger drawing to be useful. I'll be checking in for the rest of this week in case you post anything new, but will be gone for the weekend. I'll check in again Monday when I get back. :)

[frieda L]

hey Stacey, thank you for hanging out in class 5... I love your work, by the way.
I fixed the nut... it looks more real now.
I remember from very long ago, my aunt used to have geese, and the eggs seemed huge to me, much bigger than chicken eggs... so when my egg turned out so big, I thought it would have to be a goose egg...
the lid in the kettle is actually meant to be off centre, weird little kettle, if you dare open the lid before you pick it up... you will remember that steam burns, every time.
Now Bat, maybe I should not have started him. But now that I did, I can hardly leave it as a big failure... I will give him another try. Maybe if I can improve on him, I will feel like there is hope. it will take me a few days, i think.
frieda

[Fireman's kid]

Hi freida! :wave: Glad you are giving Bat another go. He is a worthy challenge and you should be proud of yourself for going for it. It's sad that at this point in class I didn't have the guts yet. I think I'm over that now. I know the only way I'm going to grow as an artist is to take on the tough projects.

Now I want to correct something you said...your first Bat was not, repeat not, a failure of any sort - big or small. Honestly he just looked a little rushed compared to your other fabulous drawings. So take your time and have fun with the handsome devil. He probably feels like a popular guy being studied by all the ladies who have taken this class. :D

[frieda L]

Stacey, thanks for the encouragement. Thanks for the "not failure" lecture. It is a really really bad portrait, but considering my beginners level, and considering that I do not know the first thing about portraits... I was surprised at even vague resemblance. Anyway, he looked like a guy, not a vase or a ping pong ball... I am resisting the temptation to jump into the portraiture forum and start reading all the protrait lessons, because I want to focus on what I am doing here, a step at a time.
So I spent most of the day yesterday redoing Bat, trying to get the features right ... There must be major mistakes, but I cannot see them. Is the face too long, the mouth too low, and his right eye, I do not know what's up with that one. It is really hard to see on my rather dark screen, but I erased and redrew it so many times, I think I'll go through the paper if I keep it up. I would like to improve on this one, and let it be, calling it my first portrait. (Does the first one count:evil: ), or second attempt at my firstportrait.
thank you,:wave: :wave:
frieda

[frieda L]

oops, he didn't make it in the post.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Sep-2006/22676-lesson_5_008.jpg
frieda

[Fireman's kid]

:clap: Frieda :clap: :thumbsup:

See, I knew you had it in you!! This is much better and so good for a first portrait. :) One thing I think is tough about drawing this guy is that the right side of his face (our left) is so dark in the reference. It's hard to tell what is going on there. And he wears a strange hat - some combination between a bowler and a top hat. :lol:

You have now officially completed Lesson 5 and are free to move onto any class you wish. :thumbsup: One note for the remaining classes, they do not have specific "subbies" assigned to them so it may take longer to get a response in some classes. We all kind of keep an eye on them and when they pop to the top of the list someone should be along to comment.

Have fun and keep drawing!! :)

[frieda L]

yippie! I feel like I graduated university all over again... actually, it feels better. Should have done this instead, 25 years ago.

thanks for making me redo Bat, he is still not as handsome as he deserves, but it showed me that improvement is possible.

I have everything to learn, so I better spend some more time in 101, although for pure entertainment, I keep checking out the advanced classes...
Stacey, thank you for helping me on the road
frieda

[drawingfun]

Hi, I think I posted my drawing from class five to class four, so I will post it here, I think I need more practice so will try to post more exercises as soon as finish, Lidia

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/22-Sep-2006/87248-IMG_0152_edited.jpg

[Judi1957]

Hi Lidia :wave:

Although this is not a straight on photo-I think you have done VERY well!!!!:clap:
If you can post a better image that would help to see things better for a critique.
See you later:)

[drawingfun]

Judy I will try to take a better picture of it so you can see it better, Lida

[kswistak]

Lesson 5 - here I am. My drawings:

[drawingfun]

Wow, great drawings Kswistak, Lidia

[Judi1957]

Wow kswistak! Fantastic ALL around. LOVE your Batman!:clap: :clap: :clap:

[kswistak]

Thank you drawingfun and Judi! I'm looking forward to next lessons.

[Mary Woodul]

I like your drawings kwistak, you have a crisp style.

[kswistak]

Thank you. Now I'm working on lesson 6. I've started with the spider ;)

[eyepaint]

Hi,

I found this class tough. I struggled with Mr. and Mrs. M&M (they seem more smartie shaped than spherical to me); I also struggled with the pocketwatch (again, more smartie-shaped than spherical). I'd appreciate your feedback on these.

coffee cup:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Jan-2007/96240-IMGP5753.JPG

nut: (sorry for the blur)
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Jan-2007/96240-IMGP5755.JPG

spherical objects around the refrigerator - onion and apple:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Jan-2007/96240-IMGP5757.JPG

Mr. and Mrs. M&M - the fellow looks a bit evil:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Jan-2007/96240-IMGP5758.JPG

Mr. Bowler Hat fellow:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Jan-2007/96240-IMGP5760.JPG

Ms. False Eyelashes:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Jan-2007/96240-IMGP5761.JPG

And would you believe this is a pocketwatch? Me neither - please help :-)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Jan-2007/96240-IMGP5762.JPG


Cheers,
EP

[Fireman's kid]

Hi eyepaint! Welcome to class 5!

One piece of advice I would give you is to slow down and sketch the spheres using several light lines. I think it is much easier to get a round shape when you press lighter with the pencil and take several passes. Then erase the lines that don't work and leave behind the ones that do. Also feel free to turn your paper to draw different parts of the sphere, at least until you get the hang of it.

I recommend trying to draw a page of circles until you can get them smoothly round, then repeat the cup and nut and do the egg and lightbulb. Don't worry about shading yet. Concentrate on shape. Post the egg, nut, cup and lightbulb for comments before moving on to the more complex drawings.

Slow down and do a little more practice and you'll be ready to move on to the next lesson in no time. :)

[eyepaint]

Hi Stacy,

Thank you for your feedback. I drew several pages of circles and redid the egg, nut, cup, and the lightbulb.

egg:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Jan-2007/96240-IMGP5778.JPG


nut:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Jan-2007/96240-IMGP5780.JPG


cup:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Jan-2007/96240-IMGP5779.JPG


lightbulb:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Jan-2007/96240-IMGP5776.JPG


Feedback welcome :)

Thank you for your time,
EP

[Fireman's kid]

Eyepaint, these look much better. Nice smooth round shapes. I can see you sketched the lines lightly and then darkened the ones you wanted to keep. Good job!

I should have mentioned (in my first post to you) that I find it easier to get smooth shapes when I draw from the shoulder versus drawing with my fingers. I can be looser drawing from the shoulder which helps me.

Now you might want to redo one of the more complex drawings. Create your spheres the same way you did for these and you should have no trouble. :)

[eyepaint]

Thank you, Stacy. I'll give those tougher drawings a try. I'm pleased with how these turned out - I took much more time and the results show :)

-- EP

[eyepaint]

Hi Stacy,

Here are a few of the more complicated drawings that I've redrawn. Of these, I'm happiest with the man, though his hat could be shorter and I could have worked on the light/shadows on his jacket. The one I'm least happy with is the pocketwatch.

I've borrowed the Rudy De Reyna book from the library so I'm going to go through and sketch objects from his book for a bit :)

Cheers,
EP

[Fireman's kid]

Nice work on these EP! I see definite improvement. The only one where the sphere is noticably off is the eye. As for shading on the man's jacket, not to worry, shading comes up in one of the next classes and is pretty much covered in every class from then on. :D

Enjoy the DeReyna book! There is some good stuff in there!

[eyepaint]

Thank you Stacy.

I'm chugging through the book while eyeing the number of classes in 101 and 102 until I can catch up with you guys :)

EP

[barbaara]

Here my 5th class works!
361474361475

And I think I go 6th class right now:evil:

[cmwynn]

barbaara - that walnut is terrific. Even the egg looks excellent. I just read that Wyeth said that if you could draw an egg, you could draw anything. The shading on the eye makes it very realistic.

[tswalls]

Here is the start of my drawings for class 5. I plan on doing some more later on this week, because my better half says its time to mow the yard. :(
Thanks for looking. :)

[JayD]

Barbaraa, I think you ar ok to move on to class six but I want you to redraw those dice in the other class. I love the eye and someone owns a Gene Franks book!!! Actually I LOVE the way that you constructed the drawings especially the coffee cup--nice work!

Tom, go mow that line--let me quote from that ancient philosopher John Fogerty when he says

:music: Honey do this
Honey do that
work all day in the honey do patch
woman oh woman! What's wrong with you!
I can't get away from Honey do!!!:music:

Now, back to business--I am going to ride you about this, Tom so settle in--you have got to get your touch lighter--your drawing is fine but it is very heavy--are you holding the pencil close to the from or further to the back?

You have a lot of potential so don't give up--but I think you may have a couple of bad habits--and I know--they are some of my very own!!!

[Dougwas]

Well, onward I go. If I am not supposed to move ahead please let me know. I have plenty of time on my hands, so I am trying to draw every day. If the teacher wants me to go back it will be no problem.

A week ago I wouldn't even have attempted to draw most of these. I still need more work on my shading, so I,m looking forward to those classes. Thanks for looking.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/22-Sep-2007/102199-Class_5_Egg_Nut_and_Cup.jpg


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/22-Sep-2007/102199-Class_5_Eye_Watch_and_MMs.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/22-Sep-2007/102199-Class_5_Candle_Holder.jpg

Doug

[JayD]

Doug, you can move ahead certainly. this second pass of spheres is much better. What I am pleased about is two things. You seem to be loosening up as you draw and I noticed that you took care to think about volume. Excellent!

[Willemien]

Hi,
Here my first drawings about spherical object.
I had major problems with the tears, it took me hours to get them as they are now :evil: , and still I believe that they are not as good as they should be.
So I made one big one :rolleyes: please advice. I know it is all about shading and that is what I tried to do, but still .......
And then the eggs pffff: :o
tips and comments on all of the drawings very welcome

Best regards,
Willy

[JayD]

Willie, first let me say that I like your intial drawings. I like the eggs and am very impressed with the elipse of the cup. I can see that you put some work into this. At this point start looking for ways to push these images forward. Right now your images are representing ONE tone--just for fun, start adding some darks here and there--for instance, are these objects resting on anything? Possible place for a slight shadow.

I looks like you might be drawing mainly with the side of your pencil--just like drawing is a process, so is manipulating the tool you are using to do the drawing. Your initial sketches are just fun==some are beautiful in fact--once you have laid out your sketch and you are satified with things like shape and proportion, then you can shift to, lets say, the writing position and start modeling. I would like you to try this by redrawing ONLY the onion and the eye.

VERY NICE WORK, WILLIE!!!

[Willemien]

Hi,

I have done the onion and eye again. I hope this is what you ment. I did not quite understood the one tone, because I also did some shading in the former drawings :confused:
Here is my Bat too. found it quite difficult. All Tips, Comments and Critics are welcome.

Best regards, Willy :wave:

[Zarathustra]

Hi Willy, I'm not entirely familiar with the thread, but thought I'd quickly chip in to see if I can help with a little constructive feedback.
Onions and teardrops - a good combination! :)
I like the fact that you've used hatching and the drawing skills are coming on well. In terms of the onion, a good area to focus on is shadow, as you will often finder a darker cast shadow close to the edge of the sphere. Reflected light is always another important element to bear in mind, and when you look at objects on a day to day basis, a good observational exercise, is to look for reflections and reflected light, as it can be an easy thing for the beginner to miss. A good tutorial can be found here:
http://www.interactiveartschool.com/lesson2BasicForm.html
If you're really technically minded there is this one, but I think it overcomplicates things unnecessarily, and will only appeal to a certain type of analytical mind.
http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/tech27.html

[Willemien]

Zarathustra, thanks for your comments and useful links. Ofcourse you are right about the shading of th onion (must be darker) I know this but one way or the other I always forget. :o

As I said before I did Bat again. Although in my third try the nose seems a little to long, I am more satisfied now. All tips and comments more than welcome

Best regards, Willy

[Zarathustra]

Hi Willy. I had a quick look at the original source photo, and it is a tricky one, because it's an old photo, and has much that is lost in shadow, so without a sound knowledge in anatomy and drawing faces, the brain will try to fill in all the fuzzy and indistinct areas.
I took your drawing, and quickly shaded over it. For the most part, it's very good, but hopefully this shading will show just how much more tonal values there are to play with. The main things that needed changing was moving the nose across just a fraction, and darkening that eye in the shadow of the face/hat. The chin needed to drop just a touch too. I traced over your original drawing, so it was only subtle changes that were made, but if you spend a bit time and build in confidence, you'll find you can go much darker. I recommend using a 2B and 5B, and you'll find your drawings start to pop out, and shading will be far quicker.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Nov-2007/9583-Bat-drawover.jpg

I'll also attach the two together, so you can see what a difference that a braveness in shading can yield.

[Willemien]

Djee, thanks, I am going to work on the drawing some more and repost it later on. Big help:clap: :clap: :clap:

[Willemien]

Hi,
Here I am again.I made some adjustments to Mr. Bat. Hope you want to take a look. I think it is better now and am excited to go on with the M&M's if I can

Best regards, Willy

[Zarathustra]

Major improvement Willy, I really think pushing the values up a few steps has made a world of difference, and hope you are happy with it, and can find the dedication to take it through to your future drawings.

[cmwynn]

Willy - I am impressed, too, with the newer, darker tones you put into this drawing. I get frustrated drawing from a vague reference but you made this very clear. I will be watching for your next step to check that you keep using the darks as well as the light tones. Are you seeing this as an improvement or just doing it because we like it?

[Willemien]

Hi Connie,
thanks for your kind words. :thumbsup:
To answer your question: I really see this as a major improvement and am very happy to know how to do this (no being zo careful). :D
the first drawing I made, went into the wastebin, because the proportions were not right. Then I started over again and took it with me to the local painting course. The person who is leading this club told me I was to nice for the guy (mr. Bat), so I started over again. That lead to the one I put in the classroom and still I was to careful. So I took it to hand again and finally I got it. It was like: 'oh, so this is what they mean'!
So I am really very happy.:heart:
I am also glad that you'll be watching me to keep this thing going.
I will start to do the m&m's (it is such a nice subject, but probably also not to easy ) and hope you will like to comment.

Until then,
Best regards, Willy :wave:

[Willemien]

Hi
tonight I did the M&M's. the foot of the jukebox was very difficult,:evil: probably because of the (strang) perspective.
I hope I wasn't to shy on the tones and shadings.
All T&C very welcome

Best regards Willy

[Willemien]

I forgot to upload the drawing:o
Here it is

Best regards again, Willy

[Zarathustra]

Hi Willy. I'm seeing great improvements already, those darker tones give it much more of a three dimensional element. You've got the highlight and shadow in there. Try not to forget about reflected light too.

One way you could improve things is in the direction in which you shade. For the most part it looks like you're moving the pencil from left to right. If you try to picture the M&M as a 3D object you can shade using imaginary contours that follow the shape of the object, which will further emphasize the 3D nature of the object, and prevent it from looking too flat. I'm attaching a small m&m illustration to try and make the point.

[Willemien]

thanks for you comment Gavin,
I will keep this in mind. the thing with the reflected light I do not understand totally,(you mean the shadow it throws on the subject??).
any way I will look this up
things again,
best regards, Willy

[Zarathustra]

Hi Willy, you will find that an edge that is thrown into shadow can often catch some reflected light from its surroundings. The bottom of the chin, for example, on people, will often go down towards shadow, but right at the bottom will reflect the colour of the clothing they are wearing and will be a value or two lighter. If you look at the M&M in the attached thumbnail, you will see that although the edge goes into shadow, on the outer extremity there is a thin line that is lighter in value than the surrounding shadow. This is reflected light, being caught by the white surface on which it's sitting. It's not something you have to largely concern yourself with now, but as you progress, it's little observations like this that can really enhance a drawing.

[cmwynn]

Willy - you will find more about shading of all kinds, but in particular spheres, in lesson 8. You'll be there soon at this rate.

[juliaiam]

alright...so i just caught on to the progression photos you all have going on here. sorry i didn't do one for the eye itself, but i've done a progression from there...still in progress, but this is what i did today.

[Willemien]

Hi Julia,
I think they eye is a bit large, but am fascinated by the hand and the curtain.
Best you can do is send a PM to one of the guides or moderators that you have posted in this class. the are able to give more structural and better advice.

[Kissy]

Just in from lesson 4,
Some of the spheres...the initial circles are tough. Will try the eye and portrait next. May take me a while especially the portrait. Comments, suggestions welcome.
Blessings,
Leila
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/21-Jan-2008/127386-spheres.jpg

[*Deirdre*]

Hi Leila! You are doing well...there is often a tendency to elongate the sphere, which is sometimes overcome by drawing very soft outlines fairly quickly, before drawing the final firmer outline. Yours are well rounded...and I see you've enhanced the description by shading!:wink2: :wink2: Well done....how do you feel about the lesson? Has it met all you expectations re spheres?:)

[Kissy]

Deirdre,
Yes spheres are difficult to get that roundness, thanks for the tip. The lessons are very helpful...allow for developing technique, the "how" or reason why something is drawn a certain way. I think my hand will better be able to do what my eye sees with practice. The knowledge and experience you all have...thanks for sharing it.
Leila

[Kissy]

Here is the eye everyone,
my neice is a graphic arts student and encouraged me to push the darks. I tried, still scared to do it, don't know why. Wasn't sure how to do the iris and pupil...color it all black or show more light, but here's what I've done. Suggestions welcome, and still working on Bat portrait.
Blessings,
Leila

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-Jan-2008/127386-sphereeye.jpg

[Anda G]

Hi, Leila. I can see the subtle shading in the eye to show the roundness. It looks very good. I would darken those shadows just a tad, though.

Am a glad that you are enjoying these classes.

Andagail

[Kissy]

Thanks Andagail
Are you talking about the shadows on the sclera(whites) of the eyeball? Darken that part a bit more?
Leila

[Anda G]

Hi, again!

Yes, just a little bit. The shadows in the crease of the eye could use more of a gradual shading, if you see what I mean.
I did my cousin's eye in colored pencil a while back. It is just like her eye. (except for the crookedness :p )
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/28-Jan-2008/59007-staciecp2.jpg


I hope this helps.

I think the guide is gonna tell you to go on to the next lesson. :D

I believe that you can now go to any lesson and not necessarily go to lesson 6. The powers that be decided that these 5 lessons are the critical ones to build on. I think that you are going to be great at any of them. :thumbsup:

Andagail

[Kissy]

Hi there,
I'm back, had to go to work you know and am fighting off a cold! I started working on the Bat portrait, and need some guidance. You know drawings can look different when they are posted, so I thought if I posted it as a work in progress i could see what looks a little off before I actually finish. Something about the left edge of the face...nose too long? Only tried to do a portrait twice before on my own. Should I scrap this and start again or can it be salvaged? Helllpppp:eek: and thanks.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Feb-2008/127386-Bat.jpg

[Kissy]

Hi,
I posted my finished (I think) Bat drawing in the drawing and sketching forum if anyone wants to take a peek. May I move along to the next lesson?

[Moosey]

I want to get started, but am also a procrastinator. Want to start back with sketching. Confusing knowing what spot to go to. Am also an "elder" so perhaps I am deteriorating a bit.

[Kissy]

Moosey,
fellow procrastinator here...If you like sketching why don't you try the classroom area starting with the preclass drawing? As for starting later in life ...took me errr 20 years to get back into drawing. Take a look at the thread entitled " what age did you start drawing again"... very encouraging.

[cmwynn]

Kissy - I had commented on this drawing in the gallery and thought you had already gone on to the next lesson. As Andagail said, it does help to go 1 through 5 but then choose where you want to go from there. Some people want to learn specific things, personally I want to know it all.

[Kissy]

Connie,
Been a bit busy lately and have looked at lesson 6 now but not drawn any yet. Hopefully I will get to it in the next week or two. I too want to know it all. so will probably go thru each lesson in order. Thanks for your help.

[Judibelle]

Well, i'm giving class 5 a try now....here is my first attempt...the cup, the watch (although I couldnt identify it as such) and an eye...
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/12-Mar-2008/103700-scan0004.jpg__spheres_class_5.jpg

Looking forward to comments and corrections...
JB

[Judibelle]

...and a couple more tries from the assignments....
(although I have to say, I dont really 'see' the spheres in the Bat photo.)
and I had a really difficult time with the M&M's....so I did an abbreviated version....
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Mar-2008/103700-scan0002.jpg_MMs__Bat.jpg
JB

[*Deirdre*]

Well, i'm giving class 5 a try now....here is my first attempt...the cup, the watch (although I couldnt identify it as such) and an eye...
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/12-Mar-2008/103700-scan0004.jpg__spheres_class_5.jpg

Looking forward to comments and corrections...
JB
These are all good JB! Well done!:thumbsup:

[Judibelle]

thanks, Deirdre.....i must have been posting my Bat and M&M's while you were posting this....hope you get a chance to look at them as well (previous page).
i'm thinking I may now go on to class 6, but will continue with whatever I need to do with class 5 as well...
JB

[*Deirdre*]

...and a couple more tries from the assignments....
(although I have to say, I dont really 'see' the spheres in the Bat photo.)
and I had a really difficult time with the M&M's....so I did an abbreviated version....

JB
JB....these aren't so bad...just need to get your proportions adjusted
Bad demo coming up!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Mar-2008/33616-mm.gif
On a scrappy piece of paper too! Work out where every thing is compared to the whole piece...for instance the main jukebox is roughly half the size from the top to the bottom of the crossed bars Shown in blue. The MMs are just under half the depth and are the same size roughly as the jB depth...just in different positions...once you get that...the rest is easy.
AS for Bat...the roundness is the bottom part of his face. Hope that helps!

[Judibelle]

thanks, Deirdre,
Here is a re-do, hopefully a bit better. Still not quite sure the proportions are right, though...
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Mar-2008/103700-scan0003.jpg___mms_redone.jpg
JB

[*Deirdre*]

Much better JB...Makes a good picture now!:thumbsup: Onwards!:D

[Judibelle]

Okey-Dokey, and thanks so much!
JudiB

[azulparsnip]

Hi - here are some I did this week -

[EdieB]

Hi - I'm new to this class, I've read most of the earlier posts and I've try to do the Eye, Cup, nut, egg (this was the worst egg I've ever done) & the tea cup all the one I thought would be easy except the eye. I did the eye twice the smaller one is the first and the second one was even harder. http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=390159&stc=1&d=1206580080http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/26-Mar-2008/114247-eye,_lightbulb.jpg

Thanks for any help EdieB

[tswalls]

I started this class last September. Went to mow the yard and just got finished with the mowing. :lol: :D
Here is the link:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6006275#post6006275

Here are two more drawings. I used mechanical pencils 2mm, 2h, hb, 2b, 4b, on Staedtler Bristol Premium Paper 9x12”. It didn’t seem to take the darks very well or else I pressed to hard.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Apr-2008/97124-Drawing_watch_and_Eye.jpg

[*Deirdre*]

Tom...not one to let the grass grow under your feet? Perhaps in this instance eh?:D
Your drawing are both good, despite your fight to get the darks dark. I like that the highlights are not all bright white on your watch, but the upper lid just above the eyelashes should be darker...overall though Well drawn!:thumbsup:

I've just realised there are some more student needing replies here...back later when I've got some food in!:wink2:

[tswalls]

Deirdre,
Thank you for your kind comments.:) I will darken the area above the eye lash.

[*Deirdre*]

Hi - here are some I did this week -
Hi Azulparsnip...I like these... |I especially like the chair and the chair bottom...they seem a bit more finished than the others:wink2:Well done!:thumbsup:

[*Deirdre*]

Hi - I'm new to this class, I've read most of the earlier posts and I've try to do the Eye, Cup, nut, egg (this was the worst egg I've ever done) & the tea cup all the one I thought would be easy except the eye. I did the eye twice the smaller one is the first and the second one was even harder.
Hi Edie!...Your first lot are good line drawings but would be improved by some more shading to give them more form...and perhaps some ground shade to...well...ground them!:wink2: As for the eyes...they are well drawn...the second follows the ref more faithfully, the first being a bit too angular...but you got the lid shadow nicely!:thumbsup:

[EdieB]

:wave: Hi Deirdre, Thanks I'm reading project 9 of De Reyna book on Light and shade and still working on my tree. Thank for the help. Have a Great Day

[gakinme]

Hi, Deirdre, here are some of the exercises. I don't have a walnut so used a gingko nut.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-May-2008/86669-pr_egg.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-May-2008/86669-pr_eye.jpg

This is the first time I noticed so many shading to the shadow.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-May-2008/86669-pr_gingko.jpg

Made him look more like a Chinese. :lol:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-May-2008/86669-pr_man.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-May-2008/86669-pr_mm.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-May-2008/86669-pr_waterdrop.jpg

[svoby]

hi everyone, well i'm posting the eye, cup, walnut, fob watch and an egg but i think i made the egg too dark:rolleyes: and also my Bat Masterson ( must google this bloke and find out who he is:confused: ) any way all comments greatly appreciated.
I'm off to do the m&m dispenser and some other speres
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/31-May-2008/129187-class_5_speres.jpg (http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/Uploader/upload_image_save2.php#)
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/31-May-2008/129187-bat_masterson_class5.jpg
oops forgot to mention the speres on Bat are his head, hat, eyes,ears and chin....i loved drawing him

[*Deirdre*]

Hi Lindee...these are all fine...although the egg's a bit pointy! Well done! On to the next class...your choice!:wink2:

[svoby]

:D thanks deidre think i'll just go through the numbers......these classes are terrific:clap:

[svoby]

:D thanks deidre think i'll just go through the numbers......these classes are terrific:clap:

[Jesterjangles]

:eek: Hi. Not really sure why I can't draw an elipse any better. These are my beginning drawing of spheres. Please let me know what could help. It would be very much appreciated!:o I can practise a series of elipse in perspective and most come out ok, but when applying it to a 'drawing' it looses its' smooth flow.396405jesterjangles

[svoby]

hi jjI can practise a series of elipse in perspective and most come out ok, but when applying it to a 'drawing' it looses its' smooth flow.jesterjangles
i have the same problem, just keep practicing.....i have used that much computer paper the kids complain there is nothing left to print on lol but it gets better slowly

[Jesterjangles]

Lindee,
Thank you for the encouragement! It's a good thing that I am in the habit of recycling copy paper.

I admire your perspective work and it sure looks like it comes easy to ya. :O)
Good luck with your next lesson, jesterjangles

[*Deirdre*]

Hi, Deirdre, here are some of the exercises. I don't have a walnut so used a gingko nut.


OOps Sandra...just spotted I'd missed yours! Sorry!:o

Most of these are quite good...even the Chinese looking Bat! You did forget the glass teardrops on that famous eye...but I'll let that go because you did a beautifully shaped egg!:wink2:
Are you doing the watch? If not, then on to class ....next class...your choice!:D

[Jesterjangles]

396706

396707

396708

396709
I think I got it by golly!! Thanks again for the encouragement,Lindee:cat: These are my excercises for lesson 5 (minus the M&M's). I have them drawn on a huge piece of sketch paper and they're not so sweet to deal with. *Deirdra*, Are these looking fine? jesterjangles

[Jesterjangles]

I didn't mean to attach the last picture. YIKES. anyone able to 'cut it'? jesterjangles

[Jesterjangles]

Last exercise I believe~M&M's This had to have had all the shapes that I've tried! jesterjangles396716

[*Deirdre*]

Hi jj...removed the extra pic!

All the exercises were good...notice Bat's missing an eye...and the juke box (M&M) was a tad wonky...but not enough to stop you from graduation to the other classes! Well done!:thumbsup:

[Jesterjangles]

*Deirdre*, thanks for removing the image.

I noticed the eye on Bats' face.:D It's hidden in the shadow from his hat; guess I should have shaded it more.:lol:

Moving on to lesson 6. I appreciated your input on 5!:cat:
Thank you.
jesterjangles

[gakinme]

Thank you, Deirdre...I was kind of waiting for you....hehe...

No, no, I don't really want to do the watch. Reflections really bother me. The challenges over at the weekly challenge gives me a headache whenever reflection is involved. I would happily move on to the next lesson...

[eam71]

I did the pocket watch right after the egg, nut and cup exercises. Felt somewhat defeated by the watch because of the reflections :( .

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Jun-2008/69473-Class_5_Preliminaries.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Jun-2008/69473-Class_5_Pocket_Watch.jpg

[*Deirdre*]

Sandra...of course you can move on to the next class! As for the watch...look at the posterised version...sorts out the reflective areas nicely! Remember, this exercise is about shape...not values/tones.

Emi...your exercises are fine and you can go on to the next class too! Just out of interest...and in case it helps others who worry about reflections...here is the hugely posterised version ( tones/values broken down to fewest possible)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jun-2008/33616-watch-posterised.jpg

and the slightly less crude version

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jun-2008/33616-watch-posterised1.jpg

and the normal version
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jun-2008/33616-watch.jpg

[Nansketch]

The new site looks great -- congrats to everyone that put in those long hours. Great to see that this is back in action.

The attached seemed to get lost in the transition -- my apologies if they duplicate.

Many thanks for any comments.

So, I've attached a three sketches. The M&Ms are very rough, just thought I would include.
Nancy

(note, when I clicked on the insert image, the only the 'smilie' page came up.)

[*Deirdre*]

Nancy, these are fine, you missed the faces on the M&Ms but got the main proportions...so that's ok,...On to the next class!:thumbsup:

[arnoud3272]

Hi,

Here are my first exercises for this class: studies of some spherical objects, drawn from RL.
...

[arnoud3272]

...
And I started on "Bat": first sketch, freehand; corrections with the help of GIMP, overlaying the scan on the reference; and the line-drawing (very light IRL, no worries).

[arnoud3272]

Hi,

Here is my finished - at least I call it finished - Bat chap.
And a study of the ManRay eye.

[loulop]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Aug-2008/9991-class_5_spherical.JPG http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Aug-2008/9991-s.JPG http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Aug-2008/9991-hat0001.JPG http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Aug-2008/9991-pocket_watch0001.JPG
Hi, here is my exercises for Class 5 spherical objects.
Lourdes:wave: :wave:

[arnoud3272]

Hi Lourdes,

Nice to meet you. I did not realize that I was not the only student in class 5.
I like particularly how you could catch the reflections on the back of the watch. I read in a back post that it is supposed to be the reflection of a flag. I studied the reference thoroughly but could not recognize that. The person who knew must have had access to the complete photo.
I am still working on the "Glass Tears", was a bit too ambitious, I am afraid. But anyway, what is the point of rushing through the classes? Only fooling oneself.

[bjs0704]

Hi Arnold,

Nice job on your drawings! Your hatching looks very nice, though be careful with the direction of the hatching on the inside of the ring. Great job with the line drawing of “Bat”! “Bat chap” looks even better finished! Exceptionally nice work! The Man Ray study is really interesting! Good work!:clap: :clap: :clap:

Hi Lourdes,

Great job! I really liked your M & M guys! The watch is really nice! You did particulary well with getting the shine of the metal.Good work with everything!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:


Barb S.

[arnoud3272]

Hi Barb,

Thank you for your comments.
Moebius... yes, I was not entirely satisfied with the result but sent it in anyway. Still, looking again at the RL object, I see what I mean :D
The "Glass Tears" really intrigued me. I thought it would be nice to draw it large (15 cm square). I still think so but that is where I was a bit ambitious. But I am not giving up.

[mij]

Here's the spherical exercise drawings ...
james


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Aug-2008/69634-Sperical_exercises.jpg

[mij]

Here's a couple more
james

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Aug-2008/69634-small_exercises2.jpg

[mij]

Here's my house hold item. It's a bit light I think. Should have used a sofetr pencil.
james

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Aug-2008/69634-Household_item_lampshade.jpg

[mij]

The next drawing was my Bat Masterless :o I dont think I'll ever make a portrait painter :lol:
james

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Aug-2008/69634-Bat_Mas.jpg

[mij]

The last two tired me out and I think my get up and go got up and went. :(
james

[arnoud3272]

Hi,

To finish this class, here is a sketch of Mr M.

And no, I did not give up on "Glass Tears". On the contrary, it is growing into a project too ambitious to serve as homework for this class. I will finish it outside the classroom.http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Aug-2008/142886-101-5-MrM.jpg

[bjs0704]

Arnoud - Mr. M looks great! Great job with the face! The eye is looking good too! Nice shading! Keep up the good work!

Barb:cat:

[arnoud3272]

Hi Barb,

Thank you, see you in class 6.

BTW your website says "unavailable for viewing".
And I have a question. It is off topic here, but I have realized that you are the right person to answer it. According to emphasis he wants to be discussed, an artist can choose between technique and subject forums. But what is the emphasis of the Classical forum? I see a variety of techniques, a variety of subjects and also a variety of styles, not just "classical" in its narrow sense.

[bjs0704]

James - I'm sorry, I didn't realize that I missed your post earlier!

Good job on the spheres!:clap: :clap: :clap:

I see a couple of spots where the circles “wobble”, but, that will come with practice. Just work at drawing from the shoulder and not the wrist.

Everything else is very good! Good job with the ceiling light!

Your portrait of Bat is looking really nice! There may be a couple of spots that you could darken or sharpen up. You do a good job with portraits!

The eye looks great! The M & M’s are good. Nice range of values, but, the legs see a little undefined, maybe a little light. Really nice job with the watch! You’ve got the metallic effect looking really good!

Barb :cat:

[bjs0704]

Arnoud - Thanks for letting me know about my website. I haven’t updated that in a while. I really had forgotten about it!

The classical forum is for people who want to concentrate on realistic art. It’s also for people who are wanting to work in more traditional painting styles. The forum is trying to keep a pretty broad definition of classical art, as long as it is realistic.

Thanks for asking!

Barb:cat:

[mij]

Thanks barb.
I'm really more comfortable with chalk & board sized working when it comes to circles :lol: and that only works from the shoulder.

I think that there is also a lot of patience needed to do graphite pictures of this standard. Perhaps I under-estimated that aspect. I'll be better prepared for that in the future and allow more time.

I'd like to do graphite portraits but get disheartened when I step away and see I've missed an aspect or two by a large margin ...

I see that the next session is on cones but I also need shading asap. Perhaps I can look at both then decide.
many thanks for the kind and helpful comments.
cheers
james

[Cica1]

I hope it's okay for me to post my lessons while I await checking on the others. Here is my lesson 5:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jan-2009/170253-Spherical_Objects.jpg

[nailslinger]

Like several others I'm plowing ahead with the lessons. If redo's or additional work is required I will go back and do it.

Richmond

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Jan-2009/115284-L-5.shperes.jpghttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Jan-2009/115284-mm.jpghttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Jan-2009/115284-L5-Bat.jpg

[*Deirdre*]

Richmond...most of these are fine:thumbsup: ...the lamp looks out of step...observe the curve around the end that attaches to the stem ( or maybe I should call it the neck) it is very rounded...yet the edge of the lampshade is almost flat....you need to revisit this...also the striped cup...the sides don't match...yet!:)

[Cica1]

I think someone missed checking mine.....?

[Robin Neudorfer]

They look fine Cica... move along

[Cica1]

:wave: Thanks, Robin. Moving along :clap:

[nailslinger]

Following are my revised lamp and cup.

I thought I would get in more practice by adding the stripes to the cup, there were actually on the cup. Now I wish I had not added them. :lol:

Richmondhttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-Jan-2009/115284-lesson5-redo.jpg

[Robin Neudorfer]

Very nice revision.
Continue to observe how the sides (right and left) of your ellipses are still a bit too pointed. The bottom of the cup should also be an ellipse.
The stripes look good, however to be in the correct ellipse, you might consider on future work to draw it through on your under drawing. By this I mean continue the ellipse to the backside of the cup as if you could see through it. Helps to visualize how the stripe continues to the back.

Good work ... enjoy your future classes.

[ldB08]

Hi it's me Eldy. I thought I'd make a start on this class and see if I'm on the right track before I get too deep into doing it the wrong way.

[Robin Neudorfer]

Hi Eldy, take some time to look at spherical objects in real life. Set a light on them and study how the shadow side looks. Rotate the light around the object.
Also work on your values. Punch up the darks. You will be surprised how much this helps you to shape an object.

[ldB08]

Hi Robin. Did some oranges, an apple, an onion and a baseball that I'm happy with. The marble sucks and the glass eye is too dark in the scan I see. The pocket watch is???

[wedhatted]

Hi,
Here's my first part of the exercises.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Apr-2009/125661-nut.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Apr-2009/125661-cup.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Apr-2009/125661-helmet.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Apr-2009/125661-jar.jpg

[arnoud3272]

Diane -

Very well done :clap:. Nice shading also. :thumbsup:

[wedhatted]

Thanks Arnould,
Here's the M&Ms

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Apr-2009/125661-MnM.jpg

[arnoud3272]

Diane -

Well done :clap::clap:.

You finished the introduction of the drawing classroom :music:.
Move on to a next class :thumbsup:. You may choose any class you like, in any order. But I humbly suggest to take also class 6 first, studying the last of the basic forms, the cone.

Keep up the good work:clap:.

[wedhatted]

Thanks Arnoud!
I do plan to do 6 and 7 in order. Then I will have a look around.
Thanks for all the help:clap:

Cheers
Diane

[pug307]

Hi again Arnoud

Here is my attempt at lesson 5

I hope I don't sound too concited if I say Iamhappy with the eye :) http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-May-2009/137751-Lesson5_1.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-May-2009/137751-Lesson5_2.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-May-2009/137751-Lesson5_3.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-May-2009/137751-Lesson5_4.jpg

regards

[arnoud3272]

Derek -

:clap::clap:
Your drawings are all very well done, but you caught the surrealist look of Man Ray's "Tears" very well indeed :thumbsup:.

You finished the introductory classes, now you may choose from the higher classes in any order.
Move to a next class. Success :heart:.

[pug307]

Arnoud

Thank you for your guidance so far, it has been wonderful.:clap: :clap:

I might try lesson six first and then look at the others to see which way to go.:o

Thanks again

[pug307]

Arnoud

I see you are only looking after lessons 1 to 5.

I would like to thank you for the time you have given.

Hope to see you in other places on WC

regards

[kadon]

Posting these rough exercises Arnoud to confirm whether or not I am on the right track.

Will then do some more and also some full drawings beginning with the hat.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-May-2009/118422-Class_5.jpg

Kathy

[arnoud3272]

Looks good, Kathy :thumbsup:

[kadon]

Oops!

[kadon]

A few more.....

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/17-May-2009/118422-hat.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/17-May-2009/118422-eye.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/17-May-2009/118422-mmm.jpg

Kathy

[arnoud3272]

Kathy -

Beautiful details on the eye after Man Ray :clap:.
Also the hat is nice, good shading :thumbsup:.
But I think you rushed a bit on the half M&M. The eyes are spheres, even on comic characters, you can see it very clearly on his left eye.
And although a sphere is a sphere in any perspective, the features on its surface do follow the perspective rules. Of course I know you know, but look at the "M".

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/17-May-2009/142886-kathy-mmm.jpg

All taken together, you did very well in the first 5 classes :clap:. You may now choose from any of the next classes, in any order :thumbsup:.

And now something completely different... I'd advice you to try and get someone show how to clean your images before sending them in. A young nephew, the younger the better, would probably be a good starting point :lol:.

Keep up the good work :thumbsup:

[kadon]

I certainly missed out on the mm. Missed the eye spheres totally, but see what you mean....also the perspective on the surface...will have to study that a bit more.

Thank you Arnoud very much for your tuition, patience and promptness in your critiques....it is most appreciated.

Kathy

[Synserina]

Took some time tonight to draw some of the exercises, such as the egg, nut, coffee cup, and eye. Will work on the M&M one tomorrow. :)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/24-May-2009/187619-class50001.jpg

[arnoud3272]

Charity -

In general, you drew the correct shapes, but sometimes your attention weakens. The coffee cup is a good example: the top ellipse has no pointed ends, that is good. But recall that an ellipse has no straight edges either :evil:. It is one smooth curve, after all it is a circle in perspective.
Did you do the exercise that I suggested in class 4? I cannot see its application on the cup. The motto of this classroom "draw what you see", not what seems logical. A cup stands on a flat surface, so logically you drew a flat bottom. (Re)do that exercise, and see where you got confused.
The time has come to get yourself free from the hard outlines. On this cup for instance, the outlines are the darkest lines of all. Hard outlines are fine for cartoons, and other forms of illustration, but not for realistic drawings. "No lines, but shapes of light and dark".
To suggest depth, particularly on cylindrical, spherical surfaces, you need to draw a gradated shading. Your range of light and dark is OK, but you apply it too much in areas of even tone. Look again at the reference of the eye, see how the "white" of the eye is really a gradual transition from one grey to another. That suggests the roundness, while in your copy it looks more like a cut-out.
I suggest to participate in the Weekly Drawing Thread of this week in the main D&S Forum. Choose the dead tree, that is an excellent practice in seeing how shadows work on rounded surfaces.
Classes become more advanced, and so comments become more critical, but you are progressing nicely :thumbsup:.

[Synserina]

Arnoud- Tried the coffee cup and eye again. I hope they're closer to what you suggested.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-May-2009/187619-class5again0001.jpg

[arnoud3272]

Charity -
Much better, yes :thumbsup:.
Still, did you do it in a hurry? In order to "draw what you see" you need to learn to "see what you have drawn". Check your drawing in the mirror, it really helps.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-May-2009/142886-charity-corr-cup.jpg

The iris and pupil of the eye are circles when seen straight on. When seen at an angle, they become ellipses (perspective :evil:). Definitely they are concentric. You drew one as a circle and the other as an ellipse. Look at the reference for the iris. The pupil is completely blended away, so one has to make it up.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-May-2009/142886-ManRay.jpg

I understand that you are very much interested in portraiture. When the eyes are correctly drawn, people are very forgiving for small errors in other features.:)
You don't need to redraw these, but take your time for the next assignment :thumbsup:

[Synserina]

Arnoud- I see what you mean now. And no, they weren't done in a hurry, but my attention wasn't completely on drawing, either (kids are a distraction sometimes :lol: ). I will wait until they go to bed to focus on the M&M's, though. I'm not great at shading, and definately working on it, so please forgive my lack of knowledge. I'm doing these classes to improve, so I really appreciate all of your instruction. So, thanks for taking the time out of your day to assist us all. :)

[arnoud3272]

I'm not great at shading, and definately working on it
Shading will be covered in depth in the advanced classes. An understanding of its principle is enough here.

So, thanks for taking the time out of your day to assist us all. :)
You're welcome :heart:!

[Synserina]

Arnoud- I hope you don't mind, but I have only done one of the M&M's. I was planning to do both, but the drawing got smudged (kids love looking at the M&M guy :lol: ) so, I figured I'd go ahead and upload what I had before it got completely messed up.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-May-2009/187619-mm10001.jpg

[arnoud3272]

Charity -
Very nice work, well done :clap:. The guy is not exactly round, but that will need more practice. You were very dedicated on this assignment :thumbsup:.
Move on to ? a next class :music:. You may choose any class according to what you want to improve.
Cheers, keep up the good work

[Synserina]

Arnoud- Again, I just want to say thanks for taking so much of your time with me in these classes. I've already learned a lot.

[VicFromBayville]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Jun-2009/181289-CL5a.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Jun-2009/181289-MnM.jpg
confused with the tiles! What am I missing?

[arnoud3272]

Vic -
confused with the tiles! What am I missing? :lol::lol:
First of all, don't be obsessed with perspective, it should only be a tool; when in doubt, or in a composition based on reference sources with different EL's.
And then, that left VL does not follow the grout line :evil:.

440843

Your sketches are very good, keep it up :thumbsup:

[VicFromBayville]

Arnoud I just am confused on the EL on the M&M. My analysis tried to pull
the VPs to one EL - I do not see how that works. On your advice I will finish these dancing candies and do the eye. Thanks

[arnoud3272]

Vic -
OK let's clear it up :).

Here I tried as objectively as possible to draw VL's on the tiles (grout lines):
440870
The right VP is very far away, but as I prolong the lines, it looks acceptable that the left VP lies on the same EL.
440871
And the farther away, the less critical. At a certain point the convergence towards the second VP is so small that we ignore it and draw it in 1PP.

You're very dedicated, carry on :thumbsup:.

[VicFromBayville]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Jun-2009/181289-CL5b.jpg
this was fun and drawing them did help me to see much more in the examples.

[arnoud3272]

Vic -
Nice to have tackled the complete M&M picture :thumbsup:.
A few pointers:
-- everyone has a very good internal reference on how a circle/sphere should look. The flats and bumps on the outlines of the spheres of the M&M figures leap to the eye.
-- it helps to suggest a 3D form if the pencil strokes for the shading follow the contour. I have the impression that you drew the lines in the direction that was most comfortable.
441367
-- spheres do not change under perspective - it was considered a divine form:) - but features on the sphere do follow perspective rules. So the iris on the Man Ray eye is no longer a circle but becomes an ellipse. The iris is also too big in relation to the eye. It looks as if the girl is suffering from something with an ominous Latin name :lol:.

You're progressing well, keep it up :thumbsup:.

[VicFromBayville]

Yes, I did not follow the contour - next time I will remember this.
I saw the pop of the iris after posting- something I have read by
other posters. I think it occurs because of the incorrect shape of
the iris so that it looks like a sphere poking out from the eyeball,
this is also enhanced by the shading that I did.

A great lesson. May I move on?

[arnoud3272]

Vic -
Yes, move on :thumbsup:

[mindbender]

Hi again,
I had begun drawing some spherical objects, when my youngest son got his hands on the camera. Now it doesn't work. :(

Is it ok if I upload digital drawings for a while (using my tablet and the "pencil" tool in ArtRage) or does it have to be drawn traditionally?

/M

[*Deirdre*]

It has been a long established rule that Digital drawings are not accepted in D&S, given that there is a separate, specific forum for digital work. However, as you have started in pencil, and I presume have done the rest of the basic lessons, you may temporarily use digital until you either get your camera fixed or use a scanner, for this lesson only.

[mindbender]

Thanks for your quick reply.

Yes, I have done lesson 1-4 in pencil and also started drawing this one in pencil (didn't get to upload anything before my toddler got to the cam though). Great to know that digital amay be an "emergency option" for continuing with the lesson. Good to know that it may be frowned upon, though :o. We'll see how I solve it. Glad to know I can keep doing this lesson no matter what. Thanks. :)

[mindbender]

Hello again,
digicam problem has been solved, so now I can soon post what I drew before it broke down (a balloon and an egg from reference). Nut and coffee cup after that, right? And then the M&M (entire image?) before moving on to one of the refs. Good to be back. :)

[arnoud3272]

mindbender -
Nice to see you again :).
The assignment for this class is to draw several spherical objects. You may choose from the photos, or from your own environment. There was a tradition for everyone to draw at least one M.
Take care: shading is very important for spheres, there are no other cues to let the viewer "read" the form correctly.

Cheers

[mindbender]

Hi Arnoud, thanks and you too. :)

Here's another page from my sketchbook (primarily De Reyna studies). Unfortunately it's a little fuzzy. Can retake the pic if you want me to. Well then, at least an M and photo ref drawing coming up next...

[arnoud3272]

mindbender -
I hope you can post better images of the 'finished drawings', but no worries for this homework. I have an issue with the cup. I know these are sketches, but I think they should be good practice, not sketch in the sense of jotting down an idea. The cup shows a clear lack of symmetry. The top ellipse is very good :thumbsup: , but not the remainder. Look in particular to the bottom.
Otherwise you're doing fine.

[mindbender]

Hi again, Arnaud. I will try to work some more on the quality of each drawing before I submit it (they often look better in my A5 Sketchbook than when I've taken picture of them and uploaded :o) . Better digicam pics and less rushed drawings coming up... :-)

[mindbender]

One more quick question: Have begun drawing one of the "M" figures and one of the photo refs. Would you like me to post "Work in progress"-pics so you can comment and correct at an early stage, or do you just want to see the finished version?

Thanks for being such a patient teacher and for encouraging me to focus on the quality of my drawing. It easily becomes "quantity over quality" in the sketchbook.

[arnoud3272]

One more quick question: Would you like me to post "Work in progress"-pics so you can comment and correct at an early stage, or do you just want to see the finished version? When I took these classes, I posted intermediate stages most of the time. Like in the pre-digital era, the teacher is also walking around :)

[mindbender]

Sounds great. Better to correct and improve at an early stage and get feedback during the process. :-)

Hope to have the first WiPs of my two drawings soon... (picked the right "M" - from us - and the old photograph of the man with a hat).

[mindbender]

Good morning, here's my first WiP of the "M" figure. Haven't begun shading it yet, focusing on trying to capture the outlines first.

[arnoud3272]

mindbender -
This is fantasy, so it is OK to submit your own version. But as you intend to tackle the portrait also, let's comment as if it was a portrait. The position, relative size and particular form of the features must be carefully copied to get a believable likeness. In this comparison it is obvious that eyes and mouth are too low, and also their angle is not right.
Less important: name, hands and feet are larger in the reference.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/23-Jul-2009/142886-M-comp.jpg

You don't have to change it for this drawing. The topic of this class is the sphere, and the beginning of it, the circle, is almost correct. You can improve that easily with the shading.

[mindbender]

Ouch, strange how something "feels" right when drawing it from the screen but is so wrong. Guess it is all about learning to draw what is actually there to be seen instead of drawing what i THINK I see.

Are there any tools to use in order to get basic shapes/features in the right place? Or is it just to keep drawing, trying to "block in" as carefully as possible? Should I for instance have divided the circle in four in order to get the features more at the right spot?

Since I don't have to change it and I have an even more challenging drawing (the portrait) waiting, I'll keep going. Hope to have some progress to show here soon. :-)

EDIT: As I kept drawing, however, I did try to correct some of the things that were most out of place

[arnoud3272]

Are there any tools to use in order to get basic shapes/features in the right place? Or is it just to keep drawing, trying to "block in" as carefully as possible? Hi,
there are many methods to get things in the right proportion. It can be summarized by "measuring". Here is a very extensive tutorial (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=544390) which explains most, albeit only in relation to portraiture. Don't get lost in it :evil:. I'd advice to just look at the many photos, that will already suggest a few ideas to try. It is also important to check regularly what you drew. "Draw what you see" is also "see what you drew". Put it upside down, look at it in a mirror, scan it and look at it on the monitor. Put reference and scan side by side, as I did for you. Or even, very powerful, put them superimposed (http://wetcanvas.com/Articles2/2921/521/).

[mindbender]

Hi again,
thanks for all the different suggestions for getting it right. That portrait tutorial was really thorough and might come in handy now - and at other occasions - when I take on the B/w portrait.

Here's my final version of the "M" figure. Tried to improve some of the most displeasing aspects. Hope you find it OK.

Should get a scanner, but to be honest I don't even have a working printer at the moment. Will hopefully buy a new one in a not too distant future. :)

[arnoud3272]

mindbender -
This is well done :clap:.
I like in particular that illustrative style on the arms and legs/boots, with the more pronounced outlines on the shadow side. Very nice job :thumbsup:.

[mindbender]

Thank you very much - your teaching meant a lot for the final outcome. :clap:

Here's the first WiP for the portrait - just trying to find the very outlines of it. Am happy to tell you that I've finally bought a new printer/scanner so hopefully the days of lousy quality WiPs is history :)

[arnoud3272]

mindbender -
Already a good start :clap:.
This is not a portraiture class, so don't be disappointed if you cannot get a good likeness. Aim for a believable volume, not something that looks like a cardboard cutout. Spherical objects, remember?
Keep it up :thumbsup:

[johnb1]

Hi Arnoud

Ive tried a few spherical shaped objects to see if i'm on the right track.

Now that they are uploaded they look a bit bumpy around the edges.

John
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Aug-2009/159330-IMG_0001a.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Aug-2009/159330-IMG_0001b.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Aug-2009/159330-IMG_0001c.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Aug-2009/159330-IMG_0003a.jpg

[arnoud3272]

John -
This is a good start.
A piece of advice: take care that your drawing is consistent. If using tonal shading, you should not show lines where there are none IRL. Let your outlines be one with the shading.
In particular, second from the top, a highlight is not outlined. On polished metal you will see some sharp boundaries on the bright highlights, but no outlines. In fact, doing the sphere practice with shading alone, no preliminary outlining, will develop an eye for shapes. You will be surprised how easy it is, at least when the size is not prescribed.
The top one, and the one with both latitude/longitude circles and shading are very good :thumbsup:

[johnb1]

Hi Arnoud

I had a go at shading a shpere without any pre drawing as you suggested

Also tried the eye with tear drops

John
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Aug-2009/159330-IMG_0002a.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Aug-2009/159330-IMG_0002b.jpg

[arnoud3272]

John -
Nice job :clap:.
The WDT of July 6-12, hosted by Ken, contains a lot of info on the eye. Something that can easily be improved in your drawing is the shading of the eyeball. Because the corners of the eye lay deeper than the iris, they are further in the shadow of the socket. Even in this reference with a very uncommon angle/lighting, the corners are rather dark.
Your sphere practice is very good :thumbsup:.

[johnb1]

Hi Arnoud

Yes I can see that more shading would help the drawing of the eye.

I will be away from home for the next week and will draw the M&Ms and load the drawing when I get back.

Thanks for all your help

John

[snowfall]

Hi Arnoud

Here is my attempt at exercise 1.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Aug-2009/142898-sphere_objects_001.jpg

I cheated a little bit on the toy football - I used a Conte Pierre Noire black pencil to get the darks in better.:) I don't think it's classed as a graphite pencil as it seemed a bit pasty and sticky on the paper.

Thanks

Pam

[arnoud3272]

Pam -
These are very good :clap:.
My only remark is that the football looks rather flat. All the "whites" are about the same, and the straight diagonal shading does not help much. Following the contour of the object with the strokes, as you did on the egg, enhances the "modeling" effect of the shading.
Pierre noire ("black stone", i.e. black chalk) is carbon.
You have a good basic understanding of the sphere :thumbsup:.