I know there are a lot of comments mentioning that this is a nice break from the proportion project, but it is the opposite for me. At least in the proportion project, I felt an underlying sense of how well it was going and had a proper vision of what I wanted to draw—even if the final result wasn’t fully accurate. Capturing the energy of the shape, forgetting about the outline, finding the gesture line, etc.—all of this feels way harder. Initially, I started in my standard-size sketchbook, but after a while, I found it really frustrating to draw on a small page, so I switched to my bigger drawing pad (11x14 inches). That size felt way more comfortable than my sketchbook. I spent weeks on this project, mostly due to frustration that I was not getting it. I did some studies on the gesture bean to try to "get it". I still feel like I don’t get it. But I have to move on to the next project. I absolutely fell for the snowman trap for seal #30. I love the comparison between the two attempts. P.S - all of the "post" drawings are after watching the demo and the critique videos.

if anyone can give any suggestions please.

Drawing Basics- Shapes- Dynamic Shapes from Reference-Seals Demo: HaHa- Well, when I submitted drawings under the previous lesson: Project-Dynamic Shapes, I used photos from a 45 year-old "Book of Sea Mammals" because I didn't realize there was a whole pack of seal reference photos included in the lesson! So I drew these while Stan was Demo'ing this lesson. I'll draw more tomorrow, and then try some from memory/imagination. FYI- Sea lions have the big, flexible, dynamic front flippers and external ears. Think- "The circus has performing lions and sea lions."

Drawing Basics- Dynamic Shapes- Seals Hi all, sorry I was off course for almost 2 months. Glad to be back! A little rusty, but excited for seals! I might try some from imagination tomorrow.

This exercise was pretty tough!

Basic Drawing- Demo- Measuring Proportions 007 Drawing #2: Roger Moore. Improving some areas, not so much in others. Got the nose and mouth proportions spot-on, but the eyes, while proportional, were too high compared to nose/mouth. Still having issues with widths of face. Have a slightly easier time making comparative measurements though. Moving on to Dynamic Shapes, then will try Timothy Dalton.

Regarding big drawing boards: Slice a section of a styrofoam "pool noodle" or water-pipe insulator lengthwise along one side and stick the edge of the drawing board into it (then it won't jab into your thighs). I also re-purposed the acrylic from a very cheap poster frame and glued it to my drawing board because it's lightweight yet provides a flawlessly smooth surface under my paper. I agree that binder-clips are the way to go, because the hinges fold flat, you can reposition the clips wherever you like, and you can clip more to the bottom sides if it's windy etc.

Well, at-least Sean Connery is not alive to see this insult! Now that I "see" where some of my problems were, I'm going to try a series of all the 007's- despite that I feel it's much more frustrating to draw someone famous (or a family member) than a stranger because you're trying to capture their iconic essence. I tried multiple times to follow Stan's Photoshop overlay instructions. I found if I played it back at 0.5 speed, I could follow along. But literally I spent more time trying to get it the "recipe" to work and then trying to use "adjustments" (and I use Photoshop a lot!) than I did drawing this. Eventually I gave up, and just had the photo on one layer and reduced its opacity, and then had my drawing on top in a different layer.

Hi :). Here is my assignment. I drew in my 9 x 12 sketchbook. I would love to try a bigger surface.

Drawing Basics- Shapes- Measuring Proportions. Well, 2nd ever human portrait. I made his face too round- looks more like Jon Voight than Kevin Bacon guant.