Perhaps not a popular opinion, but here goes: Having struggled with how to approach this assignment at the start, does anyone else find it super frustrating that Stan gets wrapped in analyzing submissions from folks who are way, way beyond the beginner level? This isn't the first time, but it feels like he's getting distracted by "ooh this is nice" and not focusing on the actual lesson at hand. This was billed as a basic fundamentals course for beginners, but there are obviously a lot of samples here that are from artists that are very experienced, if not already professional. Maybe they're just showing off or maybe they're chasing Likes, but it makes what was supposed to feel like an entry level course - and the community attached to it - much more advanced and really exclusive than it arguably should. I could care less if my own submissions are critiqued, but it leaves at least me with a "Why Bother" feeling when we're examining stuff from concept artists and other obviously experienced artists in what's supposed to be fundamentals class. For me, a relative absolute beginner, it would be much more helpful to learn things from people making the same mistakes common at my level. Perhaps I misunderstood the course intent or maybe I'm not the intended audience. If I could offer a critique, it would be more productive to dedicate more time at the start of each project assignment for a clearer statement of what the assignment is - or more importantly *isn't* - and perhaps some more examples, and then to more selectively chose examples that highlight those specific goals. Just my two cents; thanks.

Hmm. It was really hard to get it click. I am not sure, my brain just resists doing that on animals for uknown reason.

Apropos of Nothing: I present to you “Judge Turner and Uncle Matt.” This is the point in a sketch where potential still runs high. It’s also the point where I screw things up. I’m going for a rough sketch, but the 4H I’ve used so far is acting more as guide lines. Do I work out more with the 4H, or maybe even an HB? Do I pull out my fine liner to lay out sweeping CSI lines with occasional cross hatching? Or perhaps I should grab a white pencil and some Prismacolors. Your opinions and suggestions are appreciated.

Ink sketch of the shot from "Psycho" by Alfred Hitchcock

My interpretation of 2 Weeks Challange: First part As I draw almost every day, I added an element of my own to make the exercise more challenging. I love flowers, so I chose to draw a flower every day from a small book of beautiful photos of flowers named, «Flower Colur Guide» edited by Phaidon. I dated each drawing for two weeks. I first used C, S and I lines. I made a first passage in pencil 4H and then in 2B. I did not erase the lines of the first passage. So we often see them in the background. As I continued this course, I learned new concepts (Line Weight, type line, etc.). I then had the idea to take again, in a second time, the 14 drawings below and to realize them in ink while trying to apply the concepts presented in the more advanced Lines course. I am now in the Shape section and I am working on Simple Animal Project and on inking the drawings below (which I will present in a future post). I hope you have as much fun doing these exercises as I do.

Quick study from this morning.

Work analysed at 21:46 is by Charles Dana Gibson.

Studying characters from LoTR/Hobbit movies.

Lately I've been drawing just for fun, This is my drawing of the day! the proportions are off, and I was trying to imply the fathers instead of stating them. I don't really like the way I went about it though. The longer I look at it the more I dislike it.

Daily exercise analyzing a character from "Monster Hunter".