Project - Learning to Sketch from Observation

Lesson by

Stan Prokopenko

inDrawing Basics

7.5K

Assignments 929

Downloads 8

Project - Learning to Sketch from Observation

Lesson by

Stan Prokopenko

in Drawing Basics

7.5K

Assignments 929

Downloads 8

Use the three reference images of clean line drawings and sketch them using simple loose lines. Don't try to match the cleanliness of these drawings. Instead, sketch them out with energetic, tapered strokes. Don't hesitate. Just practice moving your arm with confidence. If you draw some lines and then you realize that, Oh, shoot, I need to curve that more. Go ahead and just draw the new curve right over it. As you get more confident that you've found the shape, you can darken those lines and the lighter lines start to disappear. Focus on the big idea and the shapes the lines represent, rather than on each individual line.

For you, Level 2 monster trucks, I want you to start with this Level 1 project as a warmup, and then head over to the Learning to Sketch from Imagination project page for your instructions.

If you'd like to have a chance to be included in the upcoming critique videos, you must submit your drawings below by March 9th.

Good luck and please have some fun!

Daniel

34m

Was difficult to find the right tilt of pinguin's head to make his posture look balanced. What do you think can be improved on these 3 drawings?

@casseil

21h

Pengu exploration

Jesse Brands

I took another stab at the VR Girl and this time I did manage to finish it (except the "target" ring she's moving towards, I just can't do those ellipses!) Having now seen the demo video, I realize I captured far more detail than I really should've. All in all a pretty frustrating drawing, but drawing it in 3 sessions was a good idea!

Sapphire Bandit

This is definitely the project that I had the most trouble with by far. I don't think I did really good, though at this point I can at least say what I have looks kinda decent. Either way I hope you like it. Any critiques, comments, and feedback is appreciated.

Styrbjörn Andersson

This was a fun exercise. I did the penguin and hand first, and tried to loosen up more when drawing the girl.

@donnelly

probably need to be a bit more loose and focus on the shapes. Still learning anatomy

Gibbo

@maxhouse562

My most favourite is the penguine. The least favourite is the hand so far...

@curi0uscat666

I think I've spend the most time on the hand, but it's also the one I'm the least happy with. At least I'm slowly becoming better.

A.C.

tried various lines c and a shapes

@miroslav34

I tried to sketch those three characters but my sketch seems a bit "nervous" and I have the feeling I do not have 100% control of my sketch lines. I don't know if it is due to the lack of experience or something else. In particular, I found it quite difficult to sketch the hand..

Jesse Brands

Personally I found this assignment very frustrating. Especially the VR girl. I just don't feel like I am ready to tackle drawings of such complexity and scale yet, with so many proportions to consider. The issues with proportions in the VR girl are so numerous that I just get too frustrated. I personally would've appreciated something a bit more simple to get the core concept (sketching) across rather than having such complex drawings. Especially a hand? I mean come on... everyone knows hands are very frustrating and challenging even for very experienced artists. I dunno maybe it's me.

Ken Johnston

Thanx so much for sharing your sentiments, Jesse. I'm in my late 70's and just starting out, and am experiencing all of what you wrote in paragraph one. It's nice to know I'm not alone. I have to say that from my perspective, your drawings look amazing. I guess beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Show all replies (1)

Jesse Brands

Kevin, Loes; thank you for the kind words. This motivates me to keep going and keep trying.

loes roos

Sometimes it is about trying something new. Only then will you realize your limits. I also preferred to draw the penguin vs the girl and the hand looked weird from the start. It does not matter. Do not feel frustrated. Just move on, there are loads of exercises and we all will find some that we do not like at all.

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Justin Mayle

All before the demo video and I like how these turned out! Some proportion issues but not bad!

Mark Stanley

@psalvatore

Tried all 3 linear drawings before watching the videos. The penguin was fun, but thought I had a lot of trouble with the hand. After watching the videos, I actually think my VR girl turned out to have the most issues - I paid too much attention to the small contours. I went back and tried that one again, trying to improve on staying loose and using rhythms to improve line quality instead of focusing on the contours.

Ahmed Salahuddine

@merlini

Ellipses and curves are quite chanllenging...

Vera Robson

I first tried to do each one myself, then watched the explanations. Ended up redrawing the penguin and the hand. I tend to focus too much on getting the proportions right and miss gesture and form, so it is very helpful to watch the demonstrations and then immediately do the exercises again, focussing on what I missed the previous time! I am sure I have misunderstood a bunch of things again, but I also feel like I am learning a lot and making a lot of progress in a very short time.

loes roos

They look good! It may be an option to also post the first ones, to see the difference!

Ahmed Salahuddine

Vera those lines look so flowy and confident!

Alex Watson

This was really tough

Luka Reinmöller

Just had some fun drawing deers and forest animals. The reason why I drew so many deers was to fuel my imagination so I can invent and combine the design in a small project. Sorry for the bad photo quality :P

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Stan Prokopenko

Founder of Proko, artist and teacher of drawing, painting, and anatomy. I try to make my lessons fun and ultra packed with information.