Project - Rhythms
Project - Rhythms
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Project - Rhythms
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@brimarie
I love these exercises and will definitely do more of them... In the next round I want to focus even more on the rhythms of the figure - so that maybe I can really get the feeling for the movement. Any feedback is very welcome:-)
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Rhythm Project Assignment Images.zip
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project-rhythms.mp4
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project-rhythms-transcript-english.txt
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project-rhythms-transcript-spanish.txt
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project-rhythms-captions-english.srt
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project-rhythms-captions-spanish.srt
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ASSIGNMENTS

It’s time to draw the figure! Use the rhythms method I showed in the previous lesson to draw the poses from the photo references in the downloads tab.

Deadline for submissions to be included in the video critique is 10/6/2023.

  • Capture the gesture of each pose using rhythms.
  • Spend at least 5 minutes on each pose, ideally 1-2 hours per session. Take breaks as needed.
  • Shoot for accurate proportions by eyeballing placement of the rhythms. Have an idea of where the line will end before you execute the line.
  • Use the the template as a starting point, but observe the pose. Remember that each pose might have some of their own unique rhythms that differ from the template I proposed. This will develop your own rhythms over time.
  • Balance loose, energetic lines with more committed singular lines. Don't let it get too messy. Consider what we've learned about line quality.

Level 2

There are a few ways to make this more challenging. Mix and match based on your comfort and experience.

  • Set a timer for 5 minutes to force yourself to draw only the most important rhythms.
  • If that's too easy, go for 3 minutes.
  • Practice developing the overhand grip.
  • Try charcoal pencils (sharpened like a bullet) on newsprint paper.
  • Add another layer of smaller rhythms indicating the muscle masses. You can add some time to the clock.
Newest
Carmen Ciumber
Hi all, can i pls have some feedback on the below? my process is: i first dray lines, S curves or one line for each bif angle change (start with head, torso, pelvis, legs and arms, but with some i start with arms). For some of the drawings i put a countur over these lines to make muscles. Is this how is suposed to be? Should it be scketchier ?
@g_meza
4d
Here are some of my drawings for the rhythms project.
Adham Tallat
Here is my attempts
Grant
9d
Here are my attempts at the project. This was the most challenging project so far for me since it’s trying to “feel” the subject instead of just copying what I saw. I tried my best to use the template Stan showed in the videos and the FORCE concepts from Mike Mattesi. I think it ultimately comes down to doing thousands of these and then some just to get a decent understanding. I would appreciate it if anyone could share their thoughts on seeing flow as opposed to the contour of the figure or the “feeling” of the weight and motion present and directing it through the drawing as I find the concept difficult to grasp. However, I am excited to learn more about the figure and how I am going to develop my own approach to it on my artistic journey.
@alexate
11d
Pretty tough poses :)
Laika
11d
Here is my submission for this project. I think I did fairly well with the proportions, but I'm not as confident in the muscle masses.
Arca Ludo
12d
Pose 01: Took me 8 minutes Pose 02: Somehow it is way out of proportion Pose 03 and 04: seem better than 02, but worse than 01
@na_talie
13d
Here are my first attempts. I tried to do all of it with the overhand grip, which made it much harder. Unfortunately, my proportions are off. Critique is very welcome :)
@justjen
23d
I'm feeling very frustrated, especially after looking at other folks' work and the amount of time it took them(~3-10 mins/pose). My first one took hours and #21 took about 90 mins. I'm still not sure how to fix my proportion and perspective issues on both. I'm posting these now, but I am going to continue practicing, but set out with a 30 minute time limit for next one and see how that works. Any feedback is much appreciated.
@justjen
23d
Ok. I set a 30 min time limit on #7. First pic shows what I was able to do in that time (15 minutes was spent on using pencil method to measure sections (and, I put yellow arrows on reference to show where I broke it up on my paper). It took me 42 mins in total to finish. I'm happy about it taking less time, but unhappy with upper portion, especially not really being able to show how his head is facing down and turned slightly.
Will Thompson
Used a few different tools. Most comfortable with the marker
Terry D
28d
Hello! I spend about 3 mins each. Used a blue pencil because it feels like it flows better
Dado
1mo
Hello everyone! Im currently at elipses with the course but it got very technical and I felt like I needed a break from doing those. I kept practicing rhythms since I finished that project. I found it most enjoyable, I even changed the grip to overhand which was very weird at the beginning and still is, especially frustrating when trying to draw the details. I would appreciate any feedback, any tips, what to focus more on. I’d like to keep improving on that. If you can point me In the right direction I’d appreciate it.
Bruno Akune
so far only had time to do 10-15 min rhythm drawings. Maybe next time I will do a longer drawing, if time allows
Mal
1mo
I have a bad habit of erasing. I should have done these using black colored pencil. My least favorite is the man in the middle.
Rachel Dawn Owens
You gotta just let it happen. Rhythm is about feeling more than accuracy. You’ve got the right idea. Keep going with it till it feels more natural.
Alison Shelton
Help please. I am very frustrated. I decided to go big and draw on newsprint with charcoal paper. No matter how much I try to pre plan, I keep running out of room. I admit that this is not a new issue to me but it seems to be amplified on this larger paper. I should probably mention that I usually draw lying down because of my severe dysautonomia, being upright gives me vertigo. Newsprint is big and forces me to sit up. However, I would like to be able to do quick draw sessions sitting up with breaks between sessions. I might ask my family to build me something someday to get around this. Also, I really believe I have skill issues that can be improved . Any suggestions? Even though I am embarrassed, here is what I have done so far. It’s not all bad. I feel like the overhand grip is becoming more natural.
Alison Shelton
After the demo and the tips I received, I tried 2 on 9/x 12 paper. They are messy but already better than before. Now I just need to do about 1000 or so more.
Melanie Scearce
Hello @Alison Shelton! Thanks for sharing your work. You found some nice gesture in these, especially in #4. The long line that you found from the top of the head to the left knee and the alternating rhythms on the right leg are lovely. One thing that you might try if you haven't already is the envelope method, where you lightly lay in guidelines around your subject. You may not get the proportions right at first so keep your lines light and work out the overall shape before you move into more specific shapes. This should help you keep your image not only on the page, but centered exactly where you want it to be. It's difficult drawing larger so give yourself some grace and don't get too frustrated with yourself! I also wanted to share this image of Frida Kahlo painting one of her still lives in her bed. I'm sure you can figure out some kind of set up that makes drawing more comfortable for you. Good luck with your studies 🍀
Rachel Dawn Owens
I really like your drawings. How big is your paper exactly?
@yearly7777
My head hurts. I gotta do more of this and improve my line quality with fast drawings. Let me know if I did something wrong :]
Melanie Scearce
'Wrong' is kinda subjective when you're dealing with rhythms. It's an idea rather than what's anatomically accurate, and your ideas will be different than someone else's -- specifically what you want to communicate in your drawing and what design choices you make to convey that. I think something you can try that will help you continue to design good rhythms is to focus on pulling longer lines. Instead of making up a line with a bunch of smaller strokes, which can result in stiffness and may make you too attentive to unnecessary detail, think of ways that you can connect forms with a CSI line. You may need to slow down a bit to give yourself time to make these decisions but that's ok! These are good drawings. You definitely have the right idea. Keep it up!
@yoyoy12
1mo
I decided to return to Proko after a significant break. I continued drawing and wanted to know at what level I could perform this exercise.
Rachel Dawn Owens
This is perfect for this exercise! These are very solid gesture drawings!
Marcin Ch
1mo
Hey all, Here are my results! I started out following the tips from Stan and Mike (graphite and charcoal drawings), but I wasn’t too happy with how they turned out. I kept feeling like I was missing something important — how to actually move through the body. So I went back and read the first chapters of Mike’s FORCE book, and it really clicked for me. I’m really enjoying this approach and exploring rhythms and poses now. You can see the results in the digital sketches — I’d really appreciate any feedback on whether it’s the right direction or any pointers you might have.
Rachel Dawn Owens
All these drawings have so much energy! Great gesture drawings!
Michael Longhurst
Really nice to look at. I like the differences in line weights. You can really feel the motion in them.
Evander
2mo
My attempt on this project. I'm not as confident on this one but I tried my best not to overthink what lines I should use for each pose. Feedback is appreciated.
Melanie Scearce
I think you did a good job staying loose/not overthinking, and supporting the overall gesture of each pose with smaller rhythms. Your lines get a bit scratchy in some areas but look pretty good on the whole. Also love the way you've set up your pages, these are fun layouts to look at. Nice work :)
Sofy
2mo
Very nice!
@bezet
2mo
It was difficult. I noticed that my mind tends to flatten all curves and straighten all angles, and when it comes to proportions, it can't trust my eyes (“there's no way those legs are that long,” “the torso should be much longer” :D). I definitely need to do more of these.
@bezet
2mo
Few more.
Flo
2mo
Not sure I'm the best judge, but I really like the sketch of the woman looking over her shoulder.
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