Project - Rhythms
Project - Rhythms
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lesson video
Project - Rhythms
courseDrawing BasicsFull course (182 lessons)
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assignments 490 submissions
Rachel Dawn Owens
A little mantra that might help some students on this one.: ’Design. Don’t copy.’
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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.
João Rudge
Just finished my first batch of sketches. Definitely there was an improvement in line quality and flow during the process. I feel it a loss of flow and gesture in the ones that I try to develop details and line weight. Im happy but sure there is margin for improve. Any feedback is welcome.
gunk
3h
I like that you’re drawing through the figure to connect one body part’s gesture with another! You’ve also got a good sense of when to use curves, straights, and corners where necessary. About your question on how adding details lose flow - Stan mentioned in a previous video that smaller details should be purposefully designed/changed to follow the bigger flow that you’ve already established, rather than copying what you see. Be open to exaggerating or manipulating any shape you see. So, the process would be: Establish the biggest, simplest rhythms first -> add/design details (such as muscles) that follow the flow of those biggest rhythms on top -> check if the added details altogether still read as the same big rhythm you’ve established prior. Think of it like- carving? That seems to help for me.
@pablo_dispatch
This was certainly the hardest one yet! I found it the most difficult to get the proportions right while focusing on the rhythms. The first pic is my very first attempt , ~5 min per pose, and the second one is my attempt at level 2 after watching the demos (and 2 weeks of practice, sweat and tears 😅), ~15-20 min per pose. Any feedback is appreciated :)
Tanjiro Hisana
Im definitely gonna do this project again. I didn't feel as though I allowed my rhythms to have a full idea before I committed to a line, but it was a fun exercise! I want to work on less searching and more planning with strokes
Tanjiro Hisana
(Here's the 4th drawing)
gunk
5d
Here are my level 2 attempts, done digitally with the overhand grip. Each one took from 10 to 20 minutes, mostly because I wasn’t used to the overhand grip. I kept starting off with very light lines then coming back to darken them afterwards, basically having drawn each pose 2~3 times over. Line quality seems to be all over the place as well. I also constantly dragged my palm/knuckles on the screen while using the overhand grip, and I don't think I'm supposed to do that. I’m going to try some of the previous projects with the overhand grip again, I’d really like to get better at it.
Ash
4d
very nice
@amak628
6d
These are my attempts at the assignment. I really struggled with this one and have been for a couple of weeks now. I'm still not sure if I'm ready to move on or not yet.
gunk
7d
I had a few questions about this project that I’m very confused about: 1) As opposed to the seals & sealions project previously, why do we execute the final lines without searching first with loose, lighter lines in this project? Is it okay to be loose and sketchy in this project, or are we purposefully practicing executing polished lines on the first try? 2) The overhand grip! Stan didn’t explain that too deeply in this video, so I had to do some searching. But I’m still unsure if I’m doing it right. I watched his old video on this topic here: https://youtu.be/pMC0Cx3Uk84?si=vS84sJLqhesG9wzG - From the videos, I assume you apply pressure with the index, and balance the pencil with the other fingers. - It’s really difficult to make thin, dark lines with the overhand grip digitally; it tends to create wide, blurry strokes instead. I think this has to do with the brush & the pen’s settings though; I don’t have this problem with traditional pencils. So, after trying out the previous warmup exercises with the overhand grip, my findings were: - Not every line can/should be executed with the default pose of the overhand grip. Always tilt, flip, rotate the hand and change distance from the pencil tip to the grip, depending on what line you’re executing. - Draw bigger (a LOT bigger) and slower for best results. I kept finding my 11 inch ipad too small to draw on with the overhand grip, something I never felt before while using the tripod grip. I’m still really confused, but I think most of these problems will be solved with enough practice and muscle memory.
Melanie Scearce
You definitely still want to utilize your searching lines, but I interpreted the instructions as Stan encouraging us to be more intentional with where we place those lines, since rhythms are all about the path of the line; to have an idea of where the line stops and starts before we place it. In the demo videos, Stan is using searching lines a bit but I think he's been doing this so long he doesn't take too long to find the line he's looking for :) As for the overhand grip -- the majority of the time I'm drawing traditionally I use the overhand grip. I only use tripod grip for digital. I can't get a fraction of the marks possible with traditional pencil in overhand grip when I try to do the same using my tablet. You got really beautiful results with your experiments and the drawings you posted for this project, but if using overhand grip makes the process frustrating or not enjoyable I think it's totally find to use tripod grip when you're working digitally. Just be mindful not to draw from your wrist alone. Bring your elbow and shoulder into the equation!
Olivia
10d
Omg!! Thank you so much for this lesson! Almost immediately, I noticed an improvement in my figure drawings; it was like something just clicked. Initially, applying rhythms was really difficult, and my figures looked lopsided and just plain wrong, but through repetition, I really noticed a difference. I started going to life drawing sessions in my area and tried to apply rhythms, although later on, there were 30min poses, so I built up the figure a bit more. Even though I don't have a strong grip on anatomy, I felt like this project gave me a good foundation to build upon :)) Please let me know where I can further improve!
Applesmapple
This my first set of tries from a week ago. just trying to follow the process outlined in the the guide.
Applesmapple
this is my day 2 try from a few days ago following the demo
Sergey Kuznetsov
Yet another drop of charcoal pencil quickies.
Applesmapple
i like your use of line quality. i can see the movement and where the weight is being supported.
Travis Rossi
Level 2 submission, this was my first time trying the overhand grip. I used charcoal on 14x17 sketch paper. The overhand grip feels extremely awkward but I started to get a little more comfortable towards the end of the assignment. Judging proportions and trying to keep my lines light were the most difficult aspect in my experience, I saw some progress towards my later sketches.
Chuck Ludwig Reina
Nice work! Gesture sketches like this are great at loosening up. I also find that if I do 10 or so figures like this then I start getting in the groove. Keep it up!
Tim
16d
This assignment was an absolute journey...mostly through fog...at night. My measly attempts presented here in chronological order. Pointers for areas of improvement (other than than from "all the areas") greatly appreciated.
Applesmapple
these are great. I like the sword one especially because i struggled with that pose and had a hard time making it look they were leaning into that bent leg, yours definitely looks like they're in the ready stance. well done!
Chuck Ludwig Reina
Nice work! Sometimes the fog is the best time to work! I think your gestures are really good. One piece of advice would be to go lighter and looser. No need to get such dark lines in so soon. The looser you can keep your arm, the more flow your drawings will have. Good stuff! Keep it up.
@appa93
16d
This was hard, I avoided this lesson and am now coming back to submit something, I’m pleased that proportion is coming more naturally and using Michael Hampton gesture as a basis helps me a good bit
Chuck Ludwig Reina
Great work! I particularly like the top one. Really feeling the flow.
Liam Trevor
I've always struggled with gesture drawing, but I think these turned out alright. Any critiques would be appreciated :)
@ianvannest
Interested in critique on what to focus on to keep improving – I feel like some are working better than others, but in general I could improve the line quality, proportions, and flow of the rhythms
Philip
22d
That was a difficult task. But since it was the first time in a long time for me to draw people, it was to be expected. I've tried to focus on getting the proportions somewhat accurate and to keep the lines clean. There is still a looooong way to go and I am looking forward to it. I would appreciate it, if I could get some feedback on these drawings.
Logan Keller
The ones I did today. Any suggestions are appreciated. I enjoyed this as I dont come from art background and this assignment definately makes me feel like an artist haha
@jfd
23d
I did all of the poses, but here is a sample. It was quite challenging, but I think there was some improvement. Did some with overhand and charcoal as well. That was fun.
Rachel Dawn Owens
A little mantra that might help some students on this one.: ’Design. Don’t copy.’
Gloria Wickman
Beautiful work and definitely a mantra I'll take to heart. Thanks!
Bubbles
24d
I’ve been working on rhythms the past few days, and I have a couple of questions. I’ve never done rhythms before, and I’ve also never taken tutorials or a course focused on anatomy. I can’t sketch quickly yet. For the first ones I did, I tried to limit myself to 5–7 minutes, but on my more recent ones I’ve been spending a little more time. How much time is too much? Should I try to time myself every time and aim to reduce the time in the future? Or should I stop stressing about the time and let speed come naturally with experience before worrying about timing? Also, I have a lot of trouble with legs and getting proportions right, especially since most poses are at weird angles. Would this improve if I learn anatomy later on? I’m planning to finish Proko’s Drawing Basics, and from there I want to niche down into courses focused on anatomy and people, since my goal is to make a comic.
Rachel Dawn Owens
You did so great with this assignment! Gesture drawing is something that you should continually come back to, learn some anatomy as you go. It will help although anatomy is only 50% of it. Keep making more of these. You did great. The only thing with the legs might be to use fewer lines. Here’s something to help you out: I love your designs. I made the second drawing for fun as a reminder for all of us.
Jason O'Toole
I really like gesture drawing. I feel it’s my strongest suit at the moment. I’ve been doing it for about 2-3 years on and off and feel like I’ve developed my own rhythms and movements through the body where I can capture the pose efficiently. These are all 5 minutes, 2 sessions of 1 hour. There's something about gesture drawing for me that really uses a lot a brain power, even though I don't feel I'm thinking all that much, and I end up wiped after a session Also, for me I think knowledge of anatomy and structure(forms) of the body is extremely useful for gesture drawing, particularly insertion points of the major muscles One more tip, I found a great gesture drawing app called gesture drawing, sketch boost by jippo on cube rush which really helps streamline the process
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