Great variation from sketch to sketch! I like how you explored rounder vs sharper edges. Try focusing on using shapes rather than focusing on line by line, which is more like the previous CSI project with the snail and boots. Instead, look at the major building block shapes, like circles and rectangles or triangles, that make up the image. For example, with tackling the rooster, you can start by simplifying the head into a circle and the neck into a blobby oval, and the rest of the shapes for the beak/eyes/comb can be layered on top.

If you want to draw a fluffy critter, it’s ok to loose the structure a bit. The face or paws could be where you add some structure. For the fluffy bits, big squishy shapes work. Youre doing great with these. Nice work! 👍

I kind of think about it like paper cut outs. There's typically a base shape that you build off of -- oftentimes its actually the part that most if not all other parts connect to. I like to 'draw through' my shapes, meaning designing the shapes that go underneath other shapes. I find that it helps me to design more convincing shapes this way. In the case of the chicken, I think the shape that the head and neck form is the part that all other shapes stem from, so I would start there, layering each shape as if I was physically using paper cut outs. Overlapping and inserting shapes where I can so that they work together cohesively and have good flow between them. Shapes are well designed if they can stand on their own. A good shape is simple, abstract, and are easy to read. I think you've done a good job designing shapes with these characteristics, and maybe what is missing is the intention behind the relationship between the shapes. Hope that makes sense and is helpful to you!

They're really pretty!

Great shape language! These are fun.

I get what you mean. It does look like you warmed up and then were having more fun exploring proportions and shapes in the later ones. My favorite of all of these is the ostrich. That one's got so much personality that you really nailed in your drawing. I also really liked seeing all the different variations of the bird on the last page. That kind of thing is so important to how you learn to utilize reference and add character and you seem to have a good hold on that!

Hey Dukal You did a really great job - they all turned out great!

I think these are cool portraits! Though I think you already got the spirit of finding the simple shapes with your original undersketches in the blue pencil, as really that's the purpose of this practice -- finding the main structure to later guide the detail on top. So keep at it, you've got this!