Project - Simplify to CSI

25K
Course In Progress

Project - Simplify to CSI

25K
Course In Progress

Download the photo reference images and try to simplify them using CSI lines. Draw each line with a focused and intentional path.

Your pace should be quick, but not rushed.

For this exercise, we will just consider the individual segments of the contour of a shape.

Same instructions for level one and two. Just a difference in difficulty of reference. The level two photos have more fun little tidbits to tempt you to get into the details, but fight the urge and simplify.

Also, no shading in these please. This is not meant to be a portfolio piece.

CSI
C = C Curves
S = S Curves
I = Straights

If you'd like to have a chance to be included in the upcoming critique videos, you must submit your drawings below by February 16th

Newest
Quique BA
21h
My first attempt at the level 2, I think the camel’s head and proportions are kinda really off jajaja, feedback appreciated.
Rachel Dawn Owens
This is a method I use to measure basic proportions. You could use the same method to size the camel. Your lines are looking nice. Great skeleton! 💀
Marcus Kruse
My first attempt on level 1.
Quique BA
Here is my first attempt at the level 1 drawings, I tried to keep it as simple as I could but i felt it’s missong something but I don’t know what. I would apréciate any feedback or tip. TY
Rachel Dawn Owens
These are nice!
@bw10
2d
Here's mine of the boots. I think the second one (on the right) looks better, but I need to practice more at not making small scratchy lines.
Melanie Scearce
I agree with your self-critique here! You can simplify a bit more to make it easier on yourself to loosen up. For example, it's a cool detail that you used double lines to show the thickness of the leather, but it's a detail that could be simplified to just one line so you can focus on finding interesting ways to implement the CSI lines. Try to simplify as much as you can, it will help you pull longer strokes!
@foxygrandpa
Didn't think to use a broad lay-in for these until I watched the demo after completing the assignment. With the snail it was much easier to get the general relative proportions, the boots gave more of a challenge, and I definitely made more errors there.
@xdrummerxdan
Here's my snail. I had such a hard time with the shoes I gave up :(
Milica Gavrić
Hey everyone! This one was really tough for me. I haven’t watched the demo yet—it was so tempting, but I managed to resist :) I can see quite a few mistakes—like the right boot should be turned more toward the viewer—but even after several tries, I just couldn’t get it to look the way I imagined. I’ll give it another shot after watching the demo and update the post with those drawings. I’ll definitely try Level 2 as well. If you have any tips or feedback, I’d love to hear them!
Percy Silva
This is my first attempt at the CSI line exercise (Curves, S-curves, and Straights). I tried to focus on gesture and simplify the form without getting lost in the details. I'm still learning and would really appreciate any feedback or critique to help me improve. Thanks for taking the time to look!
@bw10
2d
I think your drawing is really good for a first attempt! If I had one critique I would recommend trying to pay attention to the "flow" of the boot. In the picture the bottom part curves out a lot to the point where it feels very distinct. I think in the left boot you drew, it doesn't curve out nearly enough, having the bottom part shoot out more to the left would improve the proportions a bit. I still think it looks really nice! Hopefully what I said makes sense, I had trouble describing it well.
Darren BOYLE
Using Clip Studip Paint. I feel like I am the "chicken" in the "pen." Art is a thing that takes discipline and patience... "Rome wan't built in a day." I feel time isn't an enemy: but a friend who should be welcomed even me just turning 50 on the 25th of June... there are not "old dogs" learning "new tricks." Just mind that want to learn. An I'm here at Proko to lern!
Couy
4d
Definitely struggled with this assignment, time to watch the demo and critique and retry!
Darren BOYLE
Keep going dude! Art should NOT be measured by how it looks but by how much of your own heart you into it: what I see here is a loads of heart!
@ethanf
6d
These are both before the demo. Gunna get those shoelaces >:(
Son Ha
8d
My first, second attempt drawing with, without the demo
Melanie Scearce
Very nice simplification and good improvement between your attempts! You're getting it. Keep up the good work 👍
Nabbit
8d
I'm a beginner, and it's been a million years since I've done line practice. (I also forget how to do line practice) All the photos I could've chosen from for this exercise scared me, lol. I wasn't sure how long I should spend cleaning this up, so I left it as is at 23 minutes. Some lines I think are better than others. I started with the head and front part of the shell. You can see my lines got messier as I moved my way to the tail. I think this is because the underlying shapes in the snail's body are less obvious than, say, the head and the shell. I had trouble breaking it down.
Kaz Davis
Found this Challanging espically the boots the laces kicked my butt wanna give it another shot for sure
@anastas
9d
Wenhan Lee
I think these were good. I drew the boots and snail before watching the demo + critique. Then afterward, I drew the camel and Capt. Skull. I went over all four pieces and polished them. You can probably tell I spent the most time on the 4th one. But I made sure not to get too deep into the details.
@dariascott
Hi! I've struggled a little with this assignment because I always want to be precise with proportions, but this wasn't the task this time. It was more of a mental challenge to just draw quickly and focus on individual lines rather than the full picture, but I got it done.. Only took 2 weeks of procrastination and an hour and a half of my time to actually complete the drawing haha! Sorry for poor lighting on the photos
@markflys1
10d
53 years old and very little experience. Am using Procreate. Following course very closely every day.
Rachel Dawn Owens
Woah. These are really cool. Excited to see what you do with the course.
Agustin Gomez
my skeleton, but I am having a problem my lines are all the same thickness, maybe is openToonz or I'm missing something
Rachel Dawn Owens
Some pressure sensitivity is helpful. I’ve never used this drawing program. Maybe there is a thicker brush you could use in the spots where you want it.
Traci Williams
The laces were pretty hard for me. Hopefully you can see this. Any feedback is welcomed!
Rachel Dawn Owens
I can see it! The boots are very well done. Very thoughtful marks and the proportions are good. Some lines are a little fuzzy. Try using fewer marks where you can. That’s all. Keep it up!
Full course
You will be given unexpiring access to watch the videos online .
View course details
Give a gift
Give a gift card for art students to use on anything in the Proko store.
Or gift this course:
About instructor
Founder of Proko, artist and teacher of drawing, painting, and anatomy. I try to make my lessons fun and ultra packed with information.
Help!
Browse the FAQs or our more detailed Documentation. If you still need help or to contact us for any reason, drop us a line and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!