Project - Simplify to CSI
Project - Simplify to CSI
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Drawing Basics

Lines

Project - Simplify to CSI

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Course In Progress

Project - Simplify to CSI

12K
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

Submit your assignments here
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@jmbouman
Did a couple of attempts with the snail. The shell was probably the toughest part and the lines in general are rather dirty.
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@jmbouman
I also did a few tries with the boots. The laces were really challenging and I never really got the proportions down. It was a fun assignment never-the-less. I will now go on to watch the demo and the critique videos, but if anyone has any criticism or advice I'd love to hear it.
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C3
1h
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@dogzepic
This is my snail! I really struggled with making confident strokes. Either my lines were wobbly and unconfident but kind of accurate or they were kind of clean and confident but wildly inaccurate. I hope it turned out okay anyways.
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Ryan
14h
Having a hard time simplifying and still finding dimension. Also, that shell interior baffled me. But this was a good exercise in not spending too much time on the project.
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Tyler Graves
My snail! I tried several times to get the wood it’s setting on to be straight lines but struggled! Any critique would be welcome. Thank you guys!
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C3
1d
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Pierre Gds
This is my first attempt before watching the demo. I tried to really stick to CSI (and to simplify at times) while trying to not over simplify the shape. Onto the demo. I will do the boots after watching the demo and the critics.
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Tanya Cooper
Fun assignment! I found that the previous assignments on simplification prepared me well to do this one. I havent’t watched the demo and the critique yet - I’m sure there’ll be a ton of tips and tricks.
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Patrick Bosworth
Really nice job on these! The boots and snail look really solid, nice simple lines! Careful of the cross contour on the snail though, they're flattening your shell a bit. Take a look at Marshall's awesome Spheres and Pumpkin's in Perspective video to kind of get an idea of how those cross contour lines should crawl around the round shell. Those cross contours should act as reminders of which way the form is going, too many reminders can be overwhelming so try to simplify how many cross contours you use to describe the forms at this stage. https://www.proko.com/lesson/perspective-tricks-that-work-spheres-and-pumpkins/discussions
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Sally
I think you achieved an excellent quality of slouch and drape with both subjects. Very organic and believable to my eyes.
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Ever Wonder
I had a hard time with the boots. I try to get the proportions right and to make my lines clean, while thinking that I must use only CSI, but it was hard. I even was avoiding the hard parts, but I did it. Feedback it appreciated!
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William Mclean
first attempt never drawn an animal in my life
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William Mclean
my 2nd attempt after the demo. less detailed but much easier to draw just using placeholder shapes
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C3
4d
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Anupam Rai
the detail and the prespective really get in the way on that boot
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Tamir Bahar
Took me 4 attempts to get a snail I am pleased with. As for the boots - I just feel stuck. I can't seem to find their shape.
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@bwebb2732
Ya, those boots were hard hard, but just keep at em, they took me forever to complete but it was good practice to do something i was that uncomfortable with.
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Ray Greyling
This is my first attempt at these. I did them before watching the demo’s. I found it challenging to remember drawing CSI lines. I keep finding myself falling into detail. Anyway lots of room for improvement but I’m fairly happy with the first attempt. Comments welcome.
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Martha Muniz
Pretty good overall! I do notice a tendency of sticking more to curves, which gives the appearance of complexity and detail. Try finding areas where you can bring in more straights, especially in the smaller shapes where complexity may not be as necessary.
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Tamir Bahar
All of them look really good to me. Great job!
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Hannah Whitehead
The boots really stressed me out haha I was just fudging lines by the time I was tackling the laces. I commit to my lines too early and I also tend to get impatient with the process and start rushing.
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Harley King
First attempt before the demo. I need to take my time in ghosting the line before committing, and just be more patient in general. After watching Stan's demonstration, he has much cleaner lines. Mine are confident, but I think I'm too confident which results in messy linework. I'll spend the next week or so practicing this on different subjects around the house, I'll also attempt those shoe laces again! Can you tell I spent 2 seconds on each lace? hahaha
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@misosverse
Wow! I can definitely see the confidence in your lines, your an amazing draftsmen, keep it up
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@bwebb2732
Not too bad, keeping nice clean lines as been the biggest struggle for me with these too, im definitely am going to have to take some time to practice with other subjects as well. Keep up the good work!
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@jcicero09
First attempt of the snail, pretty happy with it overall. The shell is a little small but it still looks like a snail! Did this one in the sketchbook, will attempt digitally to see if I can do any better.
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Gibbo
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C3
7d
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Allan
First attempt, I have a hard time with clean lines and not pushing too hard on the paper
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Martha Muniz
As someone who also has a naturally heavy hand in drawing, I definitely relate to the struggle 😅 It does take some conscious practice to have more control over pressure, but continuing with line warm-up exercises is definitely on the right path: https://www.proko.com/s/sNxz Especially try out page skating using change in pressure from heavy to light, and the light, medium, and dark lines exercise. But also, with the CSI assignment, having perfectly clean lines is not something to worry as much over. In fact, it can help more to start with a very light (rough) outline, and once you find the right line, you can go over it once more with a darker stroke to give it more clarity.
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Founder of Proko, artist and teacher of drawing, painting, and anatomy. I try to make my lessons fun and ultra packed with information.
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