Rite of Spring

Left this rough, as usual, because not really sure what else to do with it.

I was inspired by the way people are drawn on Ancient Greek vases, with the really exaggerated muscles and defining lines. I also was trying to keep it raw-looking because of the theme. How do you make something look raw but finished?
Still had fun doing it though, might try do some more grungy stuff.

Skulls

Yes, it's been a long time again. Was on a job at work for a while that involved a lot of drawing and I just didn't fancy doing any more when I got home.

Also got back into dancing again, it's very nice to do something other than looking at a screen after a long day. I wanted to try do something arty based on the Rite of Spring, so I just did a warm up of a couple of deer skulls (sort of pagan artefacty?)

Line one did in about 5 minutes just to get an idea of what was going on, then did an attempt trying to just describe the shape with shading. Might go a bit more avant-garde for my actual drawing, in the spirit of things. Always nice to try and draw accurately when you're getting back into things though.

An old one

I have been lazy and otherwise engaged the past couple of weeks, sketches have been done but they either need to be scanned or finished up a bit more.

But here's one I found from a while ago. I love Gormenghast, I think I'd put it in my top 3 as far as books so. It's so full of amazing characters, I started trying to do a portrait of each one. I only got through about 3 thought and this sketch I started of Countess Gertrude was probably my favourite.
In case you haven't read them she's described as a behemoth of a woman, and is pretty much usually only concerned with her birds and her cats. She's a stout old battleaxe though and I liked her no BS attitude.

Holy crap, just looked on the date of the photoshop file and it's from July 2010. Little bit depressing!

Ellie

I'm going to my mum's house for a couple of days, I'm taking my laptop for working on my website but no tablet, so no pooter drawings till at least Sunday.

So here's a little one to keep you going. Will be excited to get the website done and put it here, it's in dire need of an update.

Swing

So I decided that since one of my 'goals' for my holiday was to redesign my website, I figured that some of the art I'm doing should go towards this.

Here's a bit of a planned background image, I'm quite enjoying the colours but I'm still working on her hair. Hair is one of those things that you can get right first time with not much effort, but if I don't it takes me aaaages to get it doing that effortless flowing thing.

The guy from 'drawing the head' (very good instructional book on chiaroscuro should you be interested) says that the less hair is rendered the better it looks, and in essence you should try to render it like smoke.

Well, I guess I'm going for the bold look. Here's a snippet.

Holloway

Ok, maybe not dynamic, but at least perhaps a bit better drawn than the last one? I started to try doing one of Vickers but that character needs to be drawn standing in a dark corner. She doesn't really do heroic poses.

Just realised he looks all slidey. Ergh. Nevermind. Scrap that 'better drawn' bit.

I was about to praise myself on my more regular updates but I've neglected to mention I'm on holiday. Yes, on holiday, not in the sun or pickling myself in a bottomless glass of vodka, but drawing. A lot of the time. Also doing other useful things and just generally having a break.

Wondering what I should draw next? I clearly still suck at people so maybe another one of those.

White Swan

I actually started this one a week or so ago, and have been picking at it since then. I feel like it's got to an ok stage so I'm going to stop busting my ass over it.

My big issue is I like to be able to see paint strokes but at the same time like it to look finished. I can never quite find a happy balance, I need to work out/learn a technique.

Because I was painting on one layer I started making copies at various intervals in case I properly cocked it up and couldn't get back to where I was before. Thought you might find it interesting and maybe have some tips for me. I do use levels, warp and hue/saturation to correct my work occasionally. Maybe I shouldn't?