30 Days, 300 Figures: Dancing Days

I was looking through some old storyboards I did for school. And I came across an Beer commercial that involved dancing. I remembered how fun it was to draw it and decided, in honor of that board, to draw dancing gestures all this week. Get cha’ boogie on.

Day 11

“Groovy 60’s”

Day 12

“Breakin'”

Day 13

“Salsa”

Day 14

“Kathak”

Day 15

“The Elaine”

My friend Elisha is also doing this gestures exercise with me, you can check her stuff out at blog.limitedpalette.com

If you like what you see and/or have any suggestions. Feel free to comment about it.

Also, If you want to join in email me with a link or you can leave in the comment area.

30 Days, 300 Figures: A Week in Sports

For the most part this week I’ve been drawing from sport photos. I switched from pen to pencil and decided to focus on my line quality. Then hairy lines need fixing. Also did a few studies for an illustration that may or may not be illustrated but good practice none the less.

Day 6

The aforementioned studies.

Day 7

Boxing

Day 8

Basketball and some hockey girls.

Day 9

Randomness.

Day 10

MMA

If you like what you see and/or have any suggestions. Feel free to comment about it.

Also, If you want to join in email me with a link or you can leave in the comment area.

30 Days, 300 Figures

A few months ago, I started a series on the called ‘Art Mission’ and if you’ve been following then you are fully aware of my “50 Days, 50 Cars” series. Well, I’ve got a new mission.

You see,  I don’t draw people enough. And when I do, things just don’t seem to flow well as far as my figures are concerns. To rectify this, I’ve decided to do something that I haven’t done regularly since sophomore year in art school. Draw gestures. I figured I’d do at least 50 a week in order to get into the habit of drawing people.

And got I got a friend to tag along with me this time around. Her name is Elisha, she a fine artist who born & bred in Illinois. As well as a fellow alum and partner in crime. I urge you to check out her at blog.limitedpalette.com.

And if you want to join in email me with a link or you can leave in the comment area.

Day 1

I used my thumbing pen (A pen I use mostly for thumbnails). It obvious I’m rusty.

Day 2

Still a bit rusty but starting to get the hang of running.

Day 3

Finally got the hang of gesturing mainly because I zoomed in on my references.

Day 4

I decide to branch out into people of different sizes and gender.

Day 5

More running.

Why did I only focus on running? Because I can draw people sitting and standing without reference. If I had to draw them moving…I’m out of luck. So expect a few more motion focused gestures.

If you like what you see and/or have any suggestions. Feel free to comment about it.

50 Days, 50 Cars: Day 50, This Is It…really it is.

*Update: Thankyou Elisha for pointing out that it’s a Chevy not a Ford.

Finally, finally, FINALLY!

I’ve made it to day 50 and it feels good. As you know about over 2 months ago, I went on a mission to improve my car drawing skills in 50 days. Technically we’re probably on day 60 or 70, I lost count. If you were following from the start you’ve witnessed my ups and downs, my perfectionism, my constant need for breaks, etc. To sum it up, it’s been interesting. And although we’ve come to the end of the road, I must say I’ve come along way from where I’ve started.

In the beginning I wanted to see how fast I draw a car and how close I could get it to look like an actually car. So I choose something I thought would be simple, a Chevy (not Ford) Camaro.

Here’s my doodle.

Yeah, not…good.

After that one I figured I would have to slow down and really observe my references. On top of that I started getting better at using curves and being more attentive to the wheels (they tend to be wonky) as well as proportion.

That worked well by the time I got to day 25.

Much better from day 1 but after awhile the reliance on curves were taking away from my original goal of being able to draw a cars free handed and to rely less on references. By day 39 I was through with both.

This way, I was better able to focus more on perspective and proportions instead of how well the actual car looked. By the time I got to day 50, I’ve become more confident in my free hand ability.

Not bad, huh?

Looking at the comparison, I’d say I’ve improved. I thought that when I started I would only be able to draw cars better but instead I learned a lot more:

I’ve come to understand perspective better. (Probably more than anything else)

Cars are really easy once you’ve grasp the concept of proportion. (They’re just boxes)

Curves are optional and should only be used in the final detail stages.

I really need a elliptical template.

No list is complete without 5 item.s

Now, being done with this mission you’d think I was a car drawing expert. Not quite, I am better than I was before but now the thing is to be better than I am now.

No, I’m not going start a new car mission but I do plan to keep practicing and I will post an update of  my cars at some point.

Until then, I’d like to say “Yep, I can draw cars”

If you like what you see and/or have any suggestions. Feel free to comment about it.

Also, you can check out my progress on here on www.flickr.com/photos/artbysaw/ under the “50 days, 50 cars set”.

50 Day, 50 Cars: Week 11, The End of the Road…Almost

Week 11 of 50 Days, 50 Cars

Well this is the final week of 50 Days, 50 cars and I admit I could’ve made it to 50 but I was a bit laid back and lacking in inspiration.

I’m gonna make this post short because there’s still one more car to go and frankly not much to say until its completion.

Day 47 of 50 Days, 50 Cars

Day 48 of 50 Days, 50 Cars

The “Beaverbile”

Day 49 of 50 Days, 50 Cars

If you like what you see and/or have any suggestions. Feel free to comment about it.

Also, you can check out my progress on here on www.flickr.com/photos/artbysaw/ under the “50 days, 50 cars set”.

50 Day, 50 Cars: Doodle, doodle, doodle, Week 10!!!

Week 10 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

This week I decided to just freehand draw the cars. And again, no references.

Day 43 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

The Tacobile

Day 44 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

Day 45 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

Day 46 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

Okay Tocabile had the help of my curves but the others are all ol’ lefty in action. Overall I’m not crazy about my car ideas but I can say it’s more easier for me to freehand cars.

Now with 4 more cars to go, I think I’m going beck to the references just a few more times.

If you like what you see and/or have any suggestions. Feel free to comment about it.

Also, you can check out my progress on here on www.flickr.com/photos/artbysaw/ under the “50 days, 50 cars set”.

50 Days, 50 Cars: Week 9, Outta my mind

Week 9 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

This week I decided to draw cars out of my head. No references to drag me down.

Day 39 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

The “Pound Cake Mobile”.

Day 40 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

The “Mean Mobile”

Day 41 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

“The Toebile”

Day 42 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

“Lè Hornè”

If you like what you see and/or have any suggestions. Feel free to comment about it.

Also, you can check out my progress on here on www.flickr.com/photos/artbysaw/ under the “50 days, 50 cars set”.

50 Days, 50 Cars: Week 8, Coming Back From Hiatus Upside Down

Week 8 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

I took a break last week, why? I don’t know exactly. But, I’ve been reflecting again, as I always do, about my priorities and goals. And I realized, “Lighten up, Sharon. It’s not that serious”

I went back to basics, no real structures and looser drawing. To get myself back in the groove I drew all the cars upside down. That way I don’t get hung up on drawing it right. Just draw it. No longer is it about likeness. It’s all about capturing the feel of the vehicle.

Also, I got a snazzy calligraphy brush. Yay.

Day 36 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

Day 37 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

Day 38 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

Back in the driver’s seat, I look to ride this as best as I can. And hopefully, no more hiatuses.

If you like what you see and/or have any suggestions. Feel free to comment about it.

Also, you can check out my progress on here on www.flickr.com/photos/artbysaw/ under the “50 days, 50 cars set”.

50 Days, 50 Cars: Week 7, Stripped in Perspective

Week 7 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

Last week I burned out. The trucks got the better of me, I admit. So, I took Saturday off to watch a tutorial.

It was the first part of a 3-part series on car design and it focused on perspective. I must say it was quite good. After viewing, I’ve learned some new things:

1. Most people can’t draw wheels free hand (Something I’ve realized a while back but now it’s been validated by a pro.)
2. Proportions are the most important thing when drawing a car. (This is why I burned out last week).
3. Good perspective is just as important as proportions.
4. I finely figured out a way to improve my line quality.
5. I need to work on proportions, perspective and line quality.

The next day, I was a bit refreshed and inspired enough to draw a “Thumbmobile”, using one of the methods I’ve seen in the video demo.

Cool, huh?

My mission this week is totally different from the previous weeks. This time I’m not going to draw the cars in detail. Instead the focus is going to be on perspective and proportions. I’m still using references but there’s no point in mentioning what cars used for this. Here’s what’s been drawn this week.

Day 31 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

Day 32 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

Day 33 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

Day 34 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

Day 35 of 50 Days, 50 Cars.

There are 15 cars to go, I plan on doing the proportion & perspective for the next 5 cars and then I go all out for the last 10. It should be fun to see how this concludes.

If you like what you see and/or have any suggestions. Feel free to comment about it.

Also, you can check out my progress on here on www.flickr.com/photos/artbysaw/ under the “50 days, 50 cars set”.

50 Days, 50 Cars: Week 6, Bigger and Bored-er.

Week 6 of Days, 50 Cars,

After hitting the halfway mark Monday, I thought I’d be psyched about this week but it was no meant to be.

Day 26 of Days, 50 Cars.

Here’s the a picture of a ’81 Chevrolet Silverado Pick-Up.

And here’s what happens when I watch a car drawing demo before I do a daily drawing.

Note to self: Do not ever again watch a tutorial about drawing cars before doing your daily drawing, you’ll end up trying to draw like the person in the video, and you’ll fail.

Day 27 of Days, 50 Cars.

I got back on track, I randomly choose another Chevrolet Truck.

And here’s the result.

Day 28 of Days, 50 Cars.
After doing Chevy SUVs for 2 days straight, I’ve decided to draw something more basic, Hummer H2.

I used my brush markers and I regret it but, hey…

Day 29 of Days, 50 Cars.

I realized I said it was all gonna be about all big trucks, from SUVs to Semis. So it was time to pull out the big guns…a 1939 Divco Milk Truck.

Not bad, right?

I have a confession to make. I am BORED of this. Maybe it’s because I haven’t drawn much else but cars lately or I’m thinking too much about my flaws. Anyway, I may take tomorrow off to rejuvenate and watch a perspective tutorial.

And remember:

I am not, I repeat, NOT giving up on this. I just need a short break.

And ,as always, feel free to comment, offer suggestions or better yet, some encourage.

You can check out my progress on here on www.flickr.com/photos/artbysaw/ under the “50 days, 50 cars set”.