Bobby's Sketch Blog

[Bobby Day]

I decided to start a sketch blog, in-order to help get rid of my artist block.

This sketch page was one of the hardest times I had drawing, I almost gave up 4-5 times while drawing it, but I didn't, and "finished" the page.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9743/sketch1ry4.jpg

Critiques, would be appritiated.

Thanks!

[Bobby Day]

Here is the second sketch of the thread! I didn't like the sideways view head I drew in the first page of sketches, so I decided to re-draw a head in the same position, hopefully it came out better.

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9568/finishedsketch2da6.jpg

It was still difficult drawing this, but it was easier to draw than the last drawing :).

[jdmakescomics]

It's cool that you started up one of these. The big face looks good but the full bodys are stiff. While you're sketching you may want to do some rough gestures to get rid of that stiffness in your figures.

[JimLeeforGod]

Everything that lit said plus that every character you draw looks exactly the same. The features are the same body is the same. Poses are the same. Work on learning the structure of the face so you can rework it and indivualize it to fit each character and not just use the carbon copy system for each one.

[Bobby Day]

You both are right, gesture is something that has always been dificult for me.

I also draw the same things, the same way, over, and over again. It's become a really bad habit.

I will make sure to work on both of those thing's in the next sketch's that I post, hopefully you will see some improvement.

Thanks!

[Bobby Day]

I tried to work on gesture, I don't think there is much difference, but hopefully there is some.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9558/sketch3yl4.jpg

[JimLeeforGod]

There is almost no foreshortening here very 2-d and flat. Watch out for that. Try to use angles and perspective to enhance the pictures feel.

[Bobby Day]

I have always had a problem with my figures looking 2-d. I think it's because I don't fully understand the human figure yet. In-order to get rid of the problem, I am going to need to study anatomy, wich I really need to do.

Thanks!

[lawfulwuss]

Hey Bobby,

You still draw better than I do, but here's a few ideas that maybe might help you, possibly, concievably, perchance ... could be?

When you do your drawings, they look like you immediately placed your lines ... almost like your sketch is your finished product. I think this is why your arms and legs tend to look like geometric shapes.

Try starting your sketch with an underlying skeletal mannequin first. make the "bones" the correct lengths and give them slight curvatures like real bones have.

Then instead of using strong, straight lines to outline the body parts, try using a lighter "sketchier" line to give yourself the idea of where the parts will be outlined. Be messy, give yourself lots of "guidelines" that you can pick from when you begin to finish the drawing.

Be loose with your lines right now, and when you start to learn anatomy, then you can start concentrating on correct muscle placement and anatomical structure and all that.

Anyways, I just thought these might help with one of the areas I think you might need to work on, which is a "stiffness" that I see in your drawings.

Try it out, let me know if it helps ... let me know if it sucks ... and keep drawing!

[Bobby Day]

Lawfulwuss: You are right, I don't use much understructure in the sketching proccess. I use some, but not to the degree I probabbly should be. I think that is a major part of the problem I am having. Thanks!

[Juan2.0]

I agree...I think your main problem with your figures is that you don't use your understructure to build up the figure from. What I do is lightly (and I do mean lightly, so it's just barely readable) sketch out the understructure for whatever pose I'm wanting...and then I go back in and press a little harder while sketching to really bring out the shapes of what I'm trying to draw...then I take an eraser and lightly eraser over the sketches...then with the ghost that is left on the page, I take my pencil and redraw over it to create the final pencils. Yeah, it takes some time and work, but it really keeps things clean and I get the final image how I want it without all the messiness of the sketch lines all over the place. Hope that helps.

[shoryukenmaster]

One thing that I think your drawings really lack is curves. Everything is straight lines and 90 degree turns. That drawing you did of the knight is one of the best things I've seen you post (IMO) and it's because you moved away from the straight lines. Keep pushing that pencil and you'll get it. :)

[NickRocks]

the good news: you already seem to have a knack for rendering and shadow and form...thats great!
your lines are clear and easy to understand, you dont over render or leave anything to the imagination. you draw what you need and then get out of there. i like that.

the bad news: pretty much what everyone said, stiffness. the second page you posted is a marked improvement over the first, your anatomy does not seem to be a problem for you. just work on drawing anatomy is different poses and bends. and like everyones said, underwire underwire underwire! (heh that sounds like underwear) youll be surprised at how easy it is to get loose with a stick figure, and your drawings will look a ton more action packed!

[Bobby Day]

I practiced gesture again today, this time I added underdrawing. I think it turned out a lot better than the other ones. Thanks for the critiques!
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/8297/sketch4ni0.jpg

[JimLeeforGod]

Looks waaayyyyyyyyyyyyy better! Way more natural and not so 2-d anymore. Lawfulwus and Juan hit it on the spot. Keep doing understructure!

[Bobby Day]

Here is the page for today, I tried to work with understructure/gesture some more. Your crtituqes have been very helpful.
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/1710/sketch5uf1.jpg

[Bobby Day]

Here is today's sketch, I am still practicing underdrawing/gesture. I am getting out of my artist block, but drawing this was still frusterating. It's a bit messy, hopefully tomorrow's will be better.
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/7625/sketch6bt6.jpg

[StarvinMarvin]

I like these alot Bobby, you are really getting better. I would liked to see some completed pictures if possible. Like the full figure and not have any missing limbs :)
Nice improvement!

[Bobby Day]

I like these alot Bobby, you are really getting better. I would liked to see some completed pictures if possible. Like the full figure and not have any missing limbs :)
Nice improvement!

I am glad you see improvement in my art, thanks! I really do need to start drawing full figures in my sketches, It's another bad habit I have, and I've have had that habit for a long time. I will make sure to draw more full figures on my next sketch page.

Hopefully I will start posting almost finished drawings/WIP's here soon.

[Bobby Day]

Here is todays sketch page, I tried to work full figures into this one. I focused mainly on keeping my art loose, yet clean. I think I like the last 2 pages I posted better, this one looks like I am reverting back to my angular style.
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/6874/sketch7yt4.jpg
I will post more artwork today.

[Bobby Day]

Here is another page I just finished.
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5764/sketch8zo2.jpg
Any crituqes would be more than welcome.

[lawfulwuss]

I'm having this strange thing where the less detail you add, the more I like the drawing.

I'm probably way off base here, but I get the feeling like you're rushing through these .... like you're not taking the time to lay a foundation, it's almost like you're finishing these in very short order by skipping some steps and that makes the details that you add seem awkward (at least ... that's what it seems like to me)

About how long does it take you to do these sketches? Do you go back over them once they're on the page? Do you erase and adjust?

Um ... also, the lines you use are usually all the same thickness and "shade" (by shade I mean they're almost all the same darkness / lightness ... I don't know what I'm saying, I didn't go to art school)

Anyways ... try playing with those facets of your drawing and see if you like the results.

[Bobby Day]

You are right again Lawfulwuss, I generally get whatever I am drawing done farly quickly, and then move on to the next. A sketch page usually takes me about an half hour, to an hour to draw. Sometimes I go back and erase/adjust things I dislike, but not always. I also don't always lay down the foundation for the drawing I am doing. I agree with you about my artwork having missing steps, and the fact that detail on my artwork looks awkward, I will work on fixing that.

I also have a habit of using the same line width on my artwork, something else I need to fix.

Thanks for the crituqes!

Here is todays page,

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8944/sketch9vr6.jpg

I am trying to find a happy medium between having my artwork loose, but clean at the same time. I still like the messy pages I posted far better.

I will probablly post another page today.

[JimLeeforGod]

The best way to get cleaner work is to have a great foundation with very light pencils like 2H or F and below and just work the image by gently making your figure, dont push down too hard. Once your comfortable with the image go over and pick the lines you want with a harder and darker lead, I use B and 2B to bring out the picture. This is the method I use and its a big change from the crazy messiness I really used to have a problem with.

The other option is to use a red or blue non-photo pencils and scan the image in or make a copy of it.

Option numero three is to use a lightbox ....or a birght light and go over the your sketches onto another piece of paper, the most effective and cleanest work possible but a pain and sometimes you loose alot of the enegry from the figure.

Try them all out and see which one you like best. But remember to always use an understructure. You can see the differance from your previous post.

[Bobby Day]

I have tried both using a lightbox/drawing with blue pencil, and didn't like either of those methods. I think I will try both Juan 2.0's method, and draw the underdrawing lightly, as well as use your method, and try different types of lead.

Anything would be better than what I am doing now, after reading lawfulwuss crituqe, I have realized that I fake cleaness by skipping nessisary steps in my artwork.

Thanks!

[Dri]

I would honestly try more mediums than mechanical pencils because ideally that is for detailing. Try varying your lines by different strokes and pressure. To sketch is to play. Draw spheres, cubes and cylinders if you want. The most important thing is gesture is an unseen thing. It's just an interpretation. The main thing is what you want to show in your art. You may be happy to stylize your drawing so it's more graphic and flat than realistic. Don't backtrack over critiques. You can spend all day analyzing what you are doing wrong but the better option is to just keep on sketching and commit mistakes, learn from it, improve and keep sketching.

[Bobby Day]

Here is today's page,

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5486/sketch10hp1.jpg

Greendri: You just might be right about trying something other than mechanical pencils. I have tried drawing with regular lead pencils, but it just seemed wierd. I think it was because I was so used to drawing with a michanical pencil, that drawing with anything else was strange. I will give it another shot on tomorrow's sketch page.

Thanks!

[Bobby Day]

I decided to draw another page, this time using a regular lead pencil.
http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/5928/sketch11kn8.jpg

[Bobby Day]

Here is one more page for today,

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9099/sketch12gi4.jpg
I tried to work on line width/shading a bit, to give my figures depth. I used mechanical pencil for this drawing.

I think it's safe to say my artist block is gone! :)

[HitNRun]

You're getting it! I'd suggest drawing some more "lower body" sketches because you seem to be spending the majority of your time on the upper torso. Try sketching from the last set of abs down to the toes. You've gotten form down a LOT better. I noticed the moment you added understructure your work improved. You're doing fine - and you seem to understand anatomy without having taken a class. Besides the lower body, I'd suggest practicing faces and hands. Hands are feasibly difficult and require a TON of practice. Hands I would certainly recommend you knowing how the hand looks underneath the skin and then just look at your hand and sketch it in various positions. Again, you're doing fantastic - you got rid of a lot of the stiffness your figures had. Keep practicing, you're really getting good. OH and remember: Take your time!

[StarvinMarvin]

yeah the non-mechanical pencil drawings look more fluidic. I dont know much about drawing but i think what your doing is working. Good Luck, I look forward to your progress :)

[Bobby Day]

It's been a little while since I have posted anything, sorry about that. These are some quick thumbnails for a drawing I am planning. WIP coming soon.
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/5848/sketch13yz3.jpg

[Manji]

Glad to see you have that pencil moving again Bobby. Also don't get too caught up in "what pencil should I use?" blah blah blah. I am not trying to dismiss what anyone has said but just use what works best for you. HitNRun, Greendri, and...even that bum JLFG (:p) have offer some great advice just keep moving that pencil, pen, bloody finger or whatever else you want and it will come. The tool is secondary to your ability.

[Bobby Day]

After one week, my daily sketch blog, quickly turned into a one drawing a week blog. I am going to fix that with this post.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/229/sketch14mr8.jpg

Let me know what you think, critiques, as always, are more than welcome.
I should have a few more drawings up at the end of the day.

[Garf]

You already know what I think, Bobby.

Keep drawing. *Insert tacky thumbs up icon here*

[Bobby Day]

Here is the second sketch of the day, I tried to start making my figures look more 3 dimensional than they normally do, let me know what you think!

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/7503/sketch15on4.jpg

[Bobby Day]

Here is the post for today. I hope you like it. :)
http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/7958/sketch16hh3.jpg

[Bobby Day]

Here is the second sketch for today, it's Batman! :)
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/5294/sketch17tu2.jpg

[Bobby Day]

It's been a while since I have posted anything, sorry.

I fell under another artist block, I am finally coming out of it again :).

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/3605/sketch18bw7.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9265/sketch19zh9.jpg

Let me know what you think!

[Dri]

Good to see you sketching again, Bobby. I reckon you sometimes flake out when you name yourself in draw offs. I like the looser lines and shading you're developing. Push the drawing further, man. If you have a block use reference too. It all helps.

[Garf]

Like I mentioned before, Bobby...you've probably grown the most of all the artists on here since you've started taking the C&C from everyone.
Awesome stuff, keep up the good work.

[Bobby Day]

Greendri : Thanks for the comment's about my art! I am glad you like the looser lines, and shading. I have been practicing those two things for a while now :).

About the draw-off's, you are right, I have dropped out of a lot of them lately. An artist block is no excuse, I should not enter a draw-off unless I am ready to post some artwork.

I would like to appologize to everyone who has started, or entered a draw-off that I have dropped out of, it won't happen again.

Garf : Thanks, I really appreciate the comments, and I am glad you see improvement in my art! Hopefully I will get one more page up before I go to sleep :).

[Bobby Day]

Here is one more page before I go to sleep :).

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/8356/sketch20ez9.jpg

[Bobby Day]

I have been practicing perspective lately, let me know what you think. Thanks!

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/4389/sketch21oz8.jpg

[Bobby Day]

I decided I was going to experiment a bit today, this is the result,

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5647/sketch22ox8.jpg

and here is another sketch page for the day,

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/1469/sketch23dj4.jpg

Let me know what you think, Thanks!

[Manji]

Awesome improvements Bobby! I can really see big steps especially in the last page of post 45. Keep that pencil moving and if you want jump in on my weekly sketch group.

[Bobby Day]

Awesome improvements Bobby! I can really see big steps especially in the last page of post 45. Keep that pencil moving and if you want jump in on my weekly sketch group.

Thanks for the complements about, the improvement of my art Manji! It means a lot.

I thought about joining your weekly sketch group before, I was not drawing very much at the time (I have had a lot of up's and down's with drawing lately), but now that I seem to be back into the grove, I will try to draw something up for next weeks challenge.

By the way, the idea of the weekly sketch group was awesome Manji!

[Bobby Day]

Here is another page for today,

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2230/sketch24jk9.jpg

I don't know why, but my scanner seems to be scanning in my drawings incredibly light.

As always, feel free to comment on my artwork.

[Bobby Day]

Here is another sketch, I hope you like it :).

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/654/sketch25dt8.jpg

[JimLeeforGod]

...even that bum JLFG (:p)





:D



__________________

[JimLeeforGod]

.......
I would like to appologize to everyone who has started, or entered a draw-off that I have dropped out of, it won't happen again. .......






:D



____________

[Bobby Day]

Even though I haven't posted here in a while, I am still drawing, and drawing almost every day.

Here is the latest sketch page, as allways C&C is much appritiated.

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/1192/sketch27eh6.jpg

[Juan2.0]

Man, Bobby, your stuff keeps getting better and better. Keep going, man. I can really see a difference in your figure structure and your overall artwork...good stuff!

[Bobby Day]

Man, Bobby, your stuff keeps getting better and better. Keep going, man. I can really see a difference in your figure structure and your overall artwork...good stuff!

Thanks Juan, I am glad you see improvement in my artwork!

[Bobby Day]

It's been a while, sense I have posted some art. Let me know what you think.

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/729/sketch28ua4.jpg

[Bobby Day]

Here is another :)

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9927/sketch29wy3.jpg

[JimLeeforGod]

Hey dude, how about posting up a non-doodle.
I want to see you utilize what you've learned.
Then we can give you more indepth and
beneficial critiques :)

[Bobby Day]

Hey dude, how about posting up a non-doodle.
I want to see you utilize what you've learned.
Then we can give you more indepth and
beneficial critiques :)

Don't worry, I will have something up soon. I didn't join that X-Men, dream team draw-off for nothing! :)

[Dri]

Don't worry, I will have something up soon. I didn't join that X-Men, dream team draw-off for nothing! :)

Just because you said you joined doesn't mean you posted anything for a draw off. ;)

[Bobby Day]

Just because you said you joined doesn't mean you posted anything for a draw off. ;)

Heh, true :). I should have something by Thursday though.

[Manji]

Bobby just wanted to say you are showing improvements. You still have a way to go (don't we all) but you are making progress. Try to learn the muscles as best you can then start playing around with how they interact etc. Also more than anything loosen up. Start working on rhythm, flow and gestures because that will improve your stuff by leaps and bounds. Keep it up.

[Bobby Day]

Wow, I haven't posted in this thread for a while.
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/9278/sketch29cq5.jpg