Last week I took a five-night workshop from Greg Follender at The Art Students League. The workshop was all about learning to draw the figure in a very short amount of time. We did a lot of 30-second, 1-minute, and 3-minute drawings, along with some longer (5-15 minute drawings). There were two models: an extremely thin woman and a super beefy man. It was very interesting to have to draw two very different body types and notice which one I felt more at ease with. (I think you'll be able to guess from the drawings.) I've decided to share a sampling of the drawings (I did **hundreds** of drawings over the five days) in chronological order because I believe that I improved over the week and I think the progression is interesting to see. This is Monday – Wednesday.
Monday
My very first two drawings. 30-second poses and the drawings are truly terrible.
A 1-minute drawing that at least resembles a human being. Having a lot of trouble fitting the figure on to the page (an ongoing struggle for me).
3-minute drawing and I still can't fit the figure on the page.
Another 3-minute. She almost fits, but what a mess. Trying to figure out proportions quickly — not something that comes easily to me.
8-minutes. Feet and hands are…well, not really there.
Model switch! Two 30-second drawings. The figure is, at the very least, on the page.
These are all 1-minute drawings. I feel like my line is starting to get a bit more expressive. I can definitely see movement, especially in the upper left drawing.
3-minute drawings. I like the movement in both, but I still am making the figure too large! (It's very difficult to accurately portray proportions when the figure spills off the page.)
I believe that these were both 8-minute drawings. Super cartoony with big blocks of comic book flesh.
Tuesday
Greg, the instructor, advised me to try doing stick figures in order to make sure the figure would fit on the page. These are the first two drawings of the day. Both 30-second sketches.
Still struggling, even with 3-minutes. She's on the page, but everything is wonky.
15-minutes and the longest leg in the entire world. Ugh. This model is a dancer and she does the most interesting poses. Imagine holding that for 15-minutes?!
Model change and some quickie 30-second sketches.
1-minute and I'm not managing to complete the full figure, but I think I am able to communicate more with my line. The sway of his back in both drawings helps to convey his stance even without legs.
3-minute drawing that looks more like a monkey than a man. I have a lot of trouble with profiles. That's why I've been practicing them.
My old nemesis: doesn't fit on the page. A 3-minute drawing. Too bad his arm is all kinds of short.
A very interesting and difficult pose. The legs are messed up — foreshortening is so hard to figure out properly when you're moving super fast. I think this is an 8-minute drawing.
Wednesday
I'm managing to capture a lot more gesture in my 30-second drawings!
The drawing on the left was 30-seconds and the drawing on the right was 1-minute. Interesting to see the change in the drawing with an extra 30-seconds.
I struggled with a lot of things in this class. But in this drawing, I feel like I'm finally getting a graceful leg curve. I really like the way the calf connects to the ankle connects to the foot. Lots of other things wrong, but that's something really right.
The model is draped over a stool here. I'm still struggling with her body, which looks oddly turned towards the viewer instead of flat.
This was an interesting exercise, but super hard. We had to draw the model as she moved through space, pausing for 30-seconds at various points. Your drawing is supposed to reflect her movement. I'm not sure that mine does.
Same idea here, simply limited to two poses.
15-minute drawing in which we were supposed to focus on tone rather than line. I like tone. I understand tone. Line confounds me. Thus, I enjoyed doing this drawing very very much.
Model change! Getting used to his body again. I think the sense of movement in the drawings is much improved.
These are blind contour drawings. The idea is that you never look at your page — you only look at the model — and you never pick up your pencil, so it's one continuous line. I love the way these turned out! (These are the "good" ones, of course. I have several that just look like blobs!)
I think these were 3-minute or 5-minute drawings and I can see myself becoming more confident in my line, more accurate in my proportions. A big change from Monday's drawings, don't you think?
Well, that's it for now. I'll be back tomorrow with drawings from Thursday and Friday!
Thanks for stopping by!
these are fantastic – I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years now and it is really encouraging to see your drawing skills coming on in leaps and bounds – looking forward to seeing the drawings from the remainder of the week
these are fantastic – I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years now and it is really encouraging to see your drawing skills coming on in leaps and bounds – looking forward to seeing the drawings from the remainder of the week
these are fantastic – I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years now and it is really encouraging to see your drawing skills coming on in leaps and bounds – looking forward to seeing the drawings from the remainder of the week
these are fantastic – I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years now and it is really encouraging to see your drawing skills coming on in leaps and bounds – looking forward to seeing the drawings from the remainder of the week
these are fantastic – I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years now and it is really encouraging to see your drawing skills coming on in leaps and bounds – looking forward to seeing the drawings from the remainder of the week
What a great concept for a class. The exercises sound very challenging – sketching a person in 30 seconds…eep! Love seeing your progress from day to day and look forward to the rest.
What a great concept for a class. The exercises sound very challenging – sketching a person in 30 seconds…eep! Love seeing your progress from day to day and look forward to the rest.
What a great concept for a class. The exercises sound very challenging – sketching a person in 30 seconds…eep! Love seeing your progress from day to day and look forward to the rest.
What a great concept for a class. The exercises sound very challenging – sketching a person in 30 seconds…eep! Love seeing your progress from day to day and look forward to the rest.
What a great concept for a class. The exercises sound very challenging – sketching a person in 30 seconds…eep! Love seeing your progress from day to day and look forward to the rest.
Can’t wait to see the rest. YES, the difference is amazing…just goes to show how practice “makes perfect”…the later one of the woman sitting with her back to us is wonderful.
Can’t wait to see the rest. YES, the difference is amazing…just goes to show how practice “makes perfect”…the later one of the woman sitting with her back to us is wonderful.
Can’t wait to see the rest. YES, the difference is amazing…just goes to show how practice “makes perfect”…the later one of the woman sitting with her back to us is wonderful.
Can’t wait to see the rest. YES, the difference is amazing…just goes to show how practice “makes perfect”…the later one of the woman sitting with her back to us is wonderful.
Can’t wait to see the rest. YES, the difference is amazing…just goes to show how practice “makes perfect”…the later one of the woman sitting with her back to us is wonderful.
Yikes, I KNOW how hard this is to do and kudos to you for sharing your progress!
Yikes, I KNOW how hard this is to do and kudos to you for sharing your progress!
Yikes, I KNOW how hard this is to do and kudos to you for sharing your progress!
Yikes, I KNOW how hard this is to do and kudos to you for sharing your progress!
Yikes, I KNOW how hard this is to do and kudos to you for sharing your progress!
Wow. I really enjoy following your process as you work through these drawings. Can’t wait to see more!!
Wow. I really enjoy following your process as you work through these drawings. Can’t wait to see more!!
Wow. I really enjoy following your process as you work through these drawings. Can’t wait to see more!!
Wow. I really enjoy following your process as you work through these drawings. Can’t wait to see more!!
Wow. I really enjoy following your process as you work through these drawings. Can’t wait to see more!!
I really like your drawings of the man, he really can feel the strength in his figure from how you’ve rendered him.
I really like your drawings of the man, he really can feel the strength in his figure from how you’ve rendered him.
I really like your drawings of the man, he really can feel the strength in his figure from how you’ve rendered him.
I really like your drawings of the man, he really can feel the strength in his figure from how you’ve rendered him.
I really like your drawings of the man, he really can feel the strength in his figure from how you’ve rendered him.
Very nice indeed. I’m struggling with drawing myself and really appreciate how you are able to criticize your work *and* praise the improvements (I get too caught up in the former). I ought to add also that I truly admire your drive to learn and improve (as opposed to giving up on tough skills with “I can’t draw and I don’t need to know how”). It shows very clearly in your art. Please do more such posts.
Very nice indeed. I’m struggling with drawing myself and really appreciate how you are able to criticize your work *and* praise the improvements (I get too caught up in the former). I ought to add also that I truly admire your drive to learn and improve (as opposed to giving up on tough skills with “I can’t draw and I don’t need to know how”). It shows very clearly in your art. Please do more such posts.
Very nice indeed. I’m struggling with drawing myself and really appreciate how you are able to criticize your work *and* praise the improvements (I get too caught up in the former). I ought to add also that I truly admire your drive to learn and improve (as opposed to giving up on tough skills with “I can’t draw and I don’t need to know how”). It shows very clearly in your art. Please do more such posts.
Very nice indeed. I’m struggling with drawing myself and really appreciate how you are able to criticize your work *and* praise the improvements (I get too caught up in the former). I ought to add also that I truly admire your drive to learn and improve (as opposed to giving up on tough skills with “I can’t draw and I don’t need to know how”). It shows very clearly in your art. Please do more such posts.
Very nice indeed. I’m struggling with drawing myself and really appreciate how you are able to criticize your work *and* praise the improvements (I get too caught up in the former). I ought to add also that I truly admire your drive to learn and improve (as opposed to giving up on tough skills with “I can’t draw and I don’t need to know how”). It shows very clearly in your art. Please do more such posts.
OMG. Good job Julie, I like the challenge and the work is strong! Keep going!
OMG. Good job Julie, I like the challenge and the work is strong! Keep going!
OMG. Good job Julie, I like the challenge and the work is strong! Keep going!
OMG. Good job Julie, I like the challenge and the work is strong! Keep going!
OMG. Good job Julie, I like the challenge and the work is strong! Keep going!
what a great class. I can definitely see the change in just three days. Thank you for sharing these — they are very courageous and also skillful. It’s very inspiring how you are always stretching yourself and sharing the journey.
what a great class. I can definitely see the change in just three days. Thank you for sharing these — they are very courageous and also skillful. It’s very inspiring how you are always stretching yourself and sharing the journey.
what a great class. I can definitely see the change in just three days. Thank you for sharing these — they are very courageous and also skillful. It’s very inspiring how you are always stretching yourself and sharing the journey.
what a great class. I can definitely see the change in just three days. Thank you for sharing these — they are very courageous and also skillful. It’s very inspiring how you are always stretching yourself and sharing the journey.
what a great class. I can definitely see the change in just three days. Thank you for sharing these — they are very courageous and also skillful. It’s very inspiring how you are always stretching yourself and sharing the journey.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!!! To all the comments above!! Love this post, Julie, and watching your skills evolve. So inspiring!! Can’t wait for the next installment!!
Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!!! To all the comments above!! Love this post, Julie, and watching your skills evolve. So inspiring!! Can’t wait for the next installment!!
Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!!! To all the comments above!! Love this post, Julie, and watching your skills evolve. So inspiring!! Can’t wait for the next installment!!
Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!!! To all the comments above!! Love this post, Julie, and watching your skills evolve. So inspiring!! Can’t wait for the next installment!!
Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!!! To all the comments above!! Love this post, Julie, and watching your skills evolve. So inspiring!! Can’t wait for the next installment!!
I love seeing these Julie, thank you so much for sharing!
I love seeing these Julie, thank you so much for sharing!
I love seeing these Julie, thank you so much for sharing!
I love seeing these Julie, thank you so much for sharing!
I love seeing these Julie, thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks for sharing these Julie! Its fun to see the evolution of your drawings. Very cool!!
Thanks for sharing these Julie! Its fun to see the evolution of your drawings. Very cool!!
Thanks for sharing these Julie! Its fun to see the evolution of your drawings. Very cool!!
Thanks for sharing these Julie! Its fun to see the evolution of your drawings. Very cool!!
Thanks for sharing these Julie! Its fun to see the evolution of your drawings. Very cool!!
Julie,
These a wonderful and very expressive. I absolutely love that you included lots of the drawings.I think you are being a bit too critical with some of those drawings…yes some are a bit oddly proportioned, but I do think you got the foreshortening rather well.
I really like how you put yourself out there and show us what you are doing even if it is not the best. It shows that you are trying and open to improvement, embarrassing your fears–how many people would take a class like that and post their drawing for all to see so openly??
You go girl…!
Julie,
These a wonderful and very expressive. I absolutely love that you included lots of the drawings.I think you are being a bit too critical with some of those drawings…yes some are a bit oddly proportioned, but I do think you got the foreshortening rather well.
I really like how you put yourself out there and show us what you are doing even if it is not the best. It shows that you are trying and open to improvement, embarrassing your fears–how many people would take a class like that and post their drawing for all to see so openly??
You go girl…!
Julie,
These a wonderful and very expressive. I absolutely love that you included lots of the drawings.I think you are being a bit too critical with some of those drawings…yes some are a bit oddly proportioned, but I do think you got the foreshortening rather well.
I really like how you put yourself out there and show us what you are doing even if it is not the best. It shows that you are trying and open to improvement, embarrassing your fears–how many people would take a class like that and post their drawing for all to see so openly??
You go girl…!
Julie,
These a wonderful and very expressive. I absolutely love that you included lots of the drawings.I think you are being a bit too critical with some of those drawings…yes some are a bit oddly proportioned, but I do think you got the foreshortening rather well.
I really like how you put yourself out there and show us what you are doing even if it is not the best. It shows that you are trying and open to improvement, embarrassing your fears–how many people would take a class like that and post their drawing for all to see so openly??
You go girl…!
Julie,
These a wonderful and very expressive. I absolutely love that you included lots of the drawings.I think you are being a bit too critical with some of those drawings…yes some are a bit oddly proportioned, but I do think you got the foreshortening rather well.
I really like how you put yourself out there and show us what you are doing even if it is not the best. It shows that you are trying and open to improvement, embarrassing your fears–how many people would take a class like that and post their drawing for all to see so openly??
You go girl…!
I was thinking the same thing – what a great class. The thought of a 30 second life drawing makes me go EEEE, but the idea is great. It would really teach you to find the key points, demonstrate form and motion at it’s core/most basic. I really love the progression ones, 30 sec at a time. Fantastic.
I was thinking the same thing – what a great class. The thought of a 30 second life drawing makes me go EEEE, but the idea is great. It would really teach you to find the key points, demonstrate form and motion at it’s core/most basic. I really love the progression ones, 30 sec at a time. Fantastic.
I was thinking the same thing – what a great class. The thought of a 30 second life drawing makes me go EEEE, but the idea is great. It would really teach you to find the key points, demonstrate form and motion at it’s core/most basic. I really love the progression ones, 30 sec at a time. Fantastic.
I was thinking the same thing – what a great class. The thought of a 30 second life drawing makes me go EEEE, but the idea is great. It would really teach you to find the key points, demonstrate form and motion at it’s core/most basic. I really love the progression ones, 30 sec at a time. Fantastic.
I was thinking the same thing – what a great class. The thought of a 30 second life drawing makes me go EEEE, but the idea is great. It would really teach you to find the key points, demonstrate form and motion at it’s core/most basic. I really love the progression ones, 30 sec at a time. Fantastic.
You’re doing a GREAT job! I’m so proud of U & your accomplishments. Sketching little children is also hard. I’d love to sketch & watercolor paint my grandsons but my sketches look nothing like them with their impish grins & twinkling eyes. Grrr!
Thanks for sharing!
Grandma Nancy Sapp
You’re doing a GREAT job! I’m so proud of U & your accomplishments. Sketching little children is also hard. I’d love to sketch & watercolor paint my grandsons but my sketches look nothing like them with their impish grins & twinkling eyes. Grrr!
Thanks for sharing!
Grandma Nancy Sapp
You’re doing a GREAT job! I’m so proud of U & your accomplishments. Sketching little children is also hard. I’d love to sketch & watercolor paint my grandsons but my sketches look nothing like them with their impish grins & twinkling eyes. Grrr!
Thanks for sharing!
Grandma Nancy Sapp
You’re doing a GREAT job! I’m so proud of U & your accomplishments. Sketching little children is also hard. I’d love to sketch & watercolor paint my grandsons but my sketches look nothing like them with their impish grins & twinkling eyes. Grrr!
Thanks for sharing!
Grandma Nancy Sapp
You’re doing a GREAT job! I’m so proud of U & your accomplishments. Sketching little children is also hard. I’d love to sketch & watercolor paint my grandsons but my sketches look nothing like them with their impish grins & twinkling eyes. Grrr!
Thanks for sharing!
Grandma Nancy Sapp
You are so brave in sharing these sketches! When I took some life drawing classes in college, I was too embarrassed to share the sketches with anyone! Your drawing look like people which is always a good thing. Mine all looked like monkeys! Thanks again,
Alison
You are so brave in sharing these sketches! When I took some life drawing classes in college, I was too embarrassed to share the sketches with anyone! Your drawing look like people which is always a good thing. Mine all looked like monkeys! Thanks again,
Alison
You are so brave in sharing these sketches! When I took some life drawing classes in college, I was too embarrassed to share the sketches with anyone! Your drawing look like people which is always a good thing. Mine all looked like monkeys! Thanks again,
Alison
You are so brave in sharing these sketches! When I took some life drawing classes in college, I was too embarrassed to share the sketches with anyone! Your drawing look like people which is always a good thing. Mine all looked like monkeys! Thanks again,
Alison
You are so brave in sharing these sketches! When I took some life drawing classes in college, I was too embarrassed to share the sketches with anyone! Your drawing look like people which is always a good thing. Mine all looked like monkeys! Thanks again,
Alison
It’s interesting to see the improvement in observation, and line, over a few days. Just goes to show…practice makes perfect. LOVE the blind contour drawings!
It’s interesting to see the improvement in observation, and line, over a few days. Just goes to show…practice makes perfect. LOVE the blind contour drawings!
It’s interesting to see the improvement in observation, and line, over a few days. Just goes to show…practice makes perfect. LOVE the blind contour drawings!
It’s interesting to see the improvement in observation, and line, over a few days. Just goes to show…practice makes perfect. LOVE the blind contour drawings!
It’s interesting to see the improvement in observation, and line, over a few days. Just goes to show…practice makes perfect. LOVE the blind contour drawings!
I have enjoyed seeing these drawings so much Julie and can see how you are improving. Love how you are capturing knees with a few expressive strokes! I haven’t been to life drawing classes for years…..you are making me itch to try again! Love your work.
I have enjoyed seeing these drawings so much Julie and can see how you are improving. Love how you are capturing knees with a few expressive strokes! I haven’t been to life drawing classes for years…..you are making me itch to try again! Love your work.
I have enjoyed seeing these drawings so much Julie and can see how you are improving. Love how you are capturing knees with a few expressive strokes! I haven’t been to life drawing classes for years…..you are making me itch to try again! Love your work.
I have enjoyed seeing these drawings so much Julie and can see how you are improving. Love how you are capturing knees with a few expressive strokes! I haven’t been to life drawing classes for years…..you are making me itch to try again! Love your work.
I have enjoyed seeing these drawings so much Julie and can see how you are improving. Love how you are capturing knees with a few expressive strokes! I haven’t been to life drawing classes for years…..you are making me itch to try again! Love your work.
These are GREAT drawing Julie and you could use some in art journal and they would look wonderful. I love line drawing like that as it is very freeing not to have it perfect, but still reconisable lol! I am def, a fan of your work and really enjoy reading your blog :-).
These are GREAT drawing Julie and you could use some in art journal and they would look wonderful. I love line drawing like that as it is very freeing not to have it perfect, but still reconisable lol! I am def, a fan of your work and really enjoy reading your blog :-).
These are GREAT drawing Julie and you could use some in art journal and they would look wonderful. I love line drawing like that as it is very freeing not to have it perfect, but still reconisable lol! I am def, a fan of your work and really enjoy reading your blog :-).
These are GREAT drawing Julie and you could use some in art journal and they would look wonderful. I love line drawing like that as it is very freeing not to have it perfect, but still reconisable lol! I am def, a fan of your work and really enjoy reading your blog :-).
These are GREAT drawing Julie and you could use some in art journal and they would look wonderful. I love line drawing like that as it is very freeing not to have it perfect, but still reconisable lol! I am def, a fan of your work and really enjoy reading your blog :-).
This looks so hard! And I’m not even doing it. I think you did a wonderful job, and it was in such short spurts. Take a bow!
This looks so hard! And I’m not even doing it. I think you did a wonderful job, and it was in such short spurts. Take a bow!
This looks so hard! And I’m not even doing it. I think you did a wonderful job, and it was in such short spurts. Take a bow!
This looks so hard! And I’m not even doing it. I think you did a wonderful job, and it was in such short spurts. Take a bow!
This looks so hard! And I’m not even doing it. I think you did a wonderful job, and it was in such short spurts. Take a bow!
You are so brave and getting better with each day! Thanks for sharing it with us.
You are so brave and getting better with each day! Thanks for sharing it with us.
You are so brave and getting better with each day! Thanks for sharing it with us.
You are so brave and getting better with each day! Thanks for sharing it with us.
You are so brave and getting better with each day! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Absolutely gorgeous…I want to run, not walk, to sign up for my next class!
Absolutely gorgeous…I want to run, not walk, to sign up for my next class!
Absolutely gorgeous…I want to run, not walk, to sign up for my next class!
Absolutely gorgeous…I want to run, not walk, to sign up for my next class!
Absolutely gorgeous…I want to run, not walk, to sign up for my next class!
Julie- These are really incredible! I have been following your practice of Figure Drawing off and on through your blog and you are really good. These are actually incredible. What a practice! I love your dedication to your craft. So Proud Of You!
Blessings!
Lula Pomme
Julie- These are really incredible! I have been following your practice of Figure Drawing off and on through your blog and you are really good. These are actually incredible. What a practice! I love your dedication to your craft. So Proud Of You!
Blessings!
Lula Pomme
Julie- These are really incredible! I have been following your practice of Figure Drawing off and on through your blog and you are really good. These are actually incredible. What a practice! I love your dedication to your craft. So Proud Of You!
Blessings!
Lula Pomme
Julie- These are really incredible! I have been following your practice of Figure Drawing off and on through your blog and you are really good. These are actually incredible. What a practice! I love your dedication to your craft. So Proud Of You!
Blessings!
Lula Pomme
Julie- These are really incredible! I have been following your practice of Figure Drawing off and on through your blog and you are really good. These are actually incredible. What a practice! I love your dedication to your craft. So Proud Of You!
Blessings!
Lula Pomme