As I mentioned yesterday, 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. This is Thursday & Friday.
Thursday
My 30-second drawings are definitely feeling less stiff and capturing more of the gesture of the figure.
That's a 30-second drawing next to a 3-minute drawing. You can see how the extra time allows you to take the stick figure and add meat to the bones.
What I love about this drawing is how the model's weight is clearly on her right foot. The instructor kept telling us to make sure we were clear about where the model's weight was and this is one of the first drawings where I feel like I was able to properly convey that.
The instructor gave us black paper and white conté crayon. Our instructions were to draw the light and the mid-tones. Super interesting exercise. My whites are too bright and there isn't enough midtone, but it's amazing how a figure emerges.
The two models posed together! It was such an interesting challenge to try and capture both of them and their very different bodies mushed up against each other and to try to convey his strength as he lifted her.
This series of 30-second drawings may be my absolute favorite drawings from the entire class. They're so alive and yet also somewhat accurate. They really convey movement. I love them!
We did more black paper & white conté crayon drawings. The instructor lowered the lights in the room in order to make the light on the model more dramatic. It was not easy to draw on black paper in a dark room, but I loved this exercise. I can see more midtones in these drawings than the first one.
Two longer pose drawings. I think the first one is 5-minutes and the second one is 10-minutes?
Friday
After steadily improving all week, I feel like Friday was a step backwards. These are 30-second drawings.
Body too short, head too big. Face enormous. Ugh.
I was amazed that the model was able to hold a shoulder stand for 3-minutes. Very impressive! That left leg is weirdly wide, don't you think?
The models posed together again. Obviously he couldn't hold her for too long, so it's a quick sketch.
Props got involved. This was a big hammer and it really changed the story of the movement.
This model did a lot of squatting poses and I had trouble getting his back curve right and the flare of his thighs, but this drawing feels pretty accurate to me.
I had to draw the stool and drape in, otherwise I didn't think this drawing would make any sense.
Cape, sword, and mask. These were the final two poses of the class. It was interesting to add the cape. It's amazing how much it changed my perception of the model's body.
All in all, I think it's kind of amazing how much I improved from Monday to Friday. I still have a long ways to go, but I am very encouraged. I just need to keep practicing. I'm convinced that the key to being successful at almost anything is practice, practice, practice.
If you get a chance, check out my instructor's blog. He creates beautiful drawings in almost no time at all. It's amazing.
Thanks for stopping by!
Your drawings are fantastic and the improvement is amazing in the short time span of the class. Great Job!! The class appears to be very valuable and worth the cost.
Your drawings are fantastic and the improvement is amazing in the short time span of the class. Great Job!! The class appears to be very valuable and worth the cost.
Your drawings are fantastic and the improvement is amazing in the short time span of the class. Great Job!! The class appears to be very valuable and worth the cost.
Your drawings are fantastic and the improvement is amazing in the short time span of the class. Great Job!! The class appears to be very valuable and worth the cost.
Your drawings are fantastic and the improvement is amazing in the short time span of the class. Great Job!! The class appears to be very valuable and worth the cost.
Your drawings are inspiring to me. Life and growth are all about practice and facing the challenges with passion. TFS
Your drawings are inspiring to me. Life and growth are all about practice and facing the challenges with passion. TFS
Your drawings are inspiring to me. Life and growth are all about practice and facing the challenges with passion. TFS
Your drawings are inspiring to me. Life and growth are all about practice and facing the challenges with passion. TFS
Your drawings are inspiring to me. Life and growth are all about practice and facing the challenges with passion. TFS
wow Julie, you really did make progress! Thanks for sharing as always!
wow Julie, you really did make progress! Thanks for sharing as always!
wow Julie, you really did make progress! Thanks for sharing as always!
wow Julie, you really did make progress! Thanks for sharing as always!
wow Julie, you really did make progress! Thanks for sharing as always!
I especially like the one of the male model picking the female model up. Amazing how much improvement you got in just one week! TFS Julie.
I especially like the one of the male model picking the female model up. Amazing how much improvement you got in just one week! TFS Julie.
I especially like the one of the male model picking the female model up. Amazing how much improvement you got in just one week! TFS Julie.
I especially like the one of the male model picking the female model up. Amazing how much improvement you got in just one week! TFS Julie.
I especially like the one of the male model picking the female model up. Amazing how much improvement you got in just one week! TFS Julie.
So interesting to see the progression. I bet that cape really changed everything. TFS!
So interesting to see the progression. I bet that cape really changed everything. TFS!
So interesting to see the progression. I bet that cape really changed everything. TFS!
So interesting to see the progression. I bet that cape really changed everything. TFS!
So interesting to see the progression. I bet that cape really changed everything. TFS!
Wow! Of all the things you’ve posted this might be my favorite. I love your work and there is so much emotion depth and movement in these quick drawings. The 2nd one from Thursday is particularly amazing.
On my ‘dream shelf’ I have a book that is there to remind me my long term goals in art it’s called Expressive Figure Drawing: http://www.amazon.com/Expressive-Figure-Drawing-Materials-Techniques/dp/0823033147
I bet you’d like it too.
Wow! Of all the things you’ve posted this might be my favorite. I love your work and there is so much emotion depth and movement in these quick drawings. The 2nd one from Thursday is particularly amazing.
On my ‘dream shelf’ I have a book that is there to remind me my long term goals in art it’s called Expressive Figure Drawing: http://www.amazon.com/Expressive-Figure-Drawing-Materials-Techniques/dp/0823033147
I bet you’d like it too.
Wow! Of all the things you’ve posted this might be my favorite. I love your work and there is so much emotion depth and movement in these quick drawings. The 2nd one from Thursday is particularly amazing.
On my ‘dream shelf’ I have a book that is there to remind me my long term goals in art it’s called Expressive Figure Drawing: http://www.amazon.com/Expressive-Figure-Drawing-Materials-Techniques/dp/0823033147
I bet you’d like it too.
Wow! Of all the things you’ve posted this might be my favorite. I love your work and there is so much emotion depth and movement in these quick drawings. The 2nd one from Thursday is particularly amazing.
On my ‘dream shelf’ I have a book that is there to remind me my long term goals in art it’s called Expressive Figure Drawing: http://www.amazon.com/Expressive-Figure-Drawing-Materials-Techniques/dp/0823033147
I bet you’d like it too.
Wow! Of all the things you’ve posted this might be my favorite. I love your work and there is so much emotion depth and movement in these quick drawings. The 2nd one from Thursday is particularly amazing.
On my ‘dream shelf’ I have a book that is there to remind me my long term goals in art it’s called Expressive Figure Drawing: http://www.amazon.com/Expressive-Figure-Drawing-Materials-Techniques/dp/0823033147
I bet you’d like it too.
Amazing to watch the progress that happened this week. You must be grinning from ear to ear! Every month you motivate me to keep drawing. Thanks for posting.
Amazing to watch the progress that happened this week. You must be grinning from ear to ear! Every month you motivate me to keep drawing. Thanks for posting.
Amazing to watch the progress that happened this week. You must be grinning from ear to ear! Every month you motivate me to keep drawing. Thanks for posting.
Amazing to watch the progress that happened this week. You must be grinning from ear to ear! Every month you motivate me to keep drawing. Thanks for posting.
Amazing to watch the progress that happened this week. You must be grinning from ear to ear! Every month you motivate me to keep drawing. Thanks for posting.
Amazing, Julie! What a wonderful class! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Amazing, Julie! What a wonderful class! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Amazing, Julie! What a wonderful class! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Amazing, Julie! What a wonderful class! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Amazing, Julie! What a wonderful class! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Yes, amazing how much you improved. I love gesture drawings and agree that those that are your favorites are just soo good. So much movement. Practice is the only way. I know this, I tell my kids this and I still lose sight of this simple truth.
Yes, amazing how much you improved. I love gesture drawings and agree that those that are your favorites are just soo good. So much movement. Practice is the only way. I know this, I tell my kids this and I still lose sight of this simple truth.
Yes, amazing how much you improved. I love gesture drawings and agree that those that are your favorites are just soo good. So much movement. Practice is the only way. I know this, I tell my kids this and I still lose sight of this simple truth.
Yes, amazing how much you improved. I love gesture drawings and agree that those that are your favorites are just soo good. So much movement. Practice is the only way. I know this, I tell my kids this and I still lose sight of this simple truth.
Yes, amazing how much you improved. I love gesture drawings and agree that those that are your favorites are just soo good. So much movement. Practice is the only way. I know this, I tell my kids this and I still lose sight of this simple truth.
The progress is obvious…well done.
The progress is obvious…well done.
The progress is obvious…well done.
The progress is obvious…well done.
The progress is obvious…well done.
Well done! Thanks for sharing the progress.
Well done! Thanks for sharing the progress.
Well done! Thanks for sharing the progress.
Well done! Thanks for sharing the progress.
Well done! Thanks for sharing the progress.
The white-on-black made me think of Francis Bacon (I’m sure you know him, but here’s a link to a painting that has that ‘feeling’ http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/bacon-study-for-portrait-ii-after-the-life-mask-of-william-blake-t02414 )
These posts/exercises make me think (and long!) back to my days in art school… to be pushed by a teacher in a good way and learned so much!
The white-on-black made me think of Francis Bacon (I’m sure you know him, but here’s a link to a painting that has that ‘feeling’ http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/bacon-study-for-portrait-ii-after-the-life-mask-of-william-blake-t02414 )
These posts/exercises make me think (and long!) back to my days in art school… to be pushed by a teacher in a good way and learned so much!
The white-on-black made me think of Francis Bacon (I’m sure you know him, but here’s a link to a painting that has that ‘feeling’ http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/bacon-study-for-portrait-ii-after-the-life-mask-of-william-blake-t02414 )
These posts/exercises make me think (and long!) back to my days in art school… to be pushed by a teacher in a good way and learned so much!
The white-on-black made me think of Francis Bacon (I’m sure you know him, but here’s a link to a painting that has that ‘feeling’ http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/bacon-study-for-portrait-ii-after-the-life-mask-of-william-blake-t02414 )
These posts/exercises make me think (and long!) back to my days in art school… to be pushed by a teacher in a good way and learned so much!
The white-on-black made me think of Francis Bacon (I’m sure you know him, but here’s a link to a painting that has that ‘feeling’ http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/bacon-study-for-portrait-ii-after-the-life-mask-of-william-blake-t02414 )
These posts/exercises make me think (and long!) back to my days in art school… to be pushed by a teacher in a good way and learned so much!
Very impressive, Julie!! I love how you are constantly learning!
Thanks for sharing,
Carmen L
Very impressive, Julie!! I love how you are constantly learning!
Thanks for sharing,
Carmen L
Very impressive, Julie!! I love how you are constantly learning!
Thanks for sharing,
Carmen L
Very impressive, Julie!! I love how you are constantly learning!
Thanks for sharing,
Carmen L
Very impressive, Julie!! I love how you are constantly learning!
Thanks for sharing,
Carmen L
julie, your drawings are so expressive. my figure drawings looked like ape people. sigh. 😉
julie, your drawings are so expressive. my figure drawings looked like ape people. sigh. 😉
julie, your drawings are so expressive. my figure drawings looked like ape people. sigh. 😉
julie, your drawings are so expressive. my figure drawings looked like ape people. sigh. 😉
julie, your drawings are so expressive. my figure drawings looked like ape people. sigh. 😉
Amazing and very inspiring to see your progression. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your process.
Amazing and very inspiring to see your progression. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your process.
Amazing and very inspiring to see your progression. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your process.
Amazing and very inspiring to see your progression. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your process.
Amazing and very inspiring to see your progression. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your process.
How Exciting!!!! Your quick drawing lines have become so calligraphic. I am so glad you post your evolving art and craft ideas and explorations. Craft is so exciting when it grows and reaches new ideas, and your art explorations are truly motivational. Of course they inform each other as you continue, and continue, and continue….. Thank you Thank you!!!!
How Exciting!!!! Your quick drawing lines have become so calligraphic. I am so glad you post your evolving art and craft ideas and explorations. Craft is so exciting when it grows and reaches new ideas, and your art explorations are truly motivational. Of course they inform each other as you continue, and continue, and continue….. Thank you Thank you!!!!
How Exciting!!!! Your quick drawing lines have become so calligraphic. I am so glad you post your evolving art and craft ideas and explorations. Craft is so exciting when it grows and reaches new ideas, and your art explorations are truly motivational. Of course they inform each other as you continue, and continue, and continue….. Thank you Thank you!!!!
How Exciting!!!! Your quick drawing lines have become so calligraphic. I am so glad you post your evolving art and craft ideas and explorations. Craft is so exciting when it grows and reaches new ideas, and your art explorations are truly motivational. Of course they inform each other as you continue, and continue, and continue….. Thank you Thank you!!!!
How Exciting!!!! Your quick drawing lines have become so calligraphic. I am so glad you post your evolving art and craft ideas and explorations. Craft is so exciting when it grows and reaches new ideas, and your art explorations are truly motivational. Of course they inform each other as you continue, and continue, and continue….. Thank you Thank you!!!!
i found this really interesting. santa brought me some books about drawing bodies, but i haven’t done anything with them yet. your work is inspiring and WOW! thanks for the look-see and adding fuel to that artistic fire.
~magick~
Meliss
i found this really interesting. santa brought me some books about drawing bodies, but i haven’t done anything with them yet. your work is inspiring and WOW! thanks for the look-see and adding fuel to that artistic fire.
~magick~
Meliss
i found this really interesting. santa brought me some books about drawing bodies, but i haven’t done anything with them yet. your work is inspiring and WOW! thanks for the look-see and adding fuel to that artistic fire.
~magick~
Meliss
i found this really interesting. santa brought me some books about drawing bodies, but i haven’t done anything with them yet. your work is inspiring and WOW! thanks for the look-see and adding fuel to that artistic fire.
~magick~
Meliss
i found this really interesting. santa brought me some books about drawing bodies, but i haven’t done anything with them yet. your work is inspiring and WOW! thanks for the look-see and adding fuel to that artistic fire.
~magick~
Meliss
The challenges you faced!! Your work is amazing and I love your accuracy of the pic showing weight on the one foot.
The challenges you faced!! Your work is amazing and I love your accuracy of the pic showing weight on the one foot.
The challenges you faced!! Your work is amazing and I love your accuracy of the pic showing weight on the one foot.
The challenges you faced!! Your work is amazing and I love your accuracy of the pic showing weight on the one foot.
The challenges you faced!! Your work is amazing and I love your accuracy of the pic showing weight on the one foot.
These are so inspiring! I want to draw now. Excellent work.
These are so inspiring! I want to draw now. Excellent work.
These are so inspiring! I want to draw now. Excellent work.
These are so inspiring! I want to draw now. Excellent work.
These are so inspiring! I want to draw now. Excellent work.