20-30 Minute Sketches - First Real Attempt at Drawing Live People

[ZonariAn]

So I was bored yesterday and produced 4 quick sketches. I had never attempted to draw a real live person before. The first two were drawn in real-time.

The very first of the collection was a quick profile I tried of my boyfriend as he was watching TV. This one took about 15-20 minutes.



The second was a drawing I did of him while he was drawing. This one took about 30 minutes. I LOLed when i really looked at it because his head looks HUGE.



The third I drew based off of a photograph that I took yesterday, just to draw. I'll link the original photo...I didn't do that well but I know if I keep doing stuff like this, I'll get better.



Original:


And the fourth and final is a drawing I did of a photograph I had of my boyfriend's very squinty, very red eye. Hmmm....



I know I need a TON of practice...but for very first attempts, I hope I did well.

[Dom]

They're not bad actually. I love the drawing of the eye, it's very detailed. Nice job.

[unit_number_43]

That's a very good start. Just keep practicing. Next time try to use lighter and thinner lines.

[Jeff]

Yeah, for firsts, those are great - just keep at it. Are you using guidelines to help keep your proportions accurate? Here's some detail on that if you're interested.

[ZonariAn]

That's a very good start. Just keep practicing. Next time try to use lighter and thinner lines.

It's pretty tough knowing I'm limited to only .05 mechanical pencils and good ol' no. 2 wooden ones. But beside that, I have a problem with dragging my hand across the drawings ending up with a very black side of my hand. I am also a lefty, if that counts for anything. I've always had problems with too much pressure on the paper, and can't really find a way to consciously fix that as I'm drawing.

Yeah, for firsts, those are great - just keep at it. Are you using guidelines to help keep your proportions accurate? Here's some detail on that if you're interested.

Nope I wasn't using any guidelines of any sort. Just trying to draw what I was looking at. Thank you for the link though

[unit_number_43]

It's pretty tough knowing I'm limited to only .05 mechanical pencils and good ol' no. 2 wooden ones. But beside that, I have a problem with dragging my hand across the drawings ending up with a very black side of my hand. I am also a lefty, if that counts for anything. I've always had problems with too much pressure on the paper, and can't really find a way to consciously fix that as I'm drawing.

http://jeannes-artlounge.com/zeichnu...k_850px_02.jpg
http://www.pencils.com/files/Nicole%2002.jpg
http://images-2.redbubble.net/img/ar...7-1-denial.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4L_TQp8whB.../s400/samu.jpg

Those were done in 0.5 mechanical pencil. It's about the amount of pressure you put on the pencil that makes it dark and thick. Your strokes should feel like you're barely touching the page. You should be able to feel the inconsistencies in the paper as you brush across it with the pencil. If you want a darker line then just go over the same line repeatedly at the lighter pressure. Working in lighter strokes will also reduce the smudging. Also try using a piece of printer paper or a magazine cover (glossy=better) and resting your hand on that. it will keep your oily/dirty hand (everyone's is) from pulling the graphite as you move.

Like I said, you did very well on these. I'm just giving you advice to improve. Ask Jerner for advice as well, I've seen him grow tremendously over the passed 5 years. He will certainly have some excellent advice.

[ZonariAn]

Thanks!! I appreciate all of the tips, guys.