Coffee break
Posted: April 4, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized 20 CommentsI had to take a little break from blogging over the weekend because the grading of student projects was piling up. But I finished a good chunk of them and felt freer to spend a bit of time in McDonald’s today during a break between classes.
My struggle with figure drawing is a long and well-documented (by me) one. When I started sketching 4 1/2 years ago, I was self-conscious about drawing in public, especially when drawing people. I got over that ages ago, but I still struggle with making people look both (a) human and (b) three-dimensional. In fact, the one drawing I didn’t post from this morning is a sketch of man who turned out looking like Dracula. Today I used a brush pen, and tried not to worry too much about mistakes. You can see where I corrected the arm on the man with the green tuque. And if you are wondering where to place your first mark on the page, I still use a technique I learned from Melanie Reim at an Urban Sketchers symposium years ago: draw the line of the spine first and then everything will fit in from there.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
These are wonderful. Would love to see Dracula.
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Here you go Judy. Bela Lugosi in all his glory: https://shariblaukopf.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/dracula.jpg
Enjoy!
To make matters worse, I shouldn’t have combined a marker and a brush pen!
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Very Good!!!!
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Thanks Jeanne!
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Shari I have the same problem. I will
Do almost anything to keep from drawing people. Haha because they look
So weird. Will you elaborate? Or show an example of the back line? I looked on Melanie’s blog but didn’t see it. Thanks!
Btw. LOVE your sketches and can’t believe you had trouble or drew drew Dracula!
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Hi Suzy. Sure, I will do a post on this. Just have to find the time to do a step-by-step.
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Thanks! That would be awesome. Why do they have to be so hard? I know they are just shapes.
I enjoyed the Craftsy classes too!
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These are wonderful. I love drawing people however struggle with landscapes. Your Craftsy classes have really helped. Thank you.
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I love your sketches. Glad to learn you started just 4and a half years ago. Means I still have time😏
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Well actually I have been drawing since I was a child and I did go to art school. I am a graphic designer and have always painted too but I took a long break while my sons were growing up. Four and half years ago was when I started back sketching every day. But you will see that when you draw a little every day, it really helps your progress!
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I love your use of the brush pen and I’m glad you struggle with figures,also.
I am so intimidated to draw people and I need to get over the fear. Your struggles and successes are inspiring.
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Hi Shari Great tip from Melanie Reim via you, about drawing the spine first. I will certainly try that. I am way back in the dark ages of drawing people. I tend to draw Egyptian style people (flat and sideways), if at all. So any tip is a good tip! Best Jess
http://www.opaltones.com On Mon, Apr 4, 2016 at 4:30 PM, The Sketchbook
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It helped me a lot when I started sketching people. It especially helps with people in movement rather than these seated posed that I have been doing lately.
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Nice sketches and I hope to remember that tip about setting the angle of the spine in the beginning!
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Great sketches. I like Melanie’s hint to draw the spine first. I’ll have to try that.
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These are wonderful! Really loving your brush pen sketches. I’m still terrified of people…I mean of drawing them! But I love the tip about the spine. I’ll have to get over my fears and try it one day!
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Great looking sketches, (even ‘Dracula’)…love the look you get with your brush pen and appreciate the tip about the ‘spine’ first.
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I LIKE that idea, now just to loosen up like you have here. These are wonderful gestural, and just perfect for quickies. I strive to loosen up all the time.
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I appreciate you sharing a skill you’re working on. Gives hope! My people are always out of proportion.
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Your people look very human, three dimensional and not at all like Dracula and your “corrections” don’t point to mistakes at all – those searching lines add to the richness of the drawing.
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