Chardon - Art School Journey

[Chardon]

Wow Thank you so much for the links. I ll consult them tomorrow for sure !
I have already seen the 16 line gesture method back when I started, but strangely deviated quite a bit from it. But a refresher won't hurt, I might understand new information.
I ll check out the others too for sure

On today's note, I tried 5min gesture drawing and 1min (I wanted to do 2min but I didn't launched the right program)
Verdict: for the 5min I have absolutely no idea on what to do. I feel just lost so that will wait for later I think. I am not happy with the 1min but not unhappy either. So that is good I guess. I feel like I am still missing something and I will keep on looking for it !

[JimSt]

I had a similar experience with the 2 & 5min gesture drawings. Mostly because I had captured the full gesture in under a minute and I was unsure what to do. But then I decided to change how I thought about these and instead of making them "gesture" drawings, I made them timed "figure" drawings. And using them to practice what I was learning about proportion and anatomy. Once I got that, I actually used the short timed ones to lay in sweeping lines that defined the full form in about 30secs and also found the opportunity to practice line control to define light and shadow.
There's a lot of learning that you can layer onto these daily drawings. Keep on grinding!

[Chardon]

That is really a mind shift from gesture to figure. I like the idea. When I find some time I ll try to just reproduce and focus on the proportions first then later on add a time limit maybe ? The amount of information to manage from a reference still feels overwhelming to simplify. Even so, I think my 2 min were in the right track, maybe? This is still quite confusing but I ll figure it out somehow.
Thank you so much for your feedback and the kind words ! I ll grind my way through !

Couldn't watch the video today, life got in the way, but I thought of it all day long. I ll watch them soon for sure.

Only 30s drawing, once again life was in the way, but still manage to draw everyday ! Habits must be made to die hard !

[Chardon]

I took the time to watch all of the video that were linked. It didn't unlocked new skill like a magic level up, but it helped me in general. I already kind of follow the 16lines method but with extra steps. The others were less appealing to me but still interesting to know about different approaches.
I draw along the 16lines video and I realized by just adding the volume lines on one of my model changed its perception a lot. I ll keep experimenting soon.

Also, environment drawing
Concept Art from No Man's Sky by Hello Games

[Chardon]

Did some 2min gesture, my mindset is starting to shift, from trying to be as faithful as possible to being more free and going for the famous flow.

Environment study and 2point perspective drawing. I was not really inspired for the 2 point perspective thought

Concept art from Elden Ring by From Software

[Chardon]

And that is it ! The end of Term 1 !

Here is a recap of what I did it the last 2 month

With the last environment study with a concept art from Skyrim

I am motivated to get through Term 2. I feel like the anatomy will be a great help for me.

[Chardon]

Daily study, I choose the Space Anomaly from No Man's Sky
Let's approaches this point by point

1. Points and Dots
   The main point of focus can be found right in the center of the image
2. Lines
   The lines all converge to the point of focus. The use a diagonal and almost Zig Zag lines gives a feeling of flow toward the focal point. Most of them are contour or decorative lines. Which doesn't mean they do not convey meaning.
   Lots of straits lines are used and there are almost no curves to give a fully Artificial aspect of the area. Also all of them are very thick by design the thinner ones are used more like a pattern or accent.
   Vertical lines to give structures can be found on the side, also many parallel lines that will be associated with the Structure Element
3. Shapes
   Exclusively geometrical lines. Everything is artificial in this place
4. Volumes
   Lots of volumes. This takes place in a enclosed space with many volumes everywhere. Most of them are heavy as big machinery probably to show the importance of the structure as a hole
5. Structures
   There are no important textures only patterns. The most obvious is the parallels. Lines don't touch, they don't cross each others, everything is orderly and flows to the tower. The Pillars on the side follow the same pattern and are repetitive. They convey structure
6. Size & Scale
   The perspective make the biggest element (the central tower) smaller than the rest, but it also make the viewer understand how huge it is. If it takes half the picture from afar, how big can it really be. And still it is the biggest element in the picture
7. Space
   There is a lot of space, it can be fount at the top and the side of the tower. It makes the central tower stand out from the rest as it is alone in the middle. Showing importance.
8. Color & Values
   I haven't watch the course on colors yet, but I can still try
   2 colors, Opposite as Orange and cyan are opposite colors on the color wheel. The primary is the orange. It's almost everywhere on the top on the size, on accent or every elements. Cyan is the focal point, the big cyan circle behind the tower grab the attention and the blue atmosphere at the bottom is probably here to balance out the bright orange.
   For the values,, I would say many bright elements. Most important are near the tower. In black and white the bright light at the top really get the most values, the rest of the image is probably more for a balance perspective.

[Chardon]

Second in depth study from a Swamp card in Magic: The Gathering by Seb McKinnon

1. Points and Dots
   The main point of interest is the central tree. Everything around will lead the eye to look father. I feel like it grab the attention but do not held it. The eye will just flow out of the main point.
2. Lines
   Curves for the main tree from the trunk to the branches. The branches feels sloppy and sad. The water seems still, unmoving, there is no flow lines to it.
   Vertical lines in the background, to fill the space and add closeness to the picture. Feels like there is no way out
3. Shapes
   Natural shapes. They are organic but also almost distort. Probably to create a sens of unease, sickness or even death.
4. Volumes
   Two volumes are present, the main tree is big and heavy, like immovable. The knight also feels heavy. Its verticality following the background tree making him look still or slow. Everything seems motionless.
5. Structures
   The trees on the background are not parallel, they are repetitive but not in an artificial way. It gives depth to the image.
   The branches on the main tree all fall down, probably to reinforce the sickness
6. Size & Scale
   The tree is dominating the scene. Everything is small in height and width in comparison.
7. Space
   The central tree is alone, there is space all around it. It stand out again.

8. Colors & Values
   Complementary colors between yellow, orange and red. It makes for a really calm and maybe uneasy. There is no bright colors to light up the art. Except for the red cape which stand out but stay in the same color range.

   For the values, the background is really dark. The tree is the focal point for brightness with just a bit of the knight standing out but it really blend in the background.

[Chardon]

Today's analysis will be on a classical fresco from the Renaissance, The School of Athens from Raphael

1. Points and Dots
   The focal point is in the center. The 1point perspective make the eye converge to the center where the 2 main characters are.
2. Lines
   For the structure, the lines are strait and geometrical. While every human figure are organic. You can feel the gesture line in all the characters present.
3. Shapes
   The palace uses geometric shapes while most of the human wear large tunics with more flowing shapes. The clothing gives a lighter touch and a contrast with the building.
4. Volumes
   The volume of the building is defines by the perspective. Giving it depth and weight. While the tunics balance it out with flowing movement a liveliness.
5. Structures
   For the building we can find a lot of patterns. With its parallelism and repetition. It gives out a lot of structure for the piece. While the clothing don't really have patterns a bit of texture can be seen thanks to the shadows. It makes them believable and realistic.
6. Size & Scale
   The size of the building makes all of the characters feels small in this place. But the amount of people doesn't make they feel ridiculous or inferior. They share the space in the painting.
7. Space
   It is divided in 2. The top part is quite empty, calm with a bit of blue sky. While the bottom is full of life and movement. This contrast gives a really nice balance in the composition.
8. Colors & Values
   I don't really know what to say about the colors. They are quite bright and we can find the same balance between a beige and mono tone at the top while the bottom is swarming with colors.
   For the values, we find the focus point to be bright, but I don't know what else to say about it

My schedule will be busy in the coming weeks, so I will pause the Art School but I ll keep on at least make one analysis and some gesture drawing every day. Got to keep the habit going !

[Chardon]

Today's analysis is from a Magic the gathering game illustration. Jackdaw Savior by Alessandra Pisano

1. Points and Dots
   The focal point is found around the bird head. Especially the bird's eye grab the attention
2. Lines
   Curved lines and gestures lines can be found easily. While straight lines are used for the flight feathers to give strength to the action.
3. Shapes
   Organic shapes everywhere. The flying fabric at the back gives dynamism to the action and are at the opposite direction/diagonal from the thunder in the background.
4. Volumes
   The 2 characters are the only volumes. Making them central to the piece. Also the smoke going from the front to the background gives depth
5. Structures
   Some texture on the bird to add realism and interest.
6. Size & Scale
   The hierarchie is clearly defined by the size. The bird is taking most of the space while the rat is quite small being in the secon plan.
7. Space
   There isn't much space. Just a few in the corners. The action is taking most of the image and the lack of space gives a intense feeling of movement, speed and dynamism
8. Colors & Values
   Mostly a purple with a analogue with blue. The complementary colour red/orange is used only minimally to create point of interest in the piece.
   The contrasts is quite high between the dark and light of the image. But lost of other light is gathered in the focal point

I would have liked to see the orange be a bit more catchy to the eye. Here I think it can easily be missed.

[Chardon]

For today's artwork, I decided to pick the main illustration from Eldenring by FromSoftware

1. Points and Dots
   The focal point might be the bottom of the light ring. Where it lights the most, then the eye is directly prawn to look down or up from the initial point.
2. Lines
   There is only one really apparent line, the light splitting the picture in two. This line is supported with all of the convergences lines made by the background elements. All buildings in the background leads the eye to the center of the picture
3. Shapes
   There is a distinction between the top and the bottom of the picture. The top part is mane of artificial shapes while the bottom contrast with only organic shapes. The opposition is reinforced with the colors.
4. Volumes
   The fog is an organic volume making the atmosphere really heavy. The heaviness of the bottom part of the image is reinforced by the bodies. There is almost no energy transmitted through the characters or if there is it is really feint and also crushed by the above ring.
5. Structures
   I can only spot one textures as the ground. It makes the earth look dry and dead as it is surrounded by dead corps.
6. Size & Scale
   The difference in scale between the main knight and the ring is oppressing. The ring looks to be far in the background and still get out of the frame and takes half the artwork. It towers over the rest of the image.
7. Space
   There is not much space, but this lack of space adds an oppressive meaning of the piece.
8. Colors & Values
   The analog scheme gives a feeling of calm. While also, the bright yellow in really located in only one element, grabbing the attention.
   For the general values apart from the ring, everything is dark, giving even more power to the ring

[Chardon]

Back to some classical art with Bateaux de pêche aux Saintes-Maries by Van Gogh

1. Points and Dots
   The focal point is the closest boat.
2. Lines
   The lines are quite hard to analyse for this style of painting. I think it is best to not watch them as individual lines but more of the flow of lines. There are heavy lines, defining dynamism and movement. And this movement on emphasized with more straits lines to define edges. The boats are also made of exclusively straight lines as structural lines.
3. Shapes
   The clouds and waves defines calm and natural element
   There is no sharp edges only curves and circles
4. Volumes
   The sea takes up most of the volume as one big heavy element. Whine the boat seems small and sturdy against the sea.
5. Structures
   The weavy texture of the sea and the color scheme of the texture gives depth to the see but also movement and unrest
6. Size & Scale
   The boat is minuscule compare to the sea and the sky.
7. Space
   The space between the boats is small compared to the rest of the image. The sizing make me feel like they are far apart but compare to the sea they are close and overwhelmed by the sea.
8. Colors & Values
   The sea is mainly composed of analog colours between blue and green and the dot of red as opposite give just enough to grab the attention.

[Chardon]

Some gesture drawing by hand, mostly 1min.
I am trying many new ways to make them and through trial and errors I am trying to find what works seeing no resources that talks to me.

[Chardon]

Still trying out stuff in gesture drawing.
Even if I am far from confident, practice makes improvements, sometimes, maybe.

[Chardon]

Some more and more gesture drawing. I think I am starting to understand how to put some volumes above the flow without losing it entirely

[Chardon]

Last gesture drawing of the year. I wish to anyone who reads this a Happy 2026 Year, and I hope for everyone to improve as artists and I wish for all of your projects to succeed !

[Chardon]

First of the year, didn't get much time but let's keep at it, again and again.

[Chardon]

Today I did some 1min gesture drawing. I am really trying to focus on the flow and not following the reference perfectly.

[Chardon]

2min gesture drawing. Nothing much to say .

[Chardon]

I misplaced my pencil today so it's pen day. And I won't blame the pen, I wasn't feeling it today. But at least I did a few gesture drawing!