cobalt_kat - Art School Journey

cobalt_kat 2024-01-09 15:26:37 UTC #43

I actually had one more drawing in me today. I don't normally put personal projects up in this thread, but this is sorta relevant since I had to practice posing figures. So here are some skellies, put together as an adventuring party.

Hotaru 2024-01-11 12:48:15 UTC #44

What a good line you have, what envy! Looking forward to seeing you advance in the course, cheers up!

snakker 2024-01-13 03:12:17 UTC #45

looking cool so far. so the big one is reclining on a spear with his elbow?

cobalt_kat 2024-01-13 17:59:42 UTC #46

Almost, it's going to be a staff, not a spear, but yes, the pose is supposed to be her leaning on it.

snakker 2024-01-13 18:24:58 UTC #47

Cool! Its interesting to see how youre posing your characters at this early stage, I still shy away from working on pieces where i start off entirely from imagination. Do you use any reference at this stage?

cobalt_kat 2024-01-14 10:08:21 UTC #48

Do you use any reference at this stage?

Normally, yes, since it saves me a lot of frustration and wasted time. This drawing, however, just came to me on the spot, and I put the sketch down on the canvas pretty quick. I might use references for some poses later on.

EDIT: One more thing: I sometimes find that when I rely too heavily on references for poses/anatomy, my figures become a bit stiff. Dunno if this is a problem for anyone else though.

snakker 2024-01-14 15:10:45 UTC #49

That's really awesome! I also think the composition came out strong with the balance play, the heads lined up in a diagonal one way up to the mace and another towards the big one in a zig zag that kinda plays all the way down the knees but then not quite. A strong base with all the legs making an overall impression of a triangle

i gotta kick up my imagination game going soon

cheers!

cobalt_kat 2024-01-18 15:40:53 UTC #50

Daily practice - some mannequins without references.

mitsuki-youko 2024-01-18 18:54:44 UTC #51

yoo these look great! esp the first one!

cobalt_kat 2024-01-20 21:16:54 UTC #52

Daily mannequins from imagination. This was a fairly difficult assignment, I'll try using references next time.

daceronine 2024-01-21 02:50:28 UTC #53

I remember manequins from references where ok, but from imagination where a big challenge. These look good though, and the forms given to feet and hands make em more natural.

That said, something that helps th overall form is to place another element in between the 2 squares in between the torso. Overall the torso and hips are supposed to be two pieces brought together by the spine and muscles on the abdomen, so giving form to the in between helps keep the overall structure, for example:

cobalt_kat 2024-01-21 10:17:18 UTC #54

That's some sound advice, thank you! Next time I'll try this method.

Kaz_0 2024-01-21 22:34:59 UTC #55

Nicely done! I love how expressive they all are.

cobalt_kat 2024-01-29 14:41:01 UTC #56

Figure practice. I feel rusty and discouraged Hopefully, now that the finals are over, I'll have more time and energy to practice properly.

daceronine 2024-01-29 15:46:06 UTC #57

I'd say that looks pretty good! we all progress at our own pace, so no need to worry.

cobalt_kat 2024-01-30 08:23:11 UTC #58

Thanks for the encouragement. Sometimes I just get frustrated for not having as much time for drawing as I'd prefer, which, in turn, slows my progress

novbert 2024-01-30 11:30:02 UTC #59

EDIT: One more thing: I sometimes find that when I rely too heavily on
references for poses/anatomy, my figures become a bit stiff. Dunno if
this is a problem for anyone else though.

I often find that when I closely rely on reference, I start to focus way too much on miniscule countour details, and less on the overall gestrure, and that eventually hurts the piece. I think it is just about finding the right amount of abstraction and exaggeration, and looking at the reference rather as an inpiration, than as something you have to stick to. What sometimes works for me is if I take a photo reference and try to render it first in a very exaggerated/cartoony way. The expressiveness often gets diminished in subsequent passes, but if the original sketch is exaggerated enough, it's sometimes less of an issue.

I love those crisp lines in your studies and the lineart piece on top. Can't wait to see more.
Oh, and I'm also glad to see another Hungarian here!

cobalt_kat 2024-01-30 11:38:57 UTC #60

Gesture practice. Took roughly 3 mins each, I'll try 2 minutes per figure next time.

cobalt_kat 2024-01-30 11:45:13 UTC #61

I think you nailed it. I tend to get bogged down in the details. Hopefully the gesture studies will help with that.

That sounds like an interesting method, I might try it, though I often find that when I draw in a cartoony style, I inevitably mess up the anatomy. It's pretty much a balancing act, as you said.

cobalt_kat 2024-01-31 21:32:03 UTC #62

Super tired today, but here are some half-naked guys for you anyway. Tried to keep each sketch under 2 minutes.