Complimentary sign posts

In the latest class I pointed out a sketch to an artist as my favorite one they did.  The artist replied that it's taken so long to get there.  I sympathized and agreed that it does take time.  Luckily we love doing what we do so we can stick to it and continue to learn.

One thing that's incredibly important though is to realize that moment when you've achieved a sketch worthy of a mentor's praise.

The drawing that an instructor points out is the drawing that should jettison you to that next level of focus. 
You must be conscious of the fact that you did something good that is on the right track.  Pay attention to that compliment and treat it as a  "sign post" that leads you to further focused development.  Then ask which way now?   That sketch becomes your new start position and other bad ones fall away. 

Missing that complimentary sign post can leave you aimlessly drawing without focus and hoping that you'll magically get better.  Notice that drawing that's pointed out and follow its guidance.  The best part about this is you actually drew it!

Centerline Box thought

Walt Stanchfield used to really get cranky when our sketches where too straight up and down.  So when I'm teaching (and drawing my own sketches) I try to tell the artist to LEAN the pose, push that hip out, move the pose more left and right etc....

If you imagine a box around the drawing from it's furthest edges you should be able to also imagine a centerline down the middle.  That centerline helps you see if the drawing is too straight up and down.  It also helps to keep the work asymmetrical and balanced.

My sketches below show the box that I'm talking about.  I didn't actually draw the box but I was thinking "no straight up and down, no straight up and down!"

Hopefully this works for you because it really helps me to get that LEAN in that Walt talked about.

Forgive the quality of the Iphone pics.

 

Make Mistakes!

Michael Jordan: "I failed ovrer and over and over again in my life....and that is why I succeed."

When I saw this commercial many many years ago it stuck with me!  It opened my eyes to the idea that you really have to try and try and try and continue to strive for your goals.  No matter where we are in your career we will always make mistakes and we shouldn't be afraid of them.  Whether you're animating, storyboarding, gesture sketching, etc...

The major key to mistakes is having someone in a mentor like role or trusted friend noticing the problem and helping you correct them.  We need to make mistakes and make them as much as possible to eventually create art that we like or reach goals aimed for.  Younger artists can get easily discouraged when it comes to making mistakes and feeling like they aren't at the level they'd like to be.  I like to tell these artists to save their sketches so that they can reflect back and see how good they've gotten.  

The whole idea is to learn and grow and if we are too shy or scared to show mentors (or trusted friends) our work and search for constructive criticism in correcting our mistakes we will stay at the same level we're at. 

Glen Keane told a story of how when he entering Disney, he filled up 10 sketch books, 100 pages each in a week.  He showed them to Eric Larson who on the average chose 1 in 10 sketches that were good enough to present to the company.  The rest is history for Glen as we know it.

The truth of his story was that he didn't have any fear of failing, making mistakes and showing his mentor his work.  I'd say Glen is sort of the Michael Jordan of animation wouldn't you?

Here are a few recent sketches of mine,  seems the theme was back shots this day.

Observational Drawing

I want to share my impression of what it means when I say observational drawing.  

Many times people can get the idea that observational drawing means to literally observe every nook and cranny of the object or model.  Wrinkles, cracks, knuckles, follicles, pours, nose hairs or whatever can be seen is put into the artwork.  

I think there can be a place for such detailed type of artwork but when I teach the idea of observational drawing I teach the study of story telling through drawing.  That’s the most important part of it all.  If the drawing conveys story and meaning it’s that much more valuable as a piece of art.  

We need to connect with the meaning of our drawings.  If there's no story or meaning to the drawing that was supposed to be from observation then theres less interest by the viewer.  it becomes lines smudges and medium on paper rather than impressions of moments captured that evoke an emotion or reaction.

That’s my goal in observational drawing.  To capture a story or a meaning that makes you think or inspires you to feel something.  One thing I definitely do not do is force anyone into a particular style by forcing details into their art that don’t tell the story.  

the key is what are we observing?  the Story or literal detail that can add up to no meaning?

Don’t let style define substance.  

These one and a half second sketches were of my wife in P90x mode.  I tried to convey the energy in the effort and I thank her for letting me show these.  Frankly I should have joined her.  I could stand to loose a few pounds haha.

The Drawing Pivot point

I always talk about long lines when it comes to drawing.  Long connective lines and shapes help unify the drawings so that there's a harmony and rhythm to it.

When drawing, a good way to keep those lines and shapes flowing is to pivot from the shoulder.  NOT from the wrist.  Drawing from the wrist limits our ability to get fluidity and movement in your work.  Also  when drawing from the wrist the shapes tend to not connect to each other as they're drawn shape by shape.

Try it next time you're drawing.  Keep your wrist in comfortable position and draw by pivoting from your shoulder.  It may take getting used to but it's totally worth it in the long run.

Last class of the year!

Marissa Gomez was here! Last class at DW till mid January.  Keep up the sketchbooks between now and then!!!

EVOKE with an original sketch.

Between now and December 31 all orders of my EVOKE art of book will come with an original 5x7 sketch and a limited edition numbered print (while supplies last on the print)

Click on the "shop" button above to buy!!!

San Diego Comic-Con 2011!

I willl be selling my book  EVOKE at booth #5015.  Come by and check it out!