Michelle AKA Anjyil's Sketchbook and WIPS (some nudity)

[michellega]

One more--and this signifies the end of this horribly-grained sketchbook!  One more to go and I can get new ones ^_^  I have another life-pose anatomy book that goes into more details of the muscles that I am going to start running studies through.

[Patrick Lawrence]

Haha good to take a break:)

[michellega]

^_^ Yeah.  Helps maintain sanity.  Today is a beauuuutiful day.   A bit windy, but very nice.  I am taking my book out to the river to do some quick sketches of wildlife.  I LOVE doing that ^_^  Tomorrow and the rest of the week are rainy--but I had an idea.  I would start now with the "sketch outside everyday" assignment, going on the days that offer good weather and upload them as I do them.  I think that you should offer that option--maybe make the "outside sketching" at the beginning of the shading course and have them upload as they can.  I thought about going to the local supermarket..but that is still a 30 minute walk from home.  The best I can do is the rivers and parks that are ten minutes--either way, I have to wait for nice weather.  Hope that makes sense... ^_^;

[Patrick Lawrence]

Good idea to do the outside work on the nice days:)

[michellega]

^_^  Do you have any tips for outside sketching?  I don`t have a portable easel or chair, and I have learned that how close or far I sit from an object is essential, as well as the size of it.  A view finder tool is helpful (gotta make one of those) as well as not choosing something with too much detail until you are ready.  Any other tips?  Oh, I will post what I did today in my art course thread and here ^_^

[michellega]

Well, first I am going to do the neck-muscle studies I did from my other book.  I love the details and the images.  They use both photographs and master paintings to demonstrate the workings of the muscles.

[michellega]

Should have shrunk them more...meh...bothersome....

[michellega]

One more--then my outdoor sketches ^_^

[michellega]

Outside sketches.  I must admit--I really like sketching outside ^_^  I will like it even more when I have a chair and easel to carry with me so I can do better.  I really find that the easal and the upright/slightly slanted is soooo much better for drawing.  A long time ago, I used to not care...but now....

First one--was going to get detailed but the details won out.  Too many of them, and not a good distance.  My focus was obvious, but I let myself get side-tracked.  When I learn the proper way to do this, I will be able to finish one of these. ^_^

[michellega]

next--quick sketch.  I swear, that little bird just WANTED to be drawn.  It kept hoping around right in front of me on the other side of the river.  But it was such a tiny little thing haha.  I also think that crow got jealous, cause it flew right infront of me and landed nearby--but then hopped into the river to take a bath so I only got a vague blocking of it.  ^_^

[michellega]

This was my detailed focus.  I was able to put the leaf right on the book to work with, so I could see the details clearly but it wasn`t too close that I couldn`t fit it on the page.  I did end up drawing it bigger than the actual object--but I am learning how the eye works as far as seeing things.  A view-finder is really helpful, but I don`t have one yet.  Should make that 

I used the blunt end of my nail clipper to indent so that I could create more of the little veins that ran through the leaf.  I began to notice that the fading green and brown of the leaf were similar in value, and made a choice to aim for making the green a bit darker in value for contrast.  Charcoal was used for the black spots ^_^

[Patrick Lawrence]

Cant think of any good advice on working outside at the moment. But if I do when I am less sleepy I will let you know:)

[michellega]

Ok.  Go get some rest! ^_^

[Patrick Lawrence]

Looks like you are having fun sketching outside. I need to get back out and do some:)

[michellega]

shame shame shame, teacher ^_^  Get out there and draw on the next beautiful day you have!