Prequel – Enrolment
Prequel – Equipment
Week 1 – Contour
Week 2 – Gesture – Foreshortening
Week 3 – Light – Shadow
Week 4 – [Missed]
Week 5 – Movement
Week 6 – Foreshortening – Part 2
Week 7 – Portrait
Week 8 – Cross Contour
Interview – Karl Mattas

Karl (the instructor) also noted that drawing portraits from non standard poses is sometimes better and it really forces the artist to see the details of the model rather than rely on preconceived images. This was an unusual angle view of the model as she was lying down.

It’s been a interesting eight weeks . . . it’s good to be introduced to next techniques and studying various approaches to life drawings from contours to gestures. I’ll be doing a recap of the entire drawing course in a future post!

Especially in the next drawing where the model was pulling the bamboo. It shows the pose and the different muscles at work to get into that position. The proportion is a little off but it does capture movement well.

Using willow charcoal to get a portrait of the model looking down. If I had a little more time I would have built up the shadows to give it a more three dimensional feel.

The final portrait was done using graphite in a “thinking” pose. Given time I would have also worked on the shadows and finished off the details. I really wanted to capture the wrinkles on the forehead as they were very pronounced on the model but it didn’t quite come through.

Only one last week to go before the course ends! It’s really amazing how time really goes past with 22 more days left to Christmas. The final week is meant to be a hand and eye study . . definitely looking forward to it!,

During Week 6, we revisited the foreshortening exercise, with the model standing up on a table and trying to sketch her from the bottom. The first attempt didn’t capture any change in perspective but I think the second attempt captured it better.

Final drawing of the night was a charcoal portrait of the model. I needed more time to get the hand right, it’s not quite in proportion to the rest of the model. When I get the chance (and time), it would be a worthwhile exercise to go back on some of the drawings and “complete” them. It’s hard to capture and do everything I intend to in a limited timeframe.

Only 2 more weeks before the end of the course and 4 more weeks till Christmas! Time really does seem to go past much quicker these days. Anyway looking forward to Week 7!

The next task was trying to draw a moving model. My first attempt (not shown) didn’t really capture the movement. This was a much more difficult task than I initially imagined. I tried to flesh out at least one component which were the feet on the figure to the left.

The final task was a portrait and I don’t think I got the proportion quite right. The eyes were a bit too big. I need to keep stepping back and get an overall view of the picture. I think I’m putting too much focus on details.

Karl Mattas (life drawing instructor) has been fantastic through this process. A lot of new techniques to practice and hopefully improve on. Karl has agreed to an interview which I will post up on the completion of this course. Now onto Week 6!

The below gestures drawings show a greater build up of the model in various poses.

A new technique learnt today was light and shadows. The drawing was built up with by lifting off the charcoal to produce “light” and darkening the charcoal to produce “shadows“. The separation of the light and shadow creates the lines rather than using contours. I found this technique a little difficult although I could grasp the concept. I was working a little slower than I would have liked and didn’t get to finish it in the timeframe. My first attempt at building up the shoulder and the model’s left breast.

Had a little more time with the following attempt to try and build up the face. It’s interesting observing how the light catches someone’s face. If I had more time I would have really loved to have completed some of the neck and shoulders to give the head some proportion. Also, I think completing the eyes would have really given the face some depth.

Unfortunately I won’t be able to make Week 4 so there won’t be a drawing update next week. This is easily one of the most engaging courses I have done. It’s been great to approach life drawing from different perspectives. Looking forward to Week 5!

The next technique was foreshortening. This felt very similar to perspective where the picture gets distorted by the observer’s angle and distance to the subject. Trying to establish a measure of relative size was an interesting exercise. The first sketch is the model lying down head first and the second is the model feet first.

The final picture was the standing model. I tried to establish the foreshortening of the feet. It was a quick drawing but needs a little more rework if I had the time. The extended arm doesn’t feel quite right. I like working with willow charcoal but I think next week I might some try some graphite pencils just to get a different feel. Can’t wait for Week 3.

The first technique he taught was to follow contours. Following the lines of the body with the eye rather than looking at the page. While the image drawn would not be in proportion, he mentioned you will be able to pick up details you would usually miss. My first attempt (left) viewing a standing model at a slight angle, followed by the model turning around (right). I tried to follow the contour of the hand in the second drawing.

There was more time given to the next image (below left) where the model was sitting. The proportion was a little skewed with some of the lines intersecting. It was difficult to follow the hair using the contours. The final image (below right) was the most difficult of all. Drawing the model without looking at the page. It sounds much easier than it is especially when there is a natural tendency to check your work.

Overall it was an interesting experience and a chance to use Willow Charcoal for the first time. It’s given me a different feel to drawing as I’ve been following the various drawing books up till now. Working with a live model and a teacher opens up a new perspective. Can’t wait for week 2!