Drawspace: Lesson D01 - Squirkling values.

Hi all,

and welcome to Lesson D01 of a Drawspace art program.

Yes!!! It is a new section!!! I am moving on to the next level. And the more I draw and develop, the more I feel I'm on the right path. But, and that's the realistic in me speaking, I made a count and realized that at this rate - 6 sections a year - I will finish the free part of a Drawspace program in 4 1/2 years. Not good - it is too slow. I should hurry and draw/post more. Will 4 times a week be to much for everyone?

Anyway, this is a new section and a new subject. So here we go, but first - I read the article itself. This lesson is all about creating small curly shapes - Squirklings - with different values using different pencils.

These are the sketches. As requested in the lesson, I used an HB, a 4H and a 4B pencils.

And this is the challenge.

































Obviously, these were done in no time, but I did realize that this Squirklng method to be the best way to work on one's biceps. Because, boy, did my hand hurt in the end!

It wasn't easy too; I again had some difficulty with a gradient transition. But I believe this whole section will be dealing with Squirklings (a bit difficult for me to even write the word!) so I'll get more chances to practice it.

I'll see you next time.

Have a great day,
Dalia

From sketch to drawing - how to develop a greeting card.

Hi all!

You know these times when you work on a project and then you realize there's a big flop in what and how you do it? I had this moment just lately.

You probably know that I'm a self-taught illustrator - or, at least, I'd like to think of myself this way - and I'm still very deep in the process of learning. One of the things I learn and look for is for ways to become efficient. And that regards to every aspect of my life. And one of the methods is to plan ahead. But somehow when it comes to my illustrations I tend not do it. Why? Laziness, I guess. But in the end my time gets wasted because it takes me ages to decide on the right texture and the right shadow etc.

I was working on my new Pessah card when I've released something very important. I've released that even when I sketch to get a clear vision of what I want to illustrate, I never get to the point when I know exactly how it's going to look like. I mean, I have an idea of what it's going be but never what it's going to look like. And it does make my life kind of miserable. Because, as in the case of a Pessah card, I knew from the beginning that I wanted there to be a tree, some flowers and a hedgehog. But I never went deep enough to clarify to myself what kind of a tree it's going be or how will the hedgehog sit in the grass. (And yes, these things matter in the final design/illustration).

So I went and learn how to draw a hedgehog.

It was a fun first time experiment since I love hedgehogs. I also drew some trees and made a proper composition. Unfortunately I didn't use these sketches in the end but it was definitely a time well spent and I learned a new method of working.

I planned ahead again when  I was creating a Shavuot card.
First I made a list of all the key themes of the holiday - and there are plenty!
Since I had to choose several items and I had a very limited time to work on the card (as a first concept didn't go through), I first drew these items that it was easier to draw.

Then I placed them in the exact composition I wanted them to be - all on paper, roughly sketched.

After all the decisions have been made, I finished the card in no time. Of course, I keep on adding and changing while working, but still, it is WAY easier when you have your artwork planned ahead.
And that what came out after the final changes (the first and the final versions of the card).

One of my goals in whatever I do is to do it in the most efficient way there is. I always look for the best way to do (anything). I guess that I'm on something here.

And what about you? Do you have a method that makes your work easier? Do share here.

I wish you a great day,
Dalia

Rosh HaShana is coming near again?

Hi hi,

Something weird just happen: my Rosh HaShana Honey jar illustration was purchased several days ago. Does it mean that Rosh HaShana is coming near? Do I have to start preparing a holiday illustrations and a card? I guess that that's exactly what it means... I should get to work then...

Have a great day,
Dalia

Draspace Lesson C12 - Drawing flower buds differently

Hello,

and welcome to Lesson C12 of a Drawspace art program.

This is the last lesson of a section C of this program. There is no proper image here but a form and a challenge. We draw a Lilly bud using different pencils and while pressing them differently while drawing. On one you hardly press with your pencil, on the other - you press a lot and on the third you combine the two.

This is the bud.

I did a free sketching here since the purpose of the exercise was not the exact drawing.

Well, as you can see, there are two pencils used - 4B and 3H. Light, bold and the combo. 

It seems like an easy exercise - and it is - but I had some difficulties with switching from one pressure level to another. This is why I did some more sketches. 

I did these circles.

And these squares.

And then I did this shape

and realized that the difficulty came when I had straight lines. Because when the lines are fluid the switch can be done pretty easily.

And then I did another sketch, which was really easy to do, but somehow I feel that the next section will have this sketch somewhere further inside.

I hope you found this lesson as useful as I did.

Have a great day,
Dalia

Drawspace: Lesson C11 - how to draw Merbaby

Hi all,

and welcome to C11 lesson of a Drawspace art program.

As I move on from one lesson to another it seems that these lessons become more and more difficult. I mean, a Merebaby after an alligator? Shouldn't there be something in between? But I guess that the way it should be - the more skilled you become, the more complicated things become. So I'll stop complaining about it and enjoy my progress.

So - a Merebaby. I've never done a drawing of a baby, let alone a Merebaby. My first result is cute, I think, it took me no longer then 10 minutes to complete and several more minutes to outline.

The original drawing came out pretty small, just half a page, although it is not really visible here. It might be because I was pretty chicken about drawing a human body - even if it's a cartoon version of it - so I went very little this time.
This is the outlined version. It seems that I tend to struggle with making a long and nice line with my Sharpie so I have to work on it.































As for the challenge - there won't be any this time...

I hope you find this lesson as cute and easy as I did.

Have a great day,
Dalia

Drawspace: Lesson C10 - how to draw Allie Alligator

Hi all,

and welcome to Lesson C10 of a Drawspace art program.

This time we're going to draw a cute alligator. It is mostly made of ellipses and triangles.

These are the sketches. I'm not completely satisfied with it. But that's what it is.

And this is the challenge.

Since I don't really like the result so much I decided to make another sketch of the same image.
Here it is.

I definitely like it more.

I don't have anything specific to say anymore, so just have a great day.

Yours,
Dalia

Drawspace: Lesson CO9 - how to draw Star Fish

Hello,

This is a C09 lesson of a Drawspace art program. This time we'll be drawing a Star Fish. Like C08, this lesson is mostly without explanations and also includes the Marker outlining part.

I guess that the way it's going to be from now on and I'll have to deal with it.

So drawing starfish is pretty simple: a circle + 5 around attached to it. Basically, at first you draw a 5 petal flowers with uneven petals. Then you attach an open and wavy triangle to it. And then you connect everything and add details.

Here's my StarrFish sketch.

And this is the black outlined.

It was pretty easy. Most of the shapes were basic so it was easy to do.

So here's the image chosen for the chalenge. And a sketch for it.
It took me exactly 2 minutes to do the sketch.

And another 2 to do the Black Pen outline.

It was a nice lesson. I can see now that practice does make it easier. I draw faster and with ease. I like it very much.

Have a great day,
Dalia

How to draw a Dolphin tutorial

Hi all.

This post is about making a little, a tiny, to be precise, closure. My last post was dealing with a Drawspace lesson C08, that suggested to draw a Fish.

If you remember this lesson, I became very emotional while writing and drawing this fish. The post was left without a challenge sketch. After rereading it I realized that it would be some kind of a crime to add something to it but it would be a worse crime to leave the C08 lesson without its challenge. So I decided to make an additional post and draw another fish. I began my search and I found a picture of this gorgeous Dolphin. Well, it's not a fish, it's a mammal, but oh, it's gorgeous....

At first I wanted to create some kind of step - by - step post but when I began drawing I realized that there is no need for me to create another lesson, because there's already one on Drawspace.

So this is my dolphin. It didn;t take me long to outline it and I tried my best to use the method given on C08 Lesson.

I hope yo love my sketch.

See you soon,
Dalia

Drawspace: Lesson CO8 - how to draw a Fish (Wanda)

Hello all,

and welcome to Lesson C08 of a Drawspace art program.

This lesson is special. It's about drawing a Fish with almost no explanations. The lesson is almost free of text. Well, there is some little text but its purpose is to encourage and convince you that at this point you are skilled enough to sketch with minimum help.
There are, of course, drawings and very practical tips and hints to guide you through the process.

So let's begin.
This lesson is divided into 2+1 parts. In part 1 you are to make a sketch. In part 2 - you create a thicker outline with black tip marker.

So after I finished reading the lesson the very first thing I did was to draw a guiding line for Wanda's body. I thought it would make it easier for me to draw a proper shape when something guides me. And I'm glad I did that since it was really helpful. Because after 10 minutes, almost without noticing, I finished the sketch. Here it is.

Then it was time for step 2: The Black Marker outlining.
Well, that, I tell you, was intense. I was only in a head section when I had to take a break and take a deep breath.

Outlining with a marker, it's difficult!!!!

I guess that when you draw with a pencil you can always undo the line, you can always erase one part and add another. It's like cutting the fabric before sewing the cloth piece: one wrong cut - and the fabric is ruined. Or with the water color artwork: once it's on the paper - it's there forever.

That's why I was so careful with the marker: one wrong hand movement - and he drawing is ruined. Plus it was the very first time I worked with a tip marker. So, I guess, my caution is natural.

I kept on outlining. It was difficult. Every finished part of Wanda's body came with an exhausted exhale of relief. Another phase is finished. I'm almost there. And here it is.

You can see that there are still pencil marks on my drawing.

But since I can't stop shaking (no, I'm not cold) I think I'll leave everything as is and go and do something else.

I'll see you soon.

Have a great day,
Dalia