Thursday 20 December 2007

Feeling Colourful.....











Thanx everyone for the comments on the last post, sad and excited at the same time. To leave everyone for a year burns a bit, still having trouble dealing with that. Anyway, here’s a few sketches from life. I’ve been drawing hands a lot lately. I had to in-between some hands on my test and I struggled more than I wanted to so I need to really attack hands on another level. I’m also trying to do things like draw environments and put more people in a drawing. Just take a look at my blog, hardly any buildings or landscapes, been a bit of a one trick merchant. The first pic is of the canteen at work, I’m quite proud of it as it’s probably my best attempt to date. Drawing environments from life is something I really struggle with. I completely seize up. Lately I’ve been looking at the subjects that I'm challenged by and try to draw it in my mind. I find it really helps to discover the reasons I have difficulties with certain things. I noticed that certain blocks come up either when I have to sketch more than one person in a scene or have to deal with perspective etc, so “mind drawing” helps me to work out things without my being too worried about changing or scrapping a picture. (I’m not suggesting this is an original idea by the way, it must be in a book somewhere, I just haven’t read it yet) The last picture is example of a struggle. I learnt a lot from it that’s why I posted it. I started reading about perspective and it is shocking how little I know. Of late, I’m trying to apply those principles to my drawings and I noticed I started becoming rigid. I don’t know why but every time I tackle something new I hold the pen like I know nothing. They say you should “empty your cup” to learn something new, but I not only empty the cup, I throw it away. When I get stuck I have to filter through the trash and find my cup again and fill it with what I already know. I guess that’s me giving myself little credit. I think what I might start doing is make a point of posting my struggles to show, I don’t find this easy (I kind of started in the last post). I’ll probably post a Christmas pic next and also start work on the superhero thumb from the last post (Thanx for your patience Omer)…

And Again….

Wes

PS: a pic of the book I'm reading if your interested......

29 comments:

maarten said...

hey dude, keep the posting up!
these sketches are great.
the canteen sketch is super.
your 2nd sketch reminds me of kristian antonellis work a bit. And I mean that in a very positive way, you got your own style, i just thought he might be one of your influences. Anyway that sketch is really really good.

Animating hands... that must be so hard, only the thought of it scares me.

I GOT MY LIGHTBOX, yeaaaaa im so happy.
sundays post is gonna be nice i think.

merry christmas!

messytimbo said...

liking it buddy! hands are great. enviroments are great. i'm with maarten, i love the 2nd one. i think it only looks like kristian's work because of what you've drawn, not how you've drawn it. but i did think that as well:) i like the simple colours, everything is good, good, good.

whats that book like? is it worth copping?

Michal Olgierd Konstantynowicz (rumun) said...

I am more impressed every time - I see the perfection and some kind of technicality - in which myself is not any good, impressed again and I know I can not do like this...but no worries you and Tim are good inspiration for some work to be done..even if that means to take my kids to Portugal...(sorry for the dark humor)
and Merry Christmass and good New Year ahed !

Doctor Cerebro said...

yes man, nice as always. in terms of presentation i think your sketches look much much better on the textured paper background, where they really stand out and make a nice contrast.

Paul Lacolley said...

you're back!!!thats great and I like the "mind drawing" concept

Valentina said...

I love your sketches mate, great stuff :)

Valentina said...

Hey thanks for your comment!

the ninja girl was a character design stuff.. never know if i'm gonna animate it one day :)
it was an exercise at st martins character design short course

Daniel M.C. Alvite said...

hey wes, congrats for the job.
i've so busy that i just saw about your news. well done matte..you deserve it...don't freeze up there.

Kristian said...

man, great work..again! i also really love the text you always leave. I should write more, but i fear I haven't that much to say. I love the tube sketch. The hand studies are excellent. lets go for a drink very soon, get tim on the case. see ya

libra bear said...

Thanks for the comments guys, hope the festive season has been good to you....
Maarten, It's funny you should say, I was actually thinking Of Mr Antonelli's when I drew it, he is a very big influence on my "out and about sketches" he does it so well. It's nice to be inspired by someone that you can have drinks with and talk to. I learn a lot from him. Its about time you got that box, now start flipping....

Timbo, I still can't see my style, I think my work always looks like someone elses but I've stopped worrying about that now. It gets in the way of my learning, hopefully my style will present itself to me one day. The books OK so far, but I have to admit, I hate "how to" books that dont have a personal touch to it, Thats why I love Richard Williams book so much.

Mic, not to sound corny but you should change your approach from "I cant" to "I will" dont underestimate yourself, especially when your at the beginning of your journey.

Dr C, I prefer the textured paper too, but I don't want to type cast myself I guess.

Lacpol, Thanx man, mind drawing is also cool when a sketch book is not appropiate, that way I'm always practicing how to look....

Many thanx Val...

DMCA, I got my long johns packed and ready :)

Kristian, Thats why its good when we meet up, whatever isnt said on blogs is said in person, so I dont mind too much...hey...where's da shooowreeeel????!!!!

Valentina said...

no. I don't think so..it has been a real disappointment :(

at least the short course...

Unknown said...

I always find it hard to beileve that you have struggles with drawin especially with the results you get. Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well as the spiffy sketches. A wonderful inspiration and I wish you and yours a happy holiday!

Marcos Mateu said...

Nice work!

Dave said...

Great sketches! Inspiring stuff.

maarten said...

glad you liked the watercolours and the upside down girl man.
have a great new year!

Unknown said...

Like to see those life drawings man, keep working hard and you'll learn more! Happy New Year.

Unknown said...

Oh, I love gesture practice from last post. Feel ashamed when looking at your blog, I better go and get something done or Timbo will lunch a New clear bomb to my home.

Ken said...

Fantastic sketches as usual mate :D

Happy New Year! Best Wishes for 2008

Ken :D

SHANE PRIGMORE said...

Great stuff as usual. Nice hand page too. Happy new year!

Paul Lacolley said...

happy new year!!!

maarten said...

its been quiet for a while... almost mid january... keep me updated dude!
hope your well.

Lubomir said...

Great sketches man!

Paul Lacolley said...

thanks libra bear...see you!

Paul Lacolley said...

hi mate! I miss your drawing!!! you have to have too much work...see you! ;)

Paul Lacolley said...

thanks man and good luck for the work!!!

G.Encinas said...

thanks for the comment!
awesome drawings as usual!
can't wait for the next post!
till next time!

maarten said...

yo wes, whats going on? already in scotland?

flaviano said...

congrats for your new position. cleanup and inbetw are the best school for your hand to find the best mark. but the special thing is the onour to see and follow the animation work. i have some friend who work as animator on Illusionist and they are great, you sure can learn a lot! and dont forget to photocopy the animations pose and keep them as your archivie.

Alexandre Augusto Ferreira said...

Very nice stuff.Really great work and amazing blog!!