SEPT-DEC 2016. WEEK 5 layout and composition.

In the more recent exercises we have expanded from single figure drawing to adding background detail, whether that be scenery or purely background texture and lighting.

Here is a recap of the basics of composition we discussed in calss.

Please bare in mind that what I  put forward here on this blog and in class, are based on my experiences of what I found to work successfully in my own work and also  observed in other artist's work. This is by no meands to be held as a hard and fast rule to composition. Use it as a guide but also search for your own truth, your own way. Think for your self.  It will be more rewarding than simply following every peice of advice I give.  Put what I  teach in class to the test. If you find fault with it, challenge me . Maybe I have something to learn too.

For the most part, the main thing to consider , is ballance. Does the drawing look ballanced. And if not, why not. Does the drawing lead yours, or the viewer's eye, to the main point of interest. Is your drawing communicating what you want it to. Always ask your self these questions with regards your work.

There is an old, tried and tested,  theory, called, the rule of thirds . This is basically a grid comprising of  nine parts.

There are four intersections

These intersections  provide a guide  for placing the main points of interest and creating  interesting and ballanced composition.it is most often used for photography but it applies to illustration and most visual arts.

Here are a couple of examples.

Rather than just copy what I have read in books or online and reword it as if it were my own, here are some links that explain, in more detail, the rule of thirds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds

http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/rule-of-thirds

http://simpleasthatblog.com/2015/03/understand-rule-of-thirds-photography.html

However, also check this one out

http://petapixel.com/2016/01/30/10-myths-about-the-rule-of-thirds/

I tend to agree with Glover.

Just because a rule exists, does not mean that it is the only way. And I also think that rules are meant to be broken. 

Art , in all it's forms,would be so very boring if everyone followed the same rules and never questioned them.

Tke a look at the following images by renowned artists. Does their work always follow the rule of thirds?

The Death Dealer by Frank frazetta

Chained by Frank Frazetta

The Barbarian by Frank Frazetta

By Simone Bianchi

By Adi Granov

Andrew Loomis

Bernie Wrightson

Boris Vallejo

Established rules are great as a foundation for learning but you don't have to let these rules stifle your creativity.

SEPT-DEC 2016. WEEK 4 layout and composition.

This week and the following classes , we will be looking at  how to extend your skills of figure drawing to a wider canvas, incorporating backgrounds and how to ballance them.

Here are the photos from this weeks class.

As you can see, the composition here is very much central, using single point perspective.

Does this make for good or bad composition?

Does this give interesting composition or uninteresting?

 And don't forget!!!

Tuesday 25^th October – NO CLASS - HALF TERM

Tuesday 1^st November  *The day before my birthday. If you fancy joining me for a drink, I will be     paying a visit to the vic, behind the Town Hall.

Tuesday 8^th November

Tuesday 15^th November

Tuesday 22^nd November

Tuesday 29^th November

Tuesday 6^th December – End of  term pub  outing if anyone is up for it.

SEPT-DEC 2016. INKTOBER

I meant to post this earlier but what with all the current workload and just general life stuff, I didn't get around to it.

Inktober is an event I have taken part in since 2015. If you want to know more about it , click on this link

http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober

 Here are my submissions so far

SEPT-DEC 2016. WEEK 2 part 2 HANDS

Here is my adaptation for the breakdown of the hand that I learned from, How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way.

As I mentioned in class, part of  improving your drawing skills is gaining an understanding of what it is you are about to draw. What can prove helpful, is simplifying the subject into more digestable information. The success of this method may depend on how you , as an idividual, absorb and interpret information.  This may not be effective for you  but try it out anyway.

As I demonstrated in clas, the palm of the hand is essentially, a sqaure shape. The finger can be broken down into three cylindrical shapes

If this method is helpful to you, try it out on other hand poses

SEPT-DEC 2016. WEEK 3 More Figure Drawing

This week, I thought I would go easy on you all and give you  a subject with no complex facial detail, no complex hand poses,.. just figure drawing.

As you know, I have produced work in connection with many video games throught my career, but not for this game. I so wish I had though.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 

Raziel

I  won't post all the reference material I gave you in calss. You already have that. What you may not have , are the rough workings of the tutorial.