Week 1 Homework Part 2: Self Portrait

27.09.16

In completing this piece what I found most challenging was making my painting look like me. I found it difficult to get the proportions right and hardened features by accident. For instance, my jawline has been accentuated and made square when it is more rounded. I had to make a conscious effort to focus on myself in the mirror and not bury my head in my sketchbook, especially for details like my glasses.

I also found difficulty in portraying light and shadow and making sure there was enough depth. The nose, for example, looks more 2D than I would like and that is something I would like to improve on.

With regards to my favourite parts of the painting, it has to be the eyes and eyebrows. I made sure there was a lot of detail in these areas, as that is where I wanted the viewer to be drawn to. They are also, in my opinion,  the part which most resembles how I actually look. This, I believe, was a byproduct of focusing on that area.

In future, I would try and use the focus I did on the eyes and eyebrows for the entire piece and hopefully improve the overall look. I would also study the light and shadow more in order to create a more 3D and lifelike image. 

Self Portrait. 1 hour 35 min. 

4B pencil sketch, outline in fine liner (0.1,0.3,0.7),

watercolour painted and finished with black and white acrylic.

Week 1 Homework Part 1

27.09.16

Yesterday, I had my first lesson for the 'Drawing for Animators and Illustrators' module. I found the observed drawing tasks challenging but engaging.

As the lesson went on I found the tasks more difficult e.g. drawing without looking at the page (no. 5 & 6). This was because I was conscious that the work I was producing was not to a good standard. The fact that everyone was in the same boat helped with this anxiety and in the end, I had fun doing it. I also found drawing with my non-dominant hand a struggle at first, but then gained a bit more control of it and came out with a piece of work that was surprisingly quite nice (10).

My favourite pieces are (1), (2) and (11). This is because they have a spark to them that makes them look more life like. Specifically, with (2), I feel like I captured the concentration on the subjects face and I am pleased with that.

Overall I have learnt that experimenting with different materials, speeds, and practices, can benefit my drawing skill. I've also learned that I need to get into the habit of looking more at the subject than at my paper so that I end up with a more accurate depiction of what's in front of me.

(1) Cerys. 20 min. 3B + 6B Pencil.

(2) Alex. 10 min. 0.8 + 0.5 + M Fine liners.

Speed drawing.

(3) Alex. 5 min. 0.8 Fine Liner. 

Speed drawing.

(4) Alex. 2&1/2 min. 6B Pencil.

Speed drawing.

(5) Kristina. 5 min. 3B pencil.

Blind speed drawing.

(6) Megan. 3 min. 3B pencil.

Blind speed drawing.

(7) Megan. 15 min. 3B Pencil.

50% looking at person, 50% looking at paper.

(8) Megan. 5 min. 0.8 Fine Liner Pen. 

Line Drawing not taking pen off paper.

(9) Megan. 5 min. 0.8 Fine Liner Pen. 

Contour Drawing. Semi-blind, not taking pen off paper.

(10) Jess. 15 min. 3B + 6B Pencils. 

Drawing with non-dominant hand.

(11) Kian. 20 min. 6B pencil.