Samson and the Philistine...round two

I love this sculpt and never get tired of looking at it. I find every time I draw it I'm seeing new things and learning so much about anatomy and form, which, I guess is one of the rewards of drawing from life. I have to continually remember to find interesting angles. I start quite slow and work my way up the page. I find this helps me think about what im looking at instead of just trying to gesturally 'sketch' it in. Need to constantly remind myself to do this and work slower and really understand the underlying form when working from sculpts as it can be tricky to distinguish the form, anatomy and tone from the discoloration of ageing marble and the effects of stone. I guess Rubens was right. It's a challenge, working with just line whereas, when using tone, mistakes are harder to see.

Still Life

Papa Bear

Eve listening to voice of Adam

Another one of those long sessions... I love this sculpt and am simultaneosly working on various poses, but this pose was a BIG Big big challenge for me, I learnt a lot about concepts that would take a while to explain here. There were erasings happening literally every 5 seconds at times!I need to start using thicker sheets to avoid tearing through the paper, which I almost did several times. But whenever I made a mistake I was honest with myself and corrected it, which is not easy to do. A few times, I think I put a mark down, even knowing it was not accurate, just to see how it played. But then remembered that no mark I put down should be arbitary. Im trying to get into the habit of this and am slowly starting to see improvements..

There are still a few things that have to be corrected and fully realised in this drawing.. back to 'seeing'.
Dan

Torso of Banovic Strahinja from the side

This was another one of those long sessions.. practicing seeing tone, trying to focus on the key range.
Dan

Samson and Philistine study at museum

This was one of those long sessions... I'm working on longer poses (good couple of hours), trying not to make 'sketchy' marks or think about making a good drawing... but to focus on whats really there..practice this more. Also get a new scanner (this drawing did'nt scan that well).
Dan

The GREAT Jimmy Smith

I'm always amazed by the similarities between art and music. But more specifically, between animation and music. They work so well together. I guess one of the reasons is that they both have 'timing' as an essential part of their structure. Some of my fave examples are Fantasia (classical music), the Tom n Jerry shorts (theres jazz music from the 40's and classical too) and a lot of the work by Chuck Jones. A friend got me this Jimmy Smith collection as a christmas gift..I mean I know about Mr Smith, he's one of my fave jazzers. But I just have to recommend this one to all the jazz lovers out there that know about or have yet to discover the amazing sounds that come from the keys when Jimmy touches them. Its a great intro to one of the best periods of his career, the Blue Note years. BE WARNED: Jimmy is smokin and swingin hard on every track so be prepared to tap you're feet or bob your head to the beat. Check out 'Get Happy' on disc one..ohh boy!

Dan

Jerry

Felt a bit challenged with myself.. I've started setting myself time limts for all my sketches. This sketch took around three minutes. The quicker it takes, the better. This is'nt to say that the drawing should be rushed, or thats its a race, not at all! Learning to work faster should not be taken literally in a way. I want to be more honest in my drawings from life and avoid being 'illustrational' or concerned with style or making a 'nice drawing', so I guess its more a matter of being clear in my mind about what im looking at. I learnt this method of drawing/painting (and am still practicing it) from a virtuoso painter and good friend. I learnt from him that honesty and guts are very important in drawing.. its all about having the courage and humility to put down the colors, tones and shapes that are REALLY there, otherwise the end result is 'illustrational' or mediocre. I have to practice this even MORE now. Also try the opposite, and draw longer poses...I think integrity in art is very important.. Setting myself time limits is one of the methods I am using to achieve this. . I need to remember to buy new paints and a sharpener.. will pay a visit to the store.

Dan

Happy New Year.. from life

What better way to start the year, by posting in the journal. I know I have'nt posted in a while, but will try to get back into the rhythm, have been very busy lately.. Before I forget, much love out to all the peeps on the animation course at St Martins who I studied with. I learnt a lot from all of you, even the 3d guys and yes, even from Tom, who I sat next to for a year. Have now posted some new character designs, MOUSE-SPECTOR HOLMES, a few quick sketches from life.. I should have done this ages ago but will put up my final project and showreel soon. Much love to Shouren Ho and Daniel M.C. Alvite, without your help I would'nt have been able to finish the project.

Dan

my last sketches of 2007

meet mouse-spector holmes

He can defend himself, he has high efficiency weaponry at his disposal, he speaks five languages, he is a master of deception and disguise.. he's MOUSE SPECTOR HOLMES!! This character is being developed slowly and will be used in a short animation. Will keep you posted.

Dan

expressions

body language poses