Dynamic Sketching videos

If you've been following the blog since I started it last fall, you'll know that the first class I took was VisCom 1: Dynamic Sketching with Peter Han. If you've ever thought about taking the class or wondered about what we learned, you should take half an hour to watch this video, in which Peter introduces the concept of visual communication and gives an overview of the kinds of exercises you can do to practice good sketching habits (you might remember me referring to them as "circles-and-lines exercises"). When I took the class, Peter and his TA, Patrick Ballesteros, stressed that they still practice these often, if not every day.

I love the gold frame that they put around his face at the beginning. If that doesn't say master artist I don't know what does.

This video was made for CGMA, an online school very similar to Concept Design Academy in most respects (except of course that all its classes are taught digitally). Peter teaches Dynamic Sketching there as well, for a similar price as CDA (so that would be a good option to take the class if you're not located in the Los Angeles area). In this second video, made for Dynamic Sketching II, he goes a little further into what's expected out of viscom students, and also demonstrates textures and forms/contours, which we were expected to do for homework as well.

Peter talks a lot about MILEAGE. This is something he stressed in our class as well. Drawing a lot, all the time. I specifically remember bringing in my homework one week and I really hadn't done too much. I think I'd taken one night that week and just shaded the stuff that I'd drawn in class. He wasn't angry, but I could tell he was disappointed. It's partly why I started the draw-every-day habit this year. Ira Glass's famous quote about reaching your artistic goals stresses "the most important thing you can do is a lot of work. Do a huge volume of work." I've come across this attitude again and again. Just produce work. Don't get attached to anything. Just do it, and do it, and improve.

These videos were great for me to watch to refresh myself on where I began, what I need to keep practicing, and where to go from here, so even if you have already taken Dynamic Sketching, they're worth watching.

In regular life news: I'm very excited to be able to say that in 48 hours' time, I will be at the SAN DIEGO COMIC CON for the first time in my life. I went to downtown Los Angeles's Comikaze in 2012 and Anaheim's Wondercon earlier this year, but I have always wanted to go to SDCC, and this year it's finally happening. I know I'll be doing lots and lots of waiting in lines, but I'm hoping to put a positive spin on this by turning it into major amounts of sketching time. I'm also looking forward to visiting both Peter and Patrick at their booths, as well as many other of the talented artists that I follow, such as Nathan Fowkes, Brett Bean, Aaron Diaz (Dresden Codak), and Pascal Campion, and going to the many great art-related panels and demos that will be happening throughout the weekend.

If you're following me on Instagram, you'll also know that I'm going in costume on one day, making this my very first cosplay (inspired, of course, by the fantastic cast of "Heroes of Cosplay", the show I've devoted way too much of my time to this year). I've spent a lot of time on my costume that probably should have been spent drawing instead, but it was fun and I'm excited to debut it. I won't give it away just yet but I will just say that there are a lot of things that I'm hoping to see at SDCC and I hope I can CATCH 'EM ALL.

© Gina Florio 2013

Dynamic Sketching Wrap-Up

 Our final project for Dynamic Sketching class was to make a book or compilation of our best sketches from the class.

Dynamic Sketching Week 7

So. I never thought I'd say this because I'm a stereotypical girl who couldn't tell a Mazda from a Maserati. But... I fucking love drawing cars.

Not exactly a car. A horse-drawn fire engine from 1913.

1979 called.

Couldn't draw a bunch of cars without getting in a few DeLoreans

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was left unfinished because I realized I was running out of time for my redesign. Also I realized way late that I somehow COMPLETELY botched the perspective but WHATEVER

This was also the first week that I actually felt like I did a good job on the redesign. Some friends and I visited the new Cars Land in California Adventure on Thanksgiving weekend, and it got me thinking about a car character - a nervous professor type which I ultimately based off of a Ford Model T Roadster.

I still don't really know how to render anything, especially reflective shit like cars. But in general, the cars assignment has really REALLY helped me to see form and perspective the way I should be seeing it when I draw. I'm definitely starting to look bigger picture, think about simplification, and keep details for later (if at all).

This week is tanks. I'm still a stereotypical girl in that I'm kind of meh about tanks. The military museum we went to on Saturday was cool, but since then I've drawn a grand total of ONE tank. I'm looking forward to planes though (next week).

By the way: now I CAN tell a Mazda from a Maserati. Hooray for learning.

Dynamic Sketching Week 5 & 6

Class sketchbook roundup!

Week 5 - Animals

Most of these were done at the zoo and then colored later.

Week 5 Redesign

Hanglider based on bat anatomy.

Week 6 - Cars, Tanks and Planes

These are all from reference - toys or internet photos.

We were supposed to do 6 pages that week, but Lauren and Justin were visiting that week so I only got through 4.

This week is cars again - last class we went to the Nethercutt Classic Car Museum in Sylmar, which was actually awesome. In general I'm liking vehicles more than I thought I would. I tend to draw more organic things usually. But I enjoy the straight lines and the perspective and the shape variation. Learning to appreciate the design of vehicles more.

To be honest, the part of the class I'm having the hardest time with is the redesign projects. Everyone else's are always so good, they come up with such creative things and seem to really enjoy exploring them. I can never seem to think of anything that I get really excited about. We're supposed to do several pages of design work before coming up with a final version - but I'll draw a few different versions and then get stuck about where to take it next. Not sure why that is. It's discouraging because I love drawing from imagination, and that's really what concept design IS, being able to conceive of many different versions of something and then take it to a finished design. But I feel like I do my best work when I'm drawing from life.

It's been a long time since I had to use my brain in this way. But it's great practice for sure. Overall I've definitely seen a huge improvement in my own work since the beginning of the class. I feel like I'm beginning to draw forms instead of lines. I think that's why I love drawing cars so much, actually - it's much easier to see the forms. It's just boxes and cirlces. And everything's symmetrical. What is on one side will be exactly the same on the other.

Dynamic Sketching Week 4 - Insects

I feel like I'm having real problems with rendering light and shadow... and I have trouble figuring out how to depict pattern as well as texture and shadow, and have it not be confusing.

I wasn't too happy with my redesign. I started out with this idea of a culture of native american-type people who worshipped and/or had a symbiotic relationship with giant scorpions... ended up having them use the exoskeleton of the scorpions as armor... just tried to do too much in too little time. Working on scaling back this week.

Not to mention, I know of no one who would ever stand like that. Ever. I can't wait to take some figure drawing classes.

Post-script: Today is the first day in a long time that I feel truly proud to be an American. The trend towards social justice and fairness in yesterday's election is extremely encouraging. "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice" - MLK Jr.

Dynamic Sketching Week 3

Last week we went to the Arboretum in Arcadia to sketch plants. For homework this week we had to do 6 pages of plant sketches and also a "redesign" project, with at least 2 pages worth of ideas for the redesign.

I was actually more excited about the 'mushroom houses' idea, but I decided to go with the pumpkin monster since that had more of a 'redesign' aspect to it, instead of using mushrooms/acorns/pinecones just as they were. Also, I realized mushrooms are technically animals and not plants. Also also, it's Halloween and I felt like it.

I really wish I hadn't shaded the pumpkin and vines so dark; I really wanted them to pop out from the dark background. But this is how we learn. I would love to do this in color sometime, whenever I get myself back to digital painting again.