New Sketch

My proportions overall are off, but I'm thinking about using the reference photo for my next piece.  I'm not sure if I should try to paint it or stick to drawing.  With the detail of the wrinkles of the face maybe a drawing would be better.  I am happy I finally got around to sketching something, it is a step in the right direction.  I need to re-examine some ideas I've had to see if there is something else I might be better suited to working on right now.  I'm thinking about starting a painting, but I need something less challenging to start with.  I haven't painted in awhile.  Also I'm taking a further break from the drawing I was working on, I'm having no motivation to work on it but I do want to start working again.  At least with what ever I start I'll be able to post the progress here.

A new year, new goals

     Last year I had the goal of completing eleven new pieces during the year.  I have six to show for my effort.  To be fair though I did complete seven though that piece will not be posted on my site for various reasons.  I was on my way to eight when I hit the wall.  I took a break and now I'm hoping for that piece I took a break from to be my first completed piece of 2011.  I think partially my monthly deadline worked for me last year, though trying to force myself to think through a series didn't seem all that productive.  I have many ideas that I want to work on, and I want to just sketch more.  This year I'm hoping to set deadlines still but more tailored to the piece I'm working on.  I'm not going to focus so much on a series, I want to keep exploring different ideas and media.  I got some canvases for Christmas and I still have some set aside in the closet, so I do want to do some more painting soon.  I've also had the idea to print some reference photos just to tuck away in my sketch book so I can sketch while I'm out.  I also want to sketch and maybe work from life a bit more, but I think having the photos available will help me to sketch more.
     I'm hoping to start work on my drawing tomorrow, again since it is a gift and I don't have proper permissions I won't be posting photos, but I may post something in writing about my progress.  I hope to start sketching soon.  I need to get some printer ink before I can print my reference photos for my sketch book, but maybe I can sketch a little in front of the computer or from life.  I may invest in a new smaller sketch book soon as well.  Once I get some good progress in on my current drawing I'll start looking toward the next piece.  I'll look through my idea note book, and my existing photos for inspiration and go from there.  I don't have a solid idea for my next piece and I'm okay with that.

Some updates

I'd love to make a promise for more sketches soon, but I've recently realized that my deadline is looming and I'm feeling behind.  I always like to finish ahead of schedule rather than just on time or even behind.  I can't post photos right now, but the drawing is working out rather well.  I have started work on the second face, and I'm a bit worried about some things with it. I have to remember that it's still in the early stages and I can still make some changes.  I need to finish the hair and sunglasses from the first figure, and of course add the body in, but the face is done.  I'm really hoping to finish on time, that way I can start on my new drawing (though I am having second thoughts on what to do next).  Either way I should have something new started and posted soon.  Depending on the subject I choose I may have a bit of a delay while I obtain permission to post the work in progress images, if at all.

A sketch and an update

    I finally got around to sketching tonight.  It took me awhile to finally decide on a reference photo to start with, the photo I used was from a virtual figure drawing class.  I think the most successful part of this was actually the mouth.  I tried to be more loose with the whole thing.  I like it, it was interesting, and I think I might try another sketch tomorrow.
     I made some more progress with my drawing.  I have the whole first face filled in. Aside from fixing a few issues with the skin tone, I'm feeling good about it.  I even started in on the second face.  I made the decision to keep the eye where I had it.  I really liked how it was looking so I'll work around the slight placement issue.  So far I'm not sure how on track I am with my deadline but I know I need to start working more for sure.

Deadlines

Yesterday I finally made the decision to give myself deadlines again. I know I'm going to off on my goal for the year, but I feel that giving myself a deadline will make me work a bit faster anyway.  At first I was going to give myself until the end of the month to finish the drawing I'm working on, but I think that is a bit too close to be realistic, so I'm thinking about the 14th or 15th of next month would be a good deadline.  I have plans for my next drawing already, which will be another gift.  This one I've been toying with the idea for awhile, and I've come to the realization that sometimes time is of the essence, so I'm not putting it off anymore.  I will be asking permission of the proper people to be posting the work in progress (this time the models are not the gift receivers so that makes it easier).

Working...

     I just finished up a little progress on my drawing.  I started adding color to the first face.  I was going to finish the whole composition in dark umber, but then I went to start drawing in the second face and it wasn't working out.  I need to more finely settle where the first face will be so I can draw in the second face with the first as a basis.  The color is going rather quickly, so it shouldn't be too long before I can start back in on the second face.
     I still haven't done any sketching, though I keep saying I am.  Today I was thinking about sketching some images from my dreams. One would actually be a painting I dreamed I had done, another is some imagery involving my hands that I found rather disturbing.  The painting I've been wanting to find a way to do since the dream, especially since in the dream I said it was the best one I had ever done.  The other dream just keeps sticking with me, and hoping maybe by sketching it, I can turn it into something positive.

Working

I was working today, and even though I don't feel comfortable posting photos of my drawing just yet, I do want to talk about it.  I'm laid in a good bit of the first face just in dark umber.  I really like how it's looking but I think I'll have to start adding in some more colors soon.  I keep telling myself all the changes I'll make, when I start adding in more layers.  I think I'm going to have to see that happen soon.  Part of me was hoping do the whole composition in a layer of dark umber, then layer over it with the rest of the colors.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that.  It would be a first for me though and I might benefit from it.  I might try to keep pushing myself to just stick to this layer.  I'm thinking though I love where it is going, part of me feels the eyes need to be fixed but I think that will happen when I add color in.  I think they'll look great in color and I fix some of the issues I'm having.