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DKC424 [2014-07-26 17:19:04 +0000 UTC]

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Nicely done sir!

In art I believe that it's mostly pass fail. So, I definitely believe you pass. You clearly chosen a subject that you are passionate about and the effort to portray it clearly comes out.

Portraits of any type are tricky because the devil is always in the details (which I will touch on later). You have a good sense of foreshortening, and for the most part perspective wise everything lines up well. Trust me, that is a feat all on its own. Proportion-wise I feel like you have a good sense of how the relationships play out, head to body, couch to back wall, etc. Also a feat all its own.

When I mention the devil in the details. I refer to surfaces and textures. When you consider the model, you should also consider the environment. After all, compositionally it's a package deal. What does the couch feel like? What about her dress? The clues that could give your viewer those answers aren't present because those surfaces have no real tone or texture. Fabric and flesh bunches and curves, when you sit on a cushion weight is distributed outwards visually. So, you'll want to give a representation of that even on at the least simple scale if not more intricate.

The last hang up that I have is with the right arm. The angle is a little odd and the form isn't quite there. So it feels out of place with the rest of the elements. If it were me I would take a little artistic license and weigh the option of whether it would be a deal breaker to remove it. The shoulder drops significantly enough of it could easily be rationalized that the arm falls behind her body and is obscured from our field of vision. Don't always let your eyes dictate the details, take the time to weigh it out in your head.

You have a good grasp of the human form. I encourage you to keep pushing your education of it through further studies. You're already good. Working at it diligently can only help you be great.

Again, good job!

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craigdeboard111 [2014-07-26 14:58:02 +0000 UTC]

You're onto something here but this could still use a lot of refining. When drawing the human form be sure to draw the larger aspects first. Always start that way, that way you know how big the eyes or nose or whatever should be in relation to the rest of the body. Draw large shapes first. Also do your model a favor and take photos. This will allow them to not have to sit for hours on end. Even a comfortable position gets tiring after a while.

I'll catch flak for saying this next part but I'm going to anyways. A lot of guys go with the whole "self-taught" routine in art. Some go to art school. Do yourself a favor. Don't be a "self-taught" guy.  If we were good enough to teach ourselves we wouldn't need to learn anything in the first place. And the moment we feel we have nothing to learn is the same moment we have failed as an artist. So either hit up some classes and have someone teach you some anatomy, perspective, lighting and drapery, or head to your local library if you can't afford school and allow some books to teach you. Instructors and/or books will teach us far more than we will teach ourselves just making the same errors over and over again. There's a ton of info on the very subjects mentioned previously at your library.

Use a ruler or straight-edge of some sort for those straight lines in your background.

When drawing people, use small straight lines rather than large swooping curving lines. You'll have more control.

Create depth by using lighting and shading. As of now the drawing is very flat.

The good? First and foremost you saw it through. You did the piece until it was finished. That says a lot. I can't count how many drawings that are unfinished that guys will put out there. You have an idea of values in art, especially in drawing, even if you don't know what that means. It can be seen with both your work on the hair and the texture of the couch. Exploit that. Work it. Here's a link on awing values. You're on the right track with them, so this should help even more.

All in all I give it a C. It's not failing but it still has a lot of work to be done to it. Here's that link for you: drawsketch.about.com/cs/pencil…

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