Self Portrait

Don't care to much for it, for the most part the eyes. They ended up to big but the nose seems to be correctly done. The mouth was hard to see and draw on account of the beard covering a good portion of it.

Final ReviewThoughts

This semester in Life drawing I feel I have improved my drawing ability greatly. When I started I was relying solely on the outlines of objects and concentrating on what I thought I saw. This class has taught me to draw more based on shapes and to look for anatomical marks that will really help with location and proportion.

I also started this class with very broad lines, that was essentially one continuous line. I have worked past that and developed a more sketcherly quality. Varying line thickness and even not worrying about defining a whole shape with a prominent line.

On a similar note, my original thoughts about the human figure was to draw things fluent, smooth, and organic since thats what your eyes see. When in contrast, one should draw things with sharper angles and not be afraid to use corners. This will in turn give your drawings a more life like feeling as apposed to the soft organic drawings.

When incorporating those two elements into my drawings I was able to produce drawings like the last two in the previous blog post; the human back view and the eye sockets.

The manikan helped a great deal. Before the class I had a general idea of the muscle locations, or at least the large bodies of muscles. Working with the manikan however help me realize how the muscles attach at the joints, which has always been in question for me. With particualr focus on the knee, ankle and hips. As well as the elbow wrist and shoulder. I never really understood how the arms and legs attached to the body, but now I have a better idea.

In all I think I will be taking alot out of this class and I hope I can carry it over into my other works.

Final review

Review

I don't really get attracted by the text parts of the blogs, unless it is something I am highly interested in, in the first place. Generally the blogs i read are blogs by people I look up to, ones where they have personal conversations on their blog, not being afraid to pour their hearts out. If it's other random blogs or in particular our class blog, I mainly get attracted by the videos or photos on blogs then anything else. A example from class would be Jess' tedious post. I really enjoy the art work that she displayed in it, what I noticed first was the overall size of the art work and the great detail it contained. I think that is mainly why i gravitated towards that image.

Personal blogging is what i enjoy. That is mainly why i like blogs, they are written personally but they are entirely public for anyone who cares to look. I love writing and i think it is probably very evident in the size of my text descriptions with the class assignments. But the class assignments aren't what i like writing. I love writing about things that have happened to me or how i am feeling at the moment. If I had my choice I would have a public journal in essence, for everyone to see.

It is quite a phenomenon with my generation, the fact that privacy is not a factor for them, they put their lives on facebook and myspace, they write their personal feelings in blogs, they twitter every time they move an inch to let everyone know what they are doing. They don't care who looks at it, or why, and they don't bat an eye at divulging their selves to complete strangers.

The only thing that I don't like about blogs is it's time consuming, very time consuming. Just writing isn't as bad, but trying to arrange pictures, or to take the time to improve the picture before you post. I don't have a lot of time as it is, and this greatly clashes with the things that i love to do the most, which is writing, design, and learning (all out side of school work). I have been in college for 6 years now and i have at least another couple to go, and through my time I have progressed through a degree with no general direction to a degree that was all research papers and statistics to a degree that is all about free expression and now to a degree that is about the 9-5 grind. All of this has eaten up 6 years of my life with busy class schedules, assignments, commutes and half eaten meals. Recently i have taken on 3 degrees and have a very minimal time to do what i love, not to mention just sit and relax.

I haven't left much comments at all on my blog members sites. I try to follow every ones blogs from the class but there are things that just don't spark a creative writing streak in me, for commenting or critiquing. Also because I'm really bad at keeping up to date with things, which i think i have done okay with this blog. This goes both ways, i haven't seen much comments form other members as well. I enjoy that we have our class blogs because I like looking at others work. Have to understand though I am the kid that sits in the back of the class room and doesn't pitch in the debate. I would rather just sit and listen the whole time, as well just look and take everything in. Which completely contrasts that I make friends really easy, doesn't add up.

I think it would be neat to give an assignment to the class where you have to find images or write why you are in this class. I don't mean because its in your major or that it's required. I mean why are you and artist/designer, especially the studio art majors since that's not a (legitimate career by many), what has motivated you, what has pushed you, pulled you, held you back, who supported you, who disregarded you for choosing a career in art. Basically how did you get to where you are today.

Now onto the assignment, to rate myself in accordance to the image quality, I would have to say my images are actually rather large in size, really high quality photos which is thanks to my SLR camera. I enjoy photos and I keep a library of every photo I ever used on my computer. So overall I would say one of the best parts of my blog are my good photos.

I try to blog about other stuff other then the class assignments. Most of the time it comes out in rants within class assignments. I nearly haven't posted enough extra blog entries as i should or as I would like to. Which brings up the point of all the shoulds and woulds in my life right now, which I will save for another time. But I would say my extra posts are minimal at most.

In terms of posting comments on other peoples blogs, I would have to give myself a failing grade. I haven't posted anything on any one else's blog since the beginning of class. I have made comments to some people in person about their work they post, but i think something is lost in translation when it's not in person. Although that's no excuse for a failing assignment.

As a professional artist I would have to say my blog is not the place to go. For professionalism I would rather have people go to my actual website with my work on it. I would have to say that my blog would successfully communicate me as an artist to anyone who looks at it. I would think that people would describe my work as highly detailed and very tightly created designs with underlining fantasy and nerdcore themes. I think they would describe me as someone who is very open and loves what he does enough to continue creating and writing.

Overall, I honestly would give my blog a B/C grade mainly sincei have not done any comments on other peoples blogs.

~Strauss

Long Drawings

This first image is one of the first pictures that I have done which I actually enjoy. With very heavy strong lines closer to the viewer that gives the image a clear mass and visual weight.

As well the weight of the line value getting softer and softer towards the top of the spinal column and the bottom of the right Femur give the image a clear indication that there is more to the figure which proceeds off the page.

I think in terms of our class, the sharp angles and over extended lines give the form life, as though it's in motion. I think this is one of my strongest drawings in terms of line weight, with a broad range of heavy to very light lines (especially in the back femur.)

This next image is another one of my favorite works so far. It was actually the most recent. Here you can see a very good use of shading through the use of hatching and line work. The is really evident use of foreshortening on the left leg from the knee back to the foot.

You can see the use of basic shapes throughout the image. An example would be the triangle on the stomach and and other triangle between the two legs.

The rib cage can hardly bee seen anymore but this image started out with the rib cage and the pelvis like normal. You can see the shapes in the back that make up the right shoulder blade. As well the spinal cord can be seen in the back of the neck right under the head.

The head was not defined since we have not covered it yet. Also the arms lack definition, both in shading and proportion. Specifically the right elbow is one area which i didn't notice before that does not look correct. It seems that it is too thin.

This last image might be one of my favorite ones. First it is very reminiscent of generic comic book heroes, with the broad muscles and the bald/blank head.

This really depicts the spinal curve well, paying attention to the turn of the torso. The faint drawing of the rib cage can be seen within the upper torso, which shows a base point to start from.

This drawing depicts the models position very well. With lighter line weight given to the left foot in the back and the top of the right knee which can just be seen behind the model.

This image i think is the best one to depict the actual muscles that can be seen. Great detail was given to the leg muscles, which were tensed because of the pose. The only part that is completely out of proportion that I see now is the upper left arm. It is greatly increased in size compared to the rest of the body.

IN all these drawings show improvement on some of my first ones i have posted. Even though these three drawings seem to focus more on the outline, they actually are focused more on the shapes of the muscle groups. These three drawings also were all built upon the long axis lines which were the starting point for the drawings. The rib cage and pelvis were sketched in along with the axis lines in the beginning.

Gestures

These are some of my first gesture drawings. on the image that is marked with the numbers you can see that at position 1 the rib cage and the pelvis is quickly sketched in, to give a starting point. There is a problem with the location of the pelvis, it is located to low, in relation to the rib cage. At point 2 you can see a heavier and bolder line which is used to indicate which areas are closer. In the upper right image the use of heavy lines was too overdone, and you don't get a clear understanding of the depth.

In all of these drawings the figure whole figure fits within the page and no part is left undrawn. Each pose you can get a good sense of what the pose actually was. With the top two standing and the bottom one laying down.

Each drawing is focused on the long axis lines, it is most apparent in the top left and bottom right drawing. The bottom right pose is the only position that is looking away from the viewer and the foreshortening can be seen with the sharp angles at the knees and elbows as well as the diagonal lines receding into the back ground.

These three drawings are from later in the semester which show and overall improvement. The first image shows my ability to draw within a smaller window. The left half of the image is oriented correctly, while the right half of the image is turned to the left. Each of these images show an improvement with spacial relations, with both the right and bottom left image having correct relation of the pelvis of the rib cage.

You can as well definitely tell that the right image is standing looking away from the viewer and the bottom right is curled up on the ground, I think both of those are very clear. I think that these all show improvement from my first images and looks more representational of a human figure.

Lower Leg Muscles

From this front view of the lower leg you can see the extensors which run across the top of the foot and connect to each toe. The tibia bone can also bee seen which would in turn be considered your shin.









From this left profile view you cans see the extensors a lot clearer. The bulk of the extensors can be seen attaching at the top of the tibia, as well as the tendons of the extensors running across the top of the toes. The peroneus tertius can also be clearly seen attaching in the middle of the tibia and the tendon attaching to the outer side of the foot.



The third image shows the back three quarters view from the outside of the leg. From here the extensors can be seen slightly, but what is prevalent in this image is the gastrocnemius. The gastrocnemius or otherwise known as the calf muscles attach from the bottom of the Femur while the tendon runs down to the heal of the foot. This tendon would be known as the Achilles tendon.



This last image shows again a back three fourths inside view of the lower leg. From here the flexor digitorum longus and the soleus can be seen running down and under the foot which will attach to the bottom of the toes.

In all these muscles I think turned out well. Only thing I would change is hte calf muscle, since it seems to end too high on the lower leg.

Work From Painting I

This is my latest work I have finished in my Painting 1 class. It was essentially the first large painting I have ever done, as well as the first painting I have done on a wood board instead of paper. I am very pleased on how it turned out but originally the image was to look much different. The background gave me a hard time, so there is a lot of history built up in the paint from layers on top of layers and reworking it with sandpaper. It is intended to tell a narrative but oddly enough it is not intended to tell a narrative about the current war, which most people have assumed this painting is about.

Quadriceps

This is the quadricep muscles, as approved and built upon from the last muscle update post. This shows the full quadricep muscle set which attach from the pelvis bone and run along down the Femur attaching to the top of the Tibia. The first Image shows the front of the leg and the corresponding quadricep muscle mass crossing over the Femur. The adductors can also be seen running diagonally from the top half of the femur to the pelvis area.

This second image Shows the profile view or the Side view of the Skeleton. From here you can see the Glutes very slightly as well as the outer side of the leg. From Here the attaching points on the Pelvis can be seen at the top of the hips, where there is a visual change in muscle direction.






The third image display the back of the Skeleton. Here the glutes can be seen how they overlap the quadricep muscles in the back of the leg. This also shows how the quadricep muscles diverge apart and form an upside down V around the back of the knee where the Femur and Tibia meet. The quadriceps then wrap around the front of the leg attaching around the sides of the knee cap location.



This last image displays the inside area of the thigh. Mainly to show how the quadraceps attach at the base of the pelvis and runs down the leg wrapping to the front. This can be seen from the diagonal line which the muscles make. One other muscle can also bee seen which is the Gracilis, running from the front of the leg wrapping around the inside of hte leg to the back of the knee and then returning to attach to the front of the Tibia.

Glutes

These three images show the muscles that create the hips and the glutes. Primarily they run from the top of the pelvis bone down to the top of the Tibia. With exception of the bottom of the glutes attaching to the top half of the femur. In the fist picture you can see where the attachment on the tibia is located and how the muscle wraps around from the back to attach in the front of the tibia.


In this image you can see the total length of the muscles, running from the pelvis bone's ilium to the tibia. Specifically you can see how the muscles connect to each other in the middle of the femur and form one muscle to run down the femur. It can't be seen clear here but the glutes are actually not connected to the rest of the muscle mass.





The last image to the left shows the separation of the glutes. As well it shows the attachment of the glutes to the back of the Femur bone. Also this image shows better the wrapping of the muscles around the femur bone and to the front of the tibia where it connects.






In class we were missing Reuben and Eric unfortunately didn't have his model that day. So comparing both mine and Melissa's model we only found a couple differences. Melissa's muscles didn't wrap around from the back to the front, instead they attached to the back of the tibia, where mine wrapped around. We referred back to the book to find out which way was correct and found out that it most likely attaches to the front of the tibia. Other then that, both of the muscles seemed to have the correct muscle masses.

Clay Muscle Structure

My process of making the muscles was to form a thin layer of muscle the approximate size and shape of the actual muscle. Then to apply the muscle to the figure. Afterwords I would add fiber marks along the muscle if needed. There really was no problem aside from trying to get the clay cleaned off the previous figure since it was jammed in every crack. I have used clay before to create models so working with the clay was no challenge at all, it was a nice break from the normal drawing. The only frustration i found was the image in the book for the rectus abdominis had two different images. One showed the muscle flat on top of the quadratus lumborum while the other showed it cutting through the quadratus lumborum. Other then that it was pretty self explanitory, just took some time.

One thing of advice I have for other people is think thin. I've noticed on some of the models from last semester that people have huge bulking muscles everywhere on the body, with some out of perportion. While there are muscles that are big and bulky, not all muscles alone are huge, sometimes its a combination of a flat muscles layers that build up the apperance of muscles, so in places like the back or chest theres a few layers on top of each other that make up the muscles that can be seen from outside the body.

Pelvis Studies

Up first is the masters drawings follow by my rendition of the pelvis. In each of the drawings you can see the pelvis is turned forward pointing almost outwards like its being tipped forward. I think I demonstrated this accurately in my drawings. The last image is suppose to be the foreshortened image. I had a hard time finding a good one, but none the less I think the image shows how you can see down into the pelvis from a top angle.

Rib Cage studies II

Here are my rib cage studies that are derived from the previous posts figure drawings by the old masters. Each image shows the egg structure, the first pair of ribs at the top, the cartilage that connects the bottom ribs and the sternum.

Rib Cage Studies I

These are the images I found of old Master drawings with attention to figure drawing. Both of the first drawings were found in the book, Drawing in Early Renaissance Italy by Francis Ames-Lewis. and the last drawing was taken from Leonardo Da Vinci: The Divine and the Grotesque by Martin Clayton.Benozzo Gozzoli, Studies of nudes. Rotterdam, Museum Boymans-van Beuningen, Silverpoint, with white heightening, on violet prepared paper; 22.5 x 15.5 cm.

Antonio Pollaiuo, Nude youth. Bayonne, Musee Bonnat, 1269. Pen and ink on paper; 26.8x8.8 cm.Leonardo Da Vinci, The proportions of the body according to Vitruvius, c.1490. Pen and ink with touches of wash, over stylus 34.4 x 24.5 cm.

First long drawings

Following my progression through the pictures form top to bottom you can see an absolute progression. The first drawing was mainly focusing on the imaginary outlines that appear to encase the figure. This was the first drawing before any instruction was given. The next two focus on the long axis lines. This is a much more representational view of the actual structure and form of the figure. I added a skull, rudimentary rib cage, and a rough pelvis in order for the figure to be more connected and for the figure drawing looks more like a human figure and less like a stick figure. Drawing the long axis instead of the body's outlines is a much easier and more accurate way to start out a figure drawing. This way everything is drawn proportional from the start and each limb is drawn with its correct curvature. The last drawing was the most recent and it was meant to focus on the spinal cord, with specific attention to the 4 curves that make up the spine. Although this figure was facing towards me, so there really isn't much spine detail that can be seen. The sternum on the other hand can be seen and the curve of the chest and stomach is depicted. After the long axis lines were drawn in I drew rough lines that depict the feet, hands, and rude muscles in the arms and legs. Overall I feel I have developed my drawing skill really well for a short amount of time that has passed. What i've learned will continue to grow and my skill will become more realistic.