Accuracy Training (Part 3 of 3)

Let’s take it into the full block-in! Before getting into this, make sure to watch Part 1 and Part 2. Steps Get a reference image. Enlarge canvas to 200% width. Create a new layer and indicate your placement marks: top, bottom, left, right. Double-check the lines you’ve drawn. Move them, refine them, until they look perfect. Erase the […]

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Accuracy Training (Part 2 of 3)

Here we add the difficulty of making the drawing a different size than the reference. Steps Get a reference image. Enlarge canvas to 200% width. Make a new layer and draw a simple shape to estimate how big your drawing will be. Use a light line! Do your placement: top, bottom, left, right. Double-check the lines you’ve drawn. Move […]

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Accuracy Training (Part 1 of 3)

This is an effective way to develop your accuracy, with immediate feedback on how well you did! Steps Get a reference image. Enlarge canvas to 200% width. Create a new layer and indicate placement marks on the reference image: top, bottom, left, right. On the empty side of the canvas, do your placement: top, bottom, left, right. Double-check […]

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How can I learn perspective? It’s not fun!

For learning perspective, the most entertaining class I know about is by Marshall Vandruff. I’ve studied with him a bit and he’s a masterful teacher. Preview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-TokC2XdCw Course: marshallart.com/news/blog/all-products/all-videos/1994-perspective-drawing-series If that doesn’t resonate, I’d jump into 3D! Playing with SketchUp and ZBrush/Sculptris has helped me a lot to get a more intuitive sense of perspective. […]

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What’s the difference between .ztl and .zpr files in ZBrush?

.ztl = ZTtool This saves just your sculpt (the ztool), including subtools. .zpr = ZProject This saves all all the ztools that are currently loaded, including undo history, document background color, spotlight images, etc. Which one to choose? For small file size, use .ztl. For saving your entire “workspace” and undo history, use .zpr.

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How can I get better at composition?

For many artists, the topic of composition is elusive. What makes a good composition? How do I know what changes to make to my image to improve it? There are principles of visual perception that can guide this decision-making. Below are a few ways to better understand these. As you study and learn these mechanics of composition, I invite you to also keep following your […]

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How to avoid running out of space on the page

There is a straightforward strategy that allows you to fit your subject on the page without running out of space. I start every single observational drawing this way: Decide what you want to draw and find your frame or cropping by holding up your fingers or an actual viewfinder. Begin your drawing with four placement marks: top, […]

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How to draw foreshortening from imagination?

Follow these steps: Read up on focal length to understand camera lenses. Play with Sketchup and the Camera > Field of View setting. Draw simple forms (cube, sphere, cylinder) with different focal lengths / amounts of distortion, from imagination or with reference in Sketchup. Find photographs with interesting foreshortening and draw the objects as simple geometric forms […]

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