Author Archives: AJAiken

Morna and Alistair

Morna and Alistair are from a story I’ve been working at over the last few months. As they both get older in it I’ve been trying to find characters that work at different ages. These quick doodles I did after work are the first ones I feel capture their characters.

Character Sketching – Fantasy Creature

It’s taken me far too long to post these sketches from this session where Daniella Traub modelled as a ‘fantasy creature’! Through the evening I explored different versions of the character – more elfin, a wild girl of the woods, a villain.

Costumed Drawing – Maiden

Last week I was finally able to catch the free costumed drawing session CTN is running before it vanished from YouTube! As it’s a recording I was able to skip back and forward a bit as I pleased, so though poses were between two and seven minutes I spent less time on some and moreContinue reading “Costumed Drawing – Maiden”

Kinsey’s Sword Thumbnails

A few years ago I posted some images from a short story I’d written and illustrated. You can view them here if you didn’t see them the first time around! The story follows Kinsey, a young Queen who battles her fears in order to reclaim her sword, her family, and her purpose. Since then I’veContinue reading “Kinsey’s Sword Thumbnails”

Equitots Lanarkshire Pony Booklet

My sister and I were horse mad when we were younger, with model horses, multiple books, and notebooks filled with pony sketches and stories. I still ride, and (when I’m not in lockdown) volunteer with my local Riding for the Disabled group. So creating this booklet for Equitots Lanarkshire was a real pleasure! Lee gaveContinue reading “Equitots Lanarkshire Pony Booklet”

Character Sketching – Alameda Slim

Last week’s CTN On Model sketching session featured Jonnathon as Alameda Slim, the villain from Home on the Range. I’ve only seen the film once so I don’t know the character very well. At first I really struggled to figure out how his head connects to his neck! By the end of the event IContinue reading “Character Sketching – Alameda Slim”

Life Drawing, 12th May

Vilidian modelled at this week’s life drawing session. Unfortunately I’d run out of paper (more is on the way) but I drew in Photoshop instead. I tried to resist using ‘Undo’ but didn’t always succeed … It was nice having some close-up poses near to the camera.

Thatched Cottage Studies

At the moment I’m gathering reference for a personal project, and I’m learning a lot! The way medieval houses were constructed depended so much on where they were built – stone or wood? Heather or straw for the thatch? There are the well-constructed houses, some of which are still standing today, and then the onesContinue reading “Thatched Cottage Studies”

Character Sketching – Maleficent

I’ve admired artists who turned their life drawing sketches into characters for years, but though I’ve used my drawings as inspiration for characters I’ve never, until now, drawn a model and drawn a character at the same time. It’s tough. But it’s fun! With so much online at present, I discovered that CTN is runningContinue reading “Character Sketching – Maleficent”

Gesture Drawing, 5th May

Liat modelled at an amazing gesture drawing session this week. I gave a brief demo on gestures before we began, showing a little of what I’ve been taught while studying animation. The response to what I shared and to the session as a whole was really positive, much more so than I expected. It seemsContinue reading “Gesture Drawing, 5th May”

Life Drawing, April and May

I’ve joined for part of the last couple of life drawing sessions, modelled by Maxime and Dominique (plus a special guest). Some really lovely poses from both of them, and the added challenge of a snake … *EDIT – The initial time posted was wrong. Updated time below.* Tomorrow (May 5th) there’s a special gesture-focusedContinue reading “Life Drawing, April and May”