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.
Author Archives: AJAiken
Character Sketching – Ballerina
Beatrix held some tricky-to-draw ballet poses last Friday for CTN’s On Model class.
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 – Dorothy
Rachel modelled as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz at last week’s On Model session. A little different from the last couple of weeks – this time I wasn’t following a model sheet!
Life Drawing, 19th May
Vera modelled at this Tuesday’s session. She held some great poses with interesting shapes.
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”
Animal Gestures
Some recent sketches. I love how much is shown by the way the rabbit stretches warily across screen, and the relaxed compared to the alert tail of the squirrels. Body language shares so much story. I’d really like to draw more ‘story’ poses for human characters.
Life Drawing, 14th March
My regular life drawing group has moved online, so last week I sketched Amelia from the comfort of my own home! I’ve done quite a lot of drawing from stills online, so it was familiar in that way. The shorter poses worked well, but I struggled to see the detail for the longer poses –Continue reading “Life Drawing, 14th March”
The Empty Tomb
He has risen!
Good Friday
How can today be ‘Good’ Friday when it is a day of death, of sorrow, when even Jesus cried out ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ It is good because ‘It is finished’ – not over, but paid in full. It is good because the temple curtain was torn in two. ItContinue reading “Good Friday”
Cats, big and small
Gestures of cats big and small from Line of Action. Some very quick 30 second gestures up to two minute studies.
Desert
I’ve been working on improving my colour studies and digital painting. There’s a lot I need to keep practicing, but I’m pleased with the sense of distance in this study.
Hand Studies
Recently I’ve spoken to a few people about their life drawing, and one thing that’s kept coming up is hands, feet, and faces. It’s really clear when I look at work that has these things missing. They’re tough to draw – don’t I know it! Sadly, they will still be difficult to draw if youContinue reading “Hand Studies”
