Natural Bridges Sketchers

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2011-06-17T08:18:00.001-07:00

To see the latest student drawings from the Natural Bridges Sketchers as well as our new Scribbles Institute drawing studio at 303 Potrero #59 Santa Cruz, California 831.421.0774:
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What Do You Want to Draw Today?

Weeks 11-14: Getting Real With Pencils and Charcoal

2011-03-02T06:53:00.000-08:00

While drawing from real life with charcoal and various pencils, advanced NB sketchers pushed into new skill levels for their work. The result? Spectacular, to say the least! To view everyone's drawings, scroll down and click 'Read more' at the bottom of this post.

Images shown clockwise, starting upper left: Thairie smears, smudges, and erases his way through a drawing of a plaster cast; Gianna puts a delicate touch to contrasting shadows and highlights while drawing in charcoal from a plaster cast; Gianna's drawing shows how she started with accurate contour lines and proportions before carefully adding lighter and darker tones; The plaster cast drawn by Thairie shows accurate proportions and perspective, bold contours, and tones for shadows, mid-tones, and highlights.

Shown at left is a superb charcoal study of a plaster cast hand. The drawing shows very accurate details and proportions--a full hour of intense concentration! The artist is NB sketcher, Katia.

Students are finding their own voice in their drawings as they focus on projects that move them toward creating their future. From fine art to graphic design and video game design, students explore different materials and subject matter. To see more pics of NB sketchers in action: Click here

Drawings from observation: Gianna's large-format charcoal drawing of a dolphin vertebra (above left); Taylor's pencil study of scaling proportions with a grid, contours, and tonal values (above right)

Abel got into studying how artists used perspective drawing and various sketching techniques. He drew from masters such as M.C. Escher (above left) and Vincent Van Gogh (above right).

Students starting the new semester moved swiftly through lessons on using lines, shapes, tones, and contour edges while measuring accurate proportions. Above left is Grace's toucan, and to the right is Bobby's dragonfly.

To view everyone's drawings click 'Read more' below...

Andrew

Elijah

Grace

Quinn

Bobby

Taylor

Emilio

Zach

Hailey

Thairie

Gianna

Abel

ghgh

Weeks 7-10: Form, Contours, Tonal Values, Positive/Negative Space, Perspective

2011-01-03T15:55:00.000-08:00

Natural Bridges Sketchers are taking drawing to exciting new levels! A very focused NB crew put together a lot of awesome study sketches showing the roundness and contours of veggies and various objects as they aimed for accurate proportions.We also got into using large format paper and charcoal to study texture, light, and shadows.

Upper left is Abel's study of a squash and the upper right is his large-scale charcoal drawing. Lower left is Gianna's large-scale charcoal drawing showing the form and texture of an apple. Lower right is Frank's composition of different studies of a pumpkin.

Upper left is Elijah's contour study of a a pumpkin. Upper right is Emilio's contour sketch of a pumpkin. Lower left is Elijah's contour drawing of an antique iron. Lower right is Abel's study of the form of a coyote skull.

Students learned about 1 and 2-point perspective. Above left is Abel's 2-point drawing of boxes. To the right is Frank's 2-point drawing of buildings.

A very important aspect of drawing is learning to perceive positive and negative space. Upper left is Gianna's use of the negative space around a flower to draw its form. Upper right shows how Gianna used negative space to draw the contours of an egret. Lower left is Andrea's study of negative space around the egret. And to the right, she adds details forming its body.

Students also learned how to use gray tonal values to represent color. Above left is Elijah's contour drawing showing the proportions of an aloe plant. To the right is Andrea's aloe plant drawn with gray tones for the values of green.

You've absolutely got to check out the latest mind-blowing eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn drawings by Gianna (upper left), Emilio (upper right), Frank (lower left and right), and others: Click here

Click 'Read more' below to view everyone's drawings and Rob's comments...
Willow
Great to have you stop in and draw with us! Excellent use of positive and negative space to sketch the contours and realistic form of the egret and tulip. Nice job of nailing accurate proportions. Hope to see you back in class soon--we can really take your skills to amazing levels.

Frank

Great to see you pushing into different techniques and drawing styles, it will help your direction in concept art and design. REALLY nice studies of the pumpkins--would love to see you go to large paper with charcoal :-) Be sure to check out your drawings in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn!

Andrea

Your realistic drawing is improving in a BIG way, Andrea! Your observational sketches of the pumpkin, aloe plant, and egret merge your wonderful impressionistic style with accurate proportions. Keep it going :-)

Abel

Your willingness to explore techniques and ability to get into the Zone and focus shows in your latest series of work. Superb drawings--the true artist in you is starting to shine! You definitely should be pursuing visual art along with your musical future. Hope you can finish your M.C. Escher drawing of the columns.

Elijah

Excellent progress in drawing from objects in real life, Elijah! Your contour study of the pumpkin is a great step in drawing realistically. And your drawing of the antique iron is an FANTASTIC example of accurate proportions and realistic contours! Keep loosening up your line work as you make study sketches of what you're drawing. Hope to see the character development sketches you're working on, too.

Emilio

The positive/negative lesson of the egret was a huge breakthrough in drawing realistically. Your studies of the pumpkins punched you through to a whole new level of observational drawing. You did an excellent job of showing the curved contours of the larger pumpkin. And you really pulled it all together to show the curved form of the shell! Don't forget to check out your concept sketches in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here

Thairie

You're one of the most improved sketchers, of the many students I've had in Fall/Winter 2010. Your large-scale charcoal work of the pumpkin and the study of the lantern show your hard work in drawing realistic, accurate proportions. The sky's the limit for 2011!

Gianna

Exquisite drawing, Gianna! Time to start building your portfolio for art school! :-) Remember to check out your work in the eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here

Kelly

The egret shows a superb study of positive and negative space! Hope to have you back in drawing class soon.

Weeks 2-6: Proportions, Contour Lines, Positive/Negative Space, and Getting Abstract

2010-11-03T08:20:00.000-07:00

Using artwork by artists such as Kandinsky and Mondrian as ideas, everyone worked with lines, shapes and patterns to create their own abstract drawings. Scroll down to view everyone's drawings.

The above pics show the Natural Bridges Sketchers in action. To view more pictures of students in drawing class: Click here

Abstract compositions by Willow (upper left) and Elijah (upper right)

After exploring abstract drawing from the imagination we now shift back to drawing from observation. Students will be studying proportion and drawing realistic contour lines as well as positive and negative space.

Dragonfly drawings by Gianna (upper left) and Katia (upper right) explore accuracy in proportions and contour edges.

Kiah's sketch of the egret (upper left) shows how she looked for the negative space in the reference picture to draw the bird's form. Thairie's Jeep (upper right) shows how he used guidelines for basic shapes before finishing with darker outlines.

Natural Bridges Sketchers spend A LOT of drawing! Be sure to check out the amazing student drawings in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here Shown above are drawings by Emilio (upper left) and Andrea (upper right)

Click 'Read more' below to view everyone's drawings...

Abel

Your eye for accurate proportions keeps improving with each sketch, especially in the dragonfly drawing. Your confidence is really starting to show in your line work. Really like how you kept accurate proportions of the jaguar while working on large paper.

Katia

Your inner artist is shining through in this set of sketches! Exquisite dragonfly; great job in depicting natural looking, transparent wings. The proportions of the jaguar are spot-on. And really like the line work and texture patterns in the lizard drawing.

Gianna

Really like how you control the pencil when drawing thicker and thinner lines, Gianna! The realistic contour edges of the dragonfly's body and wings are VERY well drawn. Be sure to check out your work in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here

Frank

As you explored realism in your drawing of the dragonfly, your confident thick and thin line strokes came together for a powerful drawing style. Excellent detail work on the dragonfly and the jaguar while keeping accurate proportions. Links to concept artists: Click here and here Check out your work in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here

Willow

wOnDeRfUL sketches, Willow! The dragonfly was a huge step into realism. And you pulled together some tight contour edges and accurate proportions of its body. Same with the jaguar: excellent start in nailing down the proportions and form of its body. Nice details and flourishes on the lizard sketch. And you pulled together a couple of powerful abstract compositions!

Elijah

These sketches show big-time progress in your observational drawing skills! Each sketch shows increased accuracy in proportions, especially the jaguar and dragonfly. Fantastic work in showing the details of the dragonfly's wings and body. Try sketching bigger and faster for your initial shapes before adding darker contours. Links to concept artists: Click here and here Remember to check out your work in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here Nice abstract composition!

Thairie

Your desire to improve in sketching realistic, accurate proportions shines in these drawings. Your eye for detail captures everything from textured lizard skin, to patterns on jaguar fur, to the natural contours of dragonfly wings. Really like the contour edges of the dragonfly's legs and body.

Andrea

You joined the NB Sketchers a bit late, but rapidly got on course with lines, shapes, and accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes)! The proportions of the dragonfly are VERY well drawn. And the contour edges of its body and wings look realistic. I know you were working on abstract drawings but I didn't receive them after class.

Emilio

Outstanding line work, Emilio! Your confidence in observational sketching is showing in your study of the dragonfly. You did a great job of nailing the proportions and textures of the lizard. And the light and dark tones are well drawn. If you loosen the line work in your sketches and try some faster, freer strokes, you'll unleash the concept artist inside of you. Links to concept artists: Click here and here. Also, check out your work in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here The abstract drawing was a bit of a challenge but you pulled together a powerful composition!

Kiah

Really liking your line work and bold contour edges on these drawings! The measurements of proportions get better and better in each sketch. Overall, the proportions of the jaguar and flower are very well drawn. And you kept the accuracy when drawing the jaguar on the large format paper. Wonderful use of color in your abstract composition. Keep it going, Kiah!

Kelly

You've got a great eye for accurate proportions! Overall, the proportions of the drawgonfly's body and wings are very well drawn. You got an excellent start in drawing the guidelines for measurements of the jaguar's body. Also, check out your work in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here

Gage

Great to be drawing with you again, man! The abstract drawing lesson was a wonderful way for you to get back into the swing of things. The 'Gage' style really shows in this set of abstract compositions.

Week 1: Lines, Shapes, Patterns, Overlapping

2010-09-27T15:21:00.000-07:00

Really enjoyed getting started with the Natural Bridges Sketchers! Everyone got right into learning how to measure accurate proportions and holding the pencil on its side while moving the whole arm to draw. Shown above left and right are warm-up sketches by Molley and Abel.

As they worked from reference lesson pictures, students learned about proportions (the sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) and drawing on top of mistakes. Kelly dove in with some nice sketching. His crab (upper left) shows accurate proportions as he drew light guidelines before finishing with darker outlines. Willow's puffer fish (upper right) is a great example of drawing on top of mistakes while searching for the overall shape of its body.

Students also got into adding light and dark tones to their work. Kelly (upper left) laid down some very accurate line work and nice tones. Emilio captured accurate proportions of the puffer fish and did a great job of adding tone and the pointy texture lines.

As we progressed, everyone learned about overlapping shapes. Gianna's drawing (upper left) shows how overlapping the frog's legs gives depth to her picture. And she did a fantastic job in drawing accurate proportions! Katia laid down a wonderful sketch of the frog (above, right).

Highlight of the day: Thairie struggled a bit with controlling the pencil, but then he got into the Zone and pulled together accurate proportions and clean line work for his frog sketch, shown at left.

To view everyone's sketches and reference pictures...

Willow

Awesome how your accuracy of proportions progressed with each new sketch. Keep practicing sketching light guidelines before adding darker outlines. Check out: Getting Into the Zone

Gianna

Excellent control of the pencil and a keen eye for accurate proportions! Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Frank

As you got used to holding the pencil on its side your line work became more accurate. Keep working on using your whole arm while drawing--it will be helpful when taking your drawings to larger formats. Hope to see more of your work in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn! Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Katia

As you settled into drawing with your pencil on its side, your line work improved dramatically. Keep practicing sketching light guidelines; then finish with darker outlines. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Kiah

Excellent line work! The lighter and darker tones are a nice touch. Experiment with looser, freer lines while searching for accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Thairie

Keep working on sketching light guidelines before finishing with darker outlines. Aim for accurate proportions when sketching the shapes of things. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Elijah

Excellent start in drawing with lines and shapes! Keep practicing sketching guidelines; then finish with darker outlines. The darker tones on the toucan are a nice touch. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Kelly
Outstanding line work! Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Molley

As you got comfortable holding the pencil on its side your line work and proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) just got better and better, especially on the toucan. Keep it going! Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Emilio

Excellent job in sketching guidelines before finishing with darker outlines. Enjoyed looking at your sketchbook and hope to be adding your drawings to eXprEsSiOn sEsSiOn. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Quinn

Off to a great start in drawing with lines and shapes! Really like how you drew on top of your mistakes while looking for accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). Excellent job in nailing down accurate proportions of the toucan. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Abel

As you got used to holding the pencil on its side your line work kept on improving with each new sketch. The proportions of the toucan are very well drawn. And the lighter/darker tones are a nice touch. I can see the rhythm of the music in your pencil warm-ups! Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Lesson Reference Pictures

Welcome Natural Bridges Sketchers!

2010-09-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

I look forward to drawing with Natural Bridges High School. This is the official blog for all students to view their drawing lessons, along with my comments and suggestions.

Here's how the first 8 weeks of the course will be set up (2 weeks for each topic):

Lines/Shapes: pencil grip, guidelines, outlines, different kinds of lines, combining shapes, overlapping
Patterns/Textures: repetition, rhythm, surfaces
Space: positive/negative space, edges, foreground/background, scale, composition
Form: contour lines, light/shadow, perspective

We'll meet each Wednesday, 12:45 - 1:30 p.m. at Natural Bridges High School . I'll post your drawings the following week. You'll see suggestions on what to practice for the next lesson, and ideas for you to explore.

If you would like to try more advanced lessons from this blog ("Start a Lesson" section) along with your weekly class lessons, I'd be happy to coach you through them on this blog. Talk with me about it, and we'll get you started.

Natural Bridges Sketchers, get ready to draw! --Rob