After Anthony Ryder

[Ngaire Winwood]

Thanks Marcus for your support and encouragement.

That is neat how you did the lines, is that done in photoshop? Can it be done in other programs, I am still learning about graphics on computers and can only change image size so far.

I knew my nose/forehead was out but I was just using my eyes with no measuring at all, as I thought it is important not to rely on artifical help. Maybe there is a lesson here, don't rely on your eyes to tell you where you have gone wrong, use a set square or generated lines like you have done.

[Ngaire Winwood]

Marcus, could you pm me to explain how you do the lines, I can see great potential in using this effect.

[Debra Norton]

Ngaire, I just wanted to comment on what you said about measuring. I'm a full time student in an atelier and we measure all the time! We are taught to measure, that's what helps train your eye to catch mistakes. So don't feel like measuring is artificial, it's not. Keep up the good work.
Debra

[Marcus Lim]

Originally Posted by Ngaire Winwood

That is neat how you did the lines, is that done in photoshop? Can it be done in other programs, I am still learning about graphics on computers and can only change image size so far.

I knew my nose/forehead was out but I was just using my eyes with no measuring at all, as I thought it is important not to rely on artifical help. Maybe there is a lesson here, don't rely on your eyes to tell you where you have gone wrong, use a set square or generated lines like you have done.

Hi Ngaire! You're most welcome!
Yes it is done with photoshop, and i believe the Windows built-in software can do this line-work too! And it's quite easy to draw...just load up the image in photoshop, and find the Line tool.
Adjust the thickness of the line you wish to use, and voila!

Originally Posted by Debra Norton

We are taught to measure, that's what helps train your eye to catch mistakes. So don't feel like measuring is artificial, it's not.

Yes, i fully agree with Debra. It's important for any artist to develop measuring skills - by hand - and not by using additional measuring devices. It is fundamental to develop your hand-eye coordination through this method. Be inspired by great artists from the times before they invented the camera obscura - names like Caravaggio, and Leonardo Da Vinci - and you'll find this is an invaluable asset as an artist.

[Anna Wakitsch]

Ngaire,

I'm studying with Anthony Ryder right now, and we're practicing envelopes and block-ins from the figure. He does measure to check larger tilts and lengths (with a pencil, skinny paintbrush handle, or skewer), though not constantly; most of his measuring is done by eye. We want to develop the abililty to judge and check accurately by eye alone**, but like Debra said, our eye needs to be trained. So it's useful to use a tool to check our accuracy, at least occasionally.

Anna

**By this I mean not simply looking at the subject, but many different ways of looking, checking and cross-checking. For example: scanning with your eye to feel the distance and tilt between points, seeing the larger shapes, looking for the relationships between shapes, glancing back and forth between the subject and your drawing constantly to compare, etc.

[Ngaire Winwood]

Thanks Debra, Marcus and Anna for your support and comments.

There seems to be a contentious issue with measuring constantly or not or eye with the aid of measuring minimally. I just used my eye with this one and wanted to see if my eye had progressed. Maybe I am asking too much of myself at such an early stage on my self training program.

Anna, I only have one book of Anthony Ryder and thoroughly enjoyed it, you are so lucky to have an opportunity to study with him. His blending is incredible. Any other hints you would like to share?????

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Hi Ngaire,
I think your drawing is getting better and better.
There some topics in the forum about measuring which you should examine, the secret is to practice, practice, practice...

[Terri Ficenec]

Hi Ngaire!
Aside from the drawing/measuring considerations. . . you might want to check your dark values. Especially in the more detailed darks, like where his ponytail gathers towards the nape of his neck, I find the original has the detail rendered within a tighter, darker range than in your version. It's easy to get involved in the details and lose sight of that overall dark effect.

[Patricia Joyce]

Hi Ngaire,
I agree, your drawing skills are developing nicely. Don't you love Anthony Ryder's book? I attended one of his drawing workshops and learned so much about measuring, and how the light falls on the figure, and about washing of graphite. I also came way convinced of how important the paper is which you draw on . Tony uses Canson MiTientes (sp?). It has the perfect texture for pencil.

Everyone is giving you good advice about measuring. Let me add my two cents worth. It does take allot of drawing to develop your eye. Do not hesitate to use measuring tools. Until my eye developed well enough and I really learned general relationships, I copied drawings from books to identical size. I used rulers to measure all kinds of distances in every direction. To check my accuracy I did not hesitate to lay tracing paper over the original drawing, trace edges and then lay the tracing paper over my drawing to see where I was off. I learned that I made the same judment errors over and over (i.e., I always "saw" the nose longer than it is, for example). When you are just practicing, this is such a good learning tool. Do not worry that you are cheating (see other posts regarding this subject - they are good).

Keep drawing, every day, if possible. You are really improving and will continue to get better and better!! Besides, isn't it fun?!!

Good luck -
Patty

[Anna Wakitsch]

Ngaire,

I'd love to share tips, although my mind is a blank right now in spite of (or perhaps because of) drawing all day.

Expanding on Terri's comment: You want to remember that the head is large unified rounded form, lit from a certain direction. Do you see how in Tony's drawing the lights get progressively darker as the light has to travel farther or hits at a less direct angle? Your little forms on his face are well-rendered, but keep in mind the idea of shading the head as a whole as it turns away from the light. For instance, the front part of his cheek looks a bit dark in your drawing, and parts of the jaw look a bit light. Also, remember that although his ear catches the light in many places, it is an integral part of the head, and joins at a place that is turning away from the light. It's tempting to make the ear too light and too detached.

Regarding the drawing, I don't know if you were following his particular method, but I'm just curious how you approached the drawing initially? In his book he shows this drawing in progress only after he's finalized the contour. Did you begin by blocking in the big shapes or did you start drawing the contour right away?

Keep up the good work!

Anna

P.S.
If you like Tony's book you might also check out the books his teacher, Ted Seth Jacobs wrote: Drawing With an Open Mind, and, if you can find it, Light for the Artist.