Figure Drawing #9: Latissumus Dorsi and Scapula Muscles

 Some studies from Hamilton and photos and imagination. I think it's time to pause and do some figure drawing. Currently I'm trying to make sense of the muscles of the arm and it's frustrating. I think also my patience for art could use some work.

Watercolor Month: Part 1

Some watercolors from the last few days while in the backyard. I don't work in watercolor often so I haven't really gotten better I think but I did finally understand the power of wet on wet painting so there's that. Washes are still a mystery to me. Also I'm doing these in my sketchbook which likely doesn't have good paper but I'm surprised how well it holds up to my soaking it with water. Doesn't bleed to the next page. (well only sometimes). Also trying to actively think about composition.

I got Gurney's Color and Light book and it's definitely eye candy. It makes me want to bust out my ancient oils and do some studies but I think I have enough on my plate right now.

It's funny, I came by a page in Gurney's book about how ugly the color green is to people historically. And I sure can feel that in these pics. He gave some tips on how do remedy its unattractive intensity (adding more grey, or red) so hopefully my future paintings will be less ...verdant.

Figure Drawing #8: Even More Muscles; Rectus Abdominus, Obliques, Serratus Anterior, Erector Spinae

Stuff from the last few days. I am starting to understand the muscles now and the human body is becoming less mysterious. I guess after muscles looking at fat deposits may be useful as well. Also I'm interested in the squash and stretch,,. I think I need to do more figure studies and draw my own figures from imagination side by side.

notes 4 later: thinkin abt what instructional art book i should buy next... ive been hearing things abt gurney's color/light book. thinkin abt composition&lookin at molly bang's book... mayb it's good 2 research graphic design/abstract art/film 2 see how they handle it

Figure Drawing #7: More Muscles; Trapezius + Deltoid

I take it back, I think Hampton will occupy me for a while. Today there was swimming on tv which was great. Got to see the muscles on those people in action with new Hampton taught eyes. They make much more sense than before. Really neat. Got motivated to draw some cool gestures too. My aim is to study at least 2 muscles a day from Hampton. If I can do more, great. If not, no problem. There's always tomorrow.

Also did a portrait study. Inspired to work harder by beautiful portrait studies in permanoobs forum sketchbook section. I still have a long way to go. It took about 45 minutes hmm. I'm sure if it was color it would have taken more. Really trying to understand the planes of the face. Though I don't want to focus too much on rendering at this point. I'll render as a tool to understand the structure and form of something.

You know what's embarrassing? Up until a few days ago I thought edges were the boundaries of a form. I didn't realize it was the soft versus hard edged shading of forms. Well... You learn as you go I guess. I've been having a lot of these mini epiphanies regarding art in the last year. I mean, in a way I was thinking not too far from the right idea but there's more to edges I think. Using a variety of edges tends to add visual interest.

So my aim now is to get through Hampton and then use other figure drawing resources to supplement my knowledge of the body such as Anatomy for Sculptors and Loomis. One idea I had was make posts for each muscle and examine it in great detail. Also do figure studies of all sorts, keep referring back to Hampton and other notes for help.

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Under the cut are some reference materials