Sometimes, after drawing humans, my face hurts from cringing so hard at what I’ve put on the page. My people-drawing confidence definitely isn’t where I want it to be, but it has improved. Let’s take a look at how it’s changed!
I revisited our Fast Faces session from a year ago, redrawing from the same references to see how my work has changed. I noticed encouraging changes to:
Speed
I finished more drawings versus one year ago, where I barely even filled in negative space on the first try.
Observation
This time I actually tried to draw what I was seeing, versus the first attempt, where I basically made little blob characters with dot eyes.
Technique
I started with the shape of the girl this week, instead of wasting time filling in negative space with a crusty, dried-up Posca marker.
Seeing improvements without having made any concerted efforts to practice drawing humans is encouraging. If anything, I’ve avoided drawing humans more than ever, as evidenced below.
I’m ready to put more effort into sketching our species! I plan to give extra attention to drawing human faces and figures next year. Are you with me?
What’s the goal?
Approaching faces and figures with the same energy I give to drawing animals
Not clenching things and tightening up when drawing
No longer avoiding drawing humans in scenes
Prompt:
Revisit a replay or draw something you’ve sketched before and observe how your art has changed. Or hasn’t changed — that is okay too! If you’re new to drawing, or returning from a break a need a refresher, here’s a nice place to start!
Next week I’ll share a little bit about how I plan to work in some extra people-drawing practice. You can use it as a starting point to set goals in your own creative practice.
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