May 30 Critique Hour (Full class on how to block in for 14DC! (Istebrak)
INTRODUCTION
Istebrak’s YouTube is something I’ve been subscribed to for a while but have not really taken a good look into. It’s a treasure trove of information and art lessons that I have, but instead of using it, I’m sitting on top of the treasure, letting it lay in waste.
So when I learned that she was having a livestream today at 5PM EST (which is 2PM PST) for me, I was excited to attend the live class. Instead of just watching the offline videos (which is useful, and is something I will do), going to a live online class kind of help kickstart my mindset of attending class and being focused for the full hour. It also offers a pretty cool learning environment because there are other students/viewers that ask questions and take notes along the way.
So I will be dedicating blog posts in the video lessons she offers. Since I am joining part way, it feels a bit overwhelming and I’m not exactly up to date with all the content because she does refer back to some knowledge that she has taught before. But overall I found a lot of useful information and I’m looking forward to watching the old videos to catch up.
I hope she posts the full video later, but I took some notes that I want to organize before I forget. If the full video is posted, I will revisit it and make better notes. There are some things I remember but would benefit more from if I could see it again!
NOTES TAKEN FROM CLASS
>> this arrow symbol means these are notes taken after a rewatch.
This topic was about blocking. A lot of the terminology kind of went over my head but I’ll do my best to summarize to the best of my ability.
>> Understanding comes with mileage. Just drawing alone improves the ability to understand a concept. Exposure to activity > theory. The more produced, the more basic concepts are understood.
>>2D art is like painting without a third dimension.
>>Volume – 3D models.
>>Brain doesn’t have an internal 3D modelling program, it sees/interprets in 2D. Flat images of memory.
Learning blocking: a lot is learned from expose by drawing (mileage).
Blocking in help makes drawing easier (>> +keep brushes large), capturing core shadows necessary to complete painting.
-For the 14 Day challenge (this is covered more in-depth in other videos, I’m jumping in on this topic part way), using top-down light is the most common and best for 14DC.
[What are core shadows?: Is where the light source does not reach directly (paraphrased from a comment by someone in chat]
Blocking is the resulting habit that comes out of understanding geometric anatomy. If you don’t know geometric anatomy you can’t block.
Learn geometric anatomy. Knowing the geometric origin of each feature and also know how to represent that geometric shape.
>>what do you do to capture the block of each feature.
Blending is to combine planes (transitioning), not to erase. Do not value share. Maintain borders.
>>female faces have more curves and gentle transitions
All of the above, learned from form studies, cannot do blocking/anatomy without form studies. >> Important to know how to draw a cube/sphere! Otherwise, how can we combine them to make the head?
>>If you don’t know how to shade cube/sphere or know geometric anatomy, do not do the 14DC, do the basics first. –> can combine simple to more complex forms.
>Core shadows very important to paint object and represent volume
Blocking in = geometric anatomy (large to small shapes)
LARGE (Object, Geometric Anatomy, Cubes) —> SMALL (Subject, Organic, Blending) ~less shapes and more features.
Make sure to address where the light source is.
>>Blocking use square tool, blending use round.
>>Make sure blocks are visible on silhouette on outside (represents bone structure + changes in plane)
>>All characters drawn right now are accidental – don’t know tropes yet. No focus study on expressions etc. Not aware, accidental!
>>Don’t worry if it comes out looking a certain way/trope, you’re not skilled enough yet! Just tries to build better habit with what to do with brush.
**CHIN DOESN’T GLOW
Block first, then cast shadows.
What are the 6 dark spots? (I hope I got these right xD)
Cavities (Pupils, hairline, crease, eyebrows) –Eye sockets take 2 already
Other (nostrils and lip corners)
Q&A at the end:
On choosing values (something I struggle with! In my own value studies, I’d make large contrasts, and now I know why/how to remedy it!) So long as the tones are within similar neighborhood it is OK (ie. mid tones with mid-tones. No large jumps. Unless its the difference between highlight/shadow).
-Even the darkest value generally is not that dark as there is bounce light!
-background value
On Brushes: don’t use standard round, it does not help chisel shapes.
Also got indirectly roasted at the end about disciple. A viewer asked about how being a perfectionist prevents them from finishing anything. While I do not think of myself as a perfectionist, I definitely suffer from procrastination. Istebrak very bluntly points out that it is not an art issue, but rather our lifestyle/personal issue that is not only related to art by other things in life. ie. laziness, procrastination, lack of discipline.
End Thoughts from me:
-I want to continue my value studies
-Also most importantly, form studies!