Criticize some anatomy practice I tried...?

[Demy]

This one is my attempt at trying to practice drawing the spine using Proko's method (watch his video on how to draw the spine). Its rough I know, but I'm just trying to practice anatomy.

This one is me trying to put the simplified structure on top of the pose along with drawing an exaggerated version of it. I also did some muscles and sketched an exaggerated version of the pose.

I was mainly trying to test my knowledge of the body I suppose. I know quite a bit, at least I'd like to think I do, but I am missing some anatomy knowledge.

Anyway, I'd appreciate some criticism. And I should probably try to do some actual artwork. I mostly posted practice stuff instead of actually creating.

[UzukiCheverie]

It's a nice start, but if you're going to be doing life drawing, I'd suggest starting off with just drawing what you see, until you build up enough knowledge of how the body works, before jumping into customized poses based off life drawings. Do things like gesture drawings, 40 minute sketches, shading-only sketches, weight studies, hand studies, leg studies, crosshatching techniques, etc etc. These exercises will help you actually learn how the human body is structured, so that when you go to draw your characters, you can stylize them while still maintaining the integrity and "rules" of the form, without having to draw over a reference photo.

[Demy]

Oh i don't draw over a reference photo, sorry if i gave off that impression. I use references when i need to though. But you're right. I don't really feel like i've learned too much by doing this, besides how the structure might fit into the body. I tried this mostly because...it was suggested in the video.

I've been doing artworks for about 4-5 years. So i have some idea of how the human body works, but not a firm grasp. My anatomy is lacking in specific areas (like and i'm sure there are other areas i could improve on as well.

I've been trying to do gestures every day but i could work on the rest of the things you mentioned. I've done all of them at some point (besides shading only sketches) but i haven't done them in a while. I probably should...

[JessJackdaw]

using Proko's method (watch his video on how to draw the spine). Its rough I know, but I'm just trying to practice anatomy.

Not sure what Proko's method is, but here's my take. Sorry if my handwriting is horrible. Let me know if you can't read anything.

Of what I can see, your proportions are okay, but your sense of weight is a bit off. Even if someone is jumping, the human body is constantly trying to balance itself. Also, spines always flow or twist in one simple curve roughly speaking.The spine does form an "S" shape with an upper curve from the neck and rib cage region into a lower curve forming the abdomen and tailbone region, but most artists simplify that curve to make their drawings more dynamic (AKA Line of Action).

Anyway, there really isn't a short cut to good anatomy. You really do just have to do your homework via gesture drawings and constantly using reference until your visual library is good enough reliably get the job done well (and that is super hard even for professionals).

[punkarsenic]

have you watched his robo bean and gesture videos? watch them. definitely. hes also got like a whole series on anatomy. just watch the entire figure drawing and anatomy series hes got, if you havent. watch it again if you have.

the pelvis youve drawn on the model is too small and the wrong shape, and your spine is in the wrong place. its harder to realise with the clothing, but theres a twist to this pose, so the spine wouldnt go straight down the body like that. also, your ribcage needs more form - look back at prokos and see how he draws the actual shape of the ribcage, not just a circle.

you could really do at looking again at the gesture videos, because your exaggeration of the pose doesnt exaggerate in the right areas, and breaks the pose. you dont need to yank that leg up that high. instead, increase the curve of the spine, dont draw it practically straight. draw the curve of the neck, capture that motion and jump in the legs, and the overall lean to the right.

i realise people have said a lot of this already, but also: practice drawing with smoother, flowing strokes, and less hairy, because it makes the gesture clearer and stronger.

its good that youre trying to improve your art, and youre looking in the right directions. proko is definitely a good way to do that. keep up the hard work!

[Demy]

Oh I have been trying to do gesture drawings every day now, I made a thread about it a while ago. I know there isn't a short cut to good anatomy (and I wasn't really asking for one) but I have been....slacking off on anatomy practice in the last year compared to other ones. I've been trying to correct that.

Oh I know about the Line of Action and I use it often, but I should probably refresh my understanding of it. Weight distribution looks like something I should work on. Any tutorials/explanations I can view about it?

Thank you for your criticisms by the way.

[Demy]

I have seen his gesture video but not the robo bean one. I prefer using simpler methods to draw the pelvis and the ribcage for other drawings (like an oval for the ribcage and a circle for the pelvis) but I'm using Proko's method for anatomy studies.

Yeah I knew the pelvis was off mainly because I had a bit of a hard time recalling how his simplification of the pelvis worked (since I recall simply glancing at it). I'll have to watch his video on it again along with the ribcage one.

I've been working on drawing with cleaner strokes actually, I didn't really try to do it here for some odd reason.

EDIT: I just rewatched both Proko's Gesture video and his Gesture Step-By-Step video before doing my daily gestures. I feel like I got a better understanding of gesture (along with the advice I got from my post on it) and I managed to gain the essence of the pose better. So thank you for telling me to look over those gesture videos again, I'll make sure to apply this to other art videos I watch.

[JessJackdaw]

Oh, no worries man. My pleasure.

Weight distribution looks like something I should work on. Any tutorials/explanations I can view about it?

Umm, I actually don't know. Mostly straight up art tutorials will only get you so far. Tutorials are best used to demonstrate a tool or method like teaching you how to use a program, but art fundamentals like weight and posing are different.

Like anything you just have to make a lot of duds before you see some mastery. (And honestly as an artist, the feeling of "dang it doesn't look right" will always linger no matter how far you get). It's just something you'll pick up on as you make a ton of observation drawings. I post this link a lot, but it's a good motivator for beginning artists to really get better.

Good luck.

[Demy]

Ah okay. I suppose I'll have to just make a lot of mistakes then.

I'll make sure to watch that video by the way. Thanks for the help!