Salinas Sketchers

Please Visit Our New Website!

2011-06-17T08:37:00.001-07:00

To see the latest student drawings from the Santa Cruz Mountains Sketchers as well as our new Scribbles Institute drawing studio at 303 Potrero #59 Santa Cruz, California 831.421.0774:
Drawing League schools and student work: Click here
Our new website: Click here

What Do You Want to Draw Today?

Weeks 7-10: Form, Contours, Tonal Value, Positive/Negative Space, Perspective

2011-01-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

The Salinas Sketchers learned to create study sketches showing the roundness and contours of pumpkins, squash, shells and other objects, as they concentrated on drawing accurate proportions. Everyone explored using large format paper and charcoal and studied texture, light, and shadows.

Above left is Christian's study sketch of a pumpkin, and above right is his large charcoal drawing.

Upper left is Desiree's sketch of a shell. Upper right is H's large-format charcoal drawing of a shell, and lower left is his conte crayon drawing of a lantern. Lower right is Ignacio's contour sketch of a pumpkin.

Above left is Ricky's contour study of an aloe plant. Above left is H.'s finished aloe drawing showing gray tonal values of lighter and darker green.

Above left and right shows Deontay's contour edge study and his final drawing of an egret while learning about positive and negative space.

Above left is Ignacio's study of a rocking chair while drawing the negative space around the chair. Above right is Christian's sketch of the proportions of a dragonfly.

Shown above is Ignacio's study of a sketch by the artist Vincent Van Gogh.

Click 'Read more' below to view everyone's drawings and Rob's comments...

Gina

Your line work shows increased confidence in showing contour edges and textures, especially the shell and corn. Keep practicing drawing basic lines and shapes for things; then finishing with darker contour lines.

Desiree

Your work has shown a BIG improvement during the past weeks. The contours and textures of the shell look very realistic. The form and tones of the lion and aloe plant are very well drawn. I know drawing the buildings in perspective was a challenge but you pulled of a nice sketch! :-)

Dangelo

Your progress has been steady in your sketching skills and eye for accurate proportions. REALLY like the studies of the pumpkins and the tonal values of the aloe plant. And you pulled together a tight perspective drawing, too.

Ricky

You've developed an artistic style of drawing with bold, confident lines. I really like how you loosened up your line work in the positive/negative egret drawing to show contours and textures, and the study sketches of the pumpkins. Nice details on the antique iron. And very clean perspective drawings.

Christian

Your drawings have improved rapidly, Christian! The looser, more expressive lines of your study sketches and the large-format charcoal drawing of the pumpkins show a new direction for you pursue in your drawing. The sketch of the dragonfly shows your eye for accurate proportions is improving in a big way, too. Keep it going!

Jesus

The fish drawing shows your control of thick and thin lines as well as seeing accurate proportions. The contour edges of the egret are very well drawn.

Deontay

Excellent work in using positive and negative space to draw the form of the egret! The lighter and darker tones of the bird's body show your improved confidence in controlling your pencil.

Marcelo

Your ability to look at things and draw there proportions accurately has improved steadily during the past several weeks, as shown in your pumpkin studies and the egret. Great job in drawing the buildings in 2-point perspective!

Ignacio

These study sketches of the pumpkin, shell, and antique iron are a big step for you in drawing from observation, Ignacio! The curved contours look very realistic. Cool sketch of the Vincent Van Gogh landscape drawing. Keep it going, man!

Wow! your line work and eye for accurate proportions are progressing wonderfully! Excellent use of light and dark tones to show values of green of the aloe plant. Hope to see you explore more large-scale charcoal drawings.

Oswaldo

Excellent start in drawing with lines and shapes. The proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) are very well drawn.

Weeks 5 & 6: Getting Abstract

2010-10-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

The Salinas Sketchers used lines, shapes and patterns to create amazing abstract drawings. Welcome to new sketchers Gina and Desiree! Scroll down to view everyone's drawings.

After studying artwork by artists such as Kandinsky and Mondrian, students drew their own abstract compositions. Shown clockwise, starting upper left, are drawings by Deontay, Marcelo, H., and Ricky

Gina's frog (upper left) and Desiree's toucan (upper left) show how they got right to work in drawing with lines and shapes while looking for accurate proportions.

Click 'Read more' below to view everyone's drawings...

Jesus

Excellent use of repetition of lines and shapes to create balance and rhythm in your abstract composition! Fantastic work in drawing the tiger on large paper while keeping accurate proportions.

Dangelo

Stellar series of abstract compositions!!! Great use of lines, shapes, tones, and positive/negative space.

Gina

Wonderful start in drawing with lines and shapes! Overall the proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) are very well drawn. Lots of control in your line work, too.

Ricky

You got into the zone and put together a well-balanced abstract composition! Really like how you repeated lines and shapes.

Going abstract is a very productive challenge for you. Nice drawing! Repetition of lines gives your composition rhythm and movement.

Desiree

Nice to be drawing with you again! Nice job of drawing accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes), especially on your toucan sketch. :-)

Marcelo

These abstract composition work REALLY well, Marcelo! The arrangement of lines and shapes makes the pictures balanced and very interesting to look at. I like how you did one composition that is more complex and contrasted it with a simpler one.

Deontay

Glad to have you drawing with us again! Your focused effort produced a brilliant abstract composition. Great use of contrasting tones and colors.

Weeks 2,3, & 4: Form, Contours, Positive/Negative Space

2010-10-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

The Salinas Sketchers are making BIG-time progress! Everyone stepped up to the challenges drawing realistically as we continued with measuring accurate proportions. We also explored using positive and negative space to find contour edges of form as shown in H.'s egret (upper left) shows confident contour lines, shading, and highlights. Ricky's dragon fly (upper right) shows accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) and realistic contour edges.

Shown above are excellent examples of measuring proportions while looking at reference pictures. Marcelo's jaguar (upper left) and Bernabe's jaguar show 3D form of the big cat and patterns for its fur and tail.

Dangelo began to explore our upcoming abstract drawing lesson. Shown above are his sketches.

The dinosaur called Elasmosaurus (upper left) was drawn by Jesus while using one of my how-to-draw books.You can find his drawing in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn along with Ignacio's robot (upper left): Click here

Click 'Read more' below to view everyone's drawings...

Ricky

I know the drawing the dragonfly was a challenge. But you got your skills together for an excellent sketch! You've progressed a lot as you get more into drawing realistically. Keep it going!

Huge step into realism, man! Your sketches of the egret and dragonfly show confident line work and control of your drawing materials. Draw on!

Marcelo

Huge progress in drawing with lines and shapes! Great sketch of the face. Your confidence is growing with each new sketch.

Dangelo

EXCELLENT sketches of the egret! Each study sketch shows more accuracy in drawing positive and negative shapes for the contour edges of its body. The dragonfly is very accurately drawn. Great step into drawing realistically!

Bernabe

Way cool drawing of the jaguar, Burnabe! Wonderful how you did study sketches to find accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). Keep practicing sketching the shapes of things before adding darker outlines.

Jesus

Simply stellar drawings, Jesus! Keep it going! View more of your drawings in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here

Ignacio

Great studies of the face sketched by Leonardo da Vinci and the photo of a skull! View more of your drawings in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here

Week 1: Lines, Shapes, Overlapping, Proportions

2010-09-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

Pencil warm-ups (above, left and right) by H. and Ricky.

Great to be back with the Salinas Sketchers! This group of new drawing students jumped in and started learning about measuring accurate proportions. We also learned about holding the pencil on its side and using the whole arm while drawing.

While looking at reference lesson pictures, students learned about proportions (the sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). Ricky's sketch of the toucan (above, left) shows his accurate eye for proportions. Dangelo's toucan shows excellent control of his line work and nice application of lighter and darker tones.

Students also learned the importance of sketching light guidelines and drawing on top of mistakes. The sketch of the toucan by H. is a great example of sketching accurate guidelines before adding darker outlines. Dangelo's puffer fish shows his correction to the overall shape of its body.

Highlight of the day: While learning how to show depth of space by overlapping the frog's legs, Marcello started to gain control of holding the pencil on its side for an excellent sketch (above, left). Deontay got into the Zone and started putting together accurate proportions in his drawing (above, right).

To view everyone's sketches and reference pictures...
Ricky
Great line work! The lighter and darker tones are a nice touch. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Dangelo

Lots of confidence in your pencil strokes! Keep practicing sketching light guidelines for the shapes of things before finishing with darker outlines. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Marcello

Excellent how your proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) became more accurate with each new sketch. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Deontay

As you progressed through each drawing you gained control of the pencil--keep practicing holding your pencil on its side and moving your arm while drawing. Sketch light guidelines before adding darker outlines. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Excellent start! Lots of control in your line work. Keep practicing sketching light guidelines before finishing with darker outlines. Also, practice sketching on top of mistakes instead of erasing. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Lesson Reference Pictures

Online Student Show, 2010

2010-05-20T14:42:00.000-07:00

What a Year! The Online Student Show features student drawings from six different schools in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. The theme of the show is Drawing from Observation and Imagination. All students have drawings posted!

To see your drawings and other students: Click here

Week 9: Roundness, Proportions, Contours, Study Sketches, "Getting Squashed"

2010-05-13T23:38:00.000-07:00

Because of scheduling, we only had two Sketchers last week. But they jumped in and churned out a lot of excellent work! We grabbed some squash and shells from the 'crate of realism' and got into sketching from real life. Aris and Lizette began to show their true artistic styles as they worked on showing roundness and contours in their study sketches.

As we meet for the last class and you prepare for the Peace Summit, I'd just like to say it's been wonderful sketching with everyone this year. All of you started by drawing the crab and then made your way through many different lessons about drawing techniques and visual art. For those of you who are graduating, I wish you the best for your future. I hope to be back next year with fun, new projects for returning students.

Keep drawing! --Rob

Aris

2010-05-13T23:31:00.000-07:00

Your skills as an artist are really starting to shine in these study sketches, Aris!!! You've devoted a lot of time in developing your line work and it can be seen in your confident sketching style. The natural-looking curved contours of the squash are very accurately drawn. Very cool how you sketched right on top of your mistakes until you found accurate form; then finished with bold, expressive pencil strokes. Excellent you you showed the roundness of the squash while also showing the flatness of the area where the stem connects. You did a great job in depicting realistic form and textures of the shell. And your cast shadows underneath the objects are well drawn, too! Consider getting a sketchbook and practicing sketching quickly from real life. Keep it going, girl!

Lizette

2010-05-13T23:28:00.000-07:00

This is simply superb sketching, Lizette!!! You REALLY got into the zone while drawing the shell! It was so cool to watch you quickly sketch loose, expressive lines to capture the pointed and curved contours of its form--very natural looking! Great job in using contour lines to show texture. The cast shadow underneath it looks realistic! Your study sketches of the squash are a great start in developing your artistic sketching style! Excellent how you drew on top of your mistakes as you found accurate contours showing the roundness of the squash. Keep practicing sketching from real life. And it great to see you jump right into experimenting with layering colored pencils in the sketch of the apple. Nice work. :-)

Oliver

2010-05-13T23:26:00.000-07:00

You weren't able to stay for the whole class, but you got an excellent start in your study sketches of the pineapple!!! The guidelines for the leaves look very natural and you got a nice start in studying the pattern on the surface of the pineapple. Hope you continue to explore drawing from real life as well as the cool work that you do from your imagination. Draw on, Oliver!!

Weeks 6, 7, 8: Abstract Drawing Cross-Hatching

2010-04-26T14:18:00.002-07:00

As the Salinas Sketchers come down the home stretch, during the last weeks of drawing class, everyone will be focused on learning some new skills and choosing work for the Student Show.

Because of student testing we had a really large group last week. Many were new faces so we had beginning lessons mixed with more advanced ones such as the cross-hatching drawing technique.

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

See you next week. --Rob

Aris

2010-04-26T14:18:00.001-07:00

Superb use of cross-hatching!!! The confidence in your line work is really beginning to show, Aris! Great job of drawing accurate proportions of the man's face. Your abstract drawing is amazing! You did a wonderful job of using the style of the famous abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky. Way cool cartoon drawing of Pluto! Got drawings for the Student Show?

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Bryan

2010-04-26T14:16:00.000-07:00

You really connected with your inner abstract artist in these sketches, Bryan!!! Fantastic use of horizontal and vertical lines, similar to the artist Piet Mondrian. And your angled lines and oval shapes are a wonderful take on the artist Kandinsky. I can see the influence of Picasso in your cubist drawing. Nice compositions, man!

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Lizette

2010-04-26T14:15:00.002-07:00

EXCELLENT cross-hatching technique on the man's face, Lizette!!! Nice job on capturing the contour edges of his face and laying done some really clean line work for shading. And your abstract composition, inspired by Kandinsky is VERY well drawn. Be fun to see what you're submitting for the Student Show. :-)

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Johnny

2010-04-26T14:15:00.001-07:00

Nice to have you in class, Johnny! We've gotta get you drawing more, Johnny! Using examples of the abstract artist, Wassily Kandinsky, you put together a powerful composition!!! I like the balance between the curved and angled lines and shapes. The gray tones are a really nice touch, too. Keep it going! :-)

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Nancy

2010-04-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

Nice to have you visit the Salinas Sketchers, Nancy!! Your abstract composition is a wonderful start in drawing with lines and shapes! Fantastic work in arranging the elements on the page and mixing in various patterns and gray tones. Hope to have you join us again for more lessons. :-)

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Oliver

2010-04-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

Hey, man! You've got some VERY cool work happening here, Oliver! Great cross-hatching line work on the man's face, especially showing the form of the lips and cheeks. Excellent landscape sketch--I'd REALLY like to see you do more of this kind of work... student show, maybe? You got into some fantastic abstract drawings, too! Ready for the Student Show?

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Leo

2010-04-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

You took your ability to control lines to a new level with this abstract composition!! Really nice mix of colors and gray tones to balance everything on the page. Great drawing inspired by the artist Kandinsky. Keep it going, Leo!!

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Eduardo & Erik

2010-04-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

Eduardo

You've made excellent progress in drawing from imagination and observation, Eduardo!! Cool abstract/surreal work inspired by the artist Joan Miro. Nice use of color and gray tones. Great start on the cross-hatching drawing of the man. And the sketch of the skull is a very interesting direction with your imagination and observational skills.

Erik

Excellent job of focusing on the cross-hatch technique in this drawing, Erik!!! Nice work in defining the area of the cheek and mouth by overlapping angled lines. The proportions of the man's face are very well drawn.

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Jose

2010-04-26T14:04:00.002-07:00

Inspired by the artist Georges Braque, you've created a wonderful cubist composition with lines and gray tones. Hey, Jose! Maybe this could be a direction for your drawing from the imagination for the student show. :-)

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Miguel

2010-04-26T14:04:00.001-07:00

Glad you could stop in and draw with us, Miguel!! Fantastic job of using lines and shapes to create an abstract composition. Hopefully you can participate in more of our lessons in the future.

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Ruby

2010-04-26T13:58:00.006-07:00

Hey, Ruby! Once you got focused on work by artists Mondrian and Kandinsky, you put together a really nice little composition of lines and shapes. I'd like to see you explore more abstract work for your drawings for the student show.

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Jesus

2010-04-26T13:58:00.005-07:00

It's been quite awhile since you've drawn us, Jesus. Great to have you for a visit!! Looks like you remembered how to draw contour edges to form the man's face and you stepped right into using cross-hatched lines to create shading. Excellent work on the cheek area and under the nose and mouth.

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Ignacio

2010-04-26T13:58:00.003-07:00

So cool that you could visit for a session of drawing, Ignacio! It's been a long time since I've had you in class. You must be drawing a lot because you did an EXCELLENT job of the form of the man's head. Be nice if you could finish it sometime. Keep drawing, man!

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Visiting Students

2010-04-26T13:58:00.001-07:00

Since there was testing last week, we had a LOT of new students that haven't drawn with me before along with students who have been drawing with me most of the year. We had some superb efforts by a number of students who said they couldn't draw! Everyone got right into drawing with lines and shapes, accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes), and even a little cross-hatching. Hope you can join us next year to learn more skills!

Check out your drawings:

Jose G.

Christina

Jorge

Ricardo

Edgar

Deorfaya

Israel

Mystery Sketchers (no names on paper):

Weeks 4 & 5: Proportions, Contour Lines, Composition

2010-03-28T12:30:00.001-07:00

All of you made great progress drawing with contour lines and accurate proportions.

A big Salinas Sketcher welcome to Janeisha and Hailey, our newest members! And welcome back to Leo.

Check out Pedro's new large-scale drawing in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn.

Attention all sketchers, show your best drawings! Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 7, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

See you all Tuesday! --Rob

Aris

2010-03-28T12:29:00.001-07:00

Two fantastic drawings, Aris!!! Great job of drawing accurate proportions of the dog and using realistic contour lines to show its form. EXCELLENT work in drawing the contour lines for the eyes, nose and folds of the ears. The angled and curved lines showing different textures on your Van Gogh sketch are very well drawn! Very nice job of showing the perspective of the road and buildings in the foreground and background of your composition.

Hailey

2010-03-28T12:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Salinas Sketchers, Hailey!!! What a wonderful start in drawing with lines and shapes! The proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) of the crab and puffer fish are accurately drawn. The 3D form of the jaguar is VERY well drawn. Nice job of adding patterns, tones, and its facial details. GREAT job in drawing the realistic form of the dragonfly! The proportions of its wings and body are very accurate drawn. Excellent start in drawing the contour edges of its body--hope you can finish it. :-)

Oliver

2010-03-28T12:25:00.000-07:00

Wonderful Van Gogh sketch!!! You did a great job of using angled and curved lines for the grass in the foreground as well as the large tree and buildings in the background. The perspective angles of the wall, road, and buildings are accurately drawn. Great job in using 1-point perspective in both compositions, Oliver! The UFOs look cool!

Bryan

2010-03-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

Your drawing with lines and shapes is progressing wonderfully, Bryan!! The Aztec god shows that you're gaining more control of your line work! The different gray tones shading its face are well drawn. Compared to the reference picture you were looking at, its proportions are accurately drawn. The proportions of the dragonfly's body are also drawn accurately. Check the reference picture to compare the size of its wings to the body. And your sketches of the egret are a huge breakthrough, man! The proportions became more accurate with each new sketch. Nice job in seeing the negative space around its body to draw the 's' curve in the neck.

Jose

2010-03-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

You're making EXCELLENT progress in your line work, Jose!! The contour lines forming the dragonfly are very well drawn. The proportions of its wings and body are accurately drawn. And you rose to the challenge of drawing the egret!! You did a fantastic job of seeing positive and negative space to draw the contour edges that form the bird's head and body. Great job on drawing the 's' curve of its neck! Hope you can finish this one sometime.

Lizette

2010-03-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

Great to have you back, Lizette!! You got right back into drawing accurate lines and shapes for the tiger, frog, and lizard. EXCELLENT job of drawing accurate proportions and adding all the details of the lizard. I know drawing the egret was a challenge... but... Whoah! You did an excellent job of drawing the contour edges that form its body, head, and neck!

Leo

2010-03-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

Nice to have you drawing with us again, Leo!!! Your eye for accurate proportions really shows in these drawings! Fantastic job of using lines and shapes to draw the Aztec god. The gray tones on its face are really well drawn. Great work in drawing the patterns and textures of the lizard and the jaguar! The 3D angle of the jaguar's body is drawn very well.

Janeisha

2010-03-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Salinas Sketchers, Janeisha!!! You're off to a wonderful start in drawing with lines and shapes! The proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) of the crab and puffer fish a very well drawn. Each time you made a new sketch the proportions became more accurate. Great work in drawing the patterns and textures of the the lizard. The control of your line work and eye for accurate proportions really shows on the toucan. Keep practicing sketching light guidelines before finishing with darker outlines. :-)

Ruby

2010-03-28T12:11:00.000-07:00

GREAT job of including the details on the face of the Aztec god!! Your line work and eye for drawing accurate proportions just keeps on improving, Ruby!! It would be cool if you could add the gray tones to finish. :-)

Erik

2010-03-28T12:10:00.000-07:00

Alright, Erik!!! Really nice work in seeing the negative space around the egret to draw the contour edges forming its head and body. EXCELLENT job of sketching the 's' curve in its neck. And you got a nice start in drawing its facial features and legs. Hope you can finish this one!

Eduardo

2010-03-28T12:09:00.002-07:00

Great line work, Eduardo! ;-) Hope you can work on this a little longer to add gray tones.

Weeks 2 & 3:Lines, Shapes, Perspective, Finding Your Drawing Style

2010-03-06T21:57:00.001-08:00

We've got a lot of returning students as well as new faces in the Sketchers; welcome to Bryan, he joined in last week. Some of you have been finishing up with 2-point perspective and others are moving from drawing with lines and shapes to drawing more realistically.

As you explore new drawing styles and materials, be thinking about submitting drawings to the student show in May. For details: Click here

Want to compare the work of Salinas Sketchers to other schools? Check out the Drawing League to see what other students are doing: Click here

Hasta luego! --Rob

Aris

2010-03-06T21:50:00.000-08:00

Astounding! Drawing! Aris!! You progressed rapidly through the drawings of the frog, tiger, and jaguar while keeping accurate proportions and improving the control of your line work. You worked your way through the challenges of 2-point perspective with accurately angled guidelines and 3D buildings. Then you really got into the zone while drawing VERY accurate proportions of the dragonfly's body and wings. Excellent job of drawing realistic contour lines of its legs and transparent wings. And then.... the egret! You focused on the positive/negative spaces of the reference photo to get natural looking contour edges of the bird's head and body. I really like how you made several study sketches until you found accurate proportions; then finished with darker contour lines. Keep looking for where the positive and negative space meets to draw the contour edges of things, such as the 's' turn of the egret's neck.

Eduardo

2010-03-06T21:46:00.001-08:00

You got into some awesome drawing with the 2-point perspective lesson!!! Excellent job in drawing accurate angled guidelines to the vanishing points, making your buildings look 3D. Fantastic work in capturing really accurate proportions of the tiger's face! Nice detail work in the facial features and the gray shading. Compare your drawing of the tiger's face to the reference picture. Is the space between the eyes accurate? Keep drawing, Eduardo!

Jose

2010-03-06T21:44:00.000-08:00

Jose, the control of your line work has improved, big-time!!! You did an excellent job of keeping accurate proportions of the tiger's face as you drew it really large. And you kept the sizes of features on both sides of the face balanced, symmetrical. Compare your drawing of the tiger to the reference picture. Is the space between the eyes accurately drawn? Great work in drawing the patterns for the textures on the lizard. And you did a really nice job of including all the details for its facial features. Keep practicing drawing light guidelines for the shapes of things before drawing darker outlines.

Pedro

2010-03-06T21:43:00.000-08:00

I really like where your imagination went with this 2-point perspective lesson, especially your usage of textured patterns on the wall of the tower and building. The design of the ink patterns is really cool, Pedro! I'd like to see you explore this kind of ink (or pencil) pattern treatment on a larger sized drawing. Maybe take time to create an intricate design that twists and turns around images of people.

Bryan

2010-03-06T21:33:00.002-08:00

Welcome to Salinas Sketchers, Bryan!!! Your drawing took off right away with accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) of the animals and the monster truck! It's really great how you did several sketches of the crab to get used to holding your pencil on its side while drawing. As you progressed, your drawings became more accurate. Excellent job of drawing the overall proportions of the toucan. Compare your drawing of the toucan to the reference picture. Which of your two drawings shows a more accurate size of the bird's head compared to its body? Keep sketching light guidelines for the shapes of things before finishing with darker outlines.

Lizette

2010-03-06T21:33:00.001-08:00

EXCELLENT 2-point drawing, Lizette!!! You started gaining more control of the angled guidelines as you progressed through the lesson. The angles of your buildings are accurately drawn in relation to the vanishing points on the horizon line. Great job of keeping the vertical lines of the buildings parallel and the angles of the tops and bottoms of the windows correctly drawn. Hope to see you back in class for more drawing! :-)

Carlos

2010-03-06T21:32:00.000-08:00

Great effort at getting into drawing with ink, Carlos!!! You started off with accurate pencil guidelines of the buildings and car. Great job of drawing the angles of the open windows on the bank. Check the angles of the windshield and grille of the car to make sure that the guidelines were drawn to the left vanishing point. I think it would be great for you to explore more pen techniques in the future.

Erik

2010-03-06T21:31:00.000-08:00

Hey, Erik!! You put your excellent control of pencil lines to work in this 2-point perspective drawing! Great job of drawing accurate angled guidelines for the buildings and the street corner. You did a nice job of keeping the vertical lines of the buildings parallel. And the angles of the windows are drawn correctly to the vanishing points. Maybe try a street scene in 1-point perspective?

Ruby

2010-03-06T21:30:00.000-08:00

The 2-point perspective lesson was a challenge for you, Ruby. But... Wow!! You pulled all the skills you've learned together for an awesome drawing of buildings on the street corner. And you did it without using a ruler to draw straight lines! Excellent work in drawing the angled lines to the vanishing points. You did a great job of correcting the tops and bottoms of the windows so they angle correctly to the vanishing points. Hope to see your 1-point perspective street scene this week. :-)

Oliver

2010-03-06T21:29:00.004-08:00

Last week you got going with a fantastic start in the 2-point perspective lesson!!! Drawing the guidelines to the vanishing points was a little challenging, at first. But you got the hang of it, man! Excellent work in fitting the windows inside of the angled guidelines. And you made corrections that kept the vertical lines of the buildings parallel. You mentioned that you wanted to explore drawing things, such as letters and words, in 2-point perspective. I'll help you go for it, Oliver!

Week One: Lines, Shapes, Contours, Proportions

2010-02-10T17:22:00.000-08:00

Great to be drawing with the Salinas Sketchers again! New students practiced holding the pencil sideways while sketching--a little bit of a challenge--and drawing with lines and shapes. Everyone did a great job of drawing accurate proportions. Scroll down to view your drawings with my comments.

Pencil warm-up drawing by Aris

Returning students took their previous lesson drawing (the agave plant) to a larger sheet of paper, keeping accurate proportions while drawing BIG! Everyone did an excellent job of drawing contour lines showing the edges of the leaves. Everyone got into the zone while using the different kinds of pencil leads. Click on images to enlarge for viewing:

Left to right: Eduardo, Pedro, Erik

Left to right: Ruby, Carlos

See you on Tuesday! --Rob

Aris

2010-02-10T17:18:00.000-08:00

Awesome drawings, Aris!!! Once you got used to holding the pencil sideways your drawings improved quickly. Excellent job of drawing accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) of the puffer fish and crab. Each time you made a new sketch your lines became more confident and proportions more accurate. You REALLY got into the zone while drawing the toucan--lots of control in your line work! The proportions of the bird are accurately drawn and the gray tones are a nice touch. Carlos did a nice job of helping you with his shading style. :-)

Lizette

2010-02-10T17:15:00.001-08:00

You're off to a great start in drawing with lines and shapes, Lizette!! Excellent how you focused on holding your pencil sideways while sketching light guidelines for the basic shapes. And it's great how you drew BIG on the paper while keeping accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). Very good start on drawing the toucan--lots more confidence in your line work. The proportions of its body are very well drawn.

Each time you made new sketches the proportions became more accurate.

Check out: Getting into the Zone

Jose

2010-02-10T17:12:00.002-08:00

EXCELLENT drawings, Jose!!! I know that holding the pencil on its side was a challenge, but you pulled of some really cool sketches as you gained more control. Each time you made a new sketch of the crab, the proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) became more accurate. Then you dropped into the zone while drawing the puffer fish. Great job in drawing accurate proportions of its body, fins, and facial expression. And then you got a really nice start in drawing accurate proportions of the toucan's body. Looks like you ran out of space for its head. :-) Keep practicing sketching light guidelines; then finishing with darker outlines.

Weeks Seven & Eight: Sketching, Composition, Form, Value, Rhythm

2009-12-16T14:08:00.000-08:00

We had a productive free-draw session where everyone explored sketching contours and textures. Then we got into elements of composition by drawing an agave plant. You accomplished the goal of sketching loosely, quickly, and accurately.

Be sure to check out new pics of our outdoors free-draw session. Click here

I really enjoyed drawing with the Salinas crew and hope to be returning in February to help each of you explore new techniques and drawing styles.

Happy holidays!!!! --Rob

Carlos

2009-12-09T22:11:00.001-08:00

Bien hecho, Carlos!! Excellent work in drawing realistic contour edges of the agave plant! You did a really nice job of adding gray tones to show different values of green for the leaves. How you used the kneaded eraser to blend tones and erase highlights is a very nice touch. Your quick contour line sketches from our free-draw session turned out awesome. Keep practicing your sketching, man!

Heriberto

2009-12-09T22:09:00.000-08:00

Great to have you join Salinas Sketchers, Heriberto!!! Wow! Fantastic work in drawing the realistic contour edges of the plant. Very nice job of adding gray tones to show the different values of green. I really like the powerful contrast of the darker and lighter areas of your composition. Keep drawing, man!

Ruby

2009-12-09T22:08:00.001-08:00

The agave plant is yet another WONDERFUL composition, Ruby!!! Great work in sketching loosely, quickly, and accurately! Very nice work in adding lighter and darker grays to show different values of green for the leaves. How you erased the highlights with the kneaded eraser is a nice touch. And... Wow!... your contour line sketch of the shell and antique iron is awesome! Your drawing has improved in leaps and bounds since starting this class.

Pedro

2009-12-09T22:06:00.002-08:00

Pedro, you're drawing skills are simply extraordinary, man! Great start in drawing accurate contours, proportions, and tonal values of the plant. I hope to be drawing with you in February and exploring ways to apply your drawing skills toward your future.

Getting into the "Zone"

2009-12-09T22:06:00.001-08:00

Imagine playing your favorite video game (or a sport or activity you do well), and getting your best-ever score. Every move you make scores mega-points! You're in a state of mind where everything flows naturally without having to think about it. You're in the Zone.

In drawing, being in the Zone is when you don't have to think about what you're drawing. Everything seems to flow out of the tip of your pencil. Each time you draw, it takes a little time to find the Zone (just like when you're playing video games). But with practice it gets easier and easier to naturally drop into it. And when you're in the Zone, your drawings will amaze you!

Week Six: Form, Contour Lines, Proportions, Texture

2009-11-17T22:05:00.000-08:00

Great work Salinas Sketchers! We stepped into drawing from real life and everyone used contour lines to show realistic roundness of pumpkins and other objects from the 'crate of realism'.

The crate of realism: bones, shells, rocks, and rusty old stuff

Since there are festivities for the holidays we won't be drawing next week. But if you find yourself in the mood to draw, go ahead and use your skills to create a composition from observation (from photos or real life) or your imagination. I'll post your work in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn.

Have a wonderful holiday all! And be ready for some fun drawing when you come back. :-) --Rob

Pedro

2009-11-17T22:02:00.000-08:00

You were blazing on Tuesday, Pedro!! Your ability to sketch things from real life matches your awesome work from pictures or your imagination. The contours and textures of your pumpkin sketches are very well drawn. I really like how you experimented with different pencil line and shading techniques. The skull is fantastic, man!! Your contour lines show its accurate proportions and details.

Leydi

2009-11-17T22:00:00.000-08:00

Truly wonderful progress in your drawing skills, Leydi!!! Excellent how you lightly sketched guidelines until you found the form of the pumpkin. Way cool how you sketched on top of your mistakes; then finished with darker, accurate contour lines. Great how you drew the foreshortened stem, making it look like it's coming toward us (drawing, top left). The stem looks natural and realistic where it attaches to the pumpkin. Really nice how curved contour lines show the roundness of the pumpkin. I like how you made lots of sketches; each time you made a new one it became more accurate.

Moises

2009-11-17T21:59:00.001-08:00

Very cool how you got into making several quick study sketches of different positions of the pumpkin. This is a big shift in technique for you, Moises! Sketching quickly and accurately will help you when drawing from real life. You did an excellent job of using curved contour lines to show the round form of the pumpkin. How you drew the stem attached to the pumpkin looks very natural and realistic. You have a great eye for accuracy and a cool drawing style.

Oliver

2009-11-17T21:57:00.000-08:00

Alright, Oliver!!! Excellent job of sketching the overall form of the pumpkin. I really like how you loosened up your lines and sketched faster. Great job of drawing curved contour lines to show the roundness of the pumpkin's form. And you did an excellent job of showing the texture of the stem and how it twists. The cast shadow is a really nice touch.

Ruby

2009-11-17T21:56:00.001-08:00

Drawing from real life is a big step for you, Ruby! And you pulled off some awesome sketches!!! You did a lot of quick sketches of the pumpkin and this really helped you to draw accurate proportions of its form. You loosened up and started sketching guidelines before drawing darker contour lines. You did an excellent job of drawing curved contour lines to show its round form. I really like how you drew the cast shadow underneath the pumpkin, making it look 3D! You're really starting to improve your skills... keep it going! :-)

Carlos

2009-11-17T21:54:00.000-08:00

Excellent line work, Carlos!! Your curved contour lines do a great job of showing the roundness of the pumpkin. Where the stem attaches at the top looks natural and realistic. I really like how your contour lines show the foreshortened form of the shell, making it look like it's coming straight at us. You also did a nice job of showing its rough, bumpy texture. Nice contour drawing of the bottle, man!

Week Five: Form, Contour Lines,

2009-11-11T19:41:00.002-08:00

We made some BIG progress on Tuesday! Everyone tackled the challenge of drawing a realistic dog and improved their skills of drawing accurate proportions and contour lines. A highlight was Ruby's breakthrough drawing of the dog! We're ready to move to the next level: drawing from real life.

Pedro started drawing accurate proportions from a reference picture of a skull. Then he added his own style of shading and texture to it. He let his imagination go and created a very powerful drawing. It's posted in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here

On Tuesday we'll be drawing things from real life. See you then! --Rob

Moises

2009-11-11T19:41:00.001-08:00

Excellent line work, Moises!! Great job of capturing accurate proportions of the dog's head and shoulders. The contour lines showing the form of the dog are very well drawn, especially the overlapping and folds of the ears. The positioning of the eyes and the contours of the nose are also very well drawn

To compare the proportions of the dog you drew to the reference picture click here.

Oliver

2009-11-11T19:40:00.001-08:00

It took awhile for you to get into the zone but you pulled of an excellent sketch, Oliver!! The overall proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) are very well drawn. Very nice job of drawing the contour lines that form the dog's head, shoulders and the folds of the ears. Great contour lines that show the details of the nose. Nice start on the positioning and contours of the eye!

To compare the proportions of the dog you drew to the reference picture click here.

Ruby

2009-11-11T19:39:00.000-08:00

Hey, Ruby! The drawing of the dog was a BIG-time improvement in your drawing skills!! Drawing a realistic-looking dog was a challenge but you met it straight on and sketched accurate proportions of the its head and ears. Excellent job of drawing contour lines for the overlapping and folds of the ears, the jaw, nose, and eye. And you did a great job of adding details such as the eyelashes, whiskers. The gray tones showing the values of color are a nice touch. Keep it going! :-)

To compare the proportions of the dog you drew to the reference picture click here.

Carlos

2009-11-11T19:38:00.002-08:00

Once you found the right music on the computer, you got into a FANTASTIC drawing of the dog!! You started by sketching light guidelines; then drew darker contour lines forming its head and facial features. Excellent work of drawing accurate proportions and the overlapping, folded ears. As you got into the details, such as the eyelashes and contours of the nose, your drawing style really starts to shine, Carlos! I really like the shading technique you used for gray tones and textures of fur and skin.

Hope to see your drawings from the Aztec calendar.

To compare the proportions of the dog you drew to the reference picture click here.

Week Three: Positive and Negative Space, Form

2009-11-04T15:22:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday we got into seeing and drawing positive and negative space. The 'chair' warm-up lesson made everyone a little crazy. But I was really impressed to see everyone work through the challenges of learning about positive and negative space while drawing the egret. It will be valuable knowledge for the remaining weeks ahead.

Left: Drawing by Pedro

Check it out: We've got some VERY cool new drawings by Pedro and Carlos posted in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn!

Keep drawing in your free time, everyone. You've got the skills!! Get ideas for drawing your favorite animals or flowers from the Internet or magazines. Or try drawing a design from your imagination.

See you on Tuesday! --Rob

Leydi

2009-11-04T15:19:00.000-08:00

After learning about positive and negative space and contour lines you've taken your drawing to a new level, Leydi!! You accurately drew contour lines showing the realistic form of the egret. You did a fantastic job of drawing the 's' curve of its neck and the details of its face and beak. The gray tones for shading and details of feathers makes it look very natural. Great work on the contour line drawing of the flower! The edges that form the petals look very realistic. Nice work on the positive/negative chair warm-up sketch.

Keep drawing in your free time, Leydi. Your eye for accuracy keeps improving every time you draw! I know that you enjoy drawing. Your own style is starting to show in your work. Keep developing it... get ideas for drawing your favorite animals or flowers from the Internet or magazines. Or try making designs from your imagination and combine the with realistic drawings.

Moises

2009-11-04T15:18:00.001-08:00

Welcome back to class, Moises! You got right into it with an awesome drawing of the egret! The contour lines that form its body are very well drawn. And you did a great job of adding details such as its beak and feathers. The gray tones are a really nice touch. You stayed in the zone to crank out a wonderful drawing of the tulip! Excellent work on drawing very natural looking contour lines and details forming the petals. Great work on the positive/negative chair warm-up drawing.

Keep drawing in your free time, Moises. You're developing a really cool drawing style! Keep it going. Get ideas for drawing your favorite animals or flowers from the Internet or magazines. Or try drawing a design from your imagination.

Oliver

2009-11-04T15:17:00.001-08:00

Welcome back to the Salinas Sketchers, Oliver!! You got back into it with and excellent drawing of the egret! Great job in sketching the overall form of its body. The contour lines forming its head, neck, and body are well drawn. Its beak and facial features are look very natural. And the proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) are accurately drawn. The gray tones show the 3D form of the bird. Nice work on the positive/negative chair warm-up drawing.

Keep drawing in your free time, Oliver. Get ideas for drawing your favorite animals or flowers from the Internet or magazines. Or try drawing a design from your imagination.

Pedro

2009-11-04T15:16:00.001-08:00

Great sketching style, Pedro!! I really like how you quickly sketched light guidelines for the overall form of the egret; then you continued with darker contour lines forming its head and body. Excellent job in capturing the 's' curve of its neck. Your ability to sketch quickly and accurately will benefit you as you continue drawing from real life. Nice job on the positive/negative chair warm-up drawing.

Keep drawing in your free time, Pedro. You definitely have the desire to put your drawing skills to work for your future! I'm hoping to see some of your coolest work to post in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn. Stay focused on developing your drawing style, man!

Carlos

2009-11-04T15:06:00.000-08:00

Great job of drawing the positive and negative space showing the form of the egret. I know you sketched this quickly, Carlos, and you drew accurate proportions and contour edges forming its head, neck, and body. Excellent work in drawing the 's' curve of its neck. Nice job with the positive/negative chair warm-up drawing.

Keep drawing in your free time, Carlos. I can see that drawing is a very big part of your life. You should be looking for ways to develop and apply your drawing skills to your future. Your working on the Aztec god drawing this week. Would be cool to see your sketches of the Aztec calendar, too. Keep drawing, Carlos! "...just your imagination.."

Ruby

2009-11-04T15:02:00.002-08:00

You got into the zone and produced a really nice drawing of the flower. You were very confident when drawing its contour edges and it shows in the graceful, clean lines. Keep working in this direction; it's a really cool drawing style. Great job with the positive/negative chair warm-up drawing.

Keep drawing in your free time, Ruby. Your skills keep improving! Get ideas for drawing your favorite animals or flowers from the Internet or magazines. Or try drawing a design from your imagination.

Week Two: Lines, Shapes, Overlapping, Proportion

2009-10-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

Alright Salinas Sketchers! On Tuesday everyone learned about overlapping (placing things in front of other things) to create depth of space in your drawing. Everyone made great progress in drawing accurate proportions. Scroll down to view your work. Remember to click on your drawings to view them larger.

Above: Sketches by Leydi (left) and Pedro showing how overlapping can create depth of space in your picture. They also changed a circle into a sphere by adding shadows.

eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn
Check out new drawings by Carlos, Pedro, and Leydi in the Expression Session.

Okay! Ready for a drawing challenge?...

Drawing Challenge: Aztec God Tonatiuh
For those of you who have time, here's a little challenge for you to do this week: Use lines, shapes, and tones (black and grays) to Draw the Face of the Aztec god Tonatiuh. Take time to look for the dark outlines of the shapes. Start by drawing light guidelines for the shapes, and then draw darker outlines to finish. If you have time, lightly draw the different gray tones. Draw from this reference picture: Click here

See you on Tuesday! --Rob

Carlos

2009-10-21T12:37:00.000-07:00

Excellent! Drawing! Carlos! You drew VERY accurate proportions of the jaguar. Great job of drawing the patterns for on its fur and tail. Nice work of adding details such as the face and whiskers. Your line work is looking really clean, too. If you have time, give this week's drawing challenge a try...

Drawing Challenge: Draw the Face of the Aztec God Tonatiuh
Take time to look for the dark outlines of the shapes. Start by drawing light guidelines for the shapes, and then draw darker outlines to finish. If you have time, lightly draw the different gray tones. Draw from this reference picture: Click here

Leydi

2009-10-21T12:36:00.001-07:00

This jaguar looks like it's going to come to life and jump off the page, Leydi! Excellent job of shading on its body with gray tones, making it look 3D. The cast shadow you drew on the ground, underneath the body and paws adds depth to your drawing. The patterns on its fur look great. Nice job of drawing accurate proportions of its body. If you have time, give this week's drawing challenge a try...

Drawing Challenge: Draw the Face of the Aztec God Tonatiuh
Take time to look for the dark outlines of the shapes. Start by drawing light guidelines for the shapes, and then draw darker outlines to finish. If you have time, lightly draw the different gray tones. Draw from this reference picture: Click here

Pedro

2009-10-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

Very cool drawing style, Pedro!! I really like how you added patterns and gray tones. Overall, you draw accurate proportions of its body. Excellent job on shading the ears and details of its face. Excellent job of shading underneath its body to make it look more 3D and add depth to your drawing. The delicate contour lines showing the edges and details of its fur is a nice touch. If you have time, give this week's drawing challenge a try...

Drawing Challenge: Draw the Face of the Aztec God Tonatiuh
Take time to look for the dark outlines of the shapes. Start by drawing light guidelines for the shapes, and then draw darker outlines to finish. If you have time, lightly draw the different gray tones. Draw from this reference picture: Click here

Ruby

2009-10-21T12:34:00.002-07:00

Alright, Ruby! VERY nice job of drawing accurate proportions of the jaguar! Keep practicing sketching light guidelines for the shapes of things; then drawing darker out lines to finish. Cool details for the jaguar's facial features. :-) If you have time, give this week's drawing challenge a try...

Drawing Challenge: Draw the Face of the Aztec God Tonatiuh
Take time to look for the dark outlines of the shapes. Start by drawing light guidelines for the shapes, and then draw darker outlines to finish. If you have time, lightly draw the different gray tones. Draw from this reference picture: Click here

Salinas Sketchers in Action

2009-10-21T12:34:00.001-07:00

Week One: Lines and Shapes

2009-10-13T22:39:00.000-07:00

It's great to be back with the Salinas Sketchers! Really cool to have a few familiar faces from last year as well as new ones! We got right to work on creating a bunch of NICE drawings.

Holding your pencil on its side (overhand grip) while working was a challenge, but all of you got into it. Keep practicing, it will get easier. Scroll down to view my comments on your drawings (or click your name in the column to the right).

Pencil warm-ups by (above, left) Ruby and Edna

If you find yourself doodling on a piece of paper this week-- hopefully between class assignments :-) -- do some warm-up sketches of angled, curved, and vertical lines, just like last Friday. See what kind of patterns you make--maybe you'll create a cool abstract design! Keep practicing the overhand grip; it will get easier and will help make drawing easier in future lessons. Also practice moving your whole arm and shoulder when drawing. This will help you to draw larger, longer, smoother lines.

Check out Pedro's and Leydi's cool drawings in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn. Hope to see more eXpReSsin sEsSiOn drawings from all of you soon!

You're off and running with sketching light lines (guidelines) then drawing darker outlines to finish. We also got started on comparing the size (proportions) of shapes you drew to the reference picture you were looking at. On Tuesday we'll be exploring how to overlap, creating depth in your drawing.

Scroll down to see your lessons. Be sure to click on your drawing to view it larger. --Rob

Pedro

2009-10-13T22:35:00.000-07:00

GREAT!! Drawing!! Pedro!! It took you a while to get used to holding your pencil on its side... but once you did... you cut loose with some wonderful sketches! You have an excellent eye for looking at the reference picture and then drawing lines and shapes accurately. With each new drawing, the proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) became more accurate. The crab is well drawn, and your accuracy improved with the puffer fish. But your control really started to show with the sketch of the wolf! The proportions are drawn accurately and the contour lines showing the form of the head and muscles are VERY well drawn.

Leydi

2009-10-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

Wow!! Leydi!! Last year's work with Salinas Sketchers helped you jump right back into drawing with lines and shapes. Your drawing of the toucan is a GREAT start! Compared to the reference picture you were looking at, you did an excellent job drawing accurate proportions of its head and body. And you got all the details and added gray tones. Then you REALLY got into the zone and pulled of an excellent drawing of the wolf! You drew large on the page while keeping VERY accurate proportions of its body. Nice job on drawing the contour lines showing the texture of its fur and muscles.

Edna

2009-10-13T22:32:00.001-07:00

Welcome back to Salinas Sketchers, Edna!! Your line work is as controlled and clean as ever! Your sketches of the toucan were an excellent way to get started in drawing again. The second sketch of the bird shows a longer, more accurate proportioned body (compared to the reference picture you were looking at). I really like how you took on the challenge of drawing the basic shapes of the wolf. You did a great job of drawing accurate proportions. Be great to see the finished drawing.

Ruby

2009-10-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

Hey, Ruby!!! Great to have you back with Salinas Sketchers!! After you practiced holding your pencil on its side, you sketched an awesome toucan. Overall, you drew very accurate proportions of its head and body. Your control came back to your line work as you sketched the lighter and darker gray tones of the bird. Excellent start of drawing the tiger with lines and shapes! Keep focused on drawing light shapes of things before finishing with darker outlines. :-)

Carlos

2009-10-13T22:29:00.000-07:00

Excellent start, Carlos!!! The lines and shapes of the crab are VERY well drawn! Compared to the reference picture you were looking at, the proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) of the eyes and body are really accurate. Keep practicing drawing light guidelines for the shapes of things; then drawing darker outlines to finish. Cool facial expressions. :-) Keep it going!

Moises

2009-10-13T22:27:00.000-07:00

Alright!! Moises!! You're off to a GREAT start in drawing with lines and shapes! Your drawings show a lot of control in your line work. Compared to the reference picture you were looking at, the proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) of the crab are drawn really well. The sketch of the crab on the right shows a big improvement in proportions of the eyes (especially the distance between the eyes) and the angled bold lines of the legs. Focus on sketching light guidelines for the shapes of things and then finish by drawing darker outlines.

eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn

2009-10-13T22:21:00.003-07:00

Carlos

Ignacio

Jesus

Leydi

Pedro

Oliver

Ruby

Drawing Challenge: Aztec God Tonatiuh

2009-10-13T22:21:00.001-07:00

Draw Tonatiuh's Face
Take time to look for the dark outlines of the shapes. Start by drawing light guidelines for the shapes, and then draw darker outlines to finish. If you have time, lightly draw the different gray tones. Draw large on your paper while looking for accurate proportions.

Draw by looking at this on your computer screen or print this page:

Salinas Sketchers in Action

2009-10-13T22:20:00.002-07:00

Week Five: Proportions and 'Monkey See, Monkey Draw'

2009-06-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

Last week we drew after the Mexican mural painter David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896-1974). You continued learning to draw proportions while looking at his painting of a woman. You also used lines and shapes to draw some cool monkeys. Your drawings are shown below.

Your challenge this morning is to use lines, shapes, and patterns (no real life people or objects) to create an abstract drawing. Draw big, and use the whole paper for your composition. Listen to music, draw the rhythm and harmony! Use your imagination, your emotions and have fun.

Examples of abstract artists to help you get started: Click here

Examples of abstract drawings by students in Santa Cruz: Click here

Abstract painting by Wassily Kandinsky

And... check out the eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn section. There are new posts by Alex P. (shown below), Ian, and Ignacio. Anyone can post drawings.

I'll have another fun abstract drawing project and independent projects for students when I see you at 10:00. --Rob

Jacob V.

2009-06-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

Your ability to see and draw accurate proportions really shows in all of these sketches!! Excellent pencil techniques, especially the shading on the woman and texture of the hair on the monkey. Great start on the contour lines of the skull. Also, check out your drawings from the previous week: Click here

Jasmine

2009-06-01T12:42:00.000-07:00

Alright, Jasmine!! Outstanding effort on drawing the proportions of the woman! GREAT shading of the arms and the highlights in the hair. Each time you redraw your subject the accuracy of proportions improves, just like when you drew the dog (Click here).

Marisol

2009-06-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

Excellent! Work! Marisol! Your contour lines accurately show the proportions on all your drawings. I like how your contour lines naturally define the edges of the dog. GREAT job of drawing the proportions of the woman. The shading and highlights in her hair are a very nice touch!

Alex M.

2009-06-01T12:35:00.002-07:00

Alex, your drawing skills keep improving each week, even when you keep saying you can't draw! Imagine what would happen if you say "I can draw" :) The proportions of the woman are very well drawn, and you did a really good job of shading. I really like the contour lines for the texture of hair on the monkeys. Also, check out your proportions on your dog: Click here

Alex P.

2009-06-01T12:35:00.001-07:00

Excellent job of drawing realistic proportions of the monkey, Alex! I really like the details of the face and contour lines for the texture of hair. Nice how you added shading to show the form of its body.

Christian

2009-06-01T12:34:00.000-07:00

Excellent contour lines, Christian! You've done a great job of including details such as facial features and the texture of the hair. Nice facial expression. :) You drew very accurate proportions of the monkey sitting.