Life Drawing Thus Far...

[embra]

Hi everyone!

I'm applying to either the Character Animation BFA or Experimental MFA, or both...not sure yet. But this ol' heart o' mine tells me I want to apply to the Character BFA program. I graduated from UC Berkeley in December with a degree in Fine Arts and Creative Writing, and have been taking life drawing classes ever since.

Here's some of what I may be putting in my portfolio. I know I need to be more experimental with mediums, and am planning on being...soon. I'd love to know your thoughts on these in terms of what Cal Arts is looking for. Thanks!

Sorry for the darkness!

[Rostbrot]

fiddling with mediums is fine and dandy, but generally using different mediums is just a gate to start thinking about how you portray your subject, which changes by medium since they're all different. And it's this that I think you should really focus on. Your stuff is solid but pretty similar all around and doesn't have that personal expressive flair that calarts likes to see.

[embra]

Thanks Rostbrot, I really appreciate your honest advice. It's actually very helpful. I'm going to start sketching people in costume, which I think might help inspire me, and also just try to loosen up more in general. I've been really concerned with capturing the gesture, but not as much with capturing personality.

Again, thanks!

I'll post more soonish.

[dancaylor]

I agree. Get wild now. You do have some solid formal studies. Let loose the artist you don't know is inside you. It's really hard, well it is for me, but give it a go.

[CultureVulture]

Good stuff.

I realize a lot of these poses are quick gestures, but some longer poses to allow you to add more faces, hands and feet would be helpful.

And though its easier said than done, and probably vague, you should try and have fun with what you know.

Good luck!

[embra]

Thanks guys. Happy to hear from such honest, mature fellow artists. I really do need to draw from some longer poses...I always leave faces for last-I don't make them enough of a priority.

Going to the L.A. Zoo tomorrow, or Sunday...I'm going to try to have more fun with what I do.


This is an awesome web forum. Thanks for the help!

[embra]

Hey guys!

Did some sketches over the weekend...mostly of my boyfriend, who is willing to not move for a few minutes It was nice to draw some faces though.

What do you think? Also, do you think I should put these in my life drawing section or sketchbook section of my portfolio? Any ideas? Thanks!!!

[dancaylor]

I think the 1st and 4th are the strongest. The last one has good simplicity, but the form kind of discludes it from the running. Try and keep the simplicity of line and color, but give a more accurate respresentation of the anatomy. I hope this helps.

[embra]

Recent sketchbook drawings... Any you feel are particularly strong for my portfolio? Thanks! Expect to see more soon








Thanks Dan for the feedback from before 'Twas helpful.

[Rostbrot]

I don't know about portfolio stuff, but I'm definitely digging the second drawing. It seems off but I can totally feel it.

[dancaylor]

3rd one is the best imo. That should go in supplemental material

[embra]

Thank you, you guys. Your opinions are always appreciated I like using felt-tip pens because they're bold, and force me to make decisions, even if the decisions I make aren't always "correct". I generally like the results more than when I use pencil. Though switching materials is what really keeps me challenged...though I don't always do it...

Here's a subjective question that might not have an answer, but maybe you can help. In general, do you know if CalArts looks for looser, more spontaneous drawings, or more detailed, anatomically correct-looking stuff? My sketchbook stuff mostly consists of 2-5 min. drawings. From reading the posts in this forum, it seems like the former is better liked than the latter. I guess I really need to make another trip to CalArts to talk to someone, but I thought maybe people in this forum could help shine a light

Thanks Dan, Rostbrot.

[hashbrown]

Here's a subjective question that might not have an answer, but maybe you can help. In general, do you know if CalArts looks for looser, more spontaneous drawings, or more detailed, anatomically correct-looking stuff?

Thanks Dan, Rostbrot.

From what Ive collected so far CalArts would rather have looser more spontaneous drawings. I think its because in animation youll have to draw more quickly and wont have time to make every frame picture perfect. Good work so far! BTW are you going to national portfolio day?

[embra]

Hey Hash,

Yes, I do plan on attending National Portfolio Day, as I think it will be invaluable for me to get a Cal Arts faculty/admin member's opinion on my portfolio (in progress). I guess I'll be seeing you there? My name's Emily. btw. And thanks for that nice comment