Sunday, April 27, 2008

Day 2 of 21


A little hesitant to post this one, but trying to stay on task with the challenge!

I did this really quick in Photoshop from a photo of my kids on a trampoline. Not very happy with it, but good practice none the less. However, I will be using a real pencil from now on. I like what Alicia says here about research. I seem to do better without a reference in front of me. And since I need the most work on people, that will be my main focus. And Ryan Loghry has a great idea that I think I will use as well, about having the characters involved in an activity.

15 comments:

Paola De Gaudio said...

You captured a delicious scene in this illo, you can feel kid's fun.
Glad you posted it, as you say, it's a good practice, an excellent one if we don't feel the press to always make everything perfect.

Tom Barrett said...

Thanks for you nice comments, Paola! My biggest problem with the illo is my son's head. Getting a back three-quarters view was difficult and his hair is really short (basically a buzz cut) and I didn't know how to stylize that.

Alicia Padrón said...

You did a pretty good job Tom. The perspective here is very tricky. They are both facing each other but also the bodies are in movement going on different directions. That is not easy to sketch and I'm glad you still went for it and posted it. :o)

You say you had a harder time with your son's head, I can understand that because his position is tough. But you have it already, it looks good! It just needs to show one eye and his nose. And I think in simple kids styles like this (mine is simple too) profiles are the most tricky because now the nose, instead of being a like a little "u" or "v" for example it should really be part of the contour of the face and come out (I hope I'm explaining myself here.. sorry if I'm making no sense) and it may be a little hard to accomplish that within the style.

BTW Your kids are so adorable playing together :o) My kids are 10 and 6 and they have a really nice relationship and play a lot together. But these last couple of months I've noticed they don't play as much. I'm a bit worried about that although I think it could be because Gabriel loves to read and is going through all the Harry Potter books like they are nothing.. read the last one on 3 day! So Alexandra is frustrated and bored.

Gosh... this turned out a long comment... he, he.. sorry about that Tom :o)

Tom Barrett said...

Thanks, Alicia!

I have a hard time stylizing humans. Just something I have to spend more time on, so hopefully this challenge will help!

Yeah, the kids play pretty good together... sometimes. They are 4 and 7, and my son likes to be the "boss" a lot. But for the most part they really are great kids! :)

Isabelle said...

Hey Tom,
This is a tough one, I think you got it down! It has a joyous energy. Interested to find out about this challenge, discipline is easier to commit to when you have a jolly gang of friends in the same boat!
I might just participate!
Have a good one!

Tom Barrett said...

Thanks, Isabelle.

Gina Perry said...

You did pick a tricky pose - which is how we all learn, by challenging ourselves! The proportions all look pretty good and the overall forms are believable. Stylizing faces can take awhile but you'll figure out what feels right for you. Yes, profile views are tough but I think that's what the boy should have here.

Unknown said...

Hi Tom....

nice work and I have to start to focus more on movement and different angles...great that your taking some risks and having fun with this great exercise...

I look forward to seeing more of your work...

sheree boyd said...

hey tom! thanks for the nice comment ---yes, conte crayons are messy! (haven't used it since grad school!) - i actually used a charcoal stick on some other poses and that was super messy!!!

i like your sketches! i think they are great - and it will be a good exercise to use a pencil. I am preaching to myself since my final work is always done in psd. :)

Tom Barrett said...

Thanks, Diana and Sheree. I'm all about challenges and break my "mold." keeps it interesting! :)

Jennifer Thermes said...

Nice work, Tom. You are brave to attempt to draw your own kids! I find that really difficult to do... they end up looking scary! Good to try new things, though...

Kathleen Rietz said...

Actually, I think this is really great. I can tell by the way the boy is shifting his weight that they are in motion and going around in a circle.

Anonymous said...

I think you're brave to draw children in motion! These are wonderful poses you've captured.
I started to 'research' images for the IF topic, couldn't find anything, made myself feel frustrated. In fact I felt so frustrated that I decided to try to draw it anyway out of my imagination. I'm glad I did because now I've learnt so much more!

Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Art said...

I am going to try my best not to use references. I definitely need them. But we'll see how that goes! Kudos for posting, I think you did a fine job.

tinycutie said...

im glad you post this even if you were hesitant, i really like this illustration. thanks for the comment on my first drawing for the 21 day challenge. I was a bit lazy for the past weeks, actually looking for a job so i missed submitting at illustration friday.

nice work tom :)