This is a “warm-up” sketch I did on 1-13-2015:

The goal was to limit the time spent doing the sketch. This time I chose to work on larger paper. My sketch from the previous day was done in a 5×7 sketchbook, which somehow made me want to work meticulously. It’s probably due to the page space being small enough to sketch fairly freely, but not so small that I was forced to go into “thumbnail mode”, where shapes and silhouettes are more the focus. I figured by drawing on large paper, I could move more freely, keeping everything open and swooping, thus concentrating on form with some minor details.

But, I fell into the “I can finish this” trap again. So, I found a way to stop myself.

I set a new goal. I finished the basic figures only, getting outlines of the poses down. No clothes, no background. Once I had this, I was to stop. Thus, my next warm-up sketch will be the same piece but penciling in the clothing and the background. However, as I write this, I’m thinking that, to help me limit my time, I will not allow myself to do any rendering and shading. Outlines of clothes and background only.

(Well, maybe I could throw in really large black areas where outlines won’t exist. Or course, I could always use the “X” method and place a bunch of Xs inside the large areas meant to be black)

This goal will be a challenge for me because I generally render and shade along the way. Perhaps, by sticking to outlines only, I could help myself improve my basic structural skills.

The other goal, of course, is to draw something fun, unrelated to the comic I’m working on, and try some new things and/or draw things I need to improve upon. Getting the pose for the front figure was actually difficult because I needed to find a way to make her look dynamic while still stable enough to hold up the girl on her back. So, her waist, hips, and legs took me a little while to do. Her breasts were also a problem: I didn’t want them to hang as if she were naked, because I knew she’d be covered, but I wanted to make sure they didn’t look awkward, either. Proper proportion was also an issue, because if the proportions are off they’ll look funny. I’m still not sure if I’m happy with them, but as I go in to do the clothing, I can make adjustments… so long as I don’t spend forever on the piece.

It’s supposed to be a warm-up sketch, after all.

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In related news, I got an iPad Mini, and I want to try doing sketches on it. When I sit down to relax, I often watch things I’ve seen before. That way I don’t have to focus too much and I can kind of zone out after a long day. This is also a perfect opportunity to sketch for fun, especially because a warm-up sketch is generally a pre-cursor to a larger drawing session where actual work will get done. Sketching for fun while watching TV gets rid of that caveat.

I do keep a sketchbook on my coffee table. But I want to try using my iPad. It’s smaller, I can use virtual tools instead of keeping a bunch of pencils, pens, and coloring implements nearby, and because it’s new to me – I’m a traditional tools artist, and always will be – I’ll be apt to experiment more. Plus, I can reserve my paper and supplies for when I want to work on finished pieces, whether they’re experimental or “normal”.

I just ordered a Pencil by Fifty-Three, so I’m looking forward to seeing what I’ll get out of it.