[Jan]

This is beautiful, Tim! You really captured the feeling of walking on a path to the water. It seems very “real” for lack of a better word. I like the simplicity of the background contrasted with the delicate brushstrokes in the foreground. It’s nice to see your new work!

[Jan]

This is the final cast drawing… the Pre-Renaissance Bust. I learned so much from this course. Thank you, Iliya, for the incredible instruction and fascinating commentary!

[Jan]

Congratulations, Carolina, on an amazing 100 Day Challenge! I’ve followed your thread from the beginning. You are one of the artists on NMA who has inspired me the most. I’ve been so impressed (and a little envious LOL!) of how effortlessly you seem to master the goals you set. You set out to wow yourself, and I hope you succeeded. You certainly wowed me. Although it appears effortless, what you’ve accomplished takes tremendous dedication and diligence. Combined with your obvious talent, I know you will realize whatever future aspirations you have going forward!

[Jan]

Thank you so much, Carolina, Carlos, and Susan, for your feedback! I took a break from the cast series to work on mostly on Master Monday assignments but finally just finished the cast of the cadaver. I felt more confident in terms of accuracy and using lines to follow the form after all the Master Monday sessions. I hope that carries over to the Renaissance bust which I know will be challenging!

[Jan]

I finally had a chance to participate in Glenn’s live figure drawing session this week. I would highly recommend it! He’s remarkable. I’ve also been [slowly!] working through the Russian course which has really helped my development. It’s been Master Mondays, though, with the combination of Joshua’s insightful commentary along with the hours and hours of practice that filled in so many gaps and seemed to bring everything together for me. I’ve been trying, too, to find a better way to describe your work rather than “awesome” – which it is! I think what I love the most is the grace and elegance of your lines, and how intentional every mark seems to be. Your hand always seems to do just what you want it to! Like I’ve said before, I’m in awe!

[Jan]

Hi Carolina! These studies look awesome! Your work was exceptional when you started this challenge, but you’ve gotten even better! I can really see the progress. I had a break in my schedule this week so I’m trying to finish up a couple of the Master Monday assignments along with plugging away at some of the many NMA courses I want to take. After drawing almost nonstop the past year, taking these past three weeks off felt so odd! I really missed it. Going forward I’m going to try to at least do a quick sketch every day even when I’m traveling. I’m really hoping I can fit in Joshua’s anatomy course once it starts! At least it will likely be in the archives. Again, great work! You definitely keep getting more amazing!

[Jan]

Hi Carolina! I just had to say that I was so excited your Carracci assignment was critiqued for the final Master Monday! I don’t think you had been critiqued by Joshua yet. How does it feel to be at the top of the class LOL? (I couldn’t believe I had to be critiqued after you!) Your work really is perfect. I have said repeatedly that I’m in awe of your skill. The hatching exercises and especially the pen work has been painful for me yet somehow you never seem to struggle! At least I am noticing improvement in my other drawings from the master studies these last ten weeks. I’m really looking forward to Joshua’s anatomy course, but I have an incredible busy schedule including some extended travel the next few months. I’m going to have little time to devote to NMA but I’ll try to keep up the best I can. I should be able to get back on track with my drawing mid-summer. And I know you will just keep getting more amazing!

[Jan]

Your work is stunning! I just went through your website, and I definitely do not feel qualified to offer a critique! I really appreciated your feedback on one of my drawings, though, so I will make an attempt at providing another set of eyes. It seems like this particular portrait – which is incredible! – would appear even more three-dimensional if there were fewer dark outlines or if the edges were softened a little. It’s just perfect as it is, though!

[Jan]

Thank you, Linyi and Edgar, for taking the time to critique my drawing! I just looked at both of your websites. Amazing work!!! I’m honored to receive your feedback. The advice from other NMA artists has been invaluable in helping me improve. I’ve been focusing on the fundamental drawing and anatomy courses since starting NMA. My interest was primarily portraiture, but I’m excited to pursue to animal courses as well now and am encouraged by all of your comments.

Linyi, I would absolutely love a draw-over! Value design and control is something I have been trying to work on along with construction and it has been a challenging area for me. I feel like I’m starting to understand light and shadow better but have difficulty executing especially dark areas as both you and Edgar pointed out. Thank you in advance for any additional recommendations!

[Jan]

Thank you so much, Raven! I always value your comments. One of the recommendations in Glen’s Animal Drawing Course is to take the animal and actually feel it and then build it from the inside out. It’s encouraging that you could feel the structure underneath. I’m so glad you could sense his personality too. That means a lot. As far as painting him, I haven’t painted since college. Right now, I’ve been concentrating on improving my drawing skills with NMA lessons, Master Mondays and some of the Monthly Challenges but it could be fun to start working with color again. Your latest watercolors are quite beautiful!

[Jan]

Your finished cadaver drawing looks amazing! I’ll use it as inspiration since that’s the next section I need to do in the plaster cast course. I just can’t find time to fit everything in. I don’t know how you do it. You seem to accomplish so much! And so well! Your objects for the March monthly challenge are beautifully drawn, too. I had hoped to do that challenge but I’m going to have to wait. I’ll have to miss at a couple of the upcoming Master Mondays at the end of the month too. Anyway, great work!

[Jan]

Your work is beautiful! Your contour shading and hatching technique is very effective. I love the palette in your oil study too. It might be interesting to sculpt the forms even more in that particular piece like in your drawings…

[Jan]

I just saw your 100-day challenge for the first time. You have impressive skills! Your forms are very solid and show your understanding of anatomy. I also love the gesture and flow of your line work. The Day 44 drawing is beautiful. I look forward to seeing more!

 

[Jan]

Really nice work! I never know when to stop either! I just try to make myself quit on a piece before I ruin it haha. Hair is very tricky to draw! I think you did a really nice job (on the wrinkles too). I love drawing with erasers. I do what you did. I start with a midtone, erase out highlights, add in darks, blend, and repeat multiple times. I use a kneaded eraser mostly, and then I discovered that a Tombow Mono Zero eraser is perfect for adding some individual strands. You might want to try that for the finer hairs. Steve Huston has an Advanced Head Drawing Lesson on hair which I found really valuable. He emphasizes looking for the gesture and the basic shapes. I’m just learning myself, but I hope I could be of some help!

[Jan]

Hi Raven! I was excited to see that you have started another challenge! Your last one was very impressive, and I look forward to following your progress in this one. Your anatomy studies are definitely adding strength and structure to your portraits. And I love, love, love the colors in your watercolors! Have you ever seen Alayne Sahar’s work? Her pieces are very beautiful and spiritual. Your latest pieces remind me of hers!

[Author]

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