Head study 2-29-08

Head study after Loomis 2-29-08
Charcoal on newsprint

This is a copy of a drawing by Andrew Loomis, an American illustrator from the last century (1892 - 1959). Students were encouraged to do half of their practice drawings by copying good artists' work, as part of the learning process. Loomis was miles ahead of me, so there is quite a difference between his drawings and my own drawings done from photos or life. I need to keep studying and drawing from Loomis and other world class artists.

Head study 2-28-08

Head study 2-28-08

Charcoal on newsprint

Head sketch 2-27-08

Head sketch 2-27-08

Charcoal on newsprint

Head sketch 2-26-08

Head sketch 2-26-08
Charcoal on newsprint

Head sketch 2-25-08

Head sketch 2-25-08

Charcoal on newsprint

head study 2-24-08 PM

Head study 2-24-08 PM
Charcoal on newsprint

Head sketch 2-24-08 AM

Head sketch 2-24-08 AM
Charcoal on newsprint

Head sketch 2-22-08

Head sketch 2-22-08

Charcoal on newsprint

I want to remind you that these recent drawings are "fillers" -- not new drawings. I'm busy and not able to do new work right now, and I post old sketches so I won't forget how to post on the blog. You never know; it could happen. Use it or lose it.

Head sketch 2-21-08

Head sketch 2-21-08

Charcoal on newsprint

Head sketch 2-20-08

Head sketch 2-20-08

Charcoal on newsprint

Head sketch 2-19-08

Head sketch 2-19-08

Charcoal on newsprint

Head sketch 2-18-08

Head sketch 2-18-08

Charcoal on newsprint

Head sketch 2-17-08 PM

Head sketch 2-17-08 PM

Charcoal on newsprint

Head study 2-16-08

Head study 2-16-08

Charcoal on newsprint

Head sketch 2-15-08

Head sketch 2-15-08

Charcoal on newsprint

Head sketch 2-14-08

Head sketch 2-14-08

Charcoal on newsprint

Piper Cub quick sketch

Piper Cub quick sketch

Charcoal on newsprint

The classic (and once famous) Piper Cub. Piper J-3 Cubs were so abundant after World War II, and so popular, well-known, and well-loved, that many people called every small airplane a "Piper Cub".

Culver Cadet quick sketch

Culver Cadet quick sketch

Charcoal on newsprint

Cessna 195 sketch

Cessna 195 sketch

Charcoal on newsprint

An old post-WW-2 classic. I love radial engines.

Cessna 180 sketch

Cessna 180 sketch

Charcoal on newsprint

Bede BD-5 sketch

Bede BD-5 sketch

Charcoal on newsprint

The BD-5 was an exciting new design idea in the early 1970's -- a personal airplane that would be fast and affordable.

Lockheed Constellation

Lockheed Constellation sketch

Charcoal on newsprint

This plane was one of the most beautiful airliners ever built.

Head drawing 02-07-08

Head drawing

Charcoal on newsprint

This was done in a drawing class.

Head sketch 2-6-08

Head sketch

Charcoal on newsprint

Head study 02-05-08

Charcoal on newsprint

A practice drawing from a photograph.

Still more head inventions

Still more head inventions.

Charcoal on newsprint

Even one with hair. Sort of.

More head inventions

Head inventions

Head inventions

Charcoal on newsprint

Another training exercise is to draw invented heads. As you can see, there is a sameness to their appearance. They are more organic and natural looking than "planes of the head" studies. The purpose is to become very familiar with average, ideal features placed in a well-constructed head. Developing a variety of "characters" or types is not the idea here -- just practice drawing idealized heads. My instructor once recommended that we draw invented heads "by the thousands". Why are they bald? Because the focus is on construction and features. Imagining various hair styles for these heads would take time and attention away from the basic focus -- the head itself.

Planes of the head

Planes of the Head

Charcoal on newsprint

Not to be confused with "Planes of the airport", these head studies are used to help the artist and student understand the construction of the human head. They are somewhat mannequin-like. They have average proportions (falling in the middle of the range of head proportions), and as a result are ideal looking -- handsome and attractive. It is recommended that a student learn these planes thoroughly, by drawing many of them, from many viewpoints. Construction is extremely important in the process of drawing.