Block In Concepts, Pt. 1
Added 2020-02-01 12:42:54 +0000 UTCThis is the first of two parts and it goes through the tools and concepts I am using in the beginning of a block in. My paper here is Stonehenge. You can see my paper and toning and stretching process here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/my-definitive-31189698
Audio Start Times- 00:01, 50:00, 1:30:12, 1:57:22
The Standard edition is coming soon (just have to finish the upload).
If you have any questions, just leave them in the comments!
Comments
You're right- 2B is likely too soft for this exersize.
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2022-12-14 10:00:41 +0000 UTCBest description of my tools is in the FAQ's post: https://www.patreon.com/posts/frequently-asked-37008290
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2022-12-13 10:03:52 +0000 UTCI have used a 2B and it is too soft I think. I'm getting darker values than you are.
Andrea Rumpel
2022-12-12 21:48:03 +0000 UTCIve searched around the website. Am I missing a video where you explain what pencils you are using? Specifically to these drawings? I do see a video explaining the various tools needed but, Specifically, for all of this contouring I see you go back and forth between a pencil and what looks like a mechanical pencil. What is the hardness?
Andrea Rumpel
2022-12-12 21:45:58 +0000 UTCIn some yes- this has to do with the different platforms (vimeo, youtube) integrating the automated subtitles at different times.
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2022-09-08 08:07:00 +0000 UTCHi Stephe Are there subtitles in your videos?
MATTEO TRIGGIANI
2022-09-07 17:55:30 +0000 UTCHi Susan, you can really start to measure from anywhere. I often use the features as they tend to be quite clearly defined. Drawing heads is like fitness- the 1st day at the gym is not going to be the most productive. Repeat and practice.
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2022-05-31 10:31:24 +0000 UTCHi Stephen, I tried drawing this reference and completely failed and frustrated. When you measure, do you measure from top of eye brow or eyes balls, top of lips and bottom lips? Do you have any suggestion for me as to how to begin?
Susan Lim
2022-05-31 01:18:27 +0000 UTCHi Stephen,
Susan Lim
2022-05-31 01:17:02 +0000 UTCHi Avi- just sent you a message about this.
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2022-04-19 07:22:16 +0000 UTCHi Stephan, I just subscribed to the block in bootcamp. You can say I'm a beginner+. I'm practicing a couple of approaches to block in the head. (Lumis head, Reily etc') I'm just wandering if the approach that you are using which is optical for the block-in stage can cause the person (at least a beginner\intermediate) to not be aware of the actual planes/anatomy of the head and just "draw what he sees" without more knowledge on the skull/head. I tried it in the past when I was almost completely new to portrait drawing and although it gave quick results, my knowledge on the structure almost didn't exist. Hope my question was clear :)
Avi Liberman
2022-04-17 20:09:49 +0000 UTCProbably 2H, but I can remember for certain.
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2021-05-14 13:08:35 +0000 UTCHi Stephan!!! When you start this block in, are you use a 4h pencil?
Victor Rodrigues
2021-05-14 12:38:08 +0000 UTCThanks for letting me know, Pamela!
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2021-01-13 21:27:30 +0000 UTCThank you for providing the concluding self appraisal questions. Before watching here, I didn't know what to ask or where to go next, hence crappy work. You put them out here very clearly and concisely. I will write them up and post them above my workspace as a reminder. Thank you.
pamela b.
2021-01-12 19:54:40 +0000 UTCHi Lana, The model packs are all available here: https://www.patreon.com/stephenbaumanartwork?filters[tag]=model%20pack
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2020-10-07 04:48:55 +0000 UTCHello Stephen, I am a new subscriber and have heard you mention several times a “model pack” of reference images but I can’t find them anywhere, how can I access these photo references? Love your work and anxious to get started! Thank you!
Lana McHugh
2020-10-07 04:25:53 +0000 UTCI use them to place the features in the head and to establish the scale of the head overall. The basic mechanics of using comparative measurements is applicable in many different ways.
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2020-07-21 05:10:15 +0000 UTCHello Sir, Please can you help me understand, how you are measuring various heights and widths as you are blocking in.
Mark Twain
2020-07-21 03:59:29 +0000 UTCThank you. Will wait for it :)
simon pulo
2020-05-14 15:18:34 +0000 UTCI'm adding a section about this to my next video.
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2020-05-14 14:56:40 +0000 UTCDear Stephen. I have just started seeing one of your instructional videos. Presently I am more interested in the initial stage of portrait drawing ie getting the right proportions (blocking in) to get the likeness. Do you use the loomis method to start drawing the angle of the head? Also what method do you use to measure? Sight size or comparative measurements? Can you maybe explain in one of your videos how to use comparative measurement (if you use that one) to make the drawing bigger than the actual photo as my issue sometimes is I get confused how to use the measuring technique. Thank you and keep it up. Nice work.
simon pulo
2020-05-13 17:55:44 +0000 UTCHi Trinh, The videos on Patreon are only available to watch online.
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2020-05-02 11:44:00 +0000 UTCI'm a new member of Patreon. I'm wondering how I could download your lessons that are posted on Vimeo for follow along studies. Thank you very much.
Trinh
2020-05-02 07:25:00 +0000 UTCHi Stephen,
Trinh
2020-05-02 07:21:59 +0000 UTCThis is a great question, Sergio- I think that I'd better incorporate the answer into a new video.
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2020-04-30 15:10:13 +0000 UTCHi Stephen, Watching your process is helping me a lot with the block in stage, but I’m still struggling some times keying the half tones shapes. With hard light setups it’s easier, but with setups as the one you have in this video I find difficult to decide if some things are lighter shadows or darker half tones. Also the differences in color on the skin sometimes makes a little harder to spot light regions. Apart from squinting the eyes, that really helps, do you have any advice in the stage of spotting the differences in values? Thanks
Sergio Tomasa
2020-04-28 07:06:19 +0000 UTCHi Gus, I often come across advice like this from other artists- I think that the real truth is that almost everything can be useful if used correctly. I will make a few height vs. width measurements comparatively at the start and then some other comparisons as well. Nose length vs. eye socket width, stuff like that. Looking at shapes is also super useful.
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2020-02-09 18:14:26 +0000 UTCHi Adriana, I usually use pentel or staedler lead refills. As for measuring, yes I will measure a few big proportions with my pencil and after that construction and anatomy does the rest.
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2020-02-09 18:11:27 +0000 UTCHello Stephen, I hope you are well. May I ask what lead do you use for the mechanical pencils? I know the pencils are Pentel A3DX, but is there a special brand of lead you use for those or does it really not matter and any lead works? I also second the previous comment. Do you measure with the pencil at all? Or does your knowledge of anatomy equips you to eye it out?
Adriana Leiva
2020-02-09 12:51:47 +0000 UTCHi Stephen! Thanks for this videos they are really helping. I want to ask you about the first part of the process: measuring proportions. Do you measure with the pencil first?A much older artist told me once he never take any measures with the pencil, he told me not to do it at all, since I was relying too much I guess during his workshop. he just closes one eye and he looks closely to the shapes he is analyzing and try to see creatures and forms he can imagine in them. He also navigate through the forms setting verticals and horizontals as you explained. I've been relying on this to set the relations between parts, since I find measuring with a pencil always frustrating and not exact even the rule of thirds don't always work if the head is tilted. I guess defined measures are only helpful in some cases like a figure drawing where the model is standing and you know where the half of the entire body is. Sorry if this too long but your opinion would be good. Thanks again for this great content.
Gus Rauber
2020-02-09 01:47:27 +0000 UTCProbably. Could be some mechanical 2h as well
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2020-02-03 22:48:49 +0000 UTCThanks. Is the Bruynzeel the 2h?
Jerry Singh
2020-02-03 22:48:09 +0000 UTCHi Jerry. The pencils here are mostly 2h, h, and hb.
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2020-02-03 12:31:01 +0000 UTCThanks for the comment, Daniel. I agree completely and I am working towards making this a reality. All it takes is time!
Stephen Bauman Artwork
2020-02-03 12:30:11 +0000 UTCwhat values are your pencils here?
Jerry Singh
2020-02-03 00:16:55 +0000 UTCHi Stephen, You asked a few months back of other kinds of videos/lessons we would like to see in the future, so I am just adding my 2 cents. I love the block in concept this month, where you isolate one area , and not just a whole portrait drawing (these are great too). Would love to see a video dedicated only to facial anatomy, or on how to study the skull, or how to do an eccorche. Basically anything anatomy related, and how it deepens our portraits. I know you did a skull drawing a few years ago, but there was no commentary that time. The commentary is a definitely needed. So, an anatomy based concept video or series would be amazing. Daniel
Daniel Morris
2020-02-02 22:54:50 +0000 UTC
