Steve Huston Draws From Life

2023-01-26_A Simple Way To Draw The Head Lesson #5 - Exploring the Major Planes of the Head

Here we build off our "LTL" strategy to begin mapping the major planes of the head.

Once we understand the major and (after the next couple of lessons) the minor plane changes, we understand that the values on any given head change at the corner between any two or even three planes.

Suggested Homework:

1. Practice from the reference provided and from imagination, finding the major planes of the head in front and 3/4 positions.

2. Start looking at beautifully drawn and/...

2023-02-09_A Simple Way To Draw The Head Lesson #6 - Exploring the Secondary Planes of the Head

In this lesson, we double down on our last lesson, but with a more nuanced look at the secondary planes on a front and 3/4 position.

On of the goals of a well constructed head is to find a way for the face construction to flow back into the skull constructions.

And the forehead and cheeks to flow down into the mouth and chin.

Suggested Homework:

1. Practice from the reference provided and from imagination, finding the major planes of the head in front and 3/4 positions...

Costumed Figures #4 - Quick Sketching

Here were we dig into the rendering of costumes as well as exploring how the same Fold Structures we've been exploring in costumes also applies to the Nude Figure.

Your Suggested Homework:

Try to find the Diaper Folds in relaxed Stomachs and Hips, and Knees.

And continue rendering vignettes of the various Folds Structures we've worked through.

Costumed Figure Part #4 -- Demos

In this continued training on drapery and costuming, I focus in the fold structure in Light and Shadow - leaning heavily on our Box Logic Strategy from several earlier lessons in our Patreon Library.

Your Suggested Homework--

From the reference portfolio provided, pick out small vignettes of various fold structures and build the light and shadow patterns based on our rule of Different Value = Different Plane. 

And remember, the Core Shadow and the Cast Shadow...

Costumed Figures and the Silhouette - Part Three

Here, I pick up wear I left off explaining The Interlocking Fold Structure and how   to call out critical landmarks of the body under even very loose drapery and costuming.

Your Suggested Homework:

Keep sketching all the various fold structures, including now Interlocking folds. 

Begin training your eye to find key structures and landmarks of figure under the costume.

A Short Part Two On My Series On Costumed Figures

This lesson got cut short by a Montana Snow Storm. But, there will be several more trainings to come in the series.

In this one, we add the Zigzag Fold to our vocabulary of drapery structure.

As in all fold structures, this one is built on the foundational ideas of Support and Gravity, and Tubes and Triangles. But with the Zigzag, a new support rises up from below.

Your Suggested Homework:

Continue your sketchbook ...

A Simple Way To Draw The Head Lesson #4 - LTL Explored

Here I show you how to apply the structural idea of Box Logic to Constructing the Head. 

In this lesson, I take my simple "LTL" strategy as explained in Lesson #3 and apply to a few dynamic Head Positions along with the placement (if not construction) of all the various features. 

Learning to use "LTL" will help you understand and place all lesser Structures, including the Light and Shadow shapes on them, exactly where they need to be for a beautifully Constructed Head.<...

The Journey of an Artist: An Interview with Ashwini Sadekar

In this special livestream, I interview an artist I've mentored for several months as I  ask her about her unique journey from engineer to artist.

Hearing the stories of others is one of the very best ways to find ourselves.  

Suggested Homework Assignment In 3 Steps:

1. Do a little journaling reflecting on your art journey to this point where did you start and how has your goals changed around your art practice?

2. As you think back, what are the skills or l...

A Simple Way To Draw The Head Lesson #3 - "LTL" Plus Position and Proportion

Continuing our use of "LTL" from lesson #2, we explore I more detail how to construct a solid Head to set us up for success when we dive into much more finished and advanced techniques.

Suggested Homework Assignment:

Practice from the reference images provided and/or from your imagination to build a Simple, yet Characteristic Head, paying special action to subtly adjusting the positions of your head construction several times to develop a better eye around wh...

A Simple Way To Draw Heads Lesson # 2 - Using "LTL"

In this lesson, I show you how the simple Intuitive way of using what I call "LTL" to get the foundation of a 3-D head onto the page or canvas without any confusing theories of Structure.

Suggested Homework Assignment:

Practice from the reference images provided and/or from your imagination to build a Simple, yet Characteristic Head.

Have Fun!

The Feet: Grounding and Foundational Strategies

In this peek into one of my client's only lessons, I explain how to get a stable Figure that ties into it's environment in a beautiful and believable way. 

And how the Feet are one of the very best ways to do that.

Suggested Homework Assignment:

Using the portfolio of images attached below, do some basic full-figure constructions, focusing on the grounding strategies I gave you in the training.

Have fun!

A Course on Head Drawing: Lesson One, The How and Why of the Head

In this lesson, I explain why the Head is both so difficult and important. Body language has a pittance to tell about mood and emotion compared to the head. 

So, understanding the opportunities the head provides us as artists is critical before diving into the challenging set of skills requited to get onto page or canvas.

Suggested Homework Assignment: 

Using one filter after the other of Shape, Proportion, and finally Position - draw several ...

Signing Up For Earth School

While attending the only class at Earth School (once I realized I’d signed up for it) I learned that I’m a bit of a mess.

I learned that every soul on this planet is enrolled with me,

And that each of them is all a bit of a mess too.

I learned that I’m in class to understand exactly what my particular mess is,

And to begin working to clean up it up — even if it’s just around the edges.

I learned that Gandhi was a bit of a mess.

I le...

Drawing Costumed Figures - Part One

Tubes and Triangles. These are the basic design elements of all folds. And when we understand how to use them, we can draw anything from a loose sheet hung out on the laundry line to a fully costumed Shakespearian actor.

Suggested Homework

Look at reference or masterworks to find the many kinds of folds that Steve trained you on.

Refer to the Reference portfolio attached here to choose images to work from

Telling The Story of Form

Good Structure, like a good Story, needs a beginning, middle, and end.

This lesson, Steve explains the power of the Rule of Three (think Goldilocks: too hot, too cool, and just right) and exactly how he uses the rules of good storytelling to get great Structure in his work.

Suggested Homework:

Practice drawing simple structures from imagination or from the reference portfolio attached below to find the beginning, middle (the Dramatic Turn, as he calls it), and the...

The Hips Part Two: The Fulcrum of the Body

This is the second of our two part series on the hips.

After a brief recap of part one, I take you through the basic construction of the hips for both male and female, as well as from various views.

Your Suggested Homework Assignment:

Practice drawing the simple, yet characteristic structure of the complete hips, even when you can't fully se them. You can do this from reference photo, other artists, or from imagination

I Dare You

Imagination is the beginning of creation. 

George Bernard Shaw wrote that.

We create our world one decision at a time.

We all have goals. 

Those that succeed have goals.

Those that fail do to.

We all have moments to celebrate and moments that nearly tear our hearts out.

Our only control — our only real power — is how we choose to act in this moment �...

The Key Elements of a Solid Composition

[I'll be adding a new training each day this week to make up for missing two livestreams in a row. It does look like all computer and internet issues have been resolved. So it should be smooth sailing. Thank you so much for your patience!]

They are several powerful ideas to a well constructed composition. In this training Steve walk you through them and then towards the end of the video, answers a few questions from his DFL clients on how to get creative with it. 2022-12-05 18:22:37 +0000 UTC View Post

How Sargent Draws With Paint

I apologize for the long delay in getting a new training to you. We were having no end of trouble with both my computer and my internet speed. 

We believe we have it solved. In the meantime, I'm uploading several new stream to reward you for your patience.

I really appreciate it! 

This was a bonus lesson I did for my clients on how to draw in paint . . . 

Every stroke you make in a painting - just like every ma...

Understanding the Hips... Oh, and the Meaning of Life - Part One

THE HIPS are the foundation, the fulcrum, and seat of power for our entire body. 

They are unique.

And so, it's critical to get them right...  

In this training, I take you back to the foundations of what Art is meant to be in addressing the human condition -- in addressing the experience of life and the potential meaning behind it.  

Have Fun!

Your Suggested Homework Assignment:

Practice...

The Triangle of Stability

Here's a simple tip many folks forget...

When drawing or painting a full standing figure, make sure the Center of Gravity (or as a short cut, use the Head as a substitute) is between the two feet or, at least over one of the feet. 

This will insure that your figure doesn't not feel like it's falling off the page.

A Pro Tip...

IF you want action in the pose, as opposed to stability, you can intentionally tip that triangle...

A DRIVE TO BE MORE

We, humans, are world-class creative beings by design.  

We have an internal drive to become more.

I believe, Art is not primarily measured by terrific craft. It’s measured by connection.  

Does the work speak to us? Does it move us? Does it pull us in as a sweet embrace?

While creating fine craftsmanship is all up in the head, the greatest power of Art is reaching down in our hearts. 

This is where real meaning happens – whe...

Connecting Head and Neck 3 Ways to the Torso

I use the Rule of 3 a lot.

This lesson is a good example. If you can find three ways to connect the Head and Neck to the Torso, it will have a much better chance of ringing true!

Here's your suggested Homework...

Using the Reference provided, practice finding those three connective strategies for the Head and Neck, and the Torso.

Have fun!

Steve

Body as Box

What if the Body was made from Boxes?

Could you find the corners?

Could you find several corner planes that face the same way?

Could find all the same planes and give them the same value?

Could you teach us to see the world in a new way?

Telling a Story

To make the most of a drawing, I like to tell a story about the forms I render.

And then...

...not tell a soul what the story was.

Mayber I'll think of a flock of sheep on a country road.

As my car moves forward, the flock separates to either side -- only to rush back together tighter than ever as I pass by.

Notice how the lesser forms in my drawing of the knee rush around the kneecap and "flock" right back into the calf and shinbone below.

Try drawing a si...

What If...

What if that Back of the Knee you’re drawing on the page or painting on the canvas was the crimped and folded trunk of a magnificent Beech tree?  

(see the posted image to the right of this one)  

Personally, I practice my Art with the certainty that is a beautiful, wondrous idea… 

 And more importantly, I look for "proof" of that next new idea.  

Beautiful AND wondrous!  

Often, we Realist artists chase the beauty and...

How To Draw The Twisting Torso

We can't just look and copy our way out of the difficult of drawing the human body, not without lots of frustration and even more hours.  

I've found, it's way more fun to simplify our way to success.   In this Figure Drawing Lesson, I show you how to do just that.  

I call it my Simple, Yet Characteristic Process.   I slowly simplify each challenge down to a place that feels manageable. 

Extra Energy!

What’s your definition of a creative figurative artist? 

Because a teacher and friend of mine, Harry Carmean, once told me that his definition of an artist is “someone with extra energy”. 

At the time, that statement seemed like a throw away answer. But the more I’ve thought about it over the years, the more authentic it felt. 

After slogging through all the day-to-day business of life… work, family, career, and a tho...

Structure For Sure...

But, don't forget the GESTURE!

Have fun!

Draw & Jaw Challenge - Three Member Critiques

I finally got to your DFL member critiques from our drawing challenge a few weeks back.

Sorry for the very long delay. Even though it's Halloween, I won't bother to share the many horrors I face.

But it's here now!

....yay...

Congratulations to --

Jeetika Dua

Mario Nuñez

Jeff Royiwsky

For being drawn from the hat and for participating.

Please let me know if you'd like me to do another some time soon!