drusk

There is a part of the lesson 0 FAQ that talks about use of reference during the 50% rule. I would simplify it as:

If you try to copy it exactly, it counts but probably won't be helpful in learning to draw from imagination because it doesn't build your spatial reasoning.

If you practice drawing a specific thing from different angles and variations, this is a study which is useful but counts as learning not fun.

If you use a reference perhaps altered a bit in order to draw some picture then this is fine. Uncomfortable's example is looking up a picture of a tiger when you are trying to draw a picture of a warrior princess riding a tiger.

Uncomfortable is pretty clear about the purpose of the exercise:

This is from the description of the form intersection homework.

"The purpose of this exercise

This exercise is all about developing your understanding of 3D space and how forms exist within it in relation to each other. It's one thing to be able to draw a form that feels three dimensional on its own, but throwing that form in with a bunch of others within the same space leaves a lot of room for inconsistencies and contradictions to arise. Building up your own grasp and overall belief in the illusion you're producing (something that is pushed that much further by learning how to define the actual positions of forms relative to one another through their intersection lines) helps us push a lot of this work more to our subconscious, where all of the lies we're juggling can be kept in line."

I found this exercise to be very helpful and I regulary practice it.

Drawabox is designed to teach students about spatial reasoning. This is a fundamental skill that should be useful in drawing any subject, whether it's cars or people. When studying anatomy, the human body is often depicted using basic shapes: cylinders, boxes, etc. Drawabox teaches how to convey those shapes on a 2D surface. Also, when drawing more than one figure at a time, or doing forshortening, perspective comes into play. Having said that, I don't know that Drawabox is designed to help with a specific subject, especially one as complicated as anatomy.

Thanks, I appreciate the compliment.

The mask is an Japanese oni mask. I used a reference from google images. DnD is Dungeons and Dragons. It is a roleplaying game usually set in a fantasy setting. The game master sets up a story and the players react using game mechanics and roleplaying to the situtation. Basically: Interactive storytelling with rules. It's a ton of fun. A character portrait is not necessary at all for the game but adds to the fun. This character is a Japanese themed female elf barbarian who wears an Oni mask and works herself into a rage when fighting. Fun character.

Yes, that is exactly what Uncomfortable asks you to do. https://drawabox.com/lesson/2/contourlines

He doesn't spell this out exactly with the contour line section, but does with the draw through ellipses. The principle is the same however. I think the link you posted shows a clear understanding of how contour lines are used in Drawabox. They take a simple flat shape and trick the viewers mind into believing it is 3D without the use of shading. The more I use contour lines, the more I don't feel like I am drawing but rather sculpting in 2D.

"Action BEFORE Motivation" is the best phrase I have heard lately when it comes to this topic. Imagine that you need to do something, let's say wash the dishes. There is a pile of dishes in the sink and you are really not motivated to wash them. If you can get yourself to wash ONE dish, chances are you will finish all of them. The trick is to wash that first one.

Starting to draw is the trick. Once you start, continuing is easier. I have given this advice before, but I would assign yourself a daily minimum. I would make that minimum so small that you have no excuse not to do it, like draw a single line on a piece of paper or draw for 1 minute. I think you will find that you will keep going and the habit of starting will form. Motivation will follow.

https://imgur.com/a/lNJc8jZ

I have heard people say "What you THINK you know can hurt you as much as what you don't know". After reading your critiques and going through the tutorials again, I think I understand that quote now. I have made another go of it and I have tried to understand and correct the areas that you pointed out. I really hope I got it this time. or at least closer. To be honest, I started to second guess everything I am doing with this lesson and I did each animal a couple of times but kept finding fault with them. Let me know how I did and any corrections needed. Thanks

Scott Robertson's "How to Draw"

You might want to check out a youtube video by a Syrca. Search for "Iterative Drawing". I think his approach will help you with something like the skulls. Consistency is hard to achieve. From what I can tell (I don't have it yet either) it takes mileage. Tons and tons of drawing.

Sorry, but it is a broken link for me.