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About Texture...

8:24 AM, Sunday March 27th 2022

Hello everyone, so i have a question. Generally about Texture. We have 3 main homework that is strictly relating to Texture as a whole, which is Texture Analysis/Dissections in Lesson 2, and the 25 Texture Challenge. I am at my first page of Dissections. And i feel like i may "waste" too much time on the textures, compare to other students.

So, here's my progress, i would:

*1) Pick a texture, then use Google Image to find around 2-5 HD reference images regarding to that specific texture.

2) Spend at least bare minimum 2 hours just looking at those, no stretch, i use 3rd party app to calculate my focus time.

3) I'll note things, write some lines out here and there while looking at those, i remember Uncomfy did say something along the line "90% Observation - 10% Draw"

4) Then i'll just draw the texture based on my previously-known knowledge.*

It's exactly like how you do Texture Analysis homework, but the thing here is i take too long. I assume one texture would took around 30 mins - 1 hour on a average time. Mine took at least 3-4 hours. Mostly just try to squint to acknowledge every single bumps, pores etc on its surface... For example, turtle shell, besides JUST looking at the given texture, i also seek out numerous resource on how turtle anatomy works, use 3D program, download a random Turtle Model to try to spin the model around in space and more. It's because i don't understand how a turtle shell would be like/interact with each other in a 3D space.

I know i should not rush things since Texture breakdown is time-consuming as its core, but am i doing this right? Is there too many extra/pointless step that i made? I am a slow learner, and easy to forget things so i try my best to capture everything that i learned.

Though, in the past, i used to take an art class, and one of my teachers told me that i have a tendency to waste my time on unimportant, trivial elements. So i am fairly skeptical with everything i made, Drawabox included.

Here's my progress, some of my notes and unfinished texture work is in there: https://imgur.com/a/ReppkM4

So, summing up, the question here is: Am i wasting too much time? Should i speed up the whole progress?

P/S: I'd love to know your own experience while meddling with these "texture" section, thanks. c:

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3 users agree
12:10 AM, Monday March 28th 2022

You're not "wasting" your time, your allocating it. You are a very careful observer and it shows in the quality of the work you shared. I think you should not worry about the time if you are enjoying yourself. I do think you might be able to work a little faster, but I think that will happen naturally as you progress. You will find that textures start to fall into categories and it will get easier as you go and you will need less time observing. If you are enjoying getting into the details of the turtle anatomy and 3D models, go for it. All of that will build your visual memory and drawing skills and will be applicable to other things. I am curious about what your art teacher thought was trivial and unimportant. That sounds like someone trying to keep you focused on an assignment.

I did Lesson 2 and the texture challenge. I found both exercises to be really enjoyable. I don't know if I did them correctly, but I still feel I learned a lot doing them. Trying to draw the cast shadows was a challenge. I probably could have used more observation like you are doing.

10:41 AM, Sunday April 3rd 2022

Hello! Thank you for answering my question, i apologized for not replying sooner.

Honestly i feel REALLY relieve to hear your thoughts, help settle down my anxiety haha. It's frustrating to go and decide every-single-thing by myself, without a teacher or friend's guidance. About the teacher criticized me... yes, it was an assignment, though i can't exactly pin-point what's the assignment was about, it's been a few years now. The only thing ingrained in my brain is the critique itself. Sorry for not providing you with the information you needed.

And your experience with texture sounds pretty fun and refreshing! I'll try to keep it up. Thank you, again, it means a lot!

1 users agree
10:52 PM, Tuesday April 12th 2022

To be honest i admire your focus you're clearly putting alot of thought into it and taking the time you need in order to get the job done as long as your following the instructions (and not torturing yourself) it should be okay

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