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Handie — eye for an eye
Published: 2008-03-23 06:22:29 +0000 UTC; Views: 866; Favourites: 22; Downloads: 15
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Description
this is my second close up eye attempt. The first one was tooooo uuuuugly to show here.I'm fairly happy with it.
The eyelashes aren't that great - I think there are too many of them on the top - but I also drew this from a magazine ad - which means that the eyelashes were heavily done with mascara. Not to mention that I stink at doing any type of hair or fur. I need to work on that.
Also, there is not a lot of detail in the catch lights, veins of the eye or the areas where there should be wrinkles. I need to find a better place than magazines to draw from - because I think they re-touch all those things out, and right now, I need to be able to see them to draw them.
appreciate any constructive crit!
thanks for looking!
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Comments: 46
I am surprised to see your drawing submissions come to a stop. Your drawing is are very good. The tonal qualities in this one are excellent, which typically shows drawing maturity and experience.
The solid lines are drawn boldly and with confidence.
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oh - I am sorry to see them stop too! I'm just so busy that I can only do so much! I'm working on a new drawing right now, but it's going slowly. Then with the photography, work, family, kid's sports, XS design, etc I'm pretty tired by the end of the day.
I'm keeping at it though!
Thank you for the comment - I've learned a lot since joining DA and my skills are stretching beyond their normal comfort level! I hope to keep improving as time goes on.
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No matter what path you choose for life, I hope you always keep art in your life. It is usually the first thing to go when life gets busier. But it is a huge mistake. One of the keys to human happiness in in being creative.
My latest Journal entry is about the keys to happiness and fulfillment in life: [link]
I have had a very difficult life with chronic pain, brain disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorders to name a few), so understanding happiness became a priority.
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I used to draw, etc SO much when I was in high school - and then life happened. I got married, got a job, had kids and my drafting table made it's way to the shed eventually.
I kick myself quite regularly now, because I know that I could... WOULD be really good if I had kept at it instead of giving it up for 15 years. Now I'm trying to get back into it again and it's hard because it's like starting all over again.
However, I AM doing it and I can't see stopping any time soon.
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It is best not to look back with regret. Now is the chance to bring it back.
I got so frustrated and self critical of my drawing that i walked away from it. I went into metal art, using arc welding heli-arc, gas welding, brazing, silver soldering, metal formers, lathes, milling machines, etc. I made 2 foot tall sailing ships to a 20 foot high sculpture. I then went into gold and silver casting of rings and jewelry, with Austrian crystals, etc. Plus mosaic tile work. My great love was glass-blowing, but by the time I got to it, my body was failing in a big way. I lament the loss. I went into computer graphics and eventually started my own company (Sandpiper Graphics, see the company artwork for trademark and logo: [link] ).
Our paths may stop and start or meander around, but artists tend to migrate to some form of creativity. Try not to compare yourself to other artists. This is your own unique path, and you are probably doing it for enjoyment and personal fulfillment. The very best of luck...
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At least you still kept working in a creative setting, and it sounds like you have done so many great things! I'd love to have a great big art shop where I could walk in and paint over here, and sculpt over there, and weld in that corner, and woodwork in this corner, etc. That would be a dream come true!!
I guess I can say that I've kept art in my life all along in one form or another. For 10 years I've been designin cross stitch patters for publishing and I've had a good run with several publishers and magazine companies. That really has kept me going, and now I find myself coming full circle back to more intense drawing, etc again.
I think that sometimes people really need to just make a change and shift their interests in order to keep themselves fresh and interested.
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You are very right about keeping fresh by changing interests. There was a study done which looked at men who had been in more than one career, and correlated that with longevity. Statistically, men with the most career changes and interests lived the longest.
It is also unhealthy for people to define themselves complete by their job, skill or vocation. Retirement, loss of career, disability, etc, can end up killing such people, or utterly devastate them. In the business of me going to sea, guys would retire after 40 to 50 years at sea, and die within two years. I knew some of those guys. Life lost meaning when they went ashore for good. It was like some of them were lost, adrift, and bored.
I have seldom ever been bored in my (except at some diner parties). There is always a million things to do, and not enough time to them in.
These last few years have been the worse for me, in part because I have lost most of the many things I used to define myself by. I reinvented myself again and again, each time a door closed. There is very little I can do now, either mental or physical, even though I want to. The day is coming when I will not be able to walk at all, or type on a keyboard. Oh well, I try not to dwell on it. A day at a time.
Designing cross stitch patterns is no less creative than designing a graphic layout for an ad campaign. Each have their own skill-set, both are artistic and creative. So you have definitely kept art in your life. I like the term creative more, because it has a wide spectrum than "art", like when I was designing control systems (Engineering), which is creative, but most would not not call it art.
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I often think about people who pour all of themselves into ONE thing and wonder what would happen to them if that one thing was gone. It's sad to think that a person could be lost by losing only ONE thing.
It must be hard for you to have lost so many things. It's good that you have been able to keep reinventing yourself though. You've probably done more things, and learned more about so many things, than many people do who live long and healthy lives.
I know it can't be easy - but you seem to handle things in such a positive manner. You are an inspiration.
I agree that creativity can take many forms. I think that most people can be creative about SOMETHING - even if they don't know it.
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Many people say what you say, but my partner sees the dark side and has to live with it. Someone once told him that it must be great to have a boyfriend who smiles so much, and my partner answered, "He doesn't smile for me." Chronic Pain patients call it our "Rigor Mortis Smile" (if your are familiar to Rigor, which happens when you die).
It is wrong to be a downer at social gatherings or events, so we crank up the smile. Your face actually hurts from holding the smile for so long. It drops when I get home. My partner is the only one I feel safe enough with to drop the facade.
I cope by cultivating denial. But the reality of my pending demise, plus coping with pain which never stops, except for fitful sleep, with the organ failure, muscle problems, extensive nerve damage, and knowing the pain and my condition will continue to deteriorate.
We have watched a good friend turn into a vegetable in 5 years, and I can tell you that I have no intention of letting it get that far. Such deeds and decisions should never be left to your loved ones. It asks too much. I have had to do it for someone.
So, in general I am maintaining Ok, but I have episodes of tsunamis of despair, depression, and anxiety, but typically n for about 1 to 3 days. It is an interesting dichotomy, where part of me begs for death, part of is afraid of death, and I do not wish to hurt my loved ones. My partner is not prepared for me to be gone, and I fear greatly for him, as he says he will go after me, which is ridiculous.
But when life seems overwhelming, I like to retract my binoculars pointed ahead, and focus on the here and now, and pretend there is no future awaiting me. I keep busy here on DA, reading, and dreaming.
This is life. It has highs and lows, and through it all, simply try to make the best it. Each of us has our own unique script. Who is to say one is better or worse than the other?
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I am replying to this in a note, so you can watch for it.
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thanks! It was one of my firsts at getting back into drawing again!
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This is a very good second attempt. You've done really well with the shading. Perhaps for the next attempt, try drawing one with darker shadows. It takes a little more confidence as it can go horribly wrong, but it's such good practice. Keep at it!
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you're the second person to tell me that - so I'll have to make sure I do it next time! I guess I'll have to start out with a darker pencil, because this one wouldn't take any more graphite.
thanks!
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Ah yes, grab a 2B and 4B. You'll produce some beautiful shades with those.
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Usually I go about 2B , then try to make it darker later but the graphite won't stick anymore. I'll start out with the 4B next time and see how it works out for me.
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Awesome! Hope it goes well for you.
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Well, this is a really nice drawing
And it is more than a mere attempt xD
A few hints for eyes, if you don't mind:
I made a little "help" in photoshop so I hope it will help you out
[link]
If you need other hints just ask
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thank you! I checked it out - it makes a lot of sense! I've heard people say that you should start drawing/shading the darkest areas first. Do you find that's true?
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Erm... starting shading the darker areas first is just an option.
Try to experience, how you like to work ? For examlpe I always start with the iris middle part and the reflection than move for the other parts.
But it is good if you start with the shading (just put a quick blob of graphite there) that you can see and compare what parts will be darker and what you should leave lighter. That first phase with quick outlines and such are always fast, and you have plenty of time to plan how you should draw this or that part ^^
If it helps, take a look at how I done my eye drawings in my gallery
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I will, thank you.
So if you start with the darkest part, then you are setting the tone for the rest of the picture. I see...
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Well you can continiously "upgrade" the picture while you draw
So when you put there something, it is usually not the final colour depth
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yes, but I think that sometimes I don't choose the right pencil, and I plaster it on trying to make it darker, and then it won't take any more lead when I try to use a darker colour. I have to keep this in mind and start off darker I guess!
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Well, since I'm not living next door I can't show you how the heck I work xD
It would be much easier that way
I usually use a 2B in overall tones, outlines ect. and a 4B for the really dark places
Use blending sticks if you like 
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You got an eye for eyes. Me too - a peek in your gallery revealed several of my pet penchants; eyes, dragons and spooky houses. Good work all!
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thank you very much. I've always been intrigued by eyes. THe way they shift and change colour. THe way that light refracts through them when it hits it at just the right angle. I think you can tell a lot from a person's eyes.
Dragons are......... well, I think that everyone needs a little fantasy in thier lives to get lost in now and again!
Thanks again!
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I agree, and have always been intrigued by dragons as protectors of the fantasy world. Thanks also for adding me to your list of friends. I hope to have many interesting conversations with you!
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I think that we will! cheers!
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Wow, it's so realistic! I love the 3d quality the upper eye lid has. That's always my biggest problem.
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thanks - when I look at some others on DA I feel like it's just not there yet - but it's coming along....
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Don't feel that way - its one of the best eye's I've ever seen!
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Very well done 
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thank you! I can find good pics on the net to try, but I dont' really feel comfortable sitting at my computer drawing, so I thought I'd try some mags.
I have a couple that look a little more natural, so I'll have to try one of those next time!
thanks again!
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You're welcome
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I'm doing that right now with another project. It's ok for the form, but I do have to keep referencing the photo on the net because it's clearer and the shading is more clear. It's working ok - I'll have to see how it comes out - I'm really just working on the outlines right now. The shading and detail will come from the picture, and a few changes of my own.
thanks for the suggestion!
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Yeah, it's always best to work with both, a printed reference and the original one on the net. I think you'll do great
You're welcome!
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