Noah's little sketchbook (01.29)

[Noah Bradley]

Hey y'all. No guarantees that I'll be able to regularly keep this sketchbook up (as the only scanner I have access to is a school one), but I'd like to share some sketches that I'm doing here. All of the sketchbook pages are done during my freetime here at RISD. I honestly only started doing imagination creatures/characters a few months ago. I mean, I drew figures and faces and such before, but actually doing "concept art" (if this could even be called that) is pretty new for me. I've been having a really fun time with it, too.

Even though I've only been here for a couple weeks, drawing every day (and so much) seems to have given my confidence in drawing a big boost.

This was a 2D design class assignment. Each of them are in about 1" squares, in pen and ink.



Another 2D project. Kind of unhappy with it, but I wasn't really comfortable with gouache. Gotta work on that.



Comments & critiques would be great.

[Sylvain-Klein]

very very good sketches, i like your style

[Noah Bradley]

Thanks.

Here are some life drawings I've done in class. Some of them are pretty stinkin' big, too.

I've got some more stuff to post... just gotta take some pictures sometime.

[Noah Bradley]

Finally got my computer working again in my room. Yay!

Here's some work I've done in my drawing class recently. Charcoal on newsprint. Forgive the shoddy photos. I need a better camera (or a tripod).

[Noah Bradley]

I'm currently on break from school (heading back in a couple weeks), so I'm spending some time 1. Working on composition, 2. Learning perspective, and 3. Trying to attain some competence in digital painting.

Here's my first couple efforts. Both self-portraits, from photos.



This is another batch from my drawing class from the summer.

[monotony]

great work, dude. you're lifedrawings are really strong!
now show us some more of the sketches like you did in first post. maybe flesh some of the concepts out a bit more as well. really promising start.

[Noah Bradley]

Thanks a lot monotony. I've really never tried to bring concepts to completion. Actually that last piece of the big beast (it's Behemoth) is really the most "finished" concept I've done.

Here's a couple digital doodles to remind me that I have a sketchbook and need to put work in it.

More/better work to come.

[MM Howard]

Your life drawings stands out from the rest. You are awesome for drawing everything you see. And I also admire that you are so dedicated that you learn during the time you're supposed to be having a break from school! That's dedication!

I really can't wait to see finished digital compositions. Keep posting.

[teena_mom]

Life drawings stands V specially and nic portrait in UR update .. PLZz more
keep on

[Noah Bradley]

Eek. It's been months. But it's new years now, and it's time to try desperately to change. I hope to whip myself until I become more active here.

One of my hopes is to do a self-portrait every day (on top of everything else). Not sure how long it'll last, but here's the first one.



Oh, and this is some of what I've been up to when I wasn't updating my sketchbook.

Happy new years, y'all.

[Noah Bradley]

Two days in a row! It's a record!

...For me.



Another self-portrait. Photo-ref again.

[Noah Bradley]

Missed posting yesterday because I was traveling the whole day. Hopefully I can catch up by doing an extra one now.

Anyways, here's another. Tried a different approach, and now am much more pleased with the result.

[Noah Bradley]

Really need to keep this stinking sketchbook up.

Here's some thumbnails I've done lately for my illustration class here.

[batcustard]

I really like your work. The forms are gurthy, and though they get mushy occasionally (who's don't) it registers as intentional. Really dig your use of negative and positive on the second thumbnail in your illustration thumbs.

[Noah Bradley]

Been having a heck of a time coming up with a satisfactory thumbnail this week for my illustration class. Probably going to have to keep working on it...

[Noah Bradley]

Got a thumbnail that I liked a little more than the last ones:



So here's how the final illustration is progressing. So much work to do! Spring break is next week, though.

[Zenobia]

I love your creature designs! Everything seems to have such character to it.
The final illustration process looks fantastic. Nice overall idea, and great lighting.

Keep it up!

[Noah Bradley]

Thanks Zenobia! Always appreciate the encouragement.

Went ahead and made a new thread for my latest illustration.

[Noah Bradley]

It's spring break, but here's some thumbnails for my illustration class. Gonna develop them all some more into tighter sketches.

[Noah Bradley]

Not much of an update, but I tightened up those sketches a little more and cleaned up the presentation.

[Noah Bradley]

Tried doing some thumbnails in color. Kinda cool trying to establish color relationships like this.

I'm really starting to like digital. I think I can kinda tell why people use it so much. Not that I'll neglect my traditional studies, but it's nice to have a new medium to play with.

[Noah Bradley]

The semester (and with it my first year at RISD) is coming to a close! Meaning I have time to work on art outside of work done for class. What a change of pace. Here's a sheet of thumbnails I worked up. I really have a good time doing these. You get a lot of instant gratification without having to work that hard as far as gathering reference or tight drawing is concerned.

[Noah Bradley]

Another sheet of thumbs. Wouldn't it be great if I could keep up doing one of these a day? *nudges self*

[Noah Bradley]

OMG! It's almost like I'm keeping up my sketchbook.

Hoping to end up with a few thumbs that I want to work up some more and maybe do a finished piece in oils.

[Noah Bradley]

Wee!

[gmags]

Great stuff here Noah!!! What program u use on the digitals? Your traditional stuff is also good!!! Very inspirational to look at your sb, keep it up!!

[Noah Bradley]

Thanks, gmags! Always appreciate the encouragement. I'm using photoshop for all the digital stuff.



I'm finding, doing all these thumbnails, how many thumbs just... don't work. It really takes quite a few of 'em to get a decent idea for a piece. They're really good exercises to keep me coming up with ideas and seeing different sorts of things in abstract shapes.

[Noah Bradley]

Well, I'm back home and done with school. Now I just need to keep up my work ethic and continue studying away at art.

[Bagg]

Not trying to sound like a crazy fanboy but I'm loving your sketchbook,
I hope you don't mind me stealing your thumbnail thingy but such a great idea for getting some quick practice down.
keep up the great work man I'll be back by soon to see your updates

[Noah Bradley]

Thanks, Bagg! Good luck with the thumbnail practice.