Drawing
Anatomy hack
Anatomy can be one of the hardest subjects to draw. The clear understanding of structural forms required (aka imagining the forms as simpler solids, boxes, eggs..) to get perspective and proportions right gets further complicated by the looseness of organic forms.
A true headache.
Given that to truly solve this puzzle we need to put in the hours and the practice (no shortcuts there), some references can simplify these concepts better than others.
One of these is the MORPHO series, an inexpensive collection of books by Michel Lauricella who trained at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-arts in Paris and is a professor of anatomical drawing at L’Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués (Lisaa) and at the Fabrica114 workshop, in Paris. He has been teaching human morphology classes through drawing for more than twenty years in different centers in France.
What do I like about these books?
They deliver a distilled amount of information, enough for a complete understanding of the concepts but not too much that it confuses you, in a beautifully conveyed visual formula. Sometimes people can know a subject well but not be able to explain it. I believe Michel excels at both.
Extra points for the fact that the books are organized in individual themes, making it easy for you to pick and choose what you would like to focus on next.
health
The power of breathing
This one changed my life.
A few years ago a good friend introduced me to the Wim Hof method, I’m sure many of you today are quite familiar with it. If you aren’t, here is a short introduction by the man himself.
As I discovered the benefits of a consistent breathing practice, I have explored its different aspects, diving into Pranayama techniques, hypoxic training and other yoga-related variations. Now, even at an amateur level, these daily exercises really improved my life for the better.
Some benefits you may derive include:
- A stronger immune system.
- Faster healing due to detoxification of metabolic waste.
- Reduced anxiety and improved stress management.
- Treatment for chronic fatigue and brain fog.
- Increased red blood cell
- Improved endurance performance and muscle recovery.
- Increased oxygenated blood flow to the brain and other organs.
- Faster recovery after infections.
- Increase in formation of blood vessels.
Here you can read more about CO2 training.
If you would like to learn more, these are two fantastic books on the subject:
Composition
Chris Krupinski
Yes, what you are looking at is a watercolor.
The author, Chris Krupinski, is a Dolphin Fellow of the American Watercolor Society, signature member of the National Watercolor Society, Rocky Mountain Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America (Master Status), Watercolor West-Master, and Allied Artists, to name a few. She has been published in major watercolor publications and has been a featured artist in numerous leading national art magazines.
Apart from the obvious technical mastery, one of Chris’ strongest suits is the understanding of composition. The way she manages the invisible framework that brings to life her subjects is on a whole another level.
From her website: “Chris’s watercolors are created with special consideration to detail. By focusing much of her attention to the smallest detail, the viewer is drawn into the intricacies of her work. Dynamic light and shadow treatments are prominent statements in her paintings. The play of lights and darks develop effective abstract design. Emphasizing these two elements has enabled her to create powerfully expressive still lifes and bold compositions.”
You can listen to her interview for the Learn to Paint podcast where she explains her approach here.
News
Watercolor Painting 2.0
The new version of the watercolor seminar, with particular emphasys on Composition, will take place online on the 25th of September.
Spots are limited.
For info and availability you can visit the dedicated section.