My sketches

[Linda]

Ok, here are 2 pic's I sketched. I kinda tried to copy the lion, and I drew a horse head. Excuse the "notepad" I drew on, but that's all I have at the moment and one pencil.

I'm also full of a cold, so not concentrating very well

This was just a practice run, cos what I really need help with is the finer details?

[dennis]

There you go! Now you are well on your way.
It does not matter what paper you use to practice on. We normally use bond (80gsm copy paper) in our courses. Try not to use too hard a pencil like an H or 2H. Sometimes even an HB can be too hard although it can be the pencil to use to lightly rough out the outlines of a drawing before the drawing proper begins.

If I look at the interior of the lion's mouth then I can see the pencil was too hard for the darks to shaded in properly. I know you say you had only the one pencil. Try to use the following pencils for a start: HB, 2B and a 4B. The others can come later as you become used to these 3.
 
My biggest problem with the lion is that there are no fangs. Add those in and the lion will look completely different. Be careful of the eyes - many people then to make them look like human eyes. The tops of the ears should be a bit more rounded than pointed. Also be careful of hard outlines like at the start of the mane on the forehead. Very good for one not taking lessons. Keep it up. Look forward to more.

Apart from the eye (same problem as the lion) the horse proportions are very good indeed.

By the way, some time in the future we will be releasing a Beginner's Pencil Course. Look out for that.

[nolan]

well done Linda, knew you would send us a horse drawing 

Here is a great tutorial that will give you with a few tips for drawing animals

Looking forward to seeing your next drawings

[Kelley]

I like your sketches Linda.  I understand your reluctance, but if other people like your work then allow that to be a gauge or tip of how well you are doing.  I'm the same way, but have people that aren't afraid to say where my work needs improvement or people like Nolan can be instrumental in helping me grow.  I think you and I are in a great place here. These guys really seem to know how to help and I will probably live here. 

[SAshbrook]

I Think your horse is great.
I am a bit of a drawer myself.It just so happens that my favorite subject to draw is animals.

I have not really started using my pencils like, HB, 2B and a 4B,I have 12 kinds in total.
I guess i have to start getting used to them.

Anyway i have attached one of my drawings,it is very simple comparably.
The picture might be really big because i scanned it so,sorry if it is.

[nolan]

to the site Sashbrook, I am presuming there is a connection between you and Kashbrook?

Like you Cheetah, what you could do is add a bit more moulding to help define where the face ends and the body starts. I have done a quick Photoshop example for you to see what I mean.

[Kelley]

Your assessment was correct Nolan .  Sarah is my daughter.  Our computers at home are opposite each other and I didn't realize she added her sketches until she gave me this smile. 

[Linda]

Thanks for the compliments and the advice guys

Dennis, thanks for the wise words
I see the points you are making. I will fix up and post again. I'm just really sick today, so I'll get back to it in a couple of days when I feel better

[nolan]

Get better soon Linda  - too much warm Oz sun it seems