In my youth, I’ve found that summer break is the best time to improve myself. During the school year, I often find myself too stressed out or busy to achieve my goals. Although I can nip at them, extended breaks like the summer provide the optimal environment for change.

Between work shifts and hangouts, I’ve been practicing drawing. I’ve wanted to continue my anatomical studies since the start of my freshman year at Marywood, but I ended up being too busy most of the time. 

I’m not sure why but, I feel this immense pressure to be as true to life as possible within my artwork. I want to be able to depict accurate humans and animals. Even if I don’t end up drawing realistic all the time, I want to be able to do so. Otherwise, I feel as if I’m not good enough.

This is especially prominent with animals. Despite my greatest efforts, I truly cannot draw animals. I’ve been wanting to study animal anatomy for ages now and I’m slowly starting to dip my toes into it.

Below are some of the artworks I have created over the past few weeks. 

I began my studies with some basic figure drawings. I get most of my references from Line of Action and Pinterest. One issue that I’ve found in particularly male figures is the overabundance of extremely muscular or lean body-types. Although these are impressive, I personally prefer drawing average or chubby body types. This makes it frustrating in another sense as I’d prefer to study a large range of body types, not just those that are seen as “above average.” It’s also important to me to understand how muscles appear in average body types. Instead of being overly-pronounced, they tend to be hinted at lightly. 

I then shifted my focus to leg anatomy. It is my goal to slowly work up the body to gain a better understanding of all the parts that make it up. One part I have trouble with is the knees and the specific muscles that make up the legs. Within these studies, I wanted to begin noticing some of the forms and aspects of legs before conducting a deeper dive.

While at work, I also began looking a bit into the skull. These were done in pen so many of these sketches look off. I haven’t drawn any faces since I was at school so I wanted to practice getting my bearings again and making them more realistic. I get frustrated when my proportions come off as cartoony. Although I do enjoy drawing simplified faces, I really want to challenge myself and achieve more realistic proportions. 

I also practiced drawing animals a little. First, varied species, and then I moved into dogs. One of the overwhelming aspects of drawing animals is how diverse different species are. Even amongst dogs, different breeds have completely different bone structures which makes it so confusing on where to begin. Although I want to eventually draw a large range of animals, I’m seeking to primarily focus on dogs, as pet commissions can be very popular.

Finally, I did some practice with my partner. I think it’s really nice to be able to share a passion/interest with loved ones. Growing up, I’d beg my siblings to draw with me. Although art is fun, doing it with someone else can be a nice change. Instead of isolating like I usually do, collaborating with the people around you leads to more creative thinking and challenges. When I see my boyfriend’s artwork, I really am awe-struck by his approach and techniques. Seeing how other people tackle similar prompts or subject matters is so interesting to me. 

Studies also help (to me, at least) with art block. If I can’t draw or don’t know what to draw, I just turn to studies to at least be productive and create something. 

Overall, I hope to keep studying over the summer as time allows me to.