Thanks @bharris . I always try to keep the basics in mind while I'm drawing but also try to take the liberty in terms of style and the type of look I want.
Thank you, @Kasey-Snow. Hopefully I can keep this goin as long as I can. One day at a time.
Here's is how far I took the portrait.
Here's another portrait of Kawhi Leonard. Unfinished though.
Here's a developed piece of Kawhi Leonard
Been struggling with drawing heads lately, so I did some Loomis studies..
More studies here...
Great stuff bro... I love it all, maybe less so the Loomis stuff as those are just pedestrian exercises and not really " you ', but it's good muscle memory, and Loomis is great for learning anatomy. Anyway got you on follow and looking forward to your next piece... cheers!
Thanks for the love @Bobby-Aquitania. I just try to do my best each day, plus these Loomis studies help me stay sharp. Here's a caricature sketch of Suge Knight.
@Durrell-Odom said:
Thanks for the love @Bobby-Aquitania. I just try to do my best each day, plus these Loomis studies help me stay sharp. Here's a caricature sketch of Suge Knight.
You're very welcome... as to the the Suge Knight piece, that's some infamous subject matter bro, are you doing one of Tupac and Biggie?
@Bobby-Aquitania I might do them. People told me not to even try drawing him cuz we grew up pretty close to his old stomping grounds and he's not well liked over there but I wanted to try somethin different. It could have came out a lil bit more focused on his eyes and nose.
He's an imposing guy, I think you made him almost likable... if someone didn't know the history, they'd never know from your piece how messed up he is... as to not doing pics of people like this, well that's debatable. On the one hand, people have drawn Julius Caesar, Napolean, these are not " innocent " men by any standard. They accomplished great things, but their death tally is usually forgotten. With Suge, the implication is that he caused the death of two people with much more significance then himself. The world lost 2 great rappers, this guy's life ain't gonna make up for that, no matter how hard he tries... you did him justice, but yeah, he's not liked.
Artistically follow your gut, even if you offend someone, you don't create art just for beauty's sake, some times it's to keep the conversation going. By seeing your work of him, people discuss Tupac and Biggie, and in my opinion that evens out the why of you having drawn him. Keep being real bro, that's all you can do. Peace.
PS: Ever since seeing your work, I am fiending for some Old School. I didn't appreciate them as much when they were hot, but I had friends who kept me current. They're gone now, so when I listen to that music, it makes me sentimental believe it or not. Well and want to dance. I've been playing Xmas songs working on my 3rd Thursday Santa piece for so long, I could use the break... buh babybaby... oh no it's starting!
@Bobby-Aquitania Yeah, I agree. I believe I should follow my gut no matter what. As far as figures goes, Pac and Biggie were definitely big figures back then. But also Suge not only he was imposing but he really did a lot of damage to my community back in the 90s and even recently when he killed another legendary figure back home, so though Napoleon and Caesar were historical, with Suge situation it's a current reality that still haunts people.
In other words here's a sketch of Joell Ortiz.
It's a good likeness, especially since he lost the weight. I have to confess I didn't know him, but Google has everything... what is the connection with Suge? Who is the legendary figure you allude to? In the 30 minutes of research I just did, that felt like a huge trip back home. I'm originally from the Bronx, but live in Canada now with my wife and son... on another subject have you ever thought of selling your work to Rolling Stone. Your work seems perfect for them. Sorry I gotta run, but I wanted to share this piece I did of Aaliyah when I was first learning Photoshop, hope you like it...
@Bobby-Aquitania That's a good pic of Aaliyah. I'd study a bit more on painting her hair. As far as Suge's victims: 
The one on the left is Terry Carter, used to be a record exec got ran over in his truck is deceased. On the right is Cle Bone Sloan he's an OG blood who started a fight with Suge got hurt real bad
@Durrell-Odom said:
@Bobby-Aquitania That's a good pic of Aaliyah. I'd study a bit more on painting her hair. As far as Suge's victims:
The one on the left is Terry Carter, used to be a record exec got ran over in his truck is deceased. On the right is Cle Bone Sloan he's an OG blood who started a fight with Suge got hurt real bad
Ah right I recognize Sloan from Training Day. And found an article saying he would not testify against Suge. The evidence seems compelling but perhaps he blames himself for his actions leading to his friend's death and didn't want to put anyone else in the line of fire.
As to her hair, yeah I never finished the piece. I'm gonna blame it on my lack of skill back then. I should go back to it, but I'm not sure if I kept the file. I'll look into it and get back to you. Perhaps I will try it again... you throwing down the gauntlet? Just kidding.
@Durrell-Odom Awesome sketch - you take sketches way further than I do before painting haha. I just get enough information down so I know where I'm going. You really refine them. This one is amazing.
Ace
@Bobby-Aquitania Jack Hamm's Drawing the Head and Figure book has a great reference on learning to draw hair. You should check that out. Everything else looks good.
@Ace-Connell Thanks. One of the critiques I got was to develop my sketches into near-complete drawing pieces cause I would do scribbles on Moleskine sketchbooks when those are expensive.
WIP. Kobe Bryant Caricature.
It's been a while for this progress step.
Great stuff bro... I love it all, maybe less so the Loomis stuff as those are just pedestrian exercises and not really " you ', but it's good muscle memory, and Loomis is great for learning anatomy. Anyway got you on follow and looking forward to your next piece... cheers!
