Sketchbook - Gladiator practice

Today is another wrist adjustment day. So, work will be a little light. I've found that if I don't rest the wrist the night after an adjustment, it goes right back out again. As a result, I'll probably do this week's sketch card early.

The request is for a cheetah character dressed as a gladiator. Since I've never drawn a gladiator before, I wanted to do some practice first. Unfortunately, my practice got away from me.




These sketchbook marker and pen practices are a lot more fun than the sketch cards. Probably because I don't have to worry about trying to ink smooth lines. And, I get to fill up my sketchbook faster. Maybe I should offer these as fun gifts now and then instead. The originals won't be available - I'm not removing pages from my sketchbooks - but what do you want for free?

Don't answer that.

Looking again, I should probably leave the helmet off. Otherwise his hair, which is the unique part of the character, isn't visible. Which, is a shame. I love the Roman helmets. Have you seen them? This site's for collectibles, so there's some Hollywood influence here, but the basic designs are sound. Unfortunately, people want their character's faces clearly showing at all times, which sometimes weakens a composition or leads to leaving off key items of an outfit.

Think about it. If I'm to draw multiple characters fighting, they can't all be facing the camera (viewer) easily. Some need to be ducking, weaving, running, jumping, or maybe even completely facing away from the camera. The simple act of throwing a punch may cause an arm to raise up and cover part of the face, or the face to turn away as it follows the movement of the shoulders. A character bending down to knock another off their feet will be looking at his target - the feet - and not up at his opponent's face. Characters should be clearly interacting with each other, not always the viewer. Good composition should have a feeling of flow and depth to it. Making sure everyone's face is clearly visible can lead to a static image at times.

Sorry, didn't mean to go off on a tangent there. Brain fart time. Anyway, I need to get my day started so I can begin work. Later.


"The difficulties in drawing the figure - that is, manipulating and using the figure in a composition - are enormous."
-- Martha Mayer Erlebacher