For the longest time, I wanted to make a post about this whole situation with quarantine due to COVID-19. I’ve started writing multiple times, and every time it would just turn into whining and ranting. Instead, I’ll keep those thoughts to myself, and try to stay positive at least in this web space. Therefore, I decided to make a throwback to the times when things were quite usual, a little boring, and relaxed during life drawing sessions at the studio.

Ever since I started drawing figure from live models, I wanted to try drawing in digital format. However, it’s hard to switch medium once one gets comfortable with it. We have been using charcoal on paper during life drawing sessions, and that’s what I’ve become accustomed to. Perhaps, that was exactly the right time to make a change!

Autodesk SketchBook Digital Drawing Tool

Anyway, I finally got to try it! It has been so long since I drew anything in digital. For a while, I thought that I actually forgot how to do it. Turns out, it’s like riding a bike — you never forget! I decided to use an app that I was not entirely familiar with. I got Autodesk SketchBook to play with. It’s a nice free painting tool, very intuitive and easy to get acquainted with; especially, if one’s familiar with Adobe Photoshop. It’s also built for mobile/tablets and has very comfortable controls. Which is why I went with it instead of my old and trusted Adobe Photoshop CS6.

Adobe Photoshop CS6 in Today’s World

I love painting in Adobe Photoshop, but I have an older software version, and it’s not very easy to use on a tablet without physical buttons. At home, I use my old Wacom tablet that doesn’t have a screen, but has actual analog buttons. This makes it easy to use shortcuts without looking down and saves a ton of time. However, Autodesk SketchBook turned out to be very similar to Photoshop in terms of drawing tool, but it also had movable on-screen buttons. I continue to use Adobe Photoshop as my main tool for digital painting at home, but on the go Autodesk Sketchbook works better with my slick and button-less touch tablet.

The Art

Here are the results of that digital life drawing session. We started with short warm-up poses and proceeded to longer 30-minute poses. I set a goal for myself to make a bunch of sketches that capture the pose well, and can be turned into finished digital drawings later. I think I succeed with my goal, and might actually finish a few of these some time in the future.

Gesture drawing of a 5-minute pose during life drawing sessions
A quick gestural capture of a 5-minute pose from live model.
Girl handing out presents. Gesture drawing of a 15-minute pose during life drawing sessions at TSoFA.
A quick gestural capture of a 15-minute pose from live model.
Girl holding shopping bags in both hands. Gesture drawing of a 15-minute pose during life drawing sessions at TSoFA.
A quick gestural capture of a 15-minute pose from live model.
Sitting girl with braids. Gesture drawing of a 20-minute pose during life drawing sessions at TSoFA.
A quick gestural capture of a 20-minute pose from live model.
Sitting girl looking to the side. Gesture drawing of a 30-minute pose during life drawing sessions at TSoFA.
A gestural capture of a 30-minute pose from live model.
Girl reclined next to the vintage luggage bag. Gesture drawing of a 30-minute pose during life drawing sessions at TSoFA.
A gestural capture of a 30-minute pose from live model.

Published by TrueNoir

Hi! My name is Oksana Ossipov, and I’m a visual artist and photographer. I was born in Ukraine and currently reside in the area of Dallas, Texas. My formal education includes a BFA in Digital Media Art from San Jose State University. After moving to Texas, I started to focus on my fine art skills and figurative art in particular. I studied for 5 years under Michael Mentler at the Society of Figurative Arts. Through my life, I’ve also acquired a multitude of skills that include web development, sculpting, photography, art studio and business management, and baking awesome blueberry scones! I’ve been trying to fully devote myself to the art over the past few years. I’m trying to learn and practice as much as I can. However, the workshop, class, and art supply costs present a certain financial challenge. If you like my work and want to support me, I would truly appreciate it! I have a shop full of artworks and creations, but even just sharing my art or social media pages would help a lot. Thank you so much!

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