Sunday, September 29, 2013

My Study "Schedule"

 Michael Bierek posted a study schedule on his blog a while ago that was reblogged by The Art Order. It had a big influence on the way I do studies, especially the quick timed master copies. I can't seem to find it online, but the jist was that every day was divided by subject. During a 4-hour study block you would strive to complete three 5-minute warmups, three 15 minute studies, a one-hour refinement of one of the 15 minute studies, three 15 minute practice paintings and a one hour+15 minute refinement of one of those practice paintings. There were options for 3 and 1 hour study blocks as well.

It not only reinforces application of studies but also gives structure and limitations. When I engaged in this study schedule I found the timed studies worked well for the quick master studies but not for much else (especially if I was sketching with graphite). I altered the schedule into something that worked better for me, focusing more on desired output after a session rather than timing of each individual study. I can choose on a day-by-day basis where I want to do more than the required studying. I preserved the timing aspect for the quick studies, and you can see my whole study schedule (which i keep in a word doc) below;



 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** indicates what category to tackle next
* indicates what sub category to tackle next
MAKE SURE TO CHANGE AFTER COMPLETION
Days can be replaced by longer in-depth studies of a single subject, application of previous studies or personal projects.


CREATURES ***
AT LEAST;
Sketchbook gesture or rough warmup
1 large page (or 2 small pages) sketches
1 colour (or two greyscale) digital studies
1 digital or sketchbook page of application

---------------------------------------------------------
Mammal
Arthropod
Reptilians/amphibians
Aquatic animals*


PEOPLE
AT LEAST;
Sketchbook gesture or rough warmup
1 large page (or 2 small pages) sketches
1 colour (or two greyscale) digital studies
1 digital or sketchbook page of application

---------------------------------------------------------
portraits
Gestures/poses
Longer nude studies*
Human anatomy


HANDS AND FEET AND FEATURES
AT LEAST;
Sketchbook gesture or rough warmup
1 large page (or 2 small pages) sketches
1 colour (or two greyscale) digital studies
1 digital or sketchbook page of application

---------------------------------------------------------
Hands, gloves and anatomy
Feet, shoes and anatomy*
Facial features (eyes noses mouths ears)


ACCOUTREMENTS
AT LEAST;
Sketchbook gesture or rough warmup
1 large page (or 2 small pages) sketches
1 colour (or two greyscale) digital studies
1 digital or sketchbook page of application

---------------------------------------------------------
Ancient clothing
Modern clothing*
Ancient armor
Ancient weapons


TECHNOLOGY
AT LEAST;
Sketchbook gesture or rough warmup
1 large page (or 2 small pages) sketches
1 colour (or two greyscale) digital studies
1 digital or sketchbook page of application

---------------------------------------------------------
Vehicles
Heavy machinery
High tech*
Modern weapons


PLACES
AT LEAST;
Sketchbook gesture or rough warmup
1 large page (or 2 small pages) sketches
1 colour (or two greyscale) digital studies
1 digital or sketchbook page of application

---------------------------------------------------------
Landscape scene
City scene
Architecture and indoors*
Plants, trees, rocks


COMPOSITION AND PRINCIPLES
AT LEAST;
Sketchbook gesture or rough warmup
1 large page (or 2 small pages) sketches
1 colour (or two greyscale) digital studies
1 digital or sketchbook page of application

---------------------------------------------------------
Quick Master Studies (three 5 min studies, three 15 min studies, one hour refinement of one study. Application: three 15 min sketches, hour + refinement of one sketch)
Longer Master Study
Screencap studies*
Life study/self portrait

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