Ok, news first. I'm in 8th grade in Iowa. I was just nominated for a two week residental art course at the university of Iowa - an opportunity that only 15 8th graders in Iowa get to pursue! I'm really excited - it costs a lot but some will be paid for. I need to have a high quality portfolio - it's part of the requirements. Which brings me to my next question - what do you think of this drawing?

(PS I know the arms don't look right, I wanted them off the body so I wouldn't have to draw them. Just evaluate the rest.)

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Please leave comments they make me happy...

First, congratulations!

Generally, I like it. Technically, if you're going for accuracy? The bone structure is off... clavicle, ribs. And the hip bones need definition. This may just be the style, though. You should post it in the critique thread.

I like the colouring on the body. What medium did you use?

Congratulations on your acceptance into this program. That's quite the achievement for your age! Well done. Now make sure you make the most of it!

This looks like pastel or perhaps even coloured pencil? The drawing has impact. Its not realistically accurate, but perhaps that's not what you are trying to achieve here. You have the concept of shading and that's important. I'd be looking for more use of colour in this drawing, outside the expected flesh range. Blues, purples, etc for shadows. Try for a broad range of subjects and mediums in your portfolio, they seem to like that.

I used pastels, and thank you!

I didn't post it on the critique thread because I had that news, but I probably will anyways now


EDIT: Thank you Jeanette! You're right, normally I would think of stuff like that if I was doing oekaki but it slipped my mind! I wasn't trying to achieve exact realism, I know I'm not quite to that level and when I try too hard, it comes out worse than if I just draw without limitations, etc.

I'm very happy about the program, I hope it works out!

Stacie...Congrats on getting accepted to the Art Program!!! I remember all of the art awards I won in school and wish now I would have had the brains to save the "small stuff" as I used to think of it. Its a great feeling isn't it? I never got that high of an achievement though. I guess some schools in Michigan aren't into art like that. The biggest we ever had was Art Show Galleries when I was in H.S. I won for a watercolor and ink picture I did. There were a few other pictures I did too but no longer have them or remember what they were.
As far as your picture you posted, I like the values and shades you put into it. The body of the torso is out of bone structure but you have to be your own critiquer and the real question is "Do you like it?" Abviously, you know your good enough being accepted into a program that only allows 8 people in the whole state to participate in. You make your best judgements on what you think needs to be done to your picture. You are an outstanding young artist in the making and hope you all but success.

Stacia,

I'm so happy for you!!!! Congratulations!!!! You SHOULD be very proud and excited!!!! Good luck with your portfolio!!!!

Laura