Why...
... this project?
It was a happy coincidence! I did learn about Elle Luna's project on #the100DayProject on The Great Discontent website and was waiting for a good occasion to jump in.
On Jan, 26th 2016, approaching Groundhog Day, I found myself wondering How to draw a groundhog. I did a very simple tutorial and posted it on Twitter.
Groundhog Day is coming! Be ready! How to draw a groundhog in 8 steps #madewithpaper pic.twitter.com/pRc4S198iY
— Mauro Toselli (@xLontrax) January 26, 2016
Jurassic drawing: how to draw a pterodactyl. And this How2 series is now my #the100DayProject Wish me luck! pic.twitter.com/0RmcFQWbj2
— Mauro Toselli (@xLontrax) February 5, 2016
Then I did a few more and realized that the process to understand how to draw something would have been a valuable exercise for me and fun for the community, therefore I set a goal to keep myself focused and my #the100DayProject started on February 5th, 2016.
... this book?
Why not? I have a bunch of tutorials and find myself going back to them to draw inspiration and ideas from. Moreover, I had fantastic feedback on Twitter. I love "real" books, and I love the idea of having all of my works in one "physical" place that I can also use to take real notes on the actual pages.
... not an ebook?
I bought, downloaded and collected dozens of ebooks. After the first few days I rarely go back to them and in the majority of the cases I don't read them completely. Portability, paperless, multimedia... yes, yes, all good points. However, my points are:
- I want it "real"
- I want to see it on my bookshelf
- I want to give it away at my workshops
- I want it to be basic and at low cost
- I'd LOVE to know that this book, one day, will share a place on a shelf in your bathroom with one of the most successful publications on earth: the IKEA catalogue
... did you say "in your bathroom"?
Yes, I said "in your bathroom". If a book can compete with an iPad/iPhone/Smartphone/Tablet in the most private, relaxing and intimate moments in your day... Well, THAT book accomplished its task in life.
... did you say "basic and at low cost"?
Yes, I said "basic and at low cost". I want people to take notes ON my book, add colors, add features and details, writing on the pages and without regret, without the fear of ruining an expensive book. I want children to play with it, tear the pages off, destroy it without their parents getting mad.
... this 100 + 1?
It's very simple: I did the drawing for day 46 twice.
Is always a good time for drawing Pizza! #the100DayProject 46/100 pic.twitter.com/vsy6ZqtYwG
— Mauro Toselli (@xLontrax) March 15, 2016
I particularly love this: draw a calligraphy set #the100DayProject 46/100 pic.twitter.com/QBBCZaRaHV
— Mauro Toselli (@xLontrax) March 14, 2016
Oooops... when I see pizza I always get crazy!
... the majority of the tutorials are in 6 steps?
I found that focusing on the process rather than a drawing technique works way better, at least for me, and the process consist in these 6 steps:
- Identify dominant lines
- Mark foreground dominant lines
- Mark following dominant lines
- Add significant details
- Add fidelity
- Finalize