gillian gestures
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Drawing Challenge: May 2025
🕑 Added 2025-05-01 11:00:14 +0000 UTCNew month - new Drawing Challenge!
And I'm sure you have noticed that it is not just any old month... it's MerMay!
What is MerMay?
MerMay is a month-long art challenge where artists create a mermaid drawing each day in May and share it online with the hashtag #mermay.
Hosted by the lovely Lauren Barge @lb.illustrates and Whitney Pollett @WhitneyPollett
Personally, I do not have the stamina for a month long drawing challenge but I will draw some mermaids, here on Patreon, throughout the month of May!
If everyday Drawing Challenges are your thing, then check out the prompt list below:
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Back to our Drawing Challenge!
This month's reference is from the Art Ache - Amanda Achen. You might be familiar with her from when we did our Frank Frazetta Artist study and a few other tutorials. She is a popular model all around the world and works with one of my favourite figure artists Patrick Jones.
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Prompt options for the May Drawing Challenge:
Make her a mermaid!
Put her underwater
Give movement to her hair
Capture the delicate balance
Capture the twist
Dive into the shoudler girdle anatomy
Practice some drapery
Feel free to tackle one or all of these prompts. Or choose your own adventure. But be sure to have an intention before you start drawing!
What's your story?
What feeling are you trying to capture?
Good luck!
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Why take part in this month's Challenge?
Improve your gesture drawing skills
Connect with me and the community
Personalised Feedback
How to take part:
Download the full reference image (attached below).
Set up a comfortable drawing space.
Set an intention or goal for what you are aiming to achieve with your drawing.
Set a timer for your preferred duration (I recommend anything less than 5 minutes).
Photograph your drawing.
Upload it into my shared Google Drive folder by Wednesday 28th May.
Check back at the beginning of next month for the feedback video.
Don't miss out!
This challenge is designed exclusively for Patreon paid members of all levels!
Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your skills, this draw-along challenge is a perfect way to stay motivated and improve your art!
Ready to draw along with me? Download the image below and get started!
Gillian
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If you are looking for more Mermaid reference, you can check out my Pinterest Board.
Comments
Gillian Reid
I got you Bill! Shoulders: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-draw-88634847 Twists: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-draw-104609767
Bill Perkins
Hi Gillian. Did you do any tutorials on "the twist" and shoulder girdle anatomy ? If so could you send me the link? Thanks!
Gillian Reid
HI Bill! Unfortunately packs with that body type are few and far between! Here are ones I've drawn from in the past - I think you already have one of these too. If I come across more in the future, I'll add them to the Community Chat! https://grafitschool.gumroad.com/l/phsts https://www.proko.com/tool/700-plus-size-art-female-poses https://www.artstation.com/marketplace/p/rd6kR/850-plus-size-beauty-reference-pictures
Bill Perkins
Hi Gillian. I checked out your Pinterest board and found the female/plus sized/models in swim suits particularly inspiring. Could you point me in the direction of a set of images featuring just that model type. Thanks!
