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Rene van Belzen

Art

  • I refined yesterday’s stapler pixel art in the Divoom pixel editor at 64x64 pixels. Now I’m waiting for the LED panel to arrive, so I can test it. 🥁🥁🥁💥🎉🥳

    A pixel art illustration of a mechanical-looking object with intricate patterns and a colorful spherical top.

  • Apparently, getting better at drawing requires some attentive drawing practice, and observing what one is looking at before even drawing. I noticed foreshortening in the face, so I tried to draw that (see process video). As an initial sketch it is descent, but I think I need more practice.

    A sketched portrait of a person is depicted with blue lines on a white background, featuring the word SKETCH at the bottom.

  • I found this ornate stapler on Sketchfab and took a snapshot of a side view to study and draw. I wanted to see if I could turn it into 64 x 64 pixel art somehow. The sketch took me 4½ hours, and the pixel art version an hour or so.

    A grayscale sketch depicts a mechanical object with an ornate design and a spring mechanism on a base, accompanied by the word SKETCH below. A pixelated image of a stylized, ornate mechanical object in grayscale.

  • I believe this is what happens if I don’t really understand the subject I’m drawing and just draw shapes. I suppose a bit of analysis before putting the stylus to the iPad would’ve resulted in a more solid drawing. Based on a toy rocket I found on Sketchfab, of which there are many.

    A sketch of a rocket launching from a platform with colorful outlines and the word SKETCH at the bottom.

  • Using several steps I created and refined this sketch, based on a wooden toy duck from Sketchfab. It isn’t a copy, but a recreation based on observation. I can see its flaws, and, therefore, I need to practice drawing solid basic sketches before trying this method on drawing portraits.

    A sketch depicts a duck-shaped toy with wheels, drawn in a blue outline on a white background, with a color palette and the word SKETCH at the bottom.

  • I redesigned my blank sketch sheet in a pixel editing app (Pixquare). The grays are obviously for shading, and the four colors are for blocking in straight lines, from big to small:

    • green - overall dimensions
    • red - rough outline
    • orange - inner shapes outlines
    • blue - darkest areas outlines
    A digital art canvas labeled SKETCH is bordered by a color palette and tools on a light blue background.

  • If I want to get any good at blocking in sketches, I probably should start with an easier subject matter, and work my way up to portraits. Here’s my sketch (and its process video).

    A blue sketch depicts a person's face, and the word SKETCH is written at the bottom.

  • As soon as I go a little more in the direction of stylized drawing, I find the quality of it increasing. This sketch is loosely based on Preston Blaire’s animation drawing, using a reference photo to get the details in. I’m somewhat pleased with the result, but know I can do much better.

    A monochromatic blue sketch depicts a bearded man with a serious expression, accompanied by the text SKETCH at the bottom.

  • I really should try a portrait tutorial, work on my art fundamentals, and draw a skull from lots of angles to improve my drawing skill. This portrait is from a photo reference, and I think it’s meh, though better than what I’ve drawn a week ago. So there’s progress.

    A blue pencil sketch of a woman with long hair and the word SKETCH written below in block letters.

  • Such a messy messy sketch, with lots of mistakes I can learn from. I’ve redone the nose and mouth, which were placed in the wrong position. They still aren’t correct, though, but better. Unlearning bad habits is hard, yet I will get there.

    A digital sketch shows a person with a short hairstyle wearing a jacket, with the word SKETCH at the bottom.

  • Has it been two years already since @relayfm left Twitter? Original post here.

    Three cartoon characters with beards and glasses are humorously running out of a building shaped like the Twitter logo, with birds tweeting above.

  • Quick sketch of Peter Capaldi as the 12th Doctor.

    A blue sketch depicts a person with short hair and a suit, accompanied by the word SKETCH at the bottom.

  • Forgot to charge the iPad overnight, so I doodled instead.

    A collection of rough sketches featuring various animals, a human figure, and a pyramid-like shape, with a date written as 15-12-2024.

  • Sometimes all I can manage is a wispy sketch, and no more. I don’t want to continue, so I shouldn’t. I guess I needed some distance, and perhaps finish it later. The creative mind is an unpredictable mess that doesn’t listen to time tables and deadlines.

    A blue sketch of a person with short hair and a subtle smile, accompanied by the word SKETCH at the bottom.

  • What to do with circles I took so much care constructing? I know…

    Whimsical is good!

    A blue sketch depicts a whimsical carriage with round windows and large wheels.

  • Trying to apply what I’ve learned in the past days to a portrait from a photo. Though it’s rather “mechanical” I’m pleased with the progress I made in such a short time. Furthermore, drawing longer than 30 minutes doesn’t seem to bother me anymore. So that’s progress too.

    A blue sketch of a man wearing glasses and a collared shirt is featured above the word SKETCH in blocky text.

  • Today’s rough sketch is a stepping stone in getting better at drawing portraits. You can read my self-review here.

    A rough blue sketch depicts an elderly person's face and upper body.

  • Today’s sketch is a squirrel. I did a little self-critique you can read here.

    A rough sketch of a squirrel with a bushy tail is accompanied by the word SKETCH at the bottom.

    the rough sketch of a squirrel

  • Anyone can doodle. You don’t have to be good at it. That’s the whole point. Let your imagination run free. Liberate your inner child. At least, that’s what I told myself…

    A collection of whimsical sketches featuring cats, geometric shapes, a dragon, a snail, and the phrase doodles away... with a signature and date.

  • Unlike 2024, when I should’ve made a game, but didn’t, in 2025 I want to challenge myself with something I’m more familiar with. I want to get better at creating art for myself at first, and perhaps for others later in the year.

    Read more here.