Initial Sketch book work

I've invested in a sketch book and begun putting pencil to paper. I want to look at character design and so I started off by basically doodling and creating a few faces. After that, I tried a bit of realistic drawing by picking up a copy of vice magazine and sketching some figures. I found the whole process really liberating and found the best results came from almost following the pencil and not trying to force a particular style. I decided to do what I have never really done and that is sketch the body structure of the object in light blocks before filling in the details. I seems so obvious but before I would always just start drawing without any guidelines. Its so much easier this way and I even managed to get the hands looking quite convincing. I want to start doing more drawing freehand like this instead of taking the easy option and tracing.

Inititial thoughts about my FMP

Last module I worked on the Root clothing project and although I really enjoyed the process, I was somewhat disapointed with the final T-shirt designs. I had hoped that the project would allow me to develop my illustration skills but in the end most of my time was spent developing the branding and website. Although I'm not entirely sure what direction I want to take my final major project, I do know that I want to focus on illustration. I want to spend my time experimenting with medias and drawing techniques. Basically I want to be free to run wild with visual ideas and approaches without the fear of something not fitting the brief.