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ABOUT ME
ARTIST. EDUCATOR. STORYTELLER.
I combine traditional training with imagination to create characters, worlds and stories that connect.

STUDIO NOTES
DRAWING, PAINTING & VISUAL STORYTELLING
A growing library documenting everything I learn about visual storytelling.
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How To Divide A Line In Perspective
Learn a simple method for dividing a receding line into accurate proportions by measuring it flat and transferring the divisions back into perspective.

James Otto Allen
1 min read


How To Draw A Sphere
Learn how to draw a sphere by first constructing a cube. This simple technique makes drawing forms in perspective much easier and is a useful foundation for constructive drawing and character design.

James Otto Allen
1 min read


How to Make Your Drawings Look More 3D (7 Techniques That Actually Work)
Why do some drawings feel flat while others feel solid and three-dimensional? In this article I share seven practical techniques that helped me think in forms rather than outlines, from perspective and construction to line weight and overlap.

James Otto Allen
4 min read


How To Space Anything In Perspective
Learn a simple construction method for spacing objects evenly in perspective. A quick drawing lesson for building fences, windows, floor tiles and repeating forms.

James Otto Allen
1 min read


How To Draw A Circle In Perspective
Learn a simple construction method for drawing accurate circles in perspective using guide lines. A quick lesson for improving your perspective drawing skills.

James Otto Allen
1 min read


How to Draw a Top Hat in Perspective (The Simple Method)
Learn how to draw a top hat in perspective using simple construction techniques. A quick drawing lesson covering ellipses, cylinders and solid forms.

James Otto Allen
1 min read


How to Draw a Head (A Simple Construction Method)
Learn a simple method for constructing the head using basic forms before adding facial features. A quick drawing lesson for building stronger portraits and character designs.

James Otto Allen
1 min read


The Best Books for Visual Development Artists (2026)
Looking for the best books to learn visual development? These are the books that have shaped the way I think about composition, colour, shape language and visual storytelling while studying with artists like Will Weston and Armand Serrano. Aspiring visual development artist or simply love animation art books, this list is a great place to start.

James Otto Allen
4 min read


Character Observation Sketches from Devon | Building Mileage for Visual Development
A week of observational sketching in Devon, studying gesture, shape language and character design through everyday people.

James Otto Allen
2 min read


Copying vs. Constructive Drawing: Two Approaches Every Artist Should Learn
Discover the difference between copying what you see and constructing what you imagine. In this post, I explore sight-size, comparative, and constructive drawing -three essential approaches that build both accuracy and creative freedom. Learn why mastering both is the key to drawing with confidence and imagination.

James Otto Allen
3 min read


Mastering Observational Drawing: 2 Simple Tips for Accurate Proportions
Struggling with observational drawing? Learn two simple techniques - breaking curves into straight lines and using vertical alignment - to improve accuracy and capture proportions with confidence.

James Otto Allen
2 min read


Figure Drawing Part 2 - Drawing Figures in Perspective
Another question that came up was how to handle models sitting, lying down, or seen from extreme angles — in other words, figures in perspective. Many students can draw a standing figure straight on, but things fall apart when the body tilts or recedes. I've always found that treating the figure as a set of simple volumes in space can help. That coupled with some observational drawing techniques like plumb lining to see which points line up. Resource to Study: Marcos Mateu-Me

James Otto Allen
1 min read


Figure Drawing Part 1 - Understanding Planes of the Body
Over the last few weekends, I taught anatomy workshops on Drawing Anatomy: The Head & Hands and Drawing Anatomy: Full Body at The Art Academy, London. Many students asked what to study next, so I’ve written this two-part series to help anyone continuing their figure-drawing journey. Each post tackles a common question from class - from simplifying the body into planes to drawing figures in perspective and designing your own characters. Part 1 - Understanding Planes of the Bod

James Otto Allen
2 min read


Charcoal Figure Drawing from the Back – Timelapse Study
This week, I posted a new charcoal figure drawing timelapse on my YouTube channel. It’s a study of the male back, drawn entirely from scratch using a constructive approach to anatomy—and compressed into just 4 minutes and 30 seconds. About the Drawing What makes this piece different from a typical drawing is the construction process I used. I began by mapping out average male proportions, then built the figure from the inside out: First laying in the spine, ribcage, and pelvi

James Otto Allen
2 min read


Drawing a Classical Plaster Cast in Charcoal - A Study in Form, Light, and Tradition
Plaster casts have long been a cornerstone of classical art education - and for good reason. Their simplified white surfaces, strong form, and timeless elegance make them ideal for studying light, shadow, and structure. In my latest YouTube video, I take you through my charcoal drawing of a particularly challenging plaster cast head, from start to finish. This was a complex sculpture - a Roman or Ancient Greek-style mask, full of deep-set features, sharp planes, and flowing l

James Otto Allen
2 min read


How to Draw a Skull Using a Simplified Planar Approach
Understanding the structure of the human skull is essential for any artist looking to improve their portrait and figure drawing skills. In my latest YouTube video, I break down the process of drawing a skull using a simplified planar model alongside a real skull reference. This exercise helps train your eye to see the underlying forms and volumes, making it easier to draw realistic heads with confidence. Why Use a Simplified Skull Model? When learning to draw the head, it's e

James Otto Allen
2 min read


How to Make a Line Drawing from a 2D Reference to Scale – A Step-by-Step Guide
Want to improve your drawing accuracy? In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to draw from a 2D reference that is the same size as your paper.

James Otto Allen
3 min read


Charcoal Figure Drawing: Time Lapse of Male Torso and Legs
Charcoal: Time-Lapse Drawing of a Male Torso and Legs In my latest YouTube video, I’ve created a time-lapse of a charcoal drawing focusing on the male torso and legs, breaking down the process of rendering anatomy, light, and form. The Power of Charcoal in Figure Drawing I love charcoal for it's versatility. It can render deep shadows having a large tonal value range, soft transitions if desired, and is relatively inexpensive. When working on this study, I focused on: Structu

James Otto Allen
1 min read
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