Darrel Tank Lesson 4

Sphere demo from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Darrel Tank Lesson Part 3

Paper texture for drawing from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Patches exercise from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Troubleshoot problems with your patches exercise from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

How light works from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Darrel Tank Lessons Part 2

Before you draw... from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

The Tapered Stroke from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Tracking with the Tapered Stroke from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Darrel Tank Lessons Part 1

I was randomly searching online the other night and came across Darrell Tank and his "Five Pencil Method" of drawing. I like his easy-going manner, HD quality presentation, and friendly teaching style. I thought I would post his Lessons here as I go through them.
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Materials for the 5-pencil method from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: the paper from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: the pencils (of all things) from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: the brush from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: the erasers from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: lighting the work area from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: pencil sharpener from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for the 5-pencil method: the working surface from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for 5-pencil method: the straight edge from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

Materials for the 5-pencil method: divider for measuring proportions from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

The secret, magic drawing tool (hint: it's a template) from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

How You Can Draw Realistic Hair from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

The Secret of Engaging Portraits from Darrel Tank on Vimeo.

All My Life's A Circle

A Harry Chapin song is in the back of my mind this morning. Let me see if I can remember the words: "All my life's a circle, sunrise to sundown...etc., etc." Life does seem to go round and round and I feel like a skater on the rink in a roller derby contest.

I am back in Texas after more than two years on the road. MyRoadArt is by no means complete, my travels continue. But for a time I've returned to my roots in north Texas to wait until I find another road to follow. I left Texas in the summer of 2007 and returned to find friends and family still in relatively good health. Nothing much has changed. I do love Texas.

I've been keeping stats on my poker game for years, but recently I've started writing notes after particular sessions. I'm finding it helpful to immediately sit down after a session and write about the hands I've played and the people who were a part of the game.

I've taken notes while at the table, too, though it intimidates some players. I don't want to influence the players around me, so when I take notes it's done quietly and carefully so as not to disturb anyone. If someone asks about what I'm writing, I joke about it and say "it's about work." If players know I'm taking notes about them or the hands I'm playing then it sends a signal that I'm taking the game seriously and they might pay more attention and play harder against me.

Here is a excerpt from an session back in August:

August 28, 2009

I'm not sure what else I can do but keep on playing the best I can. I'm not catching any cards and the number of losing sessions is beginning to add up. I really don't think I'm playing badly. I'm sticking to playing only high +EV hands, in position, and not getting trapped post flop in situations. I've done a much better job of paying attention to pot sizes and not paying off when I'm pretty sure I'm beat. I've got to continue to improve my post flop play.

*I started out on Table 2 in the back, the M Casino, and had nothing to play but blinds for the first hour. An obnoxious man and his wife joined the table. He sat with the chair backwards, legs spread, arms splayed onto the table like an octopus. He would fling his cards at the dealer or at the community cards at showdown and really got on my nerves. I also don't like husband/wife teams or couples playing at the same table. I moved after a few hands to another table up closer to the front of the room. I was much more comfortable and immediately won a couple of nice pots on junk hands from the blinds.

*I missed flops all night, with the few pocket pairs I had and the numerous suited connectors I played. I must have played a dozen suited connectors, mostly in middle position or later, and missed every one...no four cards to a flush the entire night. I had open ended straight draws entirely miss. On the other hand, I had J-6o in the blinds and won my largest pot of the night. Later I had J-6s and thought "what the hell" and saw a cheap flop. I flopped a J-high flush with that hand and won a small pot heads up. My strongest hands (AKo, AQo, etc.) all missed the flops, but I won with J-6 twice. Go figure.

*The last hour I was getting tired, sleepy, and frustrated and probably should have quit sooner. I tried to buy a couple of pots, dumb plays, and knew it was time to call it quits for the evening. On the last hand I missed an OES draw, playing the button, and decided that was it. I was getting snippy and frustrated and began to verbally express my disappointment. Not a good sign.

2009 WSOP Final Table Photo Album Part 3