Neat. I love brush tip markers. Used to be a big fan of Prismacolor markers, but then found that Copic markers are so much more fun to use, and are more conducive to the way I use them. Of course they're like $7 a pop, but they're so worth it.
Most of the drawings I posted before are a combination of Copic markers and Pigma Micron pens, with graphite pencil for shading.
I used to have a really cool watercolor brush pen that was pretty fun to play around with, and so much easier than pulling out my watercolor kit. Just bought a similar brush pen that's loaded with India ink. Haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I'm thinking it will be fun too.
Aaaand, More stuff!
Quick black and white sketch i did during lunch break today.
My coworkers were going nuts over it, but I can't look at it and not think "But I totally goofed up the helmet. No one in their right mind would actually build a helmet like that!" I can fake the hell out of some stuff, like gears or cyborgs and stuff, but it bugs me when something that has a historical premise is so wrong.
And I also remembered that I had downloaded a drawing app to my tablet a while back. Spent about three hours playing with it. Keep in mind, I'm still getting used to the interface.
It's called Fresco if anyone is interested. It's nice to be able to do color work without having to lug around paints, and working with the tablet in my lap or on my bed is nice. But i wish it had a few more options like customizable palettes and overlay effects. and it hours without saying that pressure sensitivity would be nice, but the capacitive screens don't support pressure. That being said, it's the best drawing/painting app I've tried so far.
Just thought I'd post this here since a few posts back someone asked about drawing programs:
http://mysmithmicro.com/marcom/eblas...
Seems like a really good deal for $70. I know some well rounded (not just anime ) artists really like it.
I'll probably end up getting that anime studio deal tomorrow. Says the sale goes till Friday. Damn you fang! Didn't need to be spending money right now. Don't even have a Wacom to work on. Screw it.
So I've been working on some stuff recently that's Alice in Wonderland themed but steam punkified. Because no one has ever done that before (that's sarcasm kids!) But it's fun. Might try to do a series of stuff if i can get time and materials together. Just working out the ideas right now. Probably forget about it, or get lazy and not follow through. But i just wanted some thoughts on the sketches.
She should give that watch glove tothe rabbit so that he won't ever be late =P
Nice work!
SketchBook Pro 6 is 25 bucks off on amazon right now, haven't tried the full version but based on the trial version that came with my bamboo tablet I'd say its worth a shot. Seems to be much better for basic line work(That's a thing artists say Right? :P) and such then just photoshop. (Link)
So I had kind of an odd day yesterday. Some buddies and I went to a comic book shop that we've been meaning to hit for a while, so one guy could check out magic cards, the other could look at comics, and I could browse miniatures. Well I guess they were doing some sort of local comic artist day, and a few guys were in there with tables set up. I perused the artists, and wasn't terribly impressed, except for one guy, who was really skilled, if a bit repetitive. But I overheard him talking to someone else and giving them a bit of a lesson in drawing, and he was really personable, and was expressing a lot of what I've been trying to teach a friend of mine about drawing. I started talking to him a bit and he was a super nice guy and I genuinely enjoyed talking art again with someone in the know.
So we are bs'ing, and I mention I've got my sketchbook out in the car, would he like to look through it? as he's looking through what I've done, he keeps asking me why I'm not a professional illustrator/artist. I had kind of come to terms with the fact that I was doing something else with my life, and I was back to finding my love of making art for no one but me. I've been rationalizing myself in that it was too much pressure doing art for a job, and it's better to just do it for the love of art.
Then after taking to this guy I remembered how much I enjoyed being around artistic people and having those conversations all the time. So then I was in a funk for a while.
*sigh*
It's one thing when my buddies look at my work and are like "oh, your really good. You should make comics, or movie concepts," or whatever. That's cool, I mean who doesn't like being told they're awesome? Buy when it's an actual artist saying that. Can't help but bring up those feelings of squandered potential.
Sorry for the long diatribe. Don't usually get this melancholy, but it's been a weekend for finding all that stuff I used to love.
Do they have master classes at your local art store, school board, college, university?
Is there a private art school in your city?
Is there a local guild tied to a small local gallery. We have one tied to our community center's library.
Do you have the budget to go to a getaway? a Gnomon Workshop? or the events advertised at www.conceptart.org?
You should be able to find like mined people. Of course, I should also take my own advice. The only reason I know of these opportunities, is because I'd like to meet more people with similar interests ImyRL.
Paying for a class is our society's greatest way to create that obligation to make time to do what you keep saying you should do.
Our local school board - Painting Flowers On Rocks.... no I'm not kidding. Obviously YMMV
http://www.ocdsb.ca/programs/continu...
Right now it's more of a situation of no time or space for it. I joined the army a few months back and I'm just finishing up my training in a few weeks, then I'm of to parts unknown. I just don't have the room in my locker right now for much in the way of supplies. That might change once i get to my duty station, but I'm not going to have my office/art room like I had before. I'm hoping to find some classes I can take once I'm there and have privileges like a normal human again.
I've had a sudden realization when it comes to that "squandered potential" thing. Yeah, I should have gone to school for art instead of programming. Yeah, I could have been a much better artist now than I turned out to be. But at the same time, I like who I became based on the school I went to and friends I made, which would not have happened if I went somewhere else (theoretically: I could have had similar friendships, just hard to imagine them being as good as the friends I have now because, y'know, memory and perspective, etc.)
I may have the "advantage" of being 27, but while the past several years I've felt like time is running out, I've only now started to feel like my whole life is ahead of me.
I have no idea how to turn any of my actual passions into a living yet, but it's always a possibility. Figure out where your illustration abilities are best used, and find something to work on in that direction. If you like making comics but can't come up with a story, find a writer with ideas. If you like making concept art but don't have a project to build, find people that need concept artists. It may start as free work, or part-time low-pay gigs or something, but it could be a start.
If you like making comics but can't come up with a story, find a writer with ideas. If you like making concept art but don't have a project to build, find people that need concept artists. It may start as free work, or part-time low-pay gigs or something, but it could be a start.
I get where you are coming from. We actually had a group a while back that were working on a game and I was doing concept drawings for it with Wipeout and Fangnlackbone. It was a blast, and I got some good stuff out of it. Unfortunately, as with so many things the band broke up. People had other responsibilities. We are gamers with jobs, and families, and other stuff going on.
That I understand very much. I want to do so much more in the day, but after 5pm and I clock out of work, it's sometimes tough to do anything requiring more effort than pushing play on the remote
Actually, just google Scott Robertson and click on images and you will see tons of amazing things.
ack! What happened to the rest of my post? Did I accidentally delete it? Cripes what a day...
I had this longer shpiel about how I have been acting but it hasn't completely erased the need to draw. And *poof* its gone. Oh well. Scott Robertson is probably in my top 3 artists. (Masamune Shirow, Da Vinci)
Actually, just google Scott Robertson and click on images and you will see tons of amazing things.
Alright, screw you sir. Here I was feeling all confident and stuff that my drawings were looking pretty decent, and I was getting back into it, and you go and post this guy. He's too bloody good. Ridicules. I love the forms and shapes on those mechs and bikes and stuff... I may have to steal some of them to incorporate into my own.
It's inspiration, not copying! 
Seriously though, that guy is pretty amazing. I showed my roommate his page of sketches, and he said mine weren't that far off, but I can see the light years of distance between what I can do and what he does, and he makes me feel like A six year old with a my first coloring book.
Oh, and I've got a metric butt ton of drawings to post. Just need to bust out the scanner and get them up. Been pretty busy.
Oh I know it's a mistake to actually compare myself to him, for the simple fact that he's done it and taught it at such a high level for so long. I was about half joking with that post. I just get somewhat jealous of the guys that can really focus and make art that big a part of their lives. Drawing is and will always be my first love, but there's so much other stuff I get interested in, and sometimes I put the sketchbook down and don't do anything for months at a time. It is nice coming back though. I always have a new perspective, and i kind of feel like my skills mature even when I'm not drawing.
I am fairly sure it's because I never stop observing things like I'm an artist. And that's something I try to always convey to people trying to learn to draw. You start really looking at objects and visually dissecting them. The shadow a coffee cup makes on the table at midday, or the sweep of a bumper, the way a man or woman stands at the bus stop, or the way an apple core wilts in the sun. It's awesome, and frustrating, and odd, and sometimes creepy. I find myself staring at people sometimes because I want to remember their face or body structure, then it kicks in that I shouldn't be so damn weird. People get creeped out when you stare.
And there I go again, waxing on, and going all pretentious and hipster.
Do not compare yourself to him. He was an instructor for decade(s?) at the Pasadena Art Center. It is one of the premier art/photography/design schools in america. I am pretty sure he has been doing this everyday for 30ish years.
Honestly, the only difference I see between your work and his is the confidence that comes from doing it everyday for 30 years. Plus a lengthy background in perspective never hurts.
In my mind, other than car design and line, shadow and gradient work (which admittedly is a lot) I can match or exceed him in creativity in mech/plane/spaceship/vehicle desgin. I do have decent lines and shading that are probably horrendous right now because I haven't done a lick in 5-6 years. But all it would take is like 6 weeks of drawing for 3 hours minimum to get back up to speed.
I have a few mech and spaceship designs in CG already that I would put on par with his work. And I think my lobster/train/deforestor opus is on par with his best.
But he is definitely a major source of inspiration. I mean you cannot look at his stuff and not say,"I want to do that!"
http://drpetter.proboards.com/index....
http://forums.luxology.com/topic.asp...
http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/node/2...
I am fairly sure it's because I never stop observing things like I'm an artist. And that's something I try to always convey to people trying to learn to draw. You start really looking at objects and visually dissecting them. The shadow a coffee cup makes on the table at midday, or the sweep of a bumper, the way a man or woman stands at the bus stop, or the way an apple core wilts in the sun. It's awesome, and frustrating, and odd, and sometimes creepy. I find myself staring at people sometimes because I want to remember their face or body structure, then it kicks in that I shouldn't be so damn weird. People get creeped out when you stare.
And there I go again, selling myself short.
FIXED
It is a priceless gift. Those exact words could have been said by me. (or WipeOut, bombsfall, or any other gwjer artist)
I too am my own harshest critic. It can get better as you get older when you learn what self critique is constructive and what is holding you back.
I'm going to be in LA for the weekend so I won't have time to try something new. But I would like to test out a design technique based on his sketching warmup youtubes.
Using photoshop and layers, I want to test out silhouetting the different pieces of a design. First starting out with the overall basic form and then silhouetting the underlying mechanical structure. Then you can layer on top the linework of the mechanical structure before creating another layer where you can silhouette the shell and another where you add the line and detail work for the shell and protrusions.
And you can keep iterating by adding new layers that adjust the silhouettes of any other layer and then add line work on top of it. You will probably want to save off different copies as the number of layers will become astronomical in short order.
I'll let you know how it goes. And I'll document the process. (and become internet famous, no doubt =P)
Whoa, you guys / girls are a talented group of artists. Been a long time since I posted so here's a thing I did today / recently for the Draw Futurama project. Hope they are not too huge.
For some other stuff both finished and in progress, check here: http://www.fredrikdesigns.com and my blog where I post all kinds of experiments is here: http://fredrikdesigns.com/blog/
Rob_Anybody: I really like the concepts of your Alice in steam punk land. I see a couple of things with the anatomy: Mind the length of the arms and legs. I see a couple of instances where one arm is longer than the other when you are drawing them straight on. Also, when you bend an arm and one arm is closer to "the camera" it should be drawn shorter. I hope you continue developing the, as they would end up being really striking when colored.
Funny story. Went to go price out a new tattoo, and the brought my sketchbook since the drawing I want is in it. The guy wanted to look at the rest of my book, which I'm always willing to share. He's flipping through and straight up asked me if I wanted a job. If it had been a year ago I probably would have said yeah. Thought it was funny.
Just going to leave this here
I think I need a drawing buddy. Kinda like a gym buddy, just someone who's there with you, where you're encouraging him, and they're encouraging you through the frustration, the highs and the lows. That kind of thing.
Well you have this thread.
Still doing V.O.?
I think I need a drawing buddy. Kinda like a gym buddy, just someone who's there with you, where you're encouraging him, and they're encouraging you through the frustration, the highs and the lows. That kind of thing.
You should consider joining Oatley Academies Magic Box. It's $18 dollars / month and the whole thing runs for a year and half. Study at your own tempo. Chris Oatley is an amazing artist and the community of artists he has built is nothing short of inspirational. http://chrisoatley.com/secret
Not a shill, just a happy customer of his.
Just had a random thought. Was thinking of picking up a drawing tablet. Any recommendations for a relatively cheap one? I am very much still a beginner, but the idea appeals to me. Or should I just stick with pen and paper still?
Edit - Oh never mind went looking around at these and the one that looks like what I really want is a pen display like the cintek. Which cost at least 1000. I'll stick to pen and paper.
There is some discussion on tablets on page 5 that might be of help. I think for cheap options one might look at either a Wacom Bamboo or a Monoprice. Monoprice is a bit cheaper, but it seems like some people do have issues with the drivers.
On if it is worth it, that depends on what you want to do. A tablet won't help you learn any faster, in fact a tablet can be awkward to use at first. But if you think it would be fun, and that you would be more likely to work on things if you had a tablet, then it could be of interest. What were you interested in?
Artists, like those at conceptart.org will tell you to stick to pencil and paper until you can draw, then learn about tablets.
I'm on the fence. There is some benefit to giving yourself parameters. You have a limited tool set with a pencil and paper, so you stick with one thing until you're good at it.
With a tablet, and a painter software, you can jump from colour theory, to watercolour technique, to line quality, to value..... all over the map, not focusing. Knowing that going in, you could force yourself to forego the painting and stick to line drawing, or pencil tools, and pin down perspective proportion, seeing detail, capturing only what you see-and not what you think you see...
Bamboo, and intuos are tablets that don't show the image, which can be had for less than $100. You use them more like a mouse, but there is a big "control scheme" leap to make, of moving hand here-looking there.
Or look into ebay-ing a motion computing LE1700. Old tablet computer predating the ipad, goes for about $150 used.
Best way to go on the tablet front, in my option, is let your process dictate your need for a table. Is using paper slowing you down? Personally I have been trying for a while to digitize my entire process. I have had limited success so far. I guess I'm old school but find that pen and paper are more accessible. At this point I use the Cintiq as part of the final process of an image and not for early stages. Also all the options in the software can be a distraction in the early stages of making something. Cintiq are just part of a larger tool set for digital and excel at their role. They really do shine in certain use cases. But, for example you can't take them on a plane or to local coffee shop in most cases (maybe the new 13inch is more mobile).
As for learning to draw I recommend "The Natural Way to Draw: A Working Plan for Art Study" as it stresses quick gesturing. Building up a great skill at gesturing is huge for any artist. A lot of what make a drawing successful is directly related to the underlying structure of the object being rendered.
Finally, bluetooth 4 stylus offerings for the iPad are pretty solid, so there is that to consider.
Just had a random thought. Was thinking of picking up a drawing tablet. Any recommendations for a relatively cheap one? I am very much still a beginner, but the idea appeals to me. Or should I just stick with pen and paper still?
Edit - Oh never mind went looking around at these and the one that looks like what I really want is a pen display like the cintek. Which cost at least 1000. I'll stick to pen and paper.
If you do decide that a tablet is something you really, really want, you might want to look into this: http://frenden.com/post/38693256477/...
Been hearing nothing but great things about it.
Thanks for that Fredrik_S. I will definitely be picking up one of those when I have a spare $600.
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