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Character models: teaching myself how to draw


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#1 Beastbomb

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Posted 13 August 2013 - 12:08 AM

I hope this is the right place to put this since it is art related, but it is only questions and not posting pictures that I have created.

I have just recently gotten an interest in drawing (and for a beginner, it's not as bad as I thought it would be). I was curious and wanted to ask if most artists or the artists on her use character models in order to create their characters in their drawings or If they just jump straight in and start drawing. I have been told that using characters models is needed to help show scale (after using them I can see why). But it is incredibly hard to build these character models and then draw around them because I end up leaving to many marks and the drawing just starts to look trashy. Is there any useful advice on how to xreate these models more efficiently than just freehand drawing them or are tools (rulers, etc) are better for these. Now I know that experience and constant practice is how an artists gets really good at their craft and I understand that time be taken in order to learn to draw. But I was hoping that I could learn a trick or two from many of the great artists that visit this site. I have purchased/ barrowed a few books in order to gain different perspectives to help me learn a little bit better and I am hoping that someone with greater experience could do the same. (I am learning to draw manga characters instead of more realistic characters, I enjoy their expressions and actions more).

#2 sushi.

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Posted 13 August 2013 - 12:27 AM

Don't use rubber to much. You'll end up ruining the paper. For sketching pens, I recommend an H or H2. If you have a stable hand, you can just use a normal HB.

 

About the models, create circles, ovals etc. It's pretty geometric when you start. The head starts with a circle, which will be the skull. The skull ends around the nose area, then you start making a + mark in the middle of the face(depending on your angle.)

 

The humans have 8 parts you can divide them in. The head takes the entire top, the legs take half of the body.

 

I personally like to start with the shoulders, or else the head and body don't fit. XD

 

It's hard to help without visuals and this is all I can come up with on the spot, so just sub to an artist who makes tutorials on YT. Try to find someone who has a similar style as you.

 

If you're a cartoon/manga type, try Mark Crilley. He's awesome and great for beginners. I also sub a more realistic artist, his name is 'Fine art tips'.

 

Tumblr and Deviantart are great places too, especially if you want to learn the propositions.

Here is a great collection of tutorials on tumblr.


Edited by sushi., 13 August 2013 - 12:41 AM.

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#3 Beastbomb

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Posted 13 August 2013 - 12:36 AM

Thanks for the help sushi. I appreciate the help. I've been usuing a number two mechanical pencil (probably part of my problem) for the models i have been drawing, plus the eraser has smeared on me a few times. I'll user this info to help me get better. Thanks for recomending the videos, wasn't quite sure what I would be looking for.



#4 sushi.

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Posted 13 August 2013 - 12:40 AM

From my experience, soft rubbers which are easy to bend tend to smear more than hard one.

I don't know if it's true or not, I'm just speaking for myself. :P

I recommend kneaded erasers too, they're awesome.

 

You're welcome. : )


Edited by sushi., 13 August 2013 - 12:41 AM.

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#5 Metalhead87

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Posted 14 August 2013 - 10:23 PM

I don't know if this will help, but here are some suggestions that I can think of.

 

When it comes to paper, Bristol Board is good stuff. It's got a nice smooth surface and it can take a lot of erasing.

 

Something that helped me out came from the How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way book when it comes to figures. What they do there is draw once line which they call the centre line, which essentially acts as the spine for the character and helps to dictate their movement and positioning. They then build it up the same way as sushi. recommended.

 

(And I agree - definitely check out Mark Crilley! He has some great advice and he posts a new video every Friday)

 

That's about all I can think of for right now (kind of tired) but if I think of anything else I'll add another post. Hope this helps in some way :)


Please check out my DeviantArt page! http://infamatt.deviantart.com/ I appreciate it  :happy:

#6 Pocky-chan

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Posted 18 August 2013 - 03:11 AM

Ohhh man, I don't know what to say for a beginner, because truth be told I started with just anything and everything. From pens to mechanical pencils and wood surface to tablet surface. It's like whatever you want to craft with, it will always feel different than the other so it feels like you're a noob. It's not a matter of what way is the best way or more proper, it's like what feels better for you. Textures and the like also depends what kind of look you're going for. Just gonna say draw with whatever you got and like because there are other types of medium that you might prefer in terms of comfort and results than just a pencil and paper. You could be crafting the greatest masterpiece with just crayons, people could say you're doing it wrong because babies use crayons, but if you can pull a da vinci, who cares!

 

So that's one tip to remember, draw with what you feel best with, if you think you draw better with a mechanical pencil play around with it more and see more results. But also, try out other mediums so that you don't stunt yourself and your desire to be a better artist.

 

Honestly, even if you want to deviate from realism, it is one of the many secrets that artists get better and learn from. Draw from people or models in real life, understand how the body moves and bends. See how the eyes and nose fits on the face, rather than just tack them on because it's a blank surface that needs smaller shapes to fill it up.

 

I don't use character models much when drawing a character... Character models would be like refs, ideas and details to jot down but not a guideline for specifications. If that makes sense. If you feel that character guides are more of a hassle, don't bother with it because everyone does things differently.

 

Here's a neat trick if you haven't learned it already, take a blank paper, place it under your drawing hand when you draw with a medium that can smudge. That way you'll leave minimal marks and leave your hand clean!  :smile:

 

Uhhh Sushi has mentioned geometric shapes and it is a good idea to look up artists in terms of inspiration.

 

That's all I got, but if you have any questions, just ask!






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