Some advice on pencilwork

[lieuwe_b]

Hello folks, this is my first post here, and I'm looking for some advice to improve my pencil drawing. I'm 21, have been drawing since 7, though only recently tried some more realistic stuff. Here are some worked out skecthes of mine (I hope the links work):

http://members.chello.nl/jboer007/darnoced.jpg

http://members.chello.nl/jboer007/anaxeandasmile.jpg

http://members.chello.nl/jboer007/fdeBlue.jpg

Now, as you might see my biggest problem is that I lack knowledge about the right materials! Does anyone have advice on what type of pencils I should use for the different parts of my drawings. Right now I only use a single 0.5 mm mechanical pencil, hb hardness. I'd like to get some more depth in my work, using pencils of different hardness, I have no idea how and what though. (and I know the compositions here are not exactly the most thrilling, but that aside). Any hints? Thanks!

[lieuwe_b]

The links didn't appear to work, I hope I fixed them now.

[Deth Jester]

I dont think you have a problem with materials..

I think the things you need to work on are anatomical and proportional..

Look at your charecters hands.. they are very tiny compared to the rest of the person..

Go to a mirror real quick and hold your hand up next to your head.. its pretty big huh... also your look at the lenght of your upper arm verse your lower arma nd compare it to your drawings.

As almost all the PRO's say in here is.. practice from life.. go and draw people.. take some life drawing classes... o and practice practice practice...

There are tons of links on here to resources for material as well on anatomy etc..

As far as your drawings go... they are nice.. but I have seen those same ideas a million times.. If you want to create an idea make something orginal unless you are just practicing.. Use your mind and let your hand follow.. You posted these in the "life drawing section" Im sure you didnt draw these from life.. perhaps post them in the sketches, or work in progress section..

Sometimes when Im drawing Ill notice problems that I did and if I go back and erase I'll just ruin the drawing so what i do is I scan it in and make it really really light in photoshop, and reprint it out, and go over it fixing all my errors.. OR Ill redraw the same thinga few times...just so I remember to be more careful with areas Im not as good at.

Also pay attention to your drapery.. clothing.... find references of what you are drawing to make sure the folds look right. There are also some great books out there on the anatomy of drapery..

Anyhow.. Welcome to CA.org

good luck,

I hope I haven't discouraged you any.

peace

-mike

PS Go and cruise the board thoroughly.. read other peoples crits you will learn alot.. goodluck

[DragonGX]

I like to use DESIGN Ebony pencils... theyre 8B, so yo ucan get a full range of value from them.. H pencils are too dark.. sometimes Ill use a 2B pencil though.. just depends on my mood..

[mos667]

I agree with Deth Jester. There are a few minor things that you need to work on (anatomy, well not minor but one of the most important things in life drawing). Also, the heads are all facing the same way, just blandness all through them. They are pretty good, though, with the shading and all.

Ohh! I just read that you use mechanical pencils. They tend to have a VERY small point that you can draw on, and you can't really draw with the sides of them creating very interesting strokes. Using mechanical pencils to do outlines, and details is great, but for shading its not the best. I would suggest just going to your local art store (or even a walmart) and picking up some real pencils :).

Hope I helped.

mos.

[Signature]

8B???
The softer your pencils are, the bigger you should work.
It kinda depends on what and how you are drawing.

H pencils are dark? It's the other way round ... isn't it!? :confused:

What the others said is right IMO. The proportions need work.
Also try to simplify more.

Spooge Demon wrote (@ Sijun)Try to look at reality as much as you can, and think how you would paint it.
Most people starting out put too much information in things,
making shapes that make logical sense but not visual sense.
Your mind knows that it is there so you might want to indicate it, but it would jump out at you.
Maybe the way Lung_bug works is interesting for you?
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5918&pagenumber=2

[BadMange]

Alright, another Ebony user! I friend who does some amazing life drawings introduced me to them and I love 'em!

I understand the point of using the different hard/soft pencils, but personally I think that you should find ONE, two at the most, and use it for all values. I've been trying to find THE ONE pencil weight that works for me and keep switching between 9/8B or 3B for sketching, and 3B or HB for value rawing. Any one see any pros/cons to working this way? Always helps to get another point of view on something.

-Bad Mange

[van]

Originally posted by Signature

H pencils are dark? It's the other way round ... isn't it!? :confused:

Yup. H pencils have a harder lead which hold a point longer and have a lighter line value. B leads are softer which produce a darker output and they dont hold a point as long because of their density.

[van]

Originally posted by BadMange
I've been trying to find THE ONE pencil weight that works for me and keep switching between 9/8B or 3B for sketching, and 3B or HB for value rawing. Any one see any pros/cons to working this way? Always helps to get another point of view on something.


I think it is more personal preference than anything. I use a 2b for almost everything. I use 2b leads in a mechanical pencil for detail work and contours and 2b pencils for shading, etc. I use the mech's so I dont have to keep sharpening my regular pencils.

I could never use a 8b for sketching mostly because of the way my hand moves on the paper...things can get really messy for me with that soft of a lead.

[DragonGX]

IF you have any kind of line value control, you can use an ebony and get extremely light lights and extremely dark darks with an ebony..

You jsut have to be aware of value control and know how to vary the darkness of your line.. you can get the same values of an H pencil with an ebony..

[DragonGX]

Originally posted by van


I think it is more personal preference than anything. I use a 2b for almost everything. I use 2b leads in a mechanical pencil for detail work and contours and 2b pencils for shading, etc. I use the mech's so I dont have to keep sharpening my regular pencils.

I could never use a 8b for sketching mostly because of the way my hand moves on the paper...things can get really messy for me with that soft of a lead.


Thats a good point, if you want to do a messy fast sketch, id go with an H because you wont haev to worry about making the lines too dark..

but when it comes to rendering, 8B all the way..

[lieuwe_b]

Thanks for the advice all. I'm probably gonna pay a visit to the local art store and pick up some regular, dark pencils (up to 8b I guess) and ask about those 'ebony' pencils (does anybody know the proper Dutch name for that..?).
I'll probably try mixing different pencils, because I found that the softer, darker pencils (even a 2b in a mechanical pencil) is not very useful for the fine details. Again, thanks for taking the time to respond!

Originally posted by Signature
Spooge Demon wrote (@ Sijun)
Maybe the way Lung_bug works is interesting for you?
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5918&pagenumber=2
Thanks for that link, detailed shading with strong contour - definitely my style.