Ninjacat's Sketchbook of Interest (possible nudity)

[Dorkthrone]

NEWEST CRAP ON LAST PAGE

Seriously, why would you read the first page, filled with shitty quasi-sketches, in a 20+-page sketchbook?

PLEASE CRITIQUE

I've decided to start a little sketchbook filled with oddities and concepts and what not. Tell me how I can improve and stuff.

I'm trying to find some drawing books by Loomis so I can generally improve on anatomy and stuff. It'll get more interesting later on, I give you my word.

[Dorkthrone]

A few digital drawings I did on GIMP.

[Dorkthrone]

Some character design stuff I did for my Drawing and Painting class:

[DeJakhalz]

Good studies, cool designs! But your anatomy is off a bit, try working on some muscle studies and you will improve a lot. Cheers

[Dorkthrone]

Good studies, cool designs! But your anatomy is off a bit, try working on some muscle studies and you will improve a lot. Cheers

Thanks for the critique, man! It really means a lot to me.

And I'm definitely going to be working on the muscle studies. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Dorkthrone]

Some weapon concepts I made:

[stifmeister]

the guns look funny becase of the blur and squgily lines. they look like a 9 year old drew them! srry but true
i recomend to ethier make them look neater or dont use tha program!

[Dorkthrone]

the guns look funny becase of the blur and squgily lines. they look like a 9 year old drew them! srry but true
i recomend to ethier make them look neater or dont use tha program!
Not sure a 9-year-old would draw a massive arsenal of guns, but I see what you mean. I can safely say that neatness are not my strong suit.

[AmbientChroma]

Hey :), study from reference to get an idea of how things work/look. With your weapons concepts, etc. you can get a decent silhoette/concept but the function of the weapon, etc. is missing, and that's what really defines it's shape, think about that heheh :). Keep at it.

[Dorkthrone]

Hey :), study from reference to get an idea of how things work/look. With your weapons concepts, etc. you can get a decent silhoette/concept but the function of the weapon, etc. is missing, and that's what really defines it's shape, think about that heheh :). Keep at it.

Will do. Thanks for the tip.

[Dorkthrone]

SPACE VAMPIRES!
Nothing too fancy, just a concept design.

[Dorkthrone]

For your entertainment, I'm going to post some pictures from all the way back in 2006/early 2007. I've definitely come a long way since then.

[Dorkthrone]

I did a few study drawings from PoseManiacs.

[JFierce]

Well since your looking for Loomis books
http://www.fineart.sk/index.php?cat=1

I would suggest looking through the figure drawing book
And learning as much as possible

Right now it seems thats where you should start


Also I wouldnt suggest attempting digital stuff right now
First learn the pencil works to an extent and move on from there


Best of luck


Right now

[Dorkthrone]

Well since your looking for Loomis books
http://www.fineart.sk/index.php?cat=1

I would suggest looking through the figure drawing book
And learning as much as possible

Right now it seems thats where you should start


Also I wouldnt suggest attempting digital stuff right now
First learn the pencil works to an extent and move on from there


Best of luck


Right now
Yeah, I guess I should use that figure drawing link more often.

[Maridius]

I'm working through the Loomis books right now. Suffer with me and we'll egg each other on! You've got the right idea so far, mostly sticking to anatomy studies and Loomis is pretty helpful even though I've barely scratched the surface with his material. Keep drawing!

[Dorkthrone]

I'm working through the Loomis books right now. Suffer with me and we'll egg each other on! You've got the right idea so far, mostly sticking to anatomy studies and Loomis is pretty helpful even though I've barely scratched the surface with his material. Keep drawing!

I'm just getting warmed up with the figure drawing one and frames.

[Dorkthrone]

Again, I found more images from 2006. They're far from representative of my works today, but I just wanted to post them for lulz.

http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs23/i/2008/076/e/6/Missing_Links__Ninja_Bob_by_ninjacat11.jpg
http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs22/f/2007/356/6/3/Missing_Link__Gilgamesh_by_ninjacat11.jpg
http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs26/i/2008/042/b/6/M_L_General_Stella___by_ninjacat11.jpg
http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs16/i/2007/361/f/c/Rainbow_Man_with_a_Big_Gun_by_ninjacat11.png
I've improved a lot since then, no?

[Dorkthrone]

Finally! Got new stuff to post.

Just got two new drawing books today. Here's an anatomy study/future character sheet:

[Dorkthrone]

Added armor and changed up the posing a little.

[Dorkthrone]

This next batch of images comes in twos.

First off, I have some new anatomy studies drawn from a new figure drawing book I got.

In order, here's my description:
1: A guy sitting and kneeling.
2: A person in repose.
3: My pitiful attempt at incorporating shifting weight.
4: A faceless woman sitting down.
5: Back view of a woman.
6. Side view of a woman.

[Dorkthrone]

Guys, would any of you mind giving me some comments and crap on this?

[Weavel]

You are doing a good job on those figure's, keep doing these often. The proportions on those last ones are good but the arm is way off, with the hand it should be around the 4 heads long. Also the arm has to be a bit thicker and watch how the muscles are in the arm. You are on the right way

[Dorkthrone]

You are doing a good job on those figure's, keep doing these often. The proportions on those last ones are good but the arm is way off, with the hand it should be around the 4 heads long. Also the arm has to be a bit thicker and watch how the muscles are in the arm. You are on the right way

Guess I might try studying the arm next.

[Dorkthrone]

And here's Part 2.
The second image is my first attempt at drawing a battle scene back in 2007, posted on here for shits and giggles.

The first is my latest attempt at it. Played fast and loose with the proportions and mainly focused on composition.

[Emiliano]

How old are you ? ;Pp
i like the last one - WARZONE!

[Nezumi Works]

You seem to be headed in the right direction, but your proportions seem off. The torsos when you do figures are really long, much longer than they should be. Which is fine if that's part of your concept, but it doesn't work so well with a straight figure study. If you can dig up Andrew Loomis' "Figure Drawing For All It's Worth" (there are copies online if you look around), there's some really good stuff about proportion right at the start.

Good luck on your development!

[Dorkthrone]

How old are you ? ;Pp
i like the last one - WARZONE!
I'm about sixteen.

And I like the Warzone ones too.

Despite all the anatomy and perspective wrongness of that last warzone, it's still a personal favorite of mine if only because it is the most shit I have ever crammed in a single drawing at one time.
You seem to be headed in the right direction, but your proportions seem off. The torsos when you do figures are really long, much longer than they should be. Which is fine if that's part of your concept, but it doesn't work so well with a straight figure study. If you can dig up Andrew Loomis' "Figure Drawing For All It's Worth" (there are copies online if you look around), there's some really good stuff about proportion right at the start.

Good luck on your development!

I've always had problems with proportions. And the funny thing is that I actually found that exact Loomis book on fineart.sk and have if bookmarked on my PSP.

[Dorkthrone]

Fiddling with my Wacom tablet.

[Dorkthrone]

This is a bit of a fun dump here. This is my attempt at drawing the creature from Alien. It's based off some lineart I did in November.

I made 2 versions of this bad boy.

#1 is just the Alien.

#2 is the same picture with my attempt at lighting.

[Dorkthrone]

I can has comments plz?
http://fc06.deviantart.com/fs30/i/2008/087/a/2/Sir_Wellington_by_ninjacat11.jpg
Already posted this in Critique, but I like it.

[Dorkthrone]

Finally got to do some life studies in my art class. I'll try and post my results once I get 'em back.

[Dorkthrone]

I have a smorgasbord of new drawings/character designs/sketches.

Some good feedback on how I could improve would be nice.

[Dorkthrone]

A few gesture drawings I did. Half I made entirely from imagination, and half I made using some of mjranum-stock's amazing stock photos as references.

[Dorkthrone]

Why do I keep updating this even though no one's commented in weeks?

Here's a buncha crap I threw together. It's got that guy from Legend of Zelda: Faces of Evil, my poor attempt at drawing Barack Obama. and a redneck trucktaur.

[philpill]

liking the progress ninjacat ... can definitely see improvement. My advice is to start looking at skeletal and musculature arrangements - it'll give your figures their 'proper' shape.

If you start looking at muscles, it'll give you an understanding of how to accurately shape the bodies of your characters.

good work .. carry on !

EDIT: love the 'there will be blood' quote ... that film was awesome.

[Dorkthrone]

philpill:
I guess I should try to start taking a gander at muscular arrangements.

Also, There Will Be Blood is indeed awesome. My second favorite film of 2007 right next to No Country for Old Men.

[Xerotin]

Nice studies you've done. Im struggling with the anatomy as well :)

[Dorkthrone]

liking the progress ninjacat ... can definitely see improvement. My advice is to start looking at skeletal and musculature arrangements - it'll give your figures their 'proper' shape.

If you start looking at muscles, it'll give you an understanding of how to accurately shape the bodies of your characters.

good work .. carry on !

EDIT: love the 'there will be blood' quote ... that film was awesome.

Nice studies you've done. Im struggling with the anatomy as well :)

Anatomy is really hard to get down.

[Dorkthrone]

An updated version of my sketch menagerie:

[Dorkthrone]

My grand masterpiece!! It'll be the next Mona Lisa! The lens flares are masterful!

[Dorkthrone]

I've got a lot of new crap to upload on here. I'll start with a few faces I drew mostly from reference, but two or so are almost entirely original.

[Dorkthrone]

I got a chance to do some skeletal studies in my art class today. Come see.

[Dorkthrone]

It gets a tad tiring begging for comments and critiques, so I'll just upload some moar skeletal studies I did.

[Dorkthrone]

Another experimentation with lighting. The drawing itself is hella old, but I added some glowing effects.

[Dorkthrone]

A WIP picture of a zombie octopus-man mutant (yes, I know octopi don't have tentacles sticking out of their stomachs) and yet another fiddling with lighting. And yes, that zombie's eye is supposed to look weird.

EDIT: Also added an unholy monster from back in November that I plan on redrawing.

[Dorkthrone]

Moved my sketchbook over here. (http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=122598)

[Speshl K]

Ninjacat - I love the energy in your artwork. It has so much soul. I feel inspired by your enthusiasm. Are you familiar with George Bridgeman? He has several books you may find helpful in better understanding the human figure. They're really cheap and super excellent. I look forward to seeing more posts from you!

[Dorkthrone]

Ninjacat - I love the energy in your artwork. It has so much soul. I feel inspired by your enthusiasm. Are you familiar with George Bridgeman? He has several books you may find helpful in better understanding the human figure. They're really cheap and super excellent. I look forward to seeing more posts from you!
I've tried looking for some of his books at Barnes and Nobles, but I haven't found anything from him. I may check Amazon.

[Dorkthrone]

Decided to post pictures from my other sketchbook over here.
They include some crappy background studies, 30-second drawings from PoseManiacs, and a horrible creature that should not be.

[Dorkthrone]

And now, I present to you some muscle studies I did while looking at Anatomy for the Artist by Sarah Simblet. Fantastic book. The studies aren't the best, but I was pretty much skimming through tonight.

[Candras]

There's already an improvement from the first to second page!

The biggest things that I see in your anatomy is that you are making the torsos and arms too long.
Also, for your more finished character design pieces try to be a lot neater in the lines and coloring. Neatness will improve your art by ten fold.

[Maridius]

Keep it up! You're doing great with those gesture studies! I'd like to see some bones and muscles too, just so I have good company--that's what I'm doing now to get the hang of what's under all that skin.

[UnSharpened]

Thanks for dropping by my sb:P.
Those studies looks nice. I would suggest that have more studies about colours, there are some fantastic tutorial about it in the mentor thread.
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=53517
Hope this would be helpful.

Keep it up!!

[Dorkthrone]

Maridius--If you want more muscle studies, then you're in luck. I got a lot more of those finished. I'll post them and a lot of other new stuff as soon as possible.

Candras--Neatness is not my strong suit. Still, I'll definitely be working on that

[Dorkthrone]

Now here are all the pictures I did in my sketchbook over Spring Break.

1. A failed attempt at drawing a character of mine. I totally f*cked up the face on her.

2. My attempt at creating a skeleton centaur.

3. A study of the skull.

4. A bunch of random weapons and such I made.

5. Some life drawings I made of random objects.

6. Admiral von Pointyhelm.

7. Some studies of lips and eyes and such.

8. A study of the rib cage and torsos.

9. A non-f*cked up version of #1. Possibly one of my favorite sketches evar.

[Dorkthrone]

Moar.

[Aila]

Nice improvement going on, keep at the anatomy studies. Hm, maybe try adding some darker values to your drawings to get some more contrast in, that'll make them stand out more (imo).
Keep it up and thanks for stopping by my SB :D

[Dorkthrone]

Nice improvement going on, keep at the anatomy studies. Hm, maybe try adding some darker values to your drawings to get some more contrast in, that'll make them stand out more (imo).
Keep it up and thanks for stopping by my SB :D

I'll definitely try to add some dark values.

[StarbonesCoffin]

\o another 16 ! you got awesome concept applied in your recent works, but you need more foundation on anatomy.Check andrew loomis or go the chat channel and type !loomis.Thanks for stopping by too o/

[Dorkthrone]

\o another 16 ! you got awesome concept applied in your recent works, but you need more foundation on anatomy.Check andrew loomis or go the chat channel and type !loomis.Thanks for stopping by too o/
I guess I should really get back to looking at Loomis again.

[Dorkthrone]

Got some new-ish stuff to show you.

[Micaiah Nelson]

Nice concepts, like the first one in this post. It seems you have problems with proportions. Draw lines and think of the figures in basic shapes. And try to make scratchy marks! Hope that helps good luck!

[Dorkthrone]

My latest attempt at a digital painting, as well as a joke entry for the Square Enix contest over on DA.

[Dorkthrone]

Nice concepts, like the first one in this post. It seems you have problems with proportions. Draw lines and think of the figures in basic shapes. And try to make scratchy marks! Hope that helps good luck!
I'm definitely trying to work on that.

[Dorkthrone]

-A horrible drawing of mine from 2007 that I really like despite it being so awful.
http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs16/i/2007/189/e/1/General_Halk_by_ninjacat11.png
-A richer version.
http://fc08.deviantart.com/fs18/i/2007/195/0/3/General_Halk_Reloaded_by_ninjacat11.png
-My very work-in progress all-digital attempt to remake it into something that looks good.
http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs30/i/2008/105/9/e/Superawesome_Battle_very_WIP_by_ninjacat11.jpg

[Dorkthrone]

Updated version. Not sure if I made it better or worse.

[Dorkthrone]

New images.

[Maridius]

And there's your Loomis poses! How do you like the lessons so far?

[Dorkthrone]

And there's your Loomis poses! How do you like the lessons so far?
Pretty useful. I'm having trouble with the whole box part.

[thesadpencil]

hey thanks for dropping by my sb. first off continue working on your anatomy and make sure you get the proportions down right before moving into coloring. when painting digitally try using harder brushes over the soft brushes you have been using. hard brushes are a bit harder to use than soft brushes because soft brushes are more lenient however using harder brushes are worth it they will help give a more defined look, sharper edges, make it less blurry, and also show colors better than soft brushes. i'd also suggest refining you lineart more by using longer flowing lines more use of weighted line and less of the scratchy sketchy marks you have been using. you've got a good imagination so just keep pushing forward w/ what ur doing continue studying and working hard and you'll see loads of improvement.

ps the there will be blood quote is great.

[Dorkthrone]

I got a lot of new stuff for you to see.

-A werewolf from outer space. Is it an alien who's been bitten by a werewolf or a person who's been bitten by an extraterrestrial werewolf? Hell if I know.

-An unfinished robot of some sort.

-Some new faces. Threw a few monsters in there.

-More Loomis poses.

-My attempt to use Loomis' box technique and some woman.

[Dorkthrone]

A space cave hallway.

[Dorkthrone]

A WIP color version of the Alien Werewolf. The rocks suck ass, but I love the backlighting.

[thedestroyer]

Lot of stuff here to see. Somes at a great state, but before doing digitals, try to do more anatomy. It's the most important thing you can learn...
But although great

Cheers

A

[Dorkthrone]

Lot of stuff here to see. Somes at a great state, but before doing digitals, try to do more anatomy. It's the most important thing you can learn...
But although great

Cheers

A

Definitely working on anatomy.

[Dorkthrone]

A futuristic gas mask.

[Dorkthrone]

Would any of you guys point out where I can find some free Vlippu books online?

[Dorkthrone]

Guys, I found my first attempt at digital coloring. This was before I had a Wacom tablet.
http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs21/i/2007/293/f/e/General_Halk_by_ninjacat11.jpg
Some weirded out creature faces, as well as a bunch of crap I drew while listening to Fantomas.

[Dorkthrone]

Some creatures.

[Dorkthrone]

An awesome sketch of a building I did. Also, possibly my cleanest work ever.

[Dorkthrone]

An insane alien mutant creature with double jointed limbs.

[Dorkthrone]

A bunch of new rough stuff to show you. Nothing fancy, just a few really rough gestures from Characterdesigns.com with some mutant ideas, a wafflecopter, and Brundlefly mixed in.

Oh, and some Loomis studies. May I also say that Loomis is a badass.

[Dorkthrone]

I decided to do a quick Photoshop study from a still from Alien. It's not quite finished yet, but I'm getting there.

The first image is the actual still. The second is my study.

[Dorkthrone]

Two WIP battle drawings. One sci-fi, one fantasy.

[The Curehead]

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=349001&stc=1&d=1208377349

hi,looks like you've improved quite a bit.keep the anatomy up.
this one is a great action picture,but i feel you could make it really impressive if you took a bit more time with it.

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=349001&stc=1&d=1208377349

some interesting stuff

[Dorkthrone]

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=349001&stc=1&d=1208377349

hi,looks like you've improved quite a bit.keep the anatomy up.
this one is a great action picture,but i feel you could make it really impressive if you took a bit more time with it.

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=349001&stc=1&d=1208377349

some interesting stuff

I'm definitely working on the anatomy.

[Dorkthrone]

Speaking of anatomy, it turns out my art teacher actually has a copy of the Cyclopedia Anatomicae in the class, so I decided to do a few quick studies.

There's also some quick drawings I made using some stock images I found on DA as reference, as well as an updated version of one of my sketches.
http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs29/f/2008/116/b/f/Assault_WIP_2_by_ninjacat11.jpg

[Mepp]

You really improved!
What I think what you need to do is, take more time with your sketches. Don't just draw as quick as possible... in that way you see what's wrong.
Keep it up!
Thanks for showing!

[Dorkthrone]

You really improved!
What I think what you need to do is, take more time with your sketches. Don't just draw as quick as possible... in that way you see what's wrong.
Keep it up!
Thanks for showing!
Yeah, I do kind of rush through my quick sketches. I'll try to work on that.

[Sublimus]

Fun stuff here. Glad to see you're doing studies, keep those up and you'll be a pro in no time!

[xinranliu]

It's great to see teenagers like myself here... It makes me wanna make my own sketchbook. Keep it up :D

[Dorkthrone]

It's great to see teenagers like myself here... It makes me wanna make my own sketchbook.

DO IT
Seriously though, do it.

Fun stcuff here. Glad to see you're doing studies, keep those up and you'll be a pro in no time!

Thanks. I have no intention on stopping those studies.

[sourgasm]

Warzone.JPG from the front page of your sketchbook is INSANE.

Gotta admire your dedication. You post like a madman.

[Dorkthrone]

Warzone.JPG from the front page of your sketchbook is INSANE.

Gotta admire your dedication. You post like a madman.

I think that picture is still the most detailed thing I've ever done, even if the proportions= fail. This new version blows it out of the water, methinks:
New Version (http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs29/f/2008/116/b/f/Assault_WIP_2_by_ninjacat11.jpg)

And yes, I do kinda do that, don't I? :p

[Dorkthrone]

Grand Theft Auto IV comes out on Tuesday. I fear for my productivity.

[Maridius]

Wow! Loads of drawings since I last peeked at your sketchbook! How do you like the Loomis studies? One thing I really like about him is how he has you draw a simple 'wire' type mannikin, then the more developed one, then figures with a simplified muscle structure, then gets you learning the names of the major muscle groups before turning you loose once again on figure drawing. You'll see your skills improve fast that way.

Oh and I recognized Brundlefly without you labeling it lol. Great likeness!

The composition on your digitals is getting less cluttered too, I've noticed. They still need a focal point though. It's hard to pick out the subject from background, especially when you go heavy on the neon colors. They take attention from your subject so use them sparingly.

[Dorkthrone]

Wow! Loads of drawings since I last peeked at your sketchbook! How do you like the Loomis studies? One thing I really like about him is how he has you draw a simple 'wire' type mannikin, then the more developed one, then figures with a simplified muscle structure, then gets you learning the names of the major muscle groups before turning you loose once again on figure drawing. You'll see your skills improve fast that way.

Oh and I recognized Brundlefly without you labeling it lol. Great likeness!

The composition on your digitals is getting less cluttered too, I've noticed. They still need a focal point though. It's hard to pick out the subject from background, especially when you go heavy on the neon colors. They take attention from your subject so use them sparingly.
I will be sure to take that into advice. Oh, and I love the Loomis Studies.

Some 60-second poses.

[Dorkthrone]

A very rough version of Superfunk and some random chick with a chainsaw sword.

[Dorkthrone]

DSG entry.

[Dorkthrone]

Suprisingly, Grand Theft Auto IV hasn't interfered with my art much
I got a new updated version of an earlier sketch on here.

I have some awesome pastel drawings and skeletal studies (as well as one that's both), but they're too big for my scanner.

[Dorkthrone]

Got some more anatomy studies done from the Cyclopedia Anatomicae. But more importantly, ALIEN CYBORG ROBOT VIKINGS!

[Dorkthrone]

Updated the cyborg alien Viking and added a new DSG sketch.
http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs30/i/2008/123/c/f/DSG_Parachute_by_ninjacat11.jpg

[Dorkthrone]

A quick little visual for an English assignment. And yes, that is Wile. E Coyote staring down an ACME lawyer.

EDIT: New DSG entry and a spider mutant I thought up of while watching The Orphanage.

[xinranliu]

Concentrate on your form before anything else. Then values. Then colors. Do you have a tablet? Or are you drawing with your mouse?

[Dorkthrone]

Concentrate on your form before anything else. Then values. Then colors. Do you have a tablet? Or are you drawing with your mouse?

I have a tablet, actually. Not very good with it yet, but I have one.

[xinranliu]

Try playing around with brush settings, and don't use an airbrush to blend in, instead, try using a mid opacity hard edged brush. I use that personally with a lot of color samples (Alt) to get a smoother blending. Also try to not use that much linearts. If you use them as your sketch, try painting over them.

In Photoshop 7, they introduced the Smoothing setting for your brush. If you have a decent computer, it will help a lot. Your lines are somehow wavy. Learn how to save brush strokes. Do portraits studies too.

I hope it was helpful :)

[Dorkthrone]

Try playing around with brush settings, and don't use an airbrush to blend in, instead, try using a mid opacity hard edged brush. I use that personally with a lot of color samples (Alt) to get a smoother blending. Also try to not use that much linearts. If you use them as your sketch, try painting over them.

In Photoshop 7, they introduced the Smoothing setting for your brush. If you have a decent computer, it will help a lot. Your lines are somehow wavy. Learn how to save brush strokes. Do portraits studies too.

I hope it was helpful :)i
I've only got me Photoshop Elements 5. Being an absolute cheapskate FTW. And yes, this is helpful. I will try to do more of them. The only problem I've got with PS right now is that I keep getting that evil "scratch disks are full" message.

Also, I decided to try doing some basic shapes while picking up the pencil as few times as possible. I think it's beginning to make a big difference in my output.

[Yautja892]

Hey NinjaCat thanks for the visit in my book. I can tell your having fun and thats the most important thing. As for some crits and suggestion would be to get some anatomy books, study and learn the bones and muscles. Get some books from Hogarth,Loomis, and Bridgeman. Also a good one would be Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist by Stephen Peck. Another good book is Perspective made easy. Also the conceptart.org/wiki page is a great resource on what things to work on and how to improve. Also draw from life, setup some still lifes, draw people, anything and everything. An important part of improving is just taking your time and observing life and your surroundings. Still the most important thing is to enjoy it and have fun. :)

[Dorkthrone]

A quick character sketch...albeit of one I've been drawing way too much.

Yautja892--I've actually been looking at some Loomis books and been trying (unsuccessfully) to find some Bridgman. I've never heard of Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist, however. I'll be sure to check it out. I've also used the wiki on a few occasions.

[Dorkthrone]

An unfinished portrait of Barack Obama done while following the Indiana and North Carolina primaries. About 1 and a half hours in Corel Painter Essentials.

Also, the photo I used as reference.

[Dorkthrone]

An updated version of my Obama portrait that actually looks more like Obama and not a cave troll, plus my deformed cave troll portrait of Daniel Plainview from There Will Be Blood.

[Dorkthrone]

A little sketch.

[humanNature6115]

Keep pushing yourself, and focus on anatomy for like 2 years

=================================
:mittenbop: :mittenbop: :mittenbop: Sketchbook:mittenbop: :mittenbop: :mittenbop:
http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=120761 (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=120761)

[Dorkthrone]

Keep pushing yourself, and focus on anatomy for like 2 years

=================================
:mittenbop: :mittenbop: :mittenbop: Sketchbook:mittenbop: :mittenbop: :mittenbop:
http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=120761 (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=120761)

I'll definitely be sure to work on the anatomy.

[dhchamp]

your pencil studies and sketches are improving alot. Maby you should try more
other things. like enviroments and machinery. also. practice sme simple digital drawing form life. like drawing an apple or so, so you can practice drawing from life and drawing with a wacom at the same time.

good luck. and keep up the nice figures. :)

[Dorkthrone]

your pencil studies and sketches are improving alot. Maby you should try more
other things. like enviroments and machinery. also. practice sme simple digital drawing form life. like drawing an apple or so, so you can practice drawing from life and drawing with a wacom at the same time.

good luck. and keep up the nice figures. :)

I'd love to try some environments and stuff. It'd be a nice change of pace for me. And the digital drawings from life are definitely going to be on my to-do list.

[Dorkthrone]

This may seem like a stupid question, but how do you change your topic image that shows up in the thread list?

[Dorkthrone]

A uniped cyclops I did for DSG. Literally. He's like a unicycle, but with a hand for a leg.
http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs28/f/2008/133/7/c/DSG_Cyclops_by_ninjacat11.jpg

[Dorkthrone]

Doing some original 70's/80's record covers for Drawing and Painting I. I based mine off Spinal Tap.

Not even close to finished with it, but I think it's in good enough shape to show to you guys. My scanner cannot do this picture justice.

Can you tell I fucking love This is Spinal Tap?

[Dorkthrone]

Moar Spinal Tap and a cyborg/car concept I came up with.

[UnSharpened]

Thanks for dropping by my sb:P.
Nice use of colour you got here. I think that you just have to pay more attention on cleaning the edges, which is the same problem I saw in your DSG work earlier. I would suggest that spending a bit more time on each piece may be helpful to you:P.

Keep it up.

[Dorkthrone]

http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs30/f/2008/136/2/1/ZOMG_ROBOTS__DSG__by_ninjacat11.jpg
DSG entry: ZOMG ROBOTS edition. Also, a quick speedpaint.

[BADSMILE]

I'd say u watch toooo much television.

[Dorkthrone]

I'd say u watch toooo much television.

Actually, I haven't really sat down and watched TV for the past few months.

[Dorkthrone]

Warning: BIG image dump ahead.

I have new crap. Including some new pencil sketches. God, I need to do more anatomy studies.

1. A bust of a robot soldier guy.

2. DSG number 1362.

3. My first set of poses using CharacterDesigns.

4. Some crappy architectural studies of Dubai. God, I love that city's architecture.

5. Don't ask. I was thinking about those anchovies that keep going "meep" from SpongeBob.

6. Moar heads. Including a few Loomis studies.

7. More CharacterDesigns poses.

[Dorkthrone]

My attempt at redoing DSG 1362.

[Dorkthrone]

I'm trying something different. I found a stockpile of old drawings of mine with really good ideas, but desperately need updating.

First off is the Kremlin Manhunter. This big guy was a secret collaborative project between the USSR and some aliens during the Space Race and the height of the Cold War. You see, when Sputnik was set into space, an alien grabbed onto the satellite and fell to earth. The Soviets found them and recruited them to try and defeat capitalism.

Here's the original.
http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs20/i/2007/257/d/4/Soviet_Manhunter_pencil_by_ninjacat11.png

And I attached the remake. Also started work on the back cover for my Spinal Tap project. I'll post that later.

Also was going to work on a portrait of Indiana Jones, but I haven't started that yet. So, in the meantime, enjoy this gif I found in the Interwebs:
http://content.ytmnd.com/content/a/a/0/aa01b783eaa2d549d3b425edfccc8b0c.gif

[shiNIN]

My attempt at redoing DSG 1362.

you've written in the DSG topic that you took your time... yeah, it was a good idea. this pic is much better than your usual DSG sketches, much neater and the angle and the form of the craft is well chosen :) the perspective is a bit off, though.

I can say as the others: your imagination and enthusiasm is good, keep it up and study anatomy, perspective and other basics. if you make efforts (and you obviously do) and don't rush it, there definitely will be results.

[Dorkthrone]

you've written in the DSG topic that you took your time... yeah, it was a good idea. this pic is much better than your usual DSG sketches, much neater and the angle and the form of the craft is well chosen :) the perspective is a bit off, though.

I can say as the others: your imagination and enthusiasm is good, keep it up and study anatomy, perspective and other basics. if you make efforts (and you obviously do) and don't rush it, there definitely will be results.
I really should do some new perspective stuff. Right now, I'm a little rusty with it.

[Ekul]

Very creative ideas in here. I like your cyborg stuff, looks pretty cool.
I know your workin on anatomy every now and then so my suggestion to you is study drawing eyes. Well, the whole center of the face maybe also. Eyes, mouth, and nose.

Keep it up!

[Dorkthrone]

I'll be sure to do that in the near future, Ekui.

And now, an onslaught of drawings from a sketchbook of mine in 2006. In Photobucket folder form.
Fail and lose (http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j188/ninjacat11/Old%20Skool/)
As well, here are two really horrible pictures from the same time. Including the horrible idea to draw a laser cannon on a robot's pelvis. What was I thinking?

Also updated my Spinal Tap project. Essentially finished the front cover and I'm working on the back.
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/1368/spinaltap3tv5.jpg
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/2538/spinaltapbackvf0.jpg

[Dorkthrone]

Looked at my Drawing and Painting 1 character design project from a few months ago and decided it might be fun to expand on it.

Here's a redesign of the villain.

[Dorkthrone]

Did some tweaks to said redesign.

[Dorkthrone]

Saw Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and it inspired me to draw this.

Oh, BTW, I'd highly recommend you see that movie. It's actually not crap.

[Dorkthrone]

A WIP version of my attempt at digitally coloring the redesign.

[Dorkthrone]

Updated version of Brutus.

[Dorkthrone]

Updated harder.

[Dorkthrone]

Live free or update hard.

[Dorkthrone]

I think I may be about finished with this picture.

[Dorkthrone]

Okay, now for some Loomis studies and figure drawing stuff.

[thesadpencil]

hey coming along nicely man. i really like the last creature you colored w/ the purpleish armor, now that you've got the colors in it go back and define the edges and maybe try to bring back some of the lineart to help the forms stand out more especially like where the hands overlap the legs, because of the hands being the same color as the legs the forms tend to get lost in there, if you defined the edges a bit more it would give it more depth and make it look more like the hand is there. well keep doing what your doing and keep on w/ those studies, just keep drawing.

[Dorkthrone]

hey coming along nicely man. i really like the last creature you colored w/ the purpleish armor, now that you've got the colors in it go back and define the edges and maybe try to bring back some of the lineart to help the forms stand out more especially like where the hands overlap the legs, because of the hands being the same color as the legs the forms tend to get lost in there, if you defined the edges a bit more it would give it more depth and make it look more like the hand is there. well keep doing what your doing and keep on w/ those studies, just keep drawing.
Yeah, I think you're definitely right about the edges. Can't really bring out more of the lineart because I saved it as a jpg while I was still working on it.

[Dorkthrone]

I got me a manikin today. It ended up losing a leg, so I will call it Stumpy, the One-Legged Manikin. I did some poses with it.

[Dorkthrone]

Sharpened up the picture a little.

As well, I have yet another sketch.

[Dorkthrone]

Finished the Spinal Tap album back cover last week, but was too lazy to scan it.

I also have moar manikin.

[Dorkthrone]

I drew a futuristic pogo stick with guns. I've also got some more sketches, but they are not pogo sticks with guns.

[Dorkthrone]

Got a bunch of updated stuff for you including:
-new DSGs
-tentacle monsters
-updated sketches

[Diphallia]

Love the head on this (http://conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=379785&stc=1&d=1212099857) one.

But our digitals are weak when compared to your pencil drawings.
Are ou painting with a mouse?
If you are: get a tablet!

[Brun]

hey dude, nice sketchbook u have here
I can see u draw allot of imagination, wich is good at some point
but I would suggest to also focus allot on reallive

get out there with your sketchbook, go to the park go to wherever and draw what u see
learn the basics of anatomy colour and immers yourself in to all the asects of drawing

do some studies from the old masters and stuff

u've got some great fantasie and imagination, wich i like allot, but u can improve them allot more if u have some more basics to rely on. never give up

here are some links that might help u:

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=94571

http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm

keep on drawing :)

[Dorkthrone]

Love the head on this (http://conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=379785&stc=1&d=1212099857) one.

But our digitals are weak when compared to your pencil drawings.
Are ou painting with a mouse?
If you are: get a tablet!
Can't say that I do. I actually use a tablet. I'm definitely not nearly as good with it as I could be, though.

[Dorkthrone]

hey dude, nice sketchbook u have here
I can see u draw allot of imagination, wich is good at some point
but I would suggest to also focus allot on reallive

get out there with your sketchbook, go to the park go to wherever and draw what u see
learn the basics of anatomy colour and immers yourself in to all the asects of drawing

do some studies from the old masters and stuff

u've got some great fantasie and imagination, wich i like allot, but u can improve them allot more if u have some more basics to rely on. never give up

here are some links that might help u:

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=94571

http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm

keep on drawing :)
That's a really helpful post.
Seriously, those links you posted are amazing. I'll be sure to check 'em out.

[Dorkthrone]

New stuff.

[Dorkthrone]

Some craptacular stuff I found on my other computer, including my horrible first attempt at foreshortening. All from 2006.

[Dorkthrone]

DSG-The Great Mechanical Squid

[shiNIN]

your design on Brutus are really impressive! and you took your time, so the rendering has a 3d look, the parts are well defined.
it would be great for a good complete pic, I mean with background, a definite light source and stuff, but that's another level. for now, these similarly lit parts and some darker values (for the parts behind) here and there makes a nice illustration of this very figure, good job!
you color choice is very brave, though, as usual... ;) I wonder what you'll do when you'll make a complete picture (as I write above, scene with background and stuff), thouse shiny green spots could easily make one's eyes wander if you aren't cautious :) (as in your DSG 1367 drawing: there are too many bright spots to look at. besides, the crop is too tight) I personally would use a dramatic lighting :)
but I've carried away and should just shut up for now...

[Dorkthrone]

your design on Brutus are really impressive! and you took your time, so the rendering has a 3d look, the parts are well defined.
it would be great for a good complete pic, I mean with background, a definite light source and stuff, but that's another level. for now, these similarly lit parts and some darker values (for the parts behind) here and there makes a nice illustration of this very figure, good job!
you color choice is very brave, though, as usual... ;) I wonder what you'll do when you'll make a complete picture (as I write above, scene with background and stuff), thouse shiny green spots could easily make one's eyes wander if you aren't cautious :) (as in your DSG 1367 drawing: there are too many bright spots to look at. besides, the crop is too tight) I personally would use a dramatic lighting :)
but I've carried away and should just shut up for now...

Lighting and perspective are definitely some weak points of mine. I'll be sure to try and beef them up a little in the future.

[Dorkthrone]

Remember the Energy Zombie from earlier? Well, I decided to paint him in Photoshop.

[Dorkthrone]

Tried adding a background.

[Dorkthrone]

Some studies and stuff.

Plus a still-life for my Ringling portfolio so I can try and get in in 2009.

[Dorkthrone]

Played around with the Wacom brushes in Photoshop and ended up sketching this random dude. I really liked how it turned out, so expect to see a few more of these soon.

[Dorkthrone]

Moar poses.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j188/ninjacat11/scan0009.jpg

[shiNIN]

nice dynamic pose sketches! I hope you will make shins and feet too, they're parts of the gesture so maybe it's better to include them in the studies... I have not much experience, though, I should make such studies too.

energy zombie: the body is good, I like your idea. the head could be more impressive, I think, with more similarity to a human head... maybe you should make studies about faces, too.
and the too bright background harms the figure, it deserves more, it's a good one. the contrast between the shiny green and the body is too much, they don't make a harmonic view, I see a negative space instead... darker areas, especially in the background and greenish light on the body would make it better, IMO... but it may be tough for now. anyway, you go in the right direction and you've improved A LOT from the beginning. I'm impressed.

[Dorkthrone]

nice dynamic pose sketches! I hope you will make shins and feet too, they're parts of the gesture so maybe it's better to include them in the studies... I have not much experience, though, I should make such studies too.

energy zombie: the body is good, I like your idea. the head could be more impressive, I think, with more similarity to a human head... maybe you should make studies about faces, too.
and the too bright background harms the figure, it deserves more, it's a good one. the contrast between the shiny green and the body is too much, they don't make a harmonic view, I see a negative space instead... darker areas, especially in the background and greenish light on the body would make it better, IMO... but it may be tough for now. anyway, you go in the right direction and you've improved A LOT from the beginning. I'm impressed.

The funny thing is I drew some shins and feet last night. After all, I don't want to pull a Rob Liefeld. I'll have to post it later. But I feel ya on the Energy Zombie.

[Dorkthrone]

As promised, here's some feet and arms, as well as two versions of one of my portfolio drawings and more gestures and creatures. Just a quick note: I drew the computer while using my actual one as a ref.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j188/ninjacat11/scan0016.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j188/ninjacat11/scan0015.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j188/ninjacat11/scan0014.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j188/ninjacat11/scan0013.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j188/ninjacat11/scan0012.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j188/ninjacat11/scan0011.jpg

[DreamstateIvory]

Thats some serious, intense and imaginative alien designs. Good stuff.

My only suggestion is to draw some male anatomy structures. *I see ya like the female ones :P *

But apart from that good work, keep it up.

[Dorkthrone]

DreamstateIvory: I will try to do that.

DSGs 1370 and 1371 and a creature head.

[Dorkthrone]

I'm gonna have to leave ya guys for a week or two. Vacation calls. I'll try and bring back lots of drawings.

[Dorkthrone]

A few quick updates. Terminator and horseface.

[PlasmaErnst]

ha, you have got some nice monsters here!
I enjoyed looking trough
go on ninja :)

[Dorkthrone]

Quick update. Did some sketches and portfolio work, but can't post 'em till I come back.

So I went to NY on Thursday or so. It rocked. Went to MoMA and the Met. Got Dynamic Anatomy by Hogarth. Saw Spamalot on Broadway. Way too much to type on a tiny PSP.

[Dorkthrone]

I'm finally back. I have a crapload of stuff to upload, so I'll give you a little tidbit tonight while I work on some DSGs I missed.

[Dorkthrone]

Some studies from Anatomy for the Artist.

Oh yeah, in case you can't read the writing on the second picture (which, assuming how terrible it is, you probably can't), the 2 master studies are of master studies of Raphael's Combat of Nude Men and Michelangelo's Studies for the Libyan Sibyl.

[Dorkthrone]

Decided to check out the Photoshop CS3 and Corel Painter X demos on ImagineFX. Holy crap. I definitely need to invest in the student version of Painter X. It is so awesome.

Here are 2 experiments I did with Painter/Photoshop and some other gestures and crap.

[Dorkthrone]

I saw Tom Waits live in Jacksonville two days ago. It rocked. Anyways, here is a character sketch.

[Dorkthrone]

Another creature sketch and a ninja fighting a centipede with no legs.

[Dorkthrone]

I got some new digital stuff.

1. Updated version of the fire picture I posted earlier.
2. DSG 1379.
3. A creature face.
4. Experimenting with Painter X brushes.
5. A little WIP picture I'm working on. And yes, that is indeed a cyborg dinosaur on the left.

[Dorkthrone]

I have more digitally made madness. All of these are some little doodles I made. On the last two, I tried using some new color schemes.

[Green-fire]

Hey,
I kind of skimmed through your sketchbook and I didnt really read most of the posts but
Your Pencil Work is like Amazing
and your Digital work needs some improvement, But Always improve your on paper stuff first.
And I see your figure studies are improving, keep with it.

[Lotet]

hey dude, pretty solid pencil work, i see improvement, though the digital stuff needs some work, which u already know anyways, but ur getting better at it I can see, steady progress here, keep it up.

[xinranliu]

I personally think that your sketches are too smeared. Keep your pencil sharpened and try not to overdo it.

Cheers.

[Dorkthrone]

Thanks for the comments, guys!

Liu: I think most of the smeariness of my pencil work can be attributed to me keeping my hand on part of the paper combined with overdoing it. I'll try and keep that to a minimum. For the most part, I make sure my pencils are sharp.

Green-fire: I really should upload more pencil work.

[Dorkthrone]

Started a bigger picture and toyed with that last gas mask one.

[Dorkthrone]

Just a little bit of anatomy practice.

[Oranje Joe]

>.>'

ooh man,

when i look at these i dont feel like you had any picture in your head at all when you were drawing them,

one of the most important things when drawing from your imagination is to picture your ... picture the whole time ,

and when drawing from life its the opposite, dont think about it at all

just draw what you see

cut out the middle man or you will draw symbols that dont make sense and dont make realistic art

once your have that covered i think you should back away from neon colors and look toward and earthly palate that doesnt evoke drugs and rock and roll, please, be more original

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY

put your heart into it man, you gotta work at it or nothin good will come,

the things i see here are half assed

no offense, you can pull it together everybody can

[Dorkthrone]

Oranje Joe:
Win. That is all I can really say. That, and you're right about the neon colors.

[Oranje Joe]

sorry

i felt kinda harsh

>.>

[Dorkthrone]

sorry

i felt kinda harsh

>.>
Don't worry, man.

It was a little harsh, yes, but it was brutally honest. And besides, I thought it posed some pretty good points.

Anyways, I found Elwell's post on edges and used it as a reference for this little doodle.
EDIT: I just saw the new Reference forum on the front page. Just another of the grocery list of reasons why I absolutely love this site.

[Geoth]

"Lighting and perspective are definitely some weak points of mine. I'll be sure to try and beef them up a little in the future."

I think you nailed a couple of your main weaknesses here. I really really like your pencil work. Keep up with what your doing, your on the right track.

[Dorkthrone]

"Lighting and perspective are definitely some weak points of mine. I'll be sure to try and beef them up a little in the future."

I think you nailed a couple of your main weaknesses here. I really really like your pencil work. Keep up with what your doing, your on the right track.

Thanks, man!

[the ANGRY filipino]

Hi ninjacat11!
whoah..you have quite a lot of sketches here!
my fave would have to be the energy zombie..
cool idea..a zombie full of energy!
My advice though would be to take more time on the sketches,
doing fast sketches for the sake of doing fast sketches may be fun and all, but taking a little more time on even a sketch will help you absorb/learn as you draw...
I dont mean become a super slow sketcher..maybe the correct word would be
a more "focused" sketcher.
and thanks for dropping by my SB!
I'll drop in from time to time!

[Dorkthrone]

Hi ninjacat11!
whoah..you have quite a lot of sketches here!
my fave would have to be the energy zombie..
cool idea..a zombie full of energy!
My advice though would be to take more time on the sketches,
doing fast sketches for the sake of doing fast sketches may be fun and all, but taking a little more time on even a sketch will help you absorb/learn as you draw...
I dont mean become a super slow sketcher..maybe the correct word would be
a more "focused" sketcher.
and thanks for dropping by my SB!
I'll drop in from time to time!

I'll try to work on that. Thanks for dropping by.

[KromNz]

hey NinjaCAT11, thanks for checking my sb, yours is pretty cool, you are improving a lot and working really hard i see, thats great!!


take care man

[avidsantiago]

your work is cool although it is a little rough around the edges maybe pass some eraser over the work when you are finished.

[Dorkthrone]

KromNz:
Thanks for the comment.
avidsantiago:
Thanks a lot. I guess I don't use my good ol' eraser quite as much as I should.

[Dorkthrone]

A quick little picture of a leaf I did from imagination.

I need to ref this stuff more.

[Dorkthrone]

Some new sketches. It'll be a long time before the third and sixth pictures can be called finished. Wanted to give you a peek at the stage it's at now. And yes, that gun-looking thing was drawn from ref.

Also, some little drawings using pictures from female-anatomy-for-the-artist.com as reference. It's the closest I'll be getting to a life drawing class for quite a while.

[Dorkthrone]

DSG 1363 and a sketch of a giant construction-type mech. Does anyone have an idea of how to get some textures on the third picture? Like some dirtied metal surfaces.

[drewfarr]

Hey man, welcome to the SSG :)

As a whole, I really think your pencil work has a ton of potential. Your studies and character concepts all look good, but a few things are bringing em down:

1. Tighten up those lines! Keep em clean and smooth.
2. Use mechanical pencils. If you don't have any, definitely get some, they make everything easier :)
3. Especially on your characters, use a simple stick figure to map out your pose before you start. That way you can concentrate on your design, and it'll keep them from coming out in awkward poses(eventually you wont have to do this, but till then its a real time and quality saver).


As for your digital work, this (http://itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm) tutorial is basically the best. It covers all the ideas you need to understand in a simple and entertaining way. All the specific critiques I have have already been mentioned, but I think this will really help you out(if you've read it before, its just as good the second time ;) )

Anyway, looking forward to more work!

[Dorkthrone]

Hey man, welcome to the SSG :)

As a whole, I really think your pencil work has a ton of potential. Your studies and character concepts all look good, but a few things are bringing em down:

1. Tighten up those lines! Keep em clean and smooth.
2. Use mechanical pencils. If you don't have any, definitely get some, they make everything easier :)
3. Especially on your characters, use a simple stick figure to map out your pose before you start. That way you can concentrate on your design, and it'll keep them from coming out in awkward poses(eventually you wont have to do this, but till then its a real time and quality saver).


As for your digital work, this (http://itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm) tutorial is basically the best. It covers all the ideas you need to understand in a simple and entertaining way. All the specific critiques I have have already been mentioned, but I think this will really help you out(if you've read it before, its just as good the second time ;) )

Anyway, looking forward to more work!

In actuality, I've used mechanical for quite a few of my sketches. Same with the stick figures.

And it is a shame I haven't checked out that tutorial more. I get linked to it all the time, see it once, and forget where it is. Oh well. Guess I'll haveta stop doing that.

[drewfarr]

Well then I guess you know what you're doing then :) Keep at it.

It is a good one, whenever I feel like I just cant get anything right, I check it out. Definitely bookmark worthy.

[Dorkthrone]

http://www.ubercharged.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/something_completely_different.jpg
And now for something completely different.

A collage with a nature theme I did for the Ringling application. Tried to go for a nature versus industrialization theme.

[blenditall]

Hey, welcome to the SSG. Hello, hi, etc.
Cool drawings -- looks like you've improved since the beginning of the thread. It could be the scans, but IMO you might benefit from more use of sketching lines in some situations, and then building up the value from there.
Anyway, just keep at it...

[drewfarr]

I like this collage! Its always cool to try something new, and I think its quite well done. Argh, I gotta get something done and post it.... :painting:

[moroi]

hey, hey, welcome to the SSG!

i think your pencil sketches are alot stronger than the paintings here. i like that you spend time on shading them, but i'd suggest drawing them bigger and looser. with more thought on proportions. :)

[Dorkthrone]

hey, hey, welcome to the SSG!

i think your pencil sketches are alot stronger than the paintings here. i like that you spend time on shading them, but i'd suggest drawing them bigger and looser. with more thought on proportions. :)
Good advice.

[Dorkthrone]

Hey, welcome to the SSG. Hello, hi, etc.
Cool drawings -- looks like you've improved since the beginning of the thread. It could be the scans, but IMO you might benefit from more use of sketching lines in some situations, and then building up the value from there.
Anyway, just keep at it...

Yeah, my scanner may be part of the problem.

[Ryn]

Hey there Ninjacat! :3
I assume you like critiques (hey, who doesn't!) so here goes.

If I may be presumptuous here, I get a feeling from a lot of your work that you tend to zone in on nitty gritty details quickly and maybe overlook the drawing or painting as a whole. Think in terms of big! Do gestures and thumbnails to layout pencil drawings. When you're doing a digipaint, do an abstract first - nail the big shapes, and divide them into dark darks and bright highlights RIGHT AWAY! Don't muck around with your colour choices, punch em in as soon as possible. Speed paint then whittle it down into a more finished product.
Use big brushes over small, because you can render the most gorgeous, intricate thing, but if the overall form doesn't read, nothing can compensate for that.
Great that you're doing studies, just keep them up! And remember, the more something frustrates you and kills you with challenge, it just means it'll make you that much of a better artist.
There's a tutorial I'm thinking of that would probably benefit you a bit, but I can't recall where on the internet it is. I'm going to poke around for it and message you if I find it.
Keep on trucking, and work hard because nothing good comes easily!

[jedininjaman]

Work lots work lies ahead but you can do it if you want it, you have neat design but need to learn to slow down, and fix anatomy
-jedi
you can do it just focus

[Dorkthrone]

Ryn--Thanks. I'm going to definitely keep those crits in mind. Also, if you could find that tutorial, that would be so awesome.

jedininjaman--Thanks. I do really need to bust out the anatomy books again, now that I think about it.

Decided to give my WIP mullet man a horrible outfit to match his horrible hairstyle.

Also, I did some little sketches and studies.

[drewfarr]

On the larger character design(ha, mullet man), I still feel like the overall piece is getting cluttered by the shading. It looks like you may be going for that 'dirty sketch' look, but while the shading itself isn't actually bad, it doesn't look so good on a pencil sketch.

Can we see a couple (large-ish)sketches with no shading on them? Ha, but anyway, I really like the pose studies on the right, specifically of the woman holding the gun. Strong anatomy and poses, maybe challenge yourself with some more difficult foreshortening to really take it to the next level. I'm definitely seeing your progress all around :)

[Dorkthrone]

On the larger character design(ha, mullet man), I still feel like the overall piece is getting cluttered by the shading. It looks like you may be going for that 'dirty sketch' look, but while the shading itself isn't actually bad, it doesn't look so good on a pencil sketch.

Can we see a couple (large-ish)sketches with no shading on them? Ha, but anyway, I really like the pose studies on the right, specifically of the woman holding the gun. Strong anatomy and poses, maybe challenge yourself with some more difficult foreshortening to really take it to the next level. I'm definitely seeing your progress all around :)

I'll try and work on not using shading. It'll be hard, but who said art was ever going to be easy?

And I do need to try some foreshortening. I am particularly weak in that area right now.

[Dorkthrone]

Still working on some stuff. 'Till then, I hope some more of these brainfarts of mine do service.

I've got a brew of things in here. Giant slugs, Hogarth studies, anatomy studies, thumbnails....

[blenditall]

Looking interesting. I've already said this, I know, but it really comes to mind that your sketching lines are too dark... if you were to keep them lighter the more important lines would stand out and better define the forms.

[drewfarr]

Looking good on the muscle studies, keep em coming!

[Dorkthrone]

drewfarr-Thanks.
blenditall-I definitely have to work on that.

[moroi]

nice bugs, they have a good loose sketch work. oh man, i need to go back to Hogarth studies myself. :lifedrawing:

[Dorkthrone]

Enjoy OpenCanvas dragon!

Yes, I know the fire suxxors. So do the teeth. And I'm definitely not finished with this doodle.

[drewfarr]

Nice pencil studies, the woman on the top is one of your best so far!

Haha, great use of open canvas. Maybe our ssg should try a group sketch sometime....

I can tell you've got good of ideas for digital painting, and your shading is done quite well actually, but your forms are really round... so my impressions is that of a children's book, you know? Try filling a whole page with your base tone, and then use the eraser to cut out your silhouette. Or use the eraser to harden the shape a bit after you sketch it out. With any straight photoshop(or painter, or OC especially) brush, its tough to get nice hard edges without going very small.

But anyway, cant wait for the updates!

[Dorkthrone]

While I'm at it, I might as well post the update to the Titan. Also, another little doodle in OpenCanvas.

[drewfarr]

I really like the pregnant women study, but the mosh pit of lines to the right of it ruin what could've been a great study! Be careful with that.

Nice digital Paints :)

[moroi]

hey, i'd be careful about making the lines cleaner on the titan. its an industrial object with lots of sharp corners, you know? :)

[amazed]

Your human figures have a nice air of flexibilty about them, all I can really say is keep on practing from real life and such.

[Dorkthrone]

amazed: I will try to continue doing more of that.
moroi: thanks for the advice.
drewfarr: Mosh pit of lines. That's an awesome critique.

[the ANGRY filipino]

nice to see that you are updating.
just keep those sketches comin man!

[Dorkthrone]

filipino: Thanks. I definitely will.

Speaking of which, here is my "tribute" to Rob Liefeld. For any of you who don't know who Liefeld is, he is the Michael Bay of comic books and art. I think I got most of his typical trademarks here:
The ridiculous weapons that don't even make any sense, the ripped men, the anatomy fail, the pouches, the obligatory cybernetic arms, the avoiding of drawing legs....

[drewfarr]

Haha, I like this one! The gun and post looks great, the only thing that looks off is the claw thing on the left hand, the foreshortening looks a little odd.

[Dorkthrone]

Haha, I like this one! The gun and post looks great, the only thing that looks off is the claw thing on the left hand, the foreshortening looks a little odd.

I could hide behind the "It's Rob Liefeld" defense, but you're right. The foreshortening isn't that great.

Either way, that one was really fun to draw.

Also, a new doodle. Focused on portraying electricity here.

[Dorkthrone]

Some brainfarts and studies.

[blenditall]

Indeed the pregnant woman study is good, though I would like to see you build up the lines more gradually. (Are you scanning your images by the way? The quality looks a little strange to me.)

[Dorkthrone]

Indeed the pregnant woman study is good, though I would like to see you build up the lines more gradually. (Are you scanning your images by the way? The quality looks a little strange to me.)
I'll try to do that sometime. And actually, I am scanning them. Unfortunately, my scanner really, really sucks.

[Dorkthrone]

A remake of this (http://ninjacat11.deviantart.com/art/Missing-Links-uhh-72738379) concept, only I left out some of the weirder stuff. Like the stretchy killer dude nipples.

[blenditall]

Once again -- and I don't mean to harp on this point -- that last drawing is pretty well done, a good refinement of your first concept, but it's kind of hard to understand visually. To clarify, the lines are pretty much in the right places... but I think there are just too many dark ones. I would be interested to see a time lapse of one of your drawings - I think you're maybe just launching into the dark lines a little quickly.
Here's a perfect example of what to do:
http://conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1042760&postcount=216
Notice how the first one uses very light and approximate lines, and then he darkens and refines it in the second image.

Well, that's all I can say for now. Hope you try this out, because I think it would be a huge step up in your drawing.

[drewfarr]

While I agree with Blenditall on the line work, Id like to say the execution here is otherwise fantastic :) I really like the overall design of the creature/character, and I feel like this is some of your strongest shading yet.

Ahem, though I just noticed, it seems you've been banned? :( That's really too bad.

[Dorkthrone]

While I agree with Blenditall on the line work, Id like to say the execution here is otherwise fantastic :) I really like the overall design of the creature/character, and I feel like this is some of your strongest shading yet.

Ahem, though I just noticed, it seems you've been banned? :( That's really too bad.

Actually, I'm back from my bannination. It was only for 3 days. I guess I'll have to be more careful about spoiler warnings in the future.

Anyways, got some drawings done during said bannination. I'll post the pencil sketches later. For now, enjoy my adventures in Painter!

[Dorkthrone]

Once again -- and I don't mean to harp on this point -- that last drawing is pretty well done, a good refinement of your first concept, but it's kind of hard to understand visually. To clarify, the lines are pretty much in the right places... but I think there are just too many dark ones. I would be interested to see a time lapse of one of your drawings - I think you're maybe just launching into the dark lines a little quickly.
Here's a perfect example of what to do:
http://conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1042760&postcount=216
Notice how the first one uses very light and approximate lines, and then he darkens and refines it in the second image.

Well, that's all I can say for now. Hope you try this out, because I think it would be a huge step up in your drawing.
I can't get the timelapse, but I can definitely try to follow the rest of your advice.

[Dorkthrone]

Grayscale version of the Obese Alien Mutant. And another alien profile.

[Dorkthrone]

Started painting the obese mutant alien creature.

[moroi]

hey there, interesting tentacles. tentacles are always fun. but the entire black bg makes it look so harsh, i'd try it next time on just a dark grey.

[Dorkthrone]

Actually, moroi, I made a whole different layer just for the background, so I was able to follow your advice and make it dark grey.

Aside from some texturing, I think I'm about done with this bad boy. Here's the final version.

[Dorkthrone]

Obligatory Joker fanart from The Dark Knight. Really an awesome movie.

[Dorkthrone]

WIP painting of Wall-E.

[Dorkthrone]

Finished my speed painting of Wall-E.

[Dorkthrone]

A preview at my first full-blown pencil drawing in a month or so and Alien profile no. 3.

[Dorkthrone]

Update on the sketch.

[moroi]

haha my first impression on the robot was that he was attacking a gas machine. ;) that aside, kudos for you on all the details on him!

[Dorkthrone]

moroi: Thanks for the comment.

Updated it even more.

[Dorkthrone]

Update on my drawing and some stuff I haven't shown you yet.

[moroi]

hey, i think you jumped the gun when you started rendering the girl, her head is too big in proportion! but the second one is looking way better on the proportions. looks like your lines are loosening up too, which is good.

[Dorkthrone]

hey, i think you jumped the gun when you started rendering the girl, her head is too big in proportion! but the second one is looking way better on the proportions. looks like your lines are loosening up too, which is good.
Yeah, I did kinda nuke the fridge with the proportions. I'll have to keep a closer eye on that next time.