Sketchbook (What am I doing wrong?)

[Shadow Stalker]

Introduction:
Hello. My name is Ruben. I am 20 years old. I am currently living in New Orleans, Louisiana. I have been drawing for most of my life, but until recently I wasn't very serious about it. I've been studying different artists and trying to develop my portfolio so I can one day work as a full-time conceptual artist.

Goal(s):
My goals are to study the fundementals of art (anatomy, color theory, lighting theory, etc...), to one day become a conceptual artist and freelance illustrator.

Seeking a Mentor
I'm looking for a mentor to help me with lighting theory and how it works with shading. If you're interested just leave a comment on this thread please. Thank-you.

Top Five Favorite Artists:
1.) Marko Djurdjevic
2.) Justin Sweet
3.) Alan Lee
4.) Todd Lockwood
5.) Donato Giancola

Sketchbook:
My sketchbook contains character concepts or commissions for RPG characters that I've drawn over the past years.

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[KonnA]

hey, dude well all I can say is just study anatomy and make sure your build of characters is perfect before applying the character..

(you need a canvas before you can paint)

I like your first image best.

[Shadow Stalker]

Just conner - Thanks man, I appreciate the comment. You're right about that. These drawings were drawn before I really started studying, though.

Update:
Just a quick little update of an older drawing.

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[Rocul]

You've got nice stuff! And I know I'm just repeating what Just conner says, but anatomy work is needed on your stuff. You're characters appear too stiff (except for the last one and the first one IMO)

[Shadow Stalker]

Update:
I've always been interested in zombie/undead hunters ever since I played Hunter: The Reckoning at a young age. Here is a really quick, sketchy character design.

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[Shadow Stalker]

Update:
Here's my first attempt at a Degenesis RPG character. I'm going to revisit this one soon to give him more detail and finish up the gun.

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[ASVogel]

I think you're heading in the right direction with that top piece in your last update. Keep up the anatomy work and break things up with moving poses.

[Shadow Stalker]

Yeah man, that's something that I realized recently. The importance of movement.

[Shadow Stalker]

Edit: Double post.

[Shadow Stalker]

Update:
A very old sketch...

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[Shadow Stalker]

Update:
A quick sketch of an RPG character.

Elven Rogue

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[Shadow Stalker]

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[Dan Valkar]

i like the degenesis one...nice pose and rendering...maybe it needs darker values but its a fine one...keep it up!

[Shadow Stalker]

Yeah I agree... also, I don't have the best scanner...

[Shadow Stalker]

Question:
What am I doing wrong? Just from looking at my drawings, what does it seem like I need work on? I'm kinda stuck right now...

[ceriously]

I really like those latest two sketches, particuarly that of the fawn; although, it does strike me as odd that his nose is seemingly a perfect vertical (perhaps this was intentional?). Anyhow, as for your query over what you're doing 'wrong', I don't think anything really stands out for me. That said, though, I do think you ought to start posting your studies here alongside these designs. It seems sort of difficult to suggest something when you may well already be carrying out the practice.

Are you doing any life drawing or gesture work? Although, admittedly, my recommendation means little, I do think these are rather helpful and the latter particuarly so for the 'movement' you prior mentioned. This site (http://www.posemaniacs.com/pose/thirtysecond.html) is pretty handy for that.

[clanlord]

Hehe... good start for SB! You don't need more darker colours, your art is fine but the arms of some drawings are a little bit small, try to express the most of yourself and make them alive! KEEP UP!

[clanlord]

Ah almost forgot, stick more on anatomy studies, make art in most of your free time, experience avery kind of art... wish you luck my friend!

[Shadow Stalker]

Thanks I appreciate it. I just feel like I'm doing something wrong with my lines, I just can't put my finger on it.

Yeah, and I meant for his nose to be kind of flat to his face.

[Shadow Stalker]

Update
Hello again. I haven't had an update in a while... I've been really busy with my music project (http://www.myspace.com/stratusproject) but I had this picture lying around and decided to throw it up here. It's of some sort of demon/human in my brother's sci-fi book.

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[nim]

thanks for your comment!
there's certainly an interest in expressive detail here! keep working with that! it's a good compass in the stumbling-in-darkness that is the process of arts :)
for understanding things like folds, creases, hair etc, think as refactoring as possible. what in your strokes and shading denotes shape and what denotes lighting? which material folds are due to gravity and which are due to the fit? force your attention to follow edges and folds around the outline of your character.
keep nudging those features towards improving directions, it's a little by little excavation game!