Help in line definition

[Jie Kageshinzo]

Hello all. I've been trying to refine my artwork for some time now. I'm slowly learning with the coloring, but there's a problem which I haven't really remedied and that is line definition. I'll put up two examples--an old one, and my latest work.

The first is a work I did earlier this year. The second is something I did last night. Please disregard any anatomical inconsistencies or mistakes; I will address them some other time. I'm more concerned about the lines, or the lack thereof. It's like there is no definite delineation in them, and as such my works seem to be too hazy or unstructured, especially the first one. As for the second, I have put in lines but they're not smooth--certainly unlike the works I've seen of others.

I used to include my linearts in my works before, but I've gone away from that and have resolved to paint the works without the linearts and just use colors to establish line weight or distinction. Problem is I can't seem to do that. I would really appreciate it if someone can show me how, or give me tips to make my work much more robust and coherent.

Thanks. :yayca:

[Jasonwclark]

I'm not a huge fan of the genre, but I can already see some improvements over the earlier painting.

I think troubling too much over the linework might be a step backwards for you at this point. Instead of abandoning your project to figure out how to get the job done without lines, perhaps you should just start trying to work with other subjects. Like instead of practicing with humanoid figures, you might try working with simple envirnments or objects at first, and save the more complicated subjects for later. It might also be easier for you to establish a mid range first, and then build your values from there. So instead of working on a solid white background say, you might start with something 50% grey, and then push out in either direction. I'm not sure though, you might get better advice from someone more adept at painting.

Best of luck, and keep with it :)

[Jie Kageshinzo]

Thanks! Actually, that's how I work now--I don't work on a white canvas anymore; I use 50% gray. It's one of the things I learned ever since coming here to CA. :D

I'll take your advice about drawing environments and non-humanoids into consideration. Maybe that's what I need. Perhaps it'll help me resolve the looseness structure of my arts. Thanks!