The "Can I have another fiver?" sketchbook

[PxelSlayer]

You know the drill - Last page = sparklies.

EDIT - New thumbnail image, made by http://toukijin.deviantart.com/
A perfect fit indeed...

[Feil Magnus]

Well, according to what you said is your objective, the only thing i can say is "draw", draw everyday , everything you see, train your eyes to see through material things, how things work and make a lot of studies from reference (they will stack up in your knoledge of art), go to museum and do not forget any aspect of what can be called art that way your drawing skill and creativity shall improve.
(those are not advises from the pretending artist i am but from masters)

[PxelSlayer]

Wheeee, a first reply! :rocker:
Thanks, Feil Magnus! That is an excellent advice, and I am going to shift my whole perspective and follow it. Till now I was convinced that everything I did HAD TO BE pretty and stylish, even my quick sketches and other pieces. What I forgot is that it dosen`t matter if it`s pretty or not - every piece I make is going to teach me something, regardless of how "ugly" it might turn out. Until now I only did things I was somewhat sure of, and kinda knew how to draw, but now it`s time to grow out of the boundaries I set around me. I guess the term "trial and error" really does mean both trial AND error, and I have to stop being afraid of both of them. Right?

So, 3 more days till I get my scanner. Here are some older pictures of mine a friend scanned for me. She did the best she could, but the pictures turned out a bit...streched? Cut off? Oh well...Both of them are about 4 years old, and not so bad, actually...Proportions, you say? Yeah, always was an issue for me...sigh...Still, I could never draw something like that again. Seems my skills went down the hill since then. But I`ll get them back. And upgrade! :muscle:

[PxelSlayer]

Insomnia....:dead:.... Caffeine is NOT a good way to treat it, trust me...But, while attempting to make the best out of it, I did a little digital piece that has WIP written all over it..Inspired by an awesome print I saw at dArt, but I only looked at it once for a short moment! I swear! Having problems with the nose and hands again...go figure...I`m planning to make 2 more once this one is done, print them out and hang them on my tall, purple walls, legacy of my sister (the color, not the height of them). Come to think of it, a paint job is due. Anyone wanna give me a hand? :asspat:

:EDIT:
Forgot to post my photoshop object study. I noticed people usually do apples and other fruit, but since I`m not much of a living-a-healthy-life kind of person, I sketched the first thing I saw. My coffee mug. Addicted much lately? ;)

[PxelSlayer]

Another day, another nervous breakdown. Especially since I`m running low on smokes...:ilaekae:

Comment, people. If I can make the effort of making an absolute idiot of myself posting here, I believe you can make the effort of proofing that. Right? ;)

[PxelSlayer]

I just knew this day would suck, from the very moment I woke up. I barely slept, kept dreaming about drawing and making sketches (!), and now I`m drop-dead-tired...I didn`t go to classes (playing hookie again, aren`t we?), didn`t pick up my scanner, TRIED to make some drawings but nothing turned out right...Now I know why they say God created man in his own image - to make it hard to draw! Sigh...

A little photoshop pose this time, w/o references...need to swallow my pride and accept the fact that I can`t do without them ATM...I`m such an idiot...

As mentioned, CC is always welcome. I had no idea you people were that shy! Or just not interested in my work and sad attempts of making an image that actually looks good...

Bitch away, Pxel, bitch away...

[PxelSlayer]

The day came...my scanner is here...O_o....and now I feel trigger-happy! Ye-haaaaaw! I scanned some of my sketches I made for my fashion design class, along with a sketch...these are following -

1.) The Black queen - a character from Croatian mythology
2.) Fashion Fantasia - a dress I designed using black/white/color of choice for my class
3.) Pagan poetry - a quick doodle I made while waiting for the professor...

Looking at them now, I see they are...well, OK i guess, but they are missing that certain edge, that "oomph"...hard to explain...and so static! My god, as if they have a stick up their ... you know ;)

The scanner is here, I have all the time I need now...Anatomy, Pxel, ANATOMY! What are you waiting for?!

Oh, and a little word of advice - if you ever wish to learn how to draw a normal looking humany body, do not, I repeat, DO NOT study fashion design! They`ll make you draw figures that have legs up to their necks! :donk:

[PxelSlayer]

"There you go again, if they don`t have long legs, they have long tails!" - a comment my friend gave on the recent doodle of mine. Talk about professional deformation! :wtf:

My Loomis is STILL waiting for me. I can almost hear him in the back of my head saying "Cervical vertibrae, cervical vertibrae, biceps & triceps combined!"...Should I go and see a doctor?

[PxelSlayer]

A little shading/lightning study I did while getting over the shock that I suck at digital painting...enjoyed this one, actually :yum:

[PxelSlayer]

Quickie made while driving back home in a train...messy!

[RandAlThor]

Not a bad start actually. Drawing is like learning any other new skill it takes time and practice. I find that when i need to learn something new i follow a logical approach, first i think you need to clearly define your goals and aims. Secondly, you need to read around the subject and find out what inspires YOU from the existing subject matter. Third, its important to learn the terminology of your chosen subject, it helps with understanding when someone explains an issue your having and you can 'talk the talk'.. Fourth, Learn by example, find examples of good reference materials and try to analyze and recreate those examples. Fifth, You then need to attempt your own examples from the 'tit-bits' of information you have gleamed from those before you...

So, in summary i think you've already made the first few steps by joining a site like this and exposing your current skill level. From here on in, its just a matter of being critical of each new piece and develop it until it meets with what ever goal you had for that example. If your goal is to draw the human figure clothed (the fashion thing) then start by analyzing the underlying structure of both human and fabric. then when you have completed a drawing try and spot what you do and dont like about it, then in your next image address the downfalls and research the areas you think you need to make it better.

Hope it makes a little sense. keep posting dude ;-)

[PxelSlayer]

Thank you for the reply! I really didn`t think anyone would bother with little ol` me :geekg:

Your advices made me really re-think on what I want to master...Inspired by many things, I roam from one to another, w/o really focusing on basics. I love digital paintings, like those by Linda Bergqvist (sp?), but I`m also fascinated with the work of Marko Djurdjevic, and many other artists who each have their own, individual style. Everything would be much easier if I wasn`t afraid of picking up all these books I got about drawing and anatomy, and start from scratch. Also, lately I`ve been feeling like there is actually MORE than just fashion design, but I could never be a concept or a comic artist. Let`s face it - I live in a small country, I`m already too old, and my skills are...ugh, there`s no way of putting in nicely...you know.

I really need to sort these things out. Man, if I only knew that at the age of 24 everyone expects me to know what to do with my life! :wtf:

In the mean time, I draw...probably the only thing (besides caffeine/nicotine) that makes me feel good...

[pencil1]

Randalathor said it :)

Make yourself a plan, and some goals. Dont make that plan too strict. And go ahead until you reached your goal, than set new goals :).

But most important: Keep drawing... whenever you can, and feel like. Always carry a sketchbook around with you, and draw everything you see, and everything you like :). Dont worry about the quality of those quick doodles.

And dont tell me your too old!. I'm 20 and i really do think i'm much too old myself already... But the truth is, you can never be too old to learn something new.

Keep drawing and updating! :)

[PxelSlayer]

Keep drawing and updating! :)

:mod: !

[PxelSlayer]

More...

[PxelSlayer]

And then some more....

[PxelSlayer]

*sigh...*

[Mebiusu]

Welcome to the CA, it is good to have you here. :]
I want you to take a good, calm moment to set aside your ideas about limitations and enjoy the fact that not only have you decided what you want to do with your life, {no mean feat} but you have also landed in the right place. We learn from each other and grow toward our artistic goals here. I want you to put the Hogarth book back on the shelf for now please. You will see why later. I promise. I assume you are delving into the Loomis "figure drawing" book? If so you are reading his instruction books way out of order. I think it would be wise to check this book out first, here it is for free-
http://www.scribd.com/doc/10343/Andrew-Loomis-Fun-With-Pencil
Do not let anything keep you from studying and understanding this book. Even yourself. If you keep your hands busy learning and drawing, you will have precious little time to play with percieved "limitations". They only exist if you believe in them.
To study drawing, does not mean copying the drawings, it means to understand and to practice the procedures and methods described in the book.
I am only certain of a few things and of those things I am absolutely certain. Here is one of them, no one in modern times has offered art instruction equal to Loomis. I will check back with you.

[PxelSlayer]

@ ED - Wooot! Man, getting an advice/comment from an artist like you is...well, WOOOT! :rocker:

Thank you for the link, I already have that book (actually, I have all Loomis books), and it is IMO his best one for starters like me. However, I didn`t study anything from books, including Hogarth, all these drawings were made w/o references. I`m trying the "trial and error" method, where I sit in front of a paper and draw something until it looks right. Takes A LOT of time and nerves, so I definitely think having a better look at this book wouldn`t hurt. Again, thanks ( ;) ), I really do hope you`ll have another look here, and I hope I`ll have something more "representative" to show :teeth:


2 moaaaaaaarrrr! I really need to stop drawing chicks...

[Dahami]

Great line work and a good sense of fashion model style feminine beauty. It will be interesting to see if you can do a stouter, less elongated version of the female form.

[Venial]

"Well, I guess the moment had to come. You know, the breaking point - I`ll start from nothing or I`ll give up once and for all. I chose the first option. Now we`ll see if that was a good idea..." EPIC Statement!!!!

I totally understand the whole taking an about turn to do something new. I have done the same going from music to art. 14 years in music gone. Then I found art. Strange as it is, it must be something to do with the mid 20s.

As you mentioned fashion design I can now see why your female figure is tall, slender and leggy. Not a bad thing necessarily.

Great to see you on CA :) Keep up the good work. -subscribed-

[Collywobbles]

However, I didn`t study anything from books, including Hogarth, all these drawings were made w/o references. I`m trying the "trial and error" method, where I sit in front of a paper and draw something until it looks right. Takes A LOT of time and nerves, so I definitely think having a better look at this book wouldn`t hurt.

Please stop doing it that way. You have a good imagination, but I would like to see some studies. You should start reading the books immediately, you can't learn anatomy, composition, perspective or any other art related concept without the basic rules and information. The fundamentals are missing, and there is no reason not to learn these concepts as soon as possible to avoid bad habits like elongated limbs or wonky proportions. You should use references, you should study as much or more than you doodle, otherwise you will stagnate.

You already know that your drawings aren't precious, so do more. But not just more of the wrong thing, that is pointless. Read and draw every page from Loomis, Bridgeman, Villpu. All the time spent trying to find the right line or stressing over imperfections is time that could be spent studying to avoid those problems in the future. You cannot draw well out of your head if you don't know the fundamentals. "Why do I draw from life? So I won't have to."

Art is science multiplied by creativity. Color theory, anatomy, perspective, these are all just concepts based on how our eyes and brain view the world. Your knowledge plus your skill and dexterity skewed by your creativity are what define you as an artist. That is the difference between a professional and an amateur. The amateur just hasn't learned or accepted the fundamentals yet. It's really just knowledge and experience, the information is readily available and you determine how much time you want to spend. Anybody can do it, there is no such thing as talent. Skill. Creativity. Knowledge. Draw more. It's all up to you. Do it.

[PxelSlayer]

@ Dahami - that`s the goal! Despite the fact my professors want me to draw long, leggy figures...And then one wants to learn proper anatomy...sheesh!

@Venial - I heard about the mid-life crisis, but a mid-twenties one?! Man, if that`s true, we`re doomed...I just got out of puberty! LOL
:$ Sunscribed?! :asspat:

@Collywobbles - bitch slapped by a pro...I needed that! I really want my skills to grow. I don`t have much going on in my life, in fact I never did, so drawing is something that keeps me preoccupied and somehow gives me a feeling of...meaning, I guess. I thought my life would be about writing (hence the journalism study), but that turned out to be a failure of grand proportions...I hope the same won`t happen again. Fashion design...yea, I guess...Here you have to be filthy rich to start your own business, and I don`t know if I have what it really takes. As for art - means a lot to me, but it will probably stay a hobby, and nothing else. I`ll never earn money with it. Gaming industry - yea, right! Comic artist - no, thanks. What ever one could think of doing for a living (art related) has 50 reasons why it would fail. So I pick up my pencils b/c of me. In this little world of mine everything else dosen`t matter. And I like how that feels.

Focus, Pxel, FOCUS!
More sketch/draw something... This one SO SHOWS I need to pick up my Loomis!

[PxelSlayer]

OMG, where are the legs???!!! :donk:

[Collywobbles]

@Collywobbles - bitch slapped by a pro...I needed that! I really want my skills to grow. I don`t have much going on in my life, in fact I never did, so drawing is something that keeps me preoccupied and somehow gives me a feeling of...meaning, I guess.
So I pick up my pencils b/c of me. In this little world of mine everything else dosen`t matter. And I like how that feels.


Oh man, I don't know anything. In fact that's all I do know. I didn't want to sound so militant, I just developed a lot of bad habits years ago that could have been addressed earlier. You don't have to want a career in art, just incorporate some studies here and there to make drawing from your imagination easier and more readable. Either way, your stuff looks good, do whatever is working for you.
If it's good to ya, it's good for ya.

[PxelSlayer]

Oh man, I don't know anything. In fact that's all I do know. I didn't want to sound so militant, I just developed a lot of bad habits years ago that could have been addressed earlier. You don't have to want a career in art, just incorporate some studies here and there to make drawing from your imagination easier and more readable. Either way, your stuff looks good, do whatever is working for you.
If it's good to ya, it's good for ya.

Just to set things straight - My dad was in special forces...Nothing that ANYONE says to me sounds militant anymore... LMAO...I understand the importance of studies, I KNOW they are going to help me get better, b/c let`s face it - knowledge of anatomy is NOT something that comes natural. I guess some of the reasons why I constantly post pond this vital part of "skill-enhancement" is b/c I`m lazy, and I`ve had bad experiences with this at my classes (i.e. my professor was/is and a**hole and has killed every urge in me to sit down and get busy).

Failed Photoshop experiments...good thing I`m a mad "artist" and not a mad scientist /m\

[PxelSlayer]

shading...

[PxelSlayer]

My first figure studies (yes, you read it right, using a reference) - Proportions by Loomis and some comic...so didn`t enjoy this one :davi:
The first one is shading w/o reference, a couple days old...barf...

[PxelSlayer]

Another study, using Boticellis Venus as a model for a fashion sketch..

[PxelSlayer]

Testing, testing...

[PxelSlayer]

Last one for tonights :spam: spree of mine

[PxelSlayer]

Veronica Lake - value study

[Jorge Gecov]

The last one is very cool! Do more studies like this.

cheers,

[Artangela]

Hey PxelSlayer! Thanks so much for dropping by my thread :) I like what you're doing here! The last value study is a great start, very beautiful. And I really liked the line drawing girl from the first post and your dark mermaid and cloaked girl. Keep practicing!

[PxelSlayer]

WIP...blah:davi:

[PxelSlayer]

Seriously, when does the skill improvement kick in?

[PxelSlayer]

........

[jhofferle]

Your sketches have a great feeling of movement to them.

[PxelSlayer]

That`s such a nice thing to say....though we both know it`s not true ;)

Random junk...this could be considered :spam: , but there`s an actual hand study in there, so...yea....

Now, if there could only be someone who would take 2 minutes of their time to point out at the biggest flaws I`m making (I said biggest, not all ;) ), and maybe give me a pad on the shoulder or something. My moral is waaaaaay down ATM...

[PxelSlayer]

....Done with drawing chicks....

[Strela]

Your sketches were great before, they're going to look even better now. Anatomy is a technical subject and if you don't understand it it's difficult to progress past a certain level. You might as well try to build a car without reading books on how engines work-- the surface curves aren't enough.

I need to practice my figure drawing, it's the thing I'm worst at.

[PxelSlayer]

Thank you, Strela! :geekg:

I finally decided to make another study, but this time the major factor was to HAVE FUN, and so I`ve decided to...ummm...copy? a part of a cover for the "Witchblade" comic, made by Stjepan Sejic (actally, Šejić ;) ), whose style I absolutely adore - period! Now, this is just a study, I will create my own style with time, though this one was actually quite interesting...I definitely learned a thing or two concerning shapes of facial features. And, I turned his Danielle into Phoenix...just to keep a feeling of (ahem) originality...:evilmustache:

[Sean McClain]

That`s such a nice thing to say....though we both know it`s not true ;)

Random junk...this could be considered :spam: , but there`s an actual hand study in there, so...yea....

Now, if there could only be someone who would take 2 minutes of their time to point out at the biggest flaws I`m making (I said biggest, not all ;) ), and maybe give me a pad on the shoulder or something. My moral is waaaaaay down ATM...

wow the Geisha on the first page...do more like that I really like the stronge black lines with the splash of red, if you did all your stuff like that it would be awesome, do a catwoman like that man, ...to point out some critiques...well on the last two posts, I think you need to do something I have been telling myself to do lately and that's polish it up more, don't be content with good enough guys on this site are just nutso good, The portrait on post 32 photoshop I pressume, I use painter these days, thats really good, b/w
is the way to go, I think some master copies of other artists work would help you too. well anyways, Keep on keepn on.:)

[PxelSlayer]

Thank you Darknight, I needed that...both the pat and a suggestion ;)

Another study...Can`t wait to write all those papers I have to, and devote more time to studying anatomy...:lifedrawing:

Original image (http://vishstudio.deviantart.com/art/What-Dreams-May-Come-119926001)

[PxelSlayer]

Fooling around with a tutorial I discovered (about blending and smudging). No refs. Go figure...Still a WIP. I don`t know about you guys, but my brain is melting at 30 degrees Celsius here in Zagreb...whew!

[PxelSlayer]

All play, no work...:tihi:

[Farelle]

you are saying you are waiting for the skill improvement shock moment?


im wondering^^ cause i already see some changes^^

your legs starting to be shorter, the upper body is thicker and the faces are less perfect more natural like^^


dont look only at the things you draw (even if its a picture in your head)

start to look over your drawings too ;) it helps me sometimes to just look back and see what I'Ve done before and HOW i'Ve done before...

its like writing a book^^ sometimes you just have to look back or start it over again from another point of view, when you notice it isnt going further ;)

often you'll notice something that feels good for you, which you maybe havent done in the last three pages^^


ah and btw. try and error study is just working if you folow these steps:

-try or draw an image from your mind

-then go over it until it feels fine

-then find some references (even if splitted up) and draw over your image or make a new one like yours and paint it with these references

that way you learn what you are making different, and whats the things that different

[Sean McClain]

Farrelle pretty much said it, I am just going to second that:) and ad keep on stormin man!

[PxelSlayer]

Thanks guys! :hugsmile:

Ice Queen, more WIP. Any CC on anatomy, lightning, proportions/whatever is highly appreciated. I`m planning to finish this one for my fashion design class, and once it`s done, have it printed an hang on a wall. Just to remind me how much work there is in front of me.

[Sean McClain]

Catwomans up man:) I was checking out your new sb. Fashions cool, I really love the watercolor fashion design,...you know painter is suppose to be able to do watercolor, I would be curious to see how that would work for you.

[PxelSlayer]

Talking about Catwoman...:yum:

And really, I mean, from a designers POW - hands? 5 fingers? I mean, c`mon, WHAT was evolution thinking about? Sheesh...

[PxelSlayer]

Practice, practice...I have to get better...

[PxelSlayer]

.....

[PxelSlayer]

.....

[PxelSlayer]

*yawn*.....

[Steffler]

your last two posts are a nice step up. keep going.

[Meralynn]

Your sketches have some really nice movement and motion to them. In the digital pieces, however, most of them feel unfinished. I believe it's the soft brushes you're using. It would be nice to see more crisp edges, or points of higher opacity. A lot of things feel transparent (especially, for instance, the cloak in the raining image), and I think they could stand to have brushstrokes with a higher opacity.

[PxelSlayer]

@ Steffler - Thanks, mate! I`ve been working really hard on my "skills", up to several hours a day, in hope I would improve. Still have a very long way to go, though...

@Meralynn - Agreed. I feel much more comfortable drawing with pencils and feeling the paper under my fingers. My digitals are made with a very crappy and old Genius Wizard pen, and after 5 years it`s tip is completely worn out. Shouldn`t have used it for any other purposes but drawing, I know, I know...Also, I`ve been using a blender brush (smudge tool with pen pressure and scattering) by another artist, and it really works for him. However, I`m on a level where that kind of tools is surely NOT the best solution :davi:


Some more. Repainted Alice (still looks like crap), some enviro thumbnails (b/c I thought it would be fun to try something I`ve never done before w/o references O_o ), a devil dude with horrible values, and some pencil sketches made for fun. I used a reference for that orc guy, but there`s no use in building ahouse if you don`t know the foundations...

Back to the slave mines it is...

[illustrateth]

edit: btw I hope this isn't too many suggestions... I agree you've got some great stuff here :)

Hi, thanks for commenting on my new sketchbook. :)

It does really look like you're making progress. Some of the hair looks great (and other stuff too!). I think if you got the same movement and flow that's in the hair drawing under your "practice, practice," post, into your figures you might be happier with them.

The "breath of life" is tough but so important. . I am really struggling with this right now.

Maybe here are some things to try?

Draw a vertical arc curving to the left, then another vertical arc curving to the right to the right of that one. Start the top of the right arc halfway down the left arc, so you have two opposing, but offset curves. . then try drawing a figure in between them. (I don't know if this will work, but it might help the figures "bend" more.)

For the long legs, find a catalog (like Victorias Secret or something) with people modelling. Then, take a sharpie marker, draw a circle around the head, then keep drawing the same size circle all the way down the picture. See if you can space it out so the people are seven heads high. . . or maybe they'll be 8 if they're extra tall. Also, I think shoulder to elbow may be one head and so on. . . . Then repeat over the whole catalog. .

Also, I wonder if you used more construction and blocked the figures out first with straight lines, they might look more solid.


Last thing. . the breasts on almost all but the running wolverine woman seem a bit odd to me, almost as if they were "stuck on" after the fact. Real breasts are soft and curve around a hard rib cage. They also tend to be more connected to the side of the chest, near the underarm, not just connected to the front. So. .crazy suggestion. . .maybe fill a water ballon up, but not all the way, and see how it would drape over your chest. ( I'm guessing you're a guy. . if I'm wrong. . apologies!)

Hope that helps!

[p sage]

Hi. That has to be the best name for a sketchbook. Ever.

I like what you're doing in here. Maybe work on proportion and anatomy doing some studies. I think the ideas for the women are fine but the anatomy and perspective are sometimes off.

Certainly you seem like you're doing a lot of good work though. Keep drawing and post more.

[ariel_medel]

Try with 7 heads instead of 8... I had the same problem (and still do at some level), I had to unlearn a lot of stuff cause I drew very idealized bodies. The truth is sometimes the eye gets fooled and we tend to think that to achieve a perfect figure it needs to be very tall, which isn't the case. Just don't get frustrated, learning to draw takes a lot of practice. There are many useful sketchbooks here, look at how the best draw in a very natural form. Once you nail anatomy and proportions, you'll be able to stylize it without making it look too unreal. good luck :D

[PxelSlayer]

Thanks to all of you who commented and suggested on my work. Something weird is in the air - sketchbook threads are starting to "thrive", people are commenting, posting like there`s no tomorrow...I like it :geekg:


K, this is what I did today - 30 and 60 sec posemaniacs and a figure study that took way too long and still looks like crap.

Note to self - IT CAN ONLY GET BETTER, OK?

P.S. Does anybody know how to change threads thumbnail image?

[PxelSlayer]

Value study

[illustrateth]

Like the kneeling woman gesture.. . Her legs look right. :)

[PxelSlayer]

Thanks people! As already mentioned, any CC is welcome, but an occasional "heads-up" is nice as well. Should really have my parents have a look to see how to do that... LMAO :D

Sketches for this weeks ChOW. Leggy, tall figures is what I do best, so why not, right? Thing is, I love how it looks on paper drawn with pencils, but when it comes to digital coloring (or coloring at all)...X_X...

Tentacle hair? WHAT WAS I THINKING?! Who`s gonna shade it to look nearly as normal as possible? (insert Homer Simpson moment here)

[PxelSlayer]

My first ChOW...yaaay...could have turned out better, but this is all I could come up with in 6 months of photoshop training...If you still didn`t do it, please go visit http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=168184 and cast your votes. There are some amazing pieces there, lots of them first-timers, so...spread the love, show support, comment. In the end, that`s what CA is all about, right? ;)

[illustrateth]

Beautiful!

PxlSlayer, I was wondering if, since you have a background in fashion design, if you're familiar with how to design textiles. I've always wondered how to go about it, and would be interested in reading it if you ever put up a small tutorial. . .

[PxelSlayer]

@dragonroseart - Thank you! I have a class called textile pattern design, and truth be told, I`m not enjoying it that much...too abstract, just like the professor (the woman is crazy, I tell you :geekg: )

Just something little for now (this weeks ChOW, WIPs on char#1, inspired by Waltzin' Black - Stranglers and art by Lori Earley)

[p sage]

The ballerina in the middle looks a little like Madonna (but better looking :)) Intentional?

If you still want to know how to change your thread thumbnail:

The first attachment in post #1 is your thumbnail. Just change that.

[PxelSlayer]

The ballerina in the middle looks a little like Madonna (but better looking :)) Intentional?

If you still want to know how to change your thread thumbnail:

The first attachment in post #1 is your thumbnail. Just change that.

Yes, she does, dosen`t she? I thought the same thing! I was too zoomed in to notice it, but when I zoomed out, there she was - queen of pop. NOT intentional. :bashful:

Oh, and thanks for the info about the thumbnail issue, will take a crack at it ASAP. ;)

[illustrateth]

Nice character. I didn't realize Madonna right away. . .actually had a really strong Alice in Wonderland vibe (vein of American McGee's alice). But now that you say it, that is who she looks like.

I think it's right, but I wonder if you might want to double check her waist attaches to her hips normally. . .sometimes it's easy to disconnect it with a tutu. But it does look right. . . . (I'm presuming she's wearing a corset. :)

[PxelSlayer]

Bad case of flu pinned me to my bed, so no ChOW for now, unfortunately...still, I picked up my sketchbook to make several drawings. I have a new class this year, drawing/making historical costumes, and I love it!It would seem this is the closest I`m going to get to character design at my college, but I`ve decided to make the most out of it. The professor is cool, as are the assistants, and the best part - they let you draw your own figure ( I`m, at last, not stuck with drawing leggy creatures, at least here), and they don`t want fashionable outfits - it`s all about how far you can take the idea. Last week we had examples of ancient Crete outfits (c. 2000 - 1200 BC), and had to make designs based on them. The first one is an original outfit (drawn at class, which is why it looks so %/#@&), and the other 2 were variations to the theme. Never thought I would have so much fun designing something NOT wearable. Costume design FTW!

[p sage]

Nice costume studies. Good detail. The faces are looking good, too, as well as the general proportions.

I think the figures look a little stiff; what would cure that is a little more rhythm in the figure (the first several pages of Bridgman's book goes over that)... and it's basically what Vilppu terms "flow." Generally gesture helps sort that out.

[Ian Miles]

Man thanks for the Artist´s joke in first page. :rocker:

[PxelSlayer]

@ Sage - Yup, you`re spot on. I`m still having problems with achieving a natural posture on a figure with right proportions. Proofs to show there`s still a long road in front of me.

@Ian Miles - thanks, though I didn`t make it. It just fits sooooo good, you know. I really hope people will start looking at my sketchbook b/c of my work, though...

K, new ones. These are for my fashion design class, and I had to design outfits based on Rubens paintings. Thing is, most of his work includes nudity, and the costumes he did portray are from 2 very opposite periods - 16th century "stiff" Spanish court fashion and 17th century baroque fashion, known for it`s looseness and flowing lines (diagonal cut). Good luck trying to combine those O_o

Also, about figures...I almost got into a brawl with the assistant, turns out I HAVE to draw deformed, long-legged "creatures", b/c that`s the way it`s "supposed to be". I hate it. But, if I want to keep my grades up, I have to be a good little student and do what this neurotic, anemic and anorexic woman wants me to do.
I`m also uploading some of my 1 year old drawings (made while applying for college) I stumbled upon while going through my papers. And go figure - she loved them...Can someone please tell me I`m not loosing my mind?

[PxelSlayer]

A request...

[PxelSlayer]

Still nature (from class)
doodle
this weeks ChOW WIP/self portrait

in that order :)

[p sage]

Congrats on the good likeness of yourself there, yeah?

Looks like you had fun this week.

I would suggest on the gladiator's helmet in the still life--try to use pencil strokes that describe the form. In other words... the strokes should run along the contour of the object and describe it, not just provide value.

Good work.

[ark1]

really digging the one on the right in Costumes - Crete.jpg, she looks like a hardcore ninja ready to kick some serious ass. very sexy.

pxel, you've improved exponentially since your first sketchbook post back in march. i just feel like a jolly good strawberry when i see someone improve so much in only 7 months! :star:

[SaintAsh]

I really enjoyed looking at your progress -- the anatomy of your female figures is growing stronger with each post.

[NickyBeats]

holy shit pxl!!!!!!!!!!!!!

your improvement since i last looked at your work is out of this world dude!! you must be working mighty hard. im seriously impressed, and kind of jealous... uh i mean inspired. god damnit, now i have to go do like a hundred studies to try and keep pace. jerk.

keep it up man, your persistance is contageous.

[Hellfire]

Bloody hell man, your sketchbook is great!!!
You have to do more finished pieces, I can see lots of potential here.
Cheers mate!

[PxelSlayer]

Thank you, everybody! I have been getting some info from my friends that I`m getting better, but dismissed it b/c...well, they`ll say anything to buy them a cup of coffee :tihi: Coming from you people, though...might be some truth there. Did spend up to 10 hours on drawing during some days. Could it be that hard work actually...pays off?!


This time -
Sketches (including a banshee, have to work on that idea)
finished ChOW (give or take a tweak or two)
and...Nibru...b/c he IS the supreme commander of the universe as such.

Again, in that order. :zzz:

[Lav]

hey, really nice sketchbook :) the way you draw your women seems cute but very sensual at the same time, i love the long legs. I'm not too fond of the style you used for the last drawings in post 76 tho, but it's still interesting to see
And nice nibru btw ;)

[andres333]

I laughed for hours with that one of nibiru

[andrea w]

Whooaa some sick improvement since the first post! Your ladies are all so lovely and you're getting better by each post...! I'm really enjoying your digital work, but may I suggest using more varied skintones? Some blues, greens, warm reds, purples etc really add more life to skin. Here's a small tutorial on skintones by Linda Bergqvist. (http://www.furiae.com/popup.php?text=skintutorial) Keep it up, post mooar!

[The Whistler]

Hej! :)
Ovaj zadnji CHOW ti je odlican, opcenito se vidi jako velik napredak od prvog posta.

Post #58 je odlicna slika, jedino sto mi se cinilo da je osvjetljenje na kosi malo bolje u prethodnom WIP-u, al svida mi se svejedno :)

And in English because I don't want to be rude ALL the way, check the tutorial andrea w linked, it's awesome stuff. All of Linda's tutorials in general are extremely helpful.

Keep up the good work and see you around :)

[PxelSlayer]

Thanks guys! Posts like these really are encouraging for an old fart like me. There`s a lot of "kids" out there who are ahead of me skill-wise by miles, which is depressing by itself, so...gotta keep grinding.
@ Andrea - thanks for the link, I already have that one stashed in my "tutorials" folder. Shading skin is really hard - there are just so many things to look out for - lightning, tone, texture...enough to spend a lifetime studying! But hey, if that`s what it takes...;)


Had a bad day today hen it came to drawing, so I decided to cheer myself up and make a study. Also realized I did only 4 (!) in these past 7 months, so I HAVE to do more of these...

Go, Pxel, GO!

[illustrateth]

wow. You are getting really good. You're drawings feel a lot more solid now (as in they have meat on their bones, hopefully you know what i mean). Hope you keep at it!

[sandeepbarot]

amazing!

[illustrateth]

so, where's your gallery?

[PxelSlayer]

@sandeepbarot - Thank you!
@ dragonroseart - Yes, who would have known - women have curves! :tihi: As for the gallery of my own...yea, that will have to wait tillI have something representable to show. One day, one day...btw, I didn`t forget I owe you some info on textile patterns, don`t worry. I`ll post everything I know in your sb ASAP ;)

Not much for today - 2 costumes for fashion design (posting here before I FUBAR them with color), and a very messy photo study of a friend of mine...Thank God, tomorrow I have live drawing and costume design, finally going to get my pencil swinging!

[PxelSlayer]

Good news - went to see my costume design professor to show her my recent drawings, and she noted she dosen`t mind at all if I convert costumes into freaky characters with various elements from other genres. And on my way out she added "Especially if you can draw really good"...and smiled at me. I can`t believe that a professor with a degree in fine arts actually implied that I can draw! Really made my day...So, I`m feeling quite inspired ATM and will try to keep the feeling, cause...it` SO good! :rocker:

Today`s specials -
Greece inspired outfit/creature (Medusa) I`m quite fond of (FIXED)
Rome inspired outfit/character that dosen`t look like a Roman at all, turned out looking like a Persian/Mongolian warlord of some sorts...weird..*head scratch*..BUT I finally managed to draw a somewhat decent looking male figure with *almost* normal masculine facial features w/o references so I consider it to be a small victory of my own :)
A digital study I`m most likely repeat b/c I hate it and
a WIP of this weeks ChOW (Seasons) I didn`t finish (why do days have only 24 hours?)

As for the crits - let it rip!

[p sage]

I like the master study.

Crit? I find the highlight going down through the body of the Medusa character confusing... it just basically goes right through the center, and doesn't show the form much.

Hope that's not too harsh :)

[illustrateth]

O.k.. . you've got some great stuff going on here, but something about the baby is rubbing me the wrong way. I'm pretty wiped out at the moment, so I can't decide what, but you may want to check the head size in relation to the body. The head is usually bigger than you think. . .. and the face feels a tad old for a baby. (A babies eyes are nearly adult size, so they should look pretty big on the baby.)

[PxelSlayer]

@PSage - Thanks, `bout to fix it.
@DRH - Thanks for the crit, though this image is probably forever lost somewhere in my WIP folder...maybe I`ll dig it out some day, who knows...

Moar costume designs this time + some sketches. On to-do list - studies. A shitload of them. :)

[Blaz]

Super character design i kostimi! :yum:

[PxelSlayer]

Thanks, Blaž! :)

Quick sketch for my long overdue "Egypt" project. But first I have to get to my professor for reference images. I can already imagine the conversation...

- Hello, I`m here to pick up some costume pictures I need. Could I borrow your book and make some copies?
- I already handed those out to students.
- Erm, yes, I didn`t get a copy...
- How come? I copied enough of them for all of you?
- I ...wasn`t at class that day...
- Oh, really? *evil gaze*
- .... O_o...

[Ivan Turcin]

fantastic costume designs. would love to see more of them colored.

svaka čast, ugodno sam se iznenadio :) samo naprijed!

[alexson]

Awesome stuff here! I really like the costumes! I need to practice some of that too :( Keep it up!

[jordyskateboardy]

Great stuff man! Really love those pencil characters. Not much to crit. guess you could spice those pencils up a bit by adding some scratches to the metal or some dirt to their clothing. Or whatever. Those little inconsistencies can really add some more depth. But yea its allready super awesome!

[Lav]

sweet updates! :D

[m.j.]

Odlične su ti skice! Sviđaju mi se detalji! Vježba se isplatila...

[Dm7]

Wow, I can really see an improvement of yours! It makes me be more motivated to keep up with my sketches. Maybe I should start my sketchbook journal up here. :) Awesome characters designs! I'll subscribe ya for some inspirations and obviously some motivations! :D

[ImPulsive]

Man, ehm are those scetches u made in march real? I mean if u wasn't pretending, then you made a realy tremendous step forward for the shortest period.. Damn impressive - rly interesting to watch such an intensive progress, keep the pace ! =)

[PxelSlayer]

Thanks, everybody!

Got really lazy last week, but thank God this weeks ChOW got me out of the rut, AND I figured out quite a lot. Chow really is good medicine, I tell ya!

Some more sketches (chow related and otherwise), and a study of Bammes(male torso). Trying out something new, so I drew it 9 times. Learned a thing or two...

Just 3 more months...Wacom, here I come!


http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=832278&stc=1&d=1258498585
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=836479&stc=1&d=1258981334

[illustrateth]

nice torsos!

[Bombur]

Ooh, i remember looking at this thread back when it still was on page 1. You've improved a lot ! I love your costume designs and your anatomy looks nice, however sometimes the legs you draw are a bit too long. Keep up the great work :)

[jcpahl]

The chow is great. Though I think I like the face in the preliminary sketch better than the final. Great character designs all around.

[NPlaxco]

what texts did you use for faces?? Hogarth seems to be the biggest player in that field, any suggestions?

[PxelSlayer]

@dragonroseart - Thank you! And puh-leeeease forgive me, I know I owe you something. I`m not lazy, just really busy, so...don`t worry, I didn`t forget! ;)

@bombur - thanks mate, I am aware of my issues with legs. A professional deformation I`m trying to shake off (and will, eventually, I swears!)

@jcpahl - Well, to be honest, I knew her face wouldn`t turn out like in the original sketch (it never does), but yeah, the sketch one looks a bit more sensual and alluring.

@NPlaxco - Hogarth is great for detailed explaining, Loomis is great for a more realistic approach, but the best one is - you! Books are good for basic knowledge, but you`ll learn a lot by making studies and drawings on your own. I myself am quite determined to do it so, especially after noticing what a hard time I have drawing a male face...-___-...

This week was fun! Joined another Chow and just had fun with it. I realized that I`ve been putting too much emotions and expectations into these, and when the voting started and I saw just how little people actually voted for me...bad, BAD case of reality check. What did I learn? Your works are just like your children - you never know just how screwed they`ll turn out to be in the end. So, what to do? Take it easy. I`m going to put my head down, shut up and draw. And one day, when I look up...who knows. I might find myself in a better place.

K, nuff small talk. This week - mah Chow (as mentioned, with a tweak here or there till it`s finished), some costumes (eh, I figured I might as well include the original images that were handed to us at class as references. Very bright and grainy photocopies that barely show the outlines, not to mention the lack of details...O_o...BUT(!) it`s more so a challenge...), and some Alchemy doodles (which were done with a mouse, since my tablet refuses to respond outside photoshop, resulting in a very frustrated and confused PxelSlayer. Unghffff...)

K, I`ve talked the talk, now I`m gonna walk the walk. Back to my drawing board. Later!

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=847004&stc=1&d=1260066736
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=847006&stc=1&d=1260066855

[ilmenhin]

Your progression is astounding! I totally love your character designs and your latest CHOW entries! Fabulous work so far and that torso study is <3.

[Jamie Romoser]

cool sketchbook man
have a good one
-Jamie

[Joce]

ur really good. keep pushing.

[element1988]

Whoa :O great stuff :)

[SaintAsh]

Love seeing you make progress by leaps and bounds. :) One crit: in the painted version of the woman in post #107, the wrist draped against the pillow looks very flat. There's no sense of it sinking down into the pillow.

Looking forward to seeing more.

[Benjaminba]

You've come a long way since spring! :D And it's just a year!

If you're up for it, it would be great to see a little foray into environments. There's some background on the steampunk harem lady, which you've handled beautifully, but yah... Something to consider.

Great sketchbook so far. Keep it up!

[andres333]

Really nice SB! loving your characters specially the drawing of that girl that's on her knees

[Quasi-almost]

I really like the way you work with your imagination, very nice.

[RokasButkys]

Nice stuff man ! I like your motivation.
Keep the proggress
Cheers!

[KarylGilbertson]

Dude. You might not notice this, but I just browsed page one, and page 4, and there is an INSANE amount of improvement. Keep it up, you're very inspiring :)

[Ian Barker]

Hey man, great sb! Very nice balance of studies and illustrations, keep it up. :)

[Quike Garcia]

Man, I have to say that I'm astonished with your progression :) wonderful works man...

Keep it up :)

[PxelSlayer]

Thanks, everyone.

more brain farts - this weeks chow, an enviro thumbnail (sortof-ish), and an enviro made with watercolor brush (nifty tool, must admit). Looks crappy b/c it IS crappy, and b/c my Photoshop froze in the middle of drawing it, so I had to print screen it, shut down PS and reopen the image, trying to save what was left of it...Feeling pretty down ATM. My tablet is falling apart, I have no plan what so ever, and the clock is ticking. Soul sucking low-paid 9-to-5 job, here I come...*sigh*
Here`s hope I`m just having a bad day...Off to sleep it off...

[Lav]

awww hang in there ;) i like the update. Your ChoW looks great as well, the guy on the left looks really evil :O

[PxelSlayer]

Thanks, Lav, I was going for that! Mean, mean ol` wizardish bastard XD

Done. Don`t like it (like, really don`t like it), but I have no time to get OC on it, with last week of classes, packing to go visit my family, and the rest of the drill. This will also be my last ChOW, at least for some time. I have to get serious about my studies, and the more I make - the better I get. Studying FTW! GO, GO, GO!

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=853985&stc=1&d=1260748956

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=853987&stc=1&d=1260749021

[The Whistler]

You already know I love this last one, you handle color insanely well. Love the hair and the glitter, which brush did you use to achieve the effect? Or you can't tell me because then you'll have to kill me? ;) :P

[Clockwork Bunny]

love watching your stuff on CHOW the Morrigan is just stunning! beautiful pictures . Your self portrait/ carnival piece is lovely aswell, how true to life is the image? good looking too ;)
<3

[PxelSlayer]

@ The Whistler - Čuj...;)
@ CB - Thanks, I`m actually quite proud of that one myself. As for the self portrait piece, let`s just say there have been some, erm, artistic "interventions" :P

K, this one should be the last one for this year in my SB. I`ve insanely missed my pencils, so I just sat down and started doodling. One line, second line, third line and - there was this guy! Named him Bert. Sounds catchy.
Still having shading issues though, I`ve tried a mechanical HB pencil, regular H, B and HB pencils, and still my strokes are visible on the paper, IE they don`t merge into one "blob" of shading. Starting to think that a cheap photocopy A4 paper might not be the best solution...Went on a scavenger hunt for a moleskine SB after reading it`s available for purchase here (!), but ended up with sore and cold feet. Oh well, one mall down - 6 to go. At least I have a hobby now that includes body movement...XD

And before I forget - Merry Christmas (or happy Hanuka) and a happy new year to all of you. May you all get stuffed with delicious food and spend these holidays rolling on the couch like a sea cow with your pencils in your hands! I know I will!

[PxelSlayer]

Brand new year - same old crap.

# of horrid doodles - 3.
# of costumes/characters - 2.
# of lazy asses - 1. But considerably significant.

Back to the drawing board. W00t.

EDIT - fixed the Sacerdos Sangui (the Priest Of Blood...the bald guy over here). He just didn`t look like a post-apocalyptic genetically mutated vampire who harvests blood of the "lesser" ones (which is why the chick in the second one looks so pissed - she`s the leader of the rebellion), and so it was time to accessorize. Weird what I come up with by looking at a sketch of a friar (couple of posts back)...must have crazy brainz! Which, on the other hand, beats the theory of my parents - that I don`t have one. Win/win situation, really...XD

[PxelSlayer]

Caffeine buzz...great for time management. Horrible for hand-eye coordination.

[PxelSlayer]

color combo something-something. I call zis one "The contemplation of eeeew"...

*super-mega-facial-feature-SUCK* XD

[Dorkthrone]

I like the CHOW entry.

[mariusz]

Nice sketchbook. Keep it up!

[NickyBeats]

"the contemplation of eeeeew" -hahaha, AWESOME TITLE!!!! im dead serious too.

DUDE! ! ! ! great stuff man! your painting style is really beginning to take shape nicely! even the quicker sketches are looking very good! for all this hard work your getting some damn stars from me! (5 to be exact) so go out and celebrate you crazy croatian!!!! :vodkamachine:

oh and here have one of these too... :asslick: haha

[jackpot_anjr90]

Nice work here! I really like the pose of the guy with the spear and the head. I think the line work could be sharper though. Also, you've got both heads in the picture facing straight forward...I think it'd be better to have the head that he's holding off center. Keep it up :)

[Junpei]

I really like your character sketches reminds me of some book illustration.

[sourgasm]

some pretty good stuff floating around here. one thing i did notice, though, is that you sometimes use white as a highlight color, especially on skin. white is pretty rare in nature. anytime you find yourself reaching to get that upper range (highlights, especially), try to use a high value, low saturation hue from the environment your character/object/material resides within or a color that is complimentary to the character/object/material the highlight resides on. a high value yet low saturation green will look brighter than white if placed on a red object, for instance.

keep up the good work !

[m.j.]

Nice work,again!
Živio!

[PxelSlayer]

@ninjacat, mariusz, junpei & m.j. - Why, thank you, gentlemen! :)

@ Nicky Beats - Right there with ya! :vodkamachine: And as for :asslick:, you really should buy me dinner first, you know. My momma raised no fool! In the words of Kelly Bundy - "Just say know!" ^_^

@Jackpot_anjr90 - Duly noted, thank you! Perspective IS one of my major must-do-or-die subjects.

@Sourgasm - Thanks for the tip! I don`t actally use white in highlights, but you are spot on when it comes to temperature, I, like, REALLY need to figure those things out...That, and how to make one day last at least 28 hours. That would be perfect...

As for tonight - not much, unfortunately. I`m elbow deep in wedding dresses (OK, that sounds so wrong...and kinky O_o), as a part of one of the assignments for my fashion design class. Right now I`m in a "make at least 4 out of this world, never seen before designs in one night" state and...:zzz:...it`s just not human. And I have myself to blame. Took a break, browsed the lounge, found some pics, decided to do a little study to clear my mind. Thank god, it worked. Off to bed now.

note to future self - don`t you EVER, I mean EVER (!!!) let your class work pile up, you lazy twat, GET MOVING!

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=881600&stc=1&d=1263705641

[PxelSlayer]

Classwork - fashion design. Topic - wedding dresses (classic, avantgarde and futuristic). Mood - X_x...whatever. Just have to byte my teeth and go through it. I`m so far behinds with these, it`s not even funny. Just 30 more to go...


Oh, and Grandmassa Mr. Spect. Not to be messed with.

*yawn* K, moving on...

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=882422&stc=1&d=1263777984

[CUKIERass]

last ones are great! Love em'!

[PxelSlayer]

...Taking a break, testing some brushes, having fun doodling...^_^

[Lav]

looking good! sorry to hear you're far behind but i really like the wedding dresses, portraits are looking great too :)

[Nettle_Mountain]

Hi there, your pencil lines and rendering are little weak, othrevice you are doing really good, keep going!

[PxelSlayer]

Overworked and underslept (is that even a word?). Elbow deep in watercolors, collage, glue, crayons, markers....and no end in sight...ungfff...

Also, I`s like to apologize for being such a douche and not commenting on sketchbooks of people who were so kind to take some time and post here, giving me advice and support - I`ll return the favor ASAP, just have to take care of this "fashion" stuff and all...And when I promise something, I keep it as well.

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=892517&stc=1&d=1264880549

[swulf]

Last character is really great.Interesting pose and design.

[mariusz]

Post #141: What a nice picture. Great work Sir

[m.j.]

Last character is awesome!!!

[Quike Garcia]

This puck is outstanding :)

[Sean McClain]

wow! your really comming along pxlslayer:),

[PxelSlayer]

So, this week was...interesting. I made 5 large scale graphite studies for my life drawing class, and I`m proud to say those are the-best-freckin-pieces I EVER made (*gloat*). Spending up to 6 hours a day on them was hard as hell, but more so rewarding. Took them to my professor to have them graded, should get them back in a week (hopefully - ye olde fart has a tendency to keep student drawings, god knows for what reason. Will snatch my babies back if I have to, har har), and then it will be show off time, right here for your pleasure and convenience ;)

In other news - hooooly FRECK! Yesterday I also dropped off my costume design/character drawings to my other professor (those I was posting here), and she really liked them (quote - "Oh yea, comic style! Lovely!"), except for the fact they were not colored...bleh. BUT, what`s really important here is the fact that I kind-of-ish suggested to make a poster for this years "Fashion closet" (an annual fashion show/contest for students from my faculty), and she kind-of-ish accepted it. Actually, she liked the idea so much she wants me to make SEVERAL versions, and (if God willing) they will be a part of an exibition, which is (in my little world)...WOW. So, I got busy and started doodling. This year the theme is "Avantgarde", and in the spirit of it logic dictated a style so many of us very-much-so admire and love. Yup - it`s Android time! Well, a cheap and horrid looking knock-off, anyways...:P

Back to evil-doing I go. Stay tuned!

[The Whistler]

:O

When did you get to page 6? ;)

Anyways, those portraits on the previous page are pure gold, you know that, right? :)
One crit - there's something off with the pose of the Asian girl in post #131, something with her pelvis, can't really put my finger on it, like it's not aligned with the torso. But her face is gorgeous...

And OOOOOH! A poster! That rocks, congrats! Be sure to post progress :D

[PxelSlayer]

Heh, you`ve beaten me to it. As for the "page 6" - in one year? That`s, like, SO not much...lazyass me...*emo*

Progress, doodle. Android discovered a gold mine, I tell ya...

[dmoreno]

hey man; nice sketchbook you have going on here! Do you mind showing how do you block your anatomy? The proportions just seem right with the bodies.. congrats on that!

[RBeek]

that last pic is turning out great!. but damn what a work :D
Lovin the face in the middle,, especially the eyes.. Makes me wanna learn to draw eyes like that.. whitout to much hard edges ;)))))
<3

[PxelSlayer]

Done. Yay. Not quite the best one, but next one will be better. :) Now to draw MOAR! *happy camper*

[Lav]

sorry for the noob question, but is the face painted or photomanipulation? i know you're very talented but wow, those eyes and mouth look outragiously good, so soft and pretty :P

[Quike Garcia]

This last piece is really great mate.. lovely..

[PxelSlayer]

@ Lav - That`s AAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL me, baby! :D
@ Q.G. - Thanks, m8! ;)


Today some enviro...umm, something.

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=914326&stc=1&d=1267014085

[PxelSlayer]

Finished enviro, new sketch.

[Lav]

no way, the force is strong in this one! :P i love the spooky environment in 161 i can ehar wolves howling in the background as i see it ;)

[NickyBeats]

heeeeeeeeeeeeey ooooooooooooooo!!!!!

whats up Pix? man, i just want to say one thing to you:

Vasa skice je FUCKING AWESOME!!!!

hahaha, you didnt know that i knew croatian did you??? im sneaky like that. plus its probably all wrong. oh well. dude your sketches just go from pretty fucking sweet to super saijin sweet, all within 6 pages of gloriousness. i cant get enough of this sketchbook.

[PxelSlayer]

@ Lav - Gotta love those dark, spooky landscapes! Romania is not that far away, har har! :geekg:
@ Nicky - Google translate is not your friend. Although, flattering will get you far...LOL

Official salute - :moon: :yayca:

Small warm-up abstract style ummm...warmup, and doodle continued (not liking it, something is very off, but I can`t put my finger on it (round face, me thinks). Must leave it to sizzle)

[The Whistler]

Enviroooos... I need to go run and do more of those.

Anyways, I love your poster, the only thing that bothers me a wee bit is that her jaw seems just a liiiitle too sharp which kinda makes her face look cut out from somewhere else and glued onto the poster. BUT it's still great, I love the nails :D

Cheers!

[PxelSlayer]

@ Whistler - Yea,now that you mention it...too late now, though, but I will be better next time. I promise :P

Sketch turned into chow, some sketches from my new, nice and handy A6 sketchbook. Fits anywhere! :D

[danlucas]

pretty awesome photoshop work.

[Quike Garcia]

Love the kitsune work :)

And the sketchbopok pages look sweet :)

[m.j.]

Awesome work! Kapa dolje uz duboki naklon...

[PxelSlayer]

Thanks, guys!

Got a C from my life drawing professor. And it taught me a couple of things -

a.) I should be more regular on my life drawing classes, even tho for 3 years I will be drawing one and the same model - a granpa who can`t hold still for 20 minutes and is always wearing some weird looking shoes, and NOT spend up to 5 hours at home drawing nudes on my own easel, just b/c I feel I`m learning more that way
b.) I have to give my best, b/c that same professor probably dosen`t understand that a fashion design student could actually aspire to more than just fashion design, and thinks this one model is more than enough for us
c.) I HAVE to prove him wrong, so not only will I present him my class drawings, but my home drawings as well. If that dosen`t show him how much I really care for this...so be it. I`ll know it`s not my fault.

Yes, ATM I`m angry and disappointed...but I`m channeling it all into creativity! Now I have something to fight for, and that I will do! As soon as I get some shut eye, at least. And in the mean time, here`s a doodle.

Bring it! :D

[Lav]

good to hear your channeling your frustrations into something good, go kick that teacher's ass!! (by making awesome drawings of course!) i know you can do it! :D

[Clockwork Bunny]

I know that one! Our life drawing model would fall asleep during the session and nod off - literally! you'd end up with her head at real bizarre angles!

you kick ass at what you do and a C is still a pass so vent - I like how you vent!

[2kre8]

Some teachers can be full of crap, makes u wonder why they become teachers. Anyway in the long run it's your portfolio that counts not some stupid grade. Keep plugging away!

[NickyBeats]

yea, my life drawing teacher is an old fart who basically just berates the hell out of us all class, saying nice things like "Jesus Christ!! havent you learned ANYTHING AT ALL??!" and he yells it at you in front of everyone. then he starts reminiscing about when he was our age, people actually worked hard at art. and blah blah blah. i know hes an old geezer, but i think one day i may snap, and probably break his hip... maybe thats a bit harsh. although, he is an amazing artist, so i just shut up and do what he says hahaha.

ps. i LOVE google translator!!! hes my BEST friend!! hes just not that good at speaking Croatian. but hes trying...

[PxelSlayer]

Doodles `n` stuff. Color and I are in a hate-hate relationship ATM. Also, perspective - difficult! Got to hit those books...

[Majora]

great doodles man, keep pushing! :)

[Ivan Turcin]

Best satisfaction you can have is to see yourself grow as an artist.
When I look at the page 1, and then back to page 6 that's what I can say about you.
Keep posting, make progress with each new drawing you create.
Cheers my friend!

[PxelSlayer]

More doodles, color study and (ta-daaah!) - 50 pairs of legs (I`ll probably do these again, but not in a limited timeframe). Had a busy weekend, that`s for sure :)

[Lav]

colour study is looking really cool, love how you did the hair as well. How long did it take you to finish those 50 legs? :p

[Quike Garcia]

Woo, great sketches..

I really like the colour study, looks promising :)

[PxelSlayer]

study continued. Will probably put it on hold for a while due to lacking anatomy knowledge...:/

[Sweron]

:) Pozdrav, drago mi je što sam te sreo :D JER imaš jako dobre radove :P
Prije nego što sam tu sreo par ljudi iz naših krajeva, nisam baš bio nekog uvjerenja da ima modernih digitalnih artista sa ovih područja, al super što sam se razuvjerio :)

Wow, you've improved alot from 1-7 :)
Your females are dangerous , like them that way :P
Clothes and details / decorations are awesome, something I adore so much.
And last, I love your themes overall, from females to fantasy and mythology everything is awesome to me :) Keep up the good work.

[PxelSlayer]

@Sweron - Thanks, m8! People usually go out on Fridays/weekends - I stay home and draw. Will catch up on social interactions, though...one day :D

Fashion Warderobe, poster - continuing. If only my professor would give me some feedback - I only have a month left, and still a long way to go with this one...*sigh*

Yea, don`t mind proportions, facial anatomy etc...I hate noses, that`s for sure...

EDIT - She likes it. Thank...God... -_-

[Ivan Turcin]

Nice update Pxl. If you want this to be the same woman then you need to pay attention to perspective. Now the second girl is too much up. Great depth of field.

[PxelSlayer]

Small update. Having such problems with her face, bleh...can`t wait to finish this and go back to my pencils...

[Lav]

i'm curious about what the concept/story is behind the poster, i like it so far :)

Just some suggestions: it's overall a lot of white, tho the background seems a bit more pale/light blue? maybe use it a bit more
And i assume you still have to put the logo on multiply or something, because it's a small detail i always overlook and notice when it's too late, but the logo has a white background that is in a bit of contrast with the background of your paint. Just a small thing but easy to forget :P

but nice job on it, your eyes look so good!!

[PxelSlayer]

Thanks, Lav! I`m actually using a lot of white b/c the space where the fashion show will be is also all white and futuristic, so hopefully it will blend in. Also, it might actually save some printing color...:P

I`m calling this one DONE. I could tweak and fix it for the following 5 months, but since my professor dosen`t seem to care (I mean, really - you have a degree in fine arts - give me something! -_-), why bother. I could have drawn a black circle on a white paper...would be less time consuming...*sigh*

Bye bye Photoshop. Heloooooooooooooooo, pencils! :steph:

[NickyBeats]

Looks awesome Pix! great work man! -looking forward to some nice loose pencil stuff after that one!

[Define.]

Jesus... christ. I was checking out the start of your sketchbook and got totally freaked out. I just saw some work for the current queen ChoW and thought "This CAN'T be the same guy!" That says a lot dude, means you've improved like 10 fold since last year! Huge inspiration, please please please keep updating us with your progress. Never stop!!

What would you say you learned the fastest from?!

[PxelSlayer]

@Nicky - Arrr! N`stuff. :asskisser: Haha!
@Define - Thank you! I learned the most from participating in ChOWs, actually. It always pushes you further and further, b/c competition is tough! And also, staying at home and drawing. As in - having no social life. What - so - ever. Now if I`d spend my time being serious and doing my studies, instead of dicking around online...eh, a whole other story.

Doodles (my scanner is acting up, stupid, good for nothing...ffff -_-), and ChOW. One month - wohoo!

http://conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=976139&stc=1&d=1273766528

[Ivan Turcin]

Bravo, bravo, bravo! :D
Will you also participate with your work on Modni Ormar? If yes, then I'll come to see what you're doing.
Cheers!

[NickyBeats]

SEXINESS!!

your female figures in that last post are splendiferous! yes, i only make up words when i get excited about your work. but seriously man, great linework. i want you to paint that top girly badly. she looks fresh!

[Phurtura Brazier]

Just flipped through this thing and I gotta tell you....Awesome growth man!

[PxelSlayer]

Some more -

drawings from my life drawing class (and I could start ranting here how for an entire year we had to draw the same old lady in same clothes and same position over and over and over again, but I`m not going to. I made peace with the fact I have to take my art education in my own hands). Doodles and ChOW wips (which, as it would seem, I misinterpreted and now I`m kinda "on the fence" about it...Oh well, win some, loose some, I guess. I didn`t win any, though...:tihi:

[Ivan Turcin]

You are getting better and better!
There are some things related to anatomy that could be fixed, but overall you are improving. Keep it up!

[Sean McClain]

your last few posts are looking really good man!:)

[PxelSlayer]

2 more. Didn`t have a very productive day, unfortunately. Must...work...MOAR...X.x

[PxelSlayer]

Today I discovered Sculptris...<3 I never did a sculpture in my life (unless those from 2nd grade count), and it`s just...well, I`m officially in love.

[Lav]

that's your first 3D sculpt ever? Keep doing some more, for your first try that's really good!

[PxelSlayer]

@ Lav - :hugsmile:


One more. This is so addictive. Spite the fact its painting options are a bit tricky...well, with the weekend ahead - yeehaw! :lifedrawing:

[Sweron]

:) ti se isto jako brzo i lijepo razvijaš , sviđaju mi se totalno žene koje radish.

Ovaj Sculptris izgleda predobro, dali je teško postići ovakve radove ? Mislim, treba li dosta tutoriala , quidova i sl da bi došao do tog levela ?

[NickyBeats]

whaaaaaat? doing 3d now too??! is it hard to use? these look insanely good already man, really looking forward to some more of this secret power of yours.

[PxelSlayer]

Doodles.

[PxelSlayer]

Finally, I am now an owner of a (used but functioning) tablet. No more super small, used dibs and buttons that fall out...:steph:

Weekly ChOW

[aLDoDarK]

wow, what a beautiful drawing you have here!
I loved on how you draw female character, they're just feel so live..
can I ask something.. how long you spend for drawing in one day?

[Lav]

cant wait to see the finished result of your chow, looks very good so far! :)

[PxelSlayer]

@Lav - Ty, sweetcheeks. Now go clean up that sketchbook of yours for inspection. You do good, I buy you chocolate. :D

@alododadrk - Thanks, m8. Now, my drawing hours really depend on mood and a bunch of other stuff. There are days when I don`t draw at all, b/c I don`t feel like it (usually b/c I get in some kind of "funk" state - ugh, not fun :/), and then trhere are days when I spend...from 8 to 12(broke my personal record here!) hours without even feeling the time passing by. And then I go to sleep, wake up, turn on the computer and continue. I don`t even wash my face or...brush my teeth...I know, eeeeew. But once I finish and I get it out of my system...No drugs on this world can give you that kind of rush. Or so I`ve heard...;P


Chow finished, and 2 speedies of friends of mine as super heroes. All done in hopes they`ll "lend" me their books and class notes so that I can study for my exams. Hey, whatever it takes, right? And the fact that they`re both super "hawt" young girls is just a coincidence. Really!

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1011825&stc=1&d=1278200107

[Metal Fingers]

ahahaha, I always look at your thread attachment on the sketchbook page and chuckle, but I really am not sure why I've never popped in here. DUDE, that last CHOW is looking proper, some real moody purple pallette choices could add a lot of depth to the image if you choose to color it. With the values you have, just some overlays could do it. Keep it up man, this is an inspiring SB.

[Sweron]

Very nice updates, chow is great :) love her :D

[MyioDeSopsia]

Nice smooth brushwork it's great. And your images are pretty interesting too.

[PxelSlayer]

More...doodles. Enviro I tried to make (no refs=suck), another portrait of a friend of mine as a super hero (which seem to be all the rage at my FB account...well, good for occasional lulz), and a color study. Actually it started as a color study and then I just gave up. I followed my own instincts and ended up with the image on the right. Why is that? Why do I have such a hard time understanding color...? And that sue/saturation/lightness site is just so confusing, I don`t understand 80% of that text. It pisses me off. Gawd -_-

There`s that "funk" again...

[Sporus]

Oh man your thumbnail made me realllllly happy... its REALLY funnyyy hahaha thanks for that!

your stuff is really good too.. I like these last two, youre getting better and better. sorry no critique :( just useless compliments.... :P
keep it up

[NickyBeats]

love those portraits, and i really like the x-23 looking chick too! has alot of movement, and energy in it! keep it up man!

[dandylion]

Wow! I just went through this whole thread and have enjoyed seeing all the progress you've made. It's really inspiring. I absolutely LOVE the way you draw human figures, especially women--you've really got a handle on them and it all looks so effortless.

By the way, I'd love it if you finished drawing the faces on the painting you did of the two girls in the togas. It's such a beautiful piece.

[PxelSlayer]

So, I finally decided to make a life study, and I chose a pretty simple motive - my computer screen/work area. And then all hell broke loose...I quit b/c I just don`t get it. That tiny voice in my head convinced me of that. So, I decided to draw a male figure, and after fiddling with it for more that I would like to confess, that tiny voice got even louder and cockier. In the end I just got so angry, I just doodled the last one. I can`t even calm down to make some figure studies.

I read that when you`re feeling frustrated and angry, you`re bout to make a breakthrough of some sorts. I sure do hope so it turns out that way. Either that, or I`ll just give up. There`s no point in doing this to myself.
Damn it...-_-

[PxelSlayer]

:ilaekae: More, more...MOAR!

[Lav]

PxelSlayer, sometimes you need to give that voice in your head a mental bitchslap! I really love checking out your sketchbook, i really like the stuff you make and if you look at earlier pages of your skechtbook, you can see that there's a steady improvement going on.
Tho if you feel really angry, you should perhaps take a break get your mind of it and then pick it up again

Btw, what brush do you use for your hair?

[Mahran]

Nice SB, portraits look great!!!
Keep postin...

[ThomasM]

nice sketchbook dude - interesting mix of studies and imagination and decent paints! Like the leg studies on page 6 too.. Keep it up!

[The Whistler]

Giving up? You're joking, right? Do you have any idea how jealous I am of you colors? If you should give up, what should I do? And I'm not giving up, so by some logic I just made up, you aren't allowed to either.

As for life studies, maybe start with something smaller than the whole work area? Like, do only a mouse. And then more stuff. And then the whole area. Gradually. :)

Anyway, that portrait with closed eyes? Awesome. xD

See you around!

[NickyBeats]

hey bro, dont sweat that bullshit! if your not in the mood to draw, Lav's right, just put it down. you dont need to kick yourself in the nuts every time you pick up a stylus. maybe what you need is something as simple as re-arranging your work space. or sometimes if i feel frustrated when im drawing, and nothing is coming out right, ill start doing something that i find incredibly boring. like cleaning. or yardwork. you know? sometimes shit like that can just zap you out of your funk, because after your done cleaning or whatever, you at least feel like you have accomplished something, and then you wont feel that pressure to complete something when you draw. you can just let loose, and not stress about making some masterpiece. just let your mind wander, and have fun with it. anyways, if you quit art, ill swim to croatia from america, and electrocute your testicles until you pick up a pencil again! so quit ya bitchin! haha you know i got love for ya!

[Metal Fingers]

keep going dude, you gotta just push through it. Whenever i feel like I'm getting in a rut or just not grasping something I take a step back and do some real easy studies, fundamental type stuff, and then go back to what I was doing. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't. The biggest thing is just staying dilligent and pushing through it. Keeeeeeeep it up mang, cheers.

[PxelSlayer]

Aww, you guys...thanks. I`ve hit a brick wall there (not the first one, and sadly not the last one), and my self esteem took the biggest blow. I`m definitely going to listen to your advice (small steps, Marko, small steps), and make some changes. Also, I`m going away for a month to visit my family, so I believe that`s exactly the change I need. By the time I get back, all be all eager-beaver to get back to drawing. Although, I am bringing my pencils with me. And my sketchbook. And my tablet. And colored pencils, collage paper and big sketchbooks and reference images and anatomy books. Wait, did I say small steps...? :3

So, last one for now - broken Spidey(Hogarth must be rolling in his grave right now). I`ve also learned there is such a thing as too much blur, as imposible as that sounds -_- .
Well, off to packing. C ya all! Have a great summer.

[NickyBeats]

niice!! that came out awesome!

[The7Artist7]

o.O whoa Chill Spidey! I didn't mean it .. *backsteps fast* ... honest I didn't!! *turns and runs*

hehe - cool sketchbook dude - and congrats on getting most votes in the challenge! New challenge is up - now with added Bat!

Enjoy your art my friend - you're doing great!

Subscribed! :yayca: :lounge:

[wilkerson]

Very inconsistent thread but when you're on, you're on.

[Metal Fingers]

Good to hear man, leetttssss gooooooooo! I also found that whenever I was getting lost/frustrated just sitting down and doing loose observational drawing helped me a lot. looking forward to more stuff!

[Twan]

the last girl portrait is brillant! i liked the spiderman too, really dynamics!
cheers up man, don't give up!

[PapaLongLegs]

Holy bananas! This sketchbook is the PERFECT example of progression- you have improved so incredibly much over the last year, I'm amazed!

[m.j.]

Bok!
Oprosti dugo nisam svratio do tvog sketchbooka i sad sam ga pogledao cijelog. Mislim da imaš strašne radove! O tabletu još razmišljam upravo jer mislim da je puno teže na njemu raditi a ionako nemam vremena. Tvoj je napredak odličan. Daj si vremena jer ideja ti ne fali.
Živio

Miro

[Sweron]

Ide to tebi :)

I like your lines and portrait of those girl (both versions) could be really great , continue to finish it more :)

[PxelSlayer]

Woot, vacation is finally over! Now to get back to drawing! ^_^

Today we`re serving - Gaia ChOW, Super dynamic Superman (with his "S" chest emblem missing ˇoˇ), some warm-up mind farts and my WIP for the latest ChOW (night scenes FTW, right?) Did some pencil sketches while away, but feeling a bit too lazy to scan ATM...

http://conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1021534&stc=1&d=1279461462
http://conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1041226&stc=1&d=1281814744

[SirCrazlot]

Nice work! :) I love the colors most!

[Metal Fingers]

That first piece looks great man! Nice to see you back and up in action, cheers.

[Mitze]

Great Sketchbook love the last pic. To be honest i am geathing you mixed up with another pxe..... some other named. And i am thinking how the fuck does his pics have such random quality. Great stuff love the pic with mascara running.

[maria riaz]

wow...what an improvement....your sketchbook really tells the story of ur progress and its a fun journey to witness....love ur chows....cheers:)

[Lav]

hehe, very cool to see you redo a piece from 2004, it's amazing how much you've grown, very nice updates!

[PxelSlayer]

Yuki-Onna all finished. Am I liking it? Well...:/ And a color doodle from mind. Now, color I`m slowly starting to grasp, but anatomy still remains a conundrum of massive proportions -_- I can`t wait to finish all my drawing for my classes, then I`ll sit down and crank out some serious studies, especially male figures. I actually WANT to make studies...Man, what`s happening to me?

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1046104&stc=1&d=1282323847

[NickyBeats]

yea man!!!! fuckin sweeet!! you got my vote man. i love the emotion in their faces. very nice expressions. subtle, but powerful. your getting really really good man. keep it up!

[GregorCZ]

I love the 2004/2010 comparison, very nice stuff!

[PxelSlayer]

Doodles, doodles. Under severe time crunch ATM. X.x

Next up - pencils. A shitload.

[Sweron]

Beatiful work man , Yuki Onna (sorry if I misspelled) is my fav.

[raminafshari]

i like your second drawing , what is it baby demon ? your other drawings are also cool .

[PxelSlayer]

Ok, some more work - 3 latest ChOWs and photo studies that got me a C. Got a B this semester. Thank God I`m done with that professor... Sorry bout the quality, my camera is dying on me *-*

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1051978&stc=1&d=1283033477
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1056445&stc=1&d=1283616103
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1061417&stc=1&d=1284297185

[Lav]

i absolutely looooove your latest chow! And i think your photo studies are looking good, especially the one with her back towards us

[maeshanne]

your making huge improvements :) those last chow pieces are great, did you get much votes?

[Jovian M]

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1061417&stc=1&d=1284297185 this is fucking insane, dude. Great shit.

[a la bapsi]

awesome progress!

[Elissimo]

Wow you've come a really long way in a short amount of time!

I think it was on page 5? I know what you meant about CHOW... I used to get discouraged but now I appreciate how the voting is a biggest reality check. Hey and you've got yourself a CHOW star now! Nice work man... keep it up, you're an inspiration. I was supposed to get serious with drawing around the same time you started this thread but I've been floundering around... this is jsut proof of what could have been acheived in that time.

Well done. PS: I really loved your last entry!

[The7Artist7]

really nice work dude! Keepin it dynamic! (you owe me some beers! ;) )