Kitty's Drawings - Bout time 4 an update - lots of progress!

[kittymeow84]

Hiiiii!!

Well it only be fitting that I should call this thread the same as my blog. :-D

A little about me - I've been drawing pretty much all my life - since I could hold a pencil (and I'm 25 now). Was always drawing pretty much all the time until I got to about 19 and then I stopped for a few years.....Mostly to do with bad boyfriend (in the end) and illicit substances.

Picked it up again in the last few years and it's only been a few months since I *really* started to take it seriously again. Trying to be comfortable with my skills and not be continually frustrated that what I see in my head is so hard to transfer to paper. I don't really have toooo many issues with drawing from life but its a matter of getting off my butt and DOING it - Is it normal for a creative person to also be lazy? I know I'm not doing myself any favours by being slack and making excuses (which I am prone to do - what's that? "I dont have TIME??" BULLSHIT).
So now I'm making an effort to sketch every day. Even if it's shit.

The things I need to work on most I think are general anatomy and posing - A face I can draw okay (not that that doesn't need work) but muscle and bone structure I really need to get down pat.
Oh and FINISHING THINGS. I have issues with composition and details - particularly clothing etc.

Okay so I pretty much need to work on everything. Heh. That's okay.
RAMBLES ASIDE - this forum is Fantastic and I'm so happy to trawl through the huge wealth of information and learning material here - and also to find much inspiration amongst the amazing artists here. I expect my post whoring here will overtake my obsession with the Aussie Vogue forum (!!!). Hehe.
Anyways - here's some sketches and stuff from my Flickr account. All pretty recent. All pretty average. Crits welcome of course :-)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/4067700780_3e6d8025b0_b.jpg

I kind of like this pose but I have NO idea which way to position the head.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/4066949201_9afd9a879a_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4067548626_03d6456a27_o.jpg

Meeee --> http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/4066796383_ae62c64325.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/4062373173_13a183f597_o.jpg

I like this - but the feet are a bit munted. Hmm
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/4054607027_2ffc012d4e_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4049374934_a6e88e9458_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/4048626739_9d1c362647_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/4042142070_744cb4d027.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/4041395141_55043e15ff.jpg

The bottom right one is dreadful :-(
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2655/4041394989_c49078fb09.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2641/4041394859_c1475fd3d0.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2717/4041394615_62e4b90545_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2694/4042141238_30974771c9_b.jpg

And finally (sorry for the HUGE dump of stuff!).... a sketch and the finished piece :-D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2658/3888382932_b682378be6_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/3895458721_f28bdc227f_o.jpg

[kittymeow84]

Had a crack at drawing some poses from PoseSpace. About 10 minutes a piece. Crits please???

I know the front leg of the chick leaning back is way off. The knee isn't right I dont think and the calf too long.

Thanks :-D

[Meralynn]

You have a great sense of style and I really love how you digitally color. There's a lot of personality behind all of your artwork! Now, what I think would be a valuble study for you would be to take what you know with style and try and push it into a more realistic figure. You are currently drawing rather large headed women with thin bodies. Try out some more realistic anatomy (it can still be stylized), and proportions, and then give the gesture the push you're giving these drawings. Additionally, I think an important thing for you would be to keep a good reference out of skeletal anatomy even for these stylized pieces. In certain images some of the joints are getting very thin, or the bones look like they'd have a hard time bending that way. They're not big mistakes, but correcting them would make your art even that much better!

I am a big fan of crosshatching, but when you add it to your figures, be sure you're not just hatching away back and forth or in little X patterns. Cross hatch with the figure, or you start to flatten it a little. Think about how the form moves along the figure and imagine the cross hatch line as representational of that. A great example is, actually, a dollar bill! (if you're in America... I don't know other money systems x3). There is some beautiful cross hatching going on in those that really follow the flow of the figure. You don't have to go into that much detail, but it's still good to think about how you can best define the form.

Now, lastly, I like all these female figures, but make sure you do some good ol' male sketches as well :)! It's great to see a lovely variety of figures!

[kittymeow84]

Eeee thank you SO much for the excellent critique :-D

I definitely need to get my hands on some good anatomy books. I've only got Dynamic Anatomy at the moment - though I shall purchase the Loomis and Bridgman books very soon (might get them now actually).
You're right I dont know much about the skeletal structure - so seeing the photos I like to make stuff skinny where it probably shouldn't be before I know what REALLY lies beneath. Need to draw me some BONES.

Thanks for the tips about the crosshatching - I tend to just draw willy nilly with my pencil. I like mechanical pencils too so they can be a bit harsh. I'll focus on where I put those finer lines instead of hacking them in. Hehe.
Oh and I'm Aussie so no dollar bills to look at - but the Aussie dollar also has the same thing. I guess you mean more contouring and getting the pencil to follow the line of the muscle.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply! Love these forums - so constructive and informative - and INSPIRING :yayca:

[Meralynn]

Eeee thank you SO much for the excellent critique :-D

I definitely need to get my hands on some good anatomy books. I've only got Dynamic Anatomy at the moment - though I shall purchase the Loomis and Bridgman books very soon (might get them now actually).
You're right I dont know much about the skeletal structure - so seeing the photos I like to make stuff skinny where it probably shouldn't be before I know what REALLY lies beneath. Need to draw me some BONES.

Thanks for the tips about the crosshatching - I tend to just draw willy nilly with my pencil. I like mechanical pencils too so they can be a bit harsh. I'll focus on where I put those finer lines instead of hacking them in. Hehe.
Oh and I'm Aussie so no dollar bills to look at - but the Aussie dollar also has the same thing. I guess you mean more contouring and getting the pencil to follow the line of the muscle.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply! Love these forums - so constructive and informative - and INSPIRING :yayca:

You are welcome!

Those are all great books for figures. I love me some Bridgeman. I always feel like I should suggest Drawing People by Barbara Bradley as it helps you progress to the clothed figure.

[latigid]

Hey kitty have to agree with Meralynn you have a wicked sense of style that i like a lot for the anatomy studies you can get all the loomis books from the internet and the Bridgeman's over here in the UK are really affordable. Keep posting

[kittymeow84]

Awesome Mera I will add that book to my purchase list. Ta!

Latigid - thanks for dropping by :-) And thanks for the compliments on my drawings! I know the books are way affordable in the UK! Hehe I get all mine from Book Depository - so much cheaper than buying them in Australia :-D

[kittymeow84]

Moar sketches!!

First of all - ideas for this weeks CHOW which I am pathetically late for and so I doubt I will ever get past the sketchy stage. We'll see what next weeks entry is and I might have a crack at it :-D
So this is Frank's Bride - the first sketch I did the pose is pretty out there and shoulders are all wrong - but me likes the exaggerated lines. The face is the best bit which I haven't been able to redraw larger. Boo!
The second is taken from a photo reference. Pose is a bit more natural (not so big a head this time!) but the hand is blah.
In terms of character development, I thought it would be cool if she had a corset/bodice made of duct tape - all wound really tight....and maybe some flimsy cloth for her skirt - like doctors gauze. Would be a bitch for me to draw at my level but mebbe I'll see it through huh? Anyway, those details would give it a more modern feel and a sort of industrial/crazy doctor/slap-dash vibe.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4074884810_d42fa2ebca_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2653/4074884818_d18f42bea6_o.jpg

And now completely unrelated....
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3488/4074884820_146de4466d_o.jpg
The most amazing suit I have seen in my LIFE! Vintage silk from the Forties. Shame its $325!!
Soooo I was having a go at drawing fabric. And taking more care with my lines and contouring. This felt very different to draw than the figure. I didn't do barely any guide lines - only to set the shoulders and the shape of the bust...which is rare for me as you can probably tell! I'm rather surprised at myself for managing to draw it so neat. :blahblah:

Sorry if I'm too wordy for you all! Don't get too much of a chance to talk about arty stuff in a place where people might actually respond. Hehe.

[Lura]

You have a very nice style!

[rayalger]

Hi! I am really impresses with your work. I admire the way you draw and put color to your obra. What is your inspiration to do such beautiful pieces of art?

[jokerrabit]

nice work here keep it up

[kittymeow84]

Thanks so much everyone :-)

Rayalger - My inspiration is definitely beautiful girls! ;) Though not always the 'standard' beautiful....I like a lot of pics with girls who have tatts and piercings or strangely coloured hair!
Hmm and I like a nice line - like nice clean and flowing...though its not something I can do that well hehee.
And peaceful and serene scenes or a picture that evokes that feeling.

Anyways - I think I might have a go at this weeks CHOW. I love the theme - Can really get into the family history with it....Get to use the family crest and all that.
So today I sketched a few horses. The last one is the pic I might use. Now to figure out how to put a person on it and make it look like its set in 2706 AD!!
References all taken from iStockPhoto. :D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2621/4089135018_d1f745f542_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4089134752_2f978a0a4c_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/4089134456_6b32939daa_o.jpg

[kittymeow84]

For CHOW this week. I played around with the idea some more and came up with this rough sketch.
First two are me trying to get position right and the last is the final composition.

Any glaring mistakes so far? I know my anatomy is a bit wack but I'm going to try and find a pic to reference today.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2706/4093576352_54feb72c4b_o.jpg

So does this look okay?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4092802465_4295a4191e_b.jpg

Thanks peeps! :)

[Sanjo]

Hey, thanks for your comments :) Yeah, I should really try that haha :D

You have some nice sketches in here, the digital stuff is quite impressive :D
Mine isn't yet, I started using PS about a year ago so I still have to learn a lot
: /

Keep it up (:

[kittymeow84]

A WIP of one of the previous sketches. Playing around with painting in PS.

Feeling very frustrated with the whole process. I dont know if I'm not comfortable on my computer, its just too hot and I'm generally feeling BLAH about my skills.

Really itching for my Bridgman and Loomis books to arrive in the mail so I can start studying those.

Any tips on where I can move forward with this piece?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4095176638_bd08343377_o.jpg

*sigh*

[Jove]

Hello kitten, don't be afraid to push the contrast in the skin tones a lot further with stronger shadows etc. They look a bit flat right now.

Also, try to stay away from working on top of a white background as a rule of thumb, pure white hardly ever occurs naturally unless you are staring right at a light source so save it for just that. Try starting with a gray about half way between black and white instead and see how that works.

Finally, my tip to you would be to do more value studies where you skip the color in all and just paint in gray scale, doing sketchy dirty images from high contrast reference to get a feel for light and shadows, better to do 5 of those faces then one polished colored smooth piece where you are afraid of messing something up, be wild, have fun, keep posting ;)

[kittymeow84]

Brilliant thank you so much for giving me a great crit Jove.:bounce:

You're absolutely right on everything. And i'm silly cos I KNOW white is a bad background colour choice ;) and always choose a different colour when working in Painter and just completely neglected to do that for PS. Consistency!!

Tonight I shall play around with values and using B&W only. Shall post the studies in the morning if I get anywhere.

Thanks again Jove!

[struve]

Hey kitty, good start. first thing that jumps out to me are your lines, they are a bit too hairy, it's a hard habit to break and i do it sometime, eek. i say, try taking a little more time and think about the lines you are putting down. then after a while your line work will start to get cleaner and more fluent. happy drawing!

[kittymeow84]

LOL very hairy! I see what you mean :D

Less 'hair' on the drawing of the suit - should think about the lines better definitely. Can be tricky to do long flowing lines in an A5 sketchbook but I will keep at it. The stuff in my A3 is much cleaner. Thanks so much for the crit!

[kittymeow84]

Ha-YOOGE anatomy dump! Hehe. My Bridgman and Loomis books arrived today. So I spent a good hour and a bit doing some sketches. They're not fantastic by any means - just trying to loosen up a bit and become more comfortable with the figure.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2568/4097907330_aca144a63d_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/4097149929_e39f286d35_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4097907006_7a03f9d426_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/4097906830_1bf38777a1_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2571/4097149459_53656468a7_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/4097906576_c76e1491d0_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/4097906414_cd23e8108a_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2721/4097906276_dfcd73537b_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/4097148867_39863bac76_o.jpg

Phew!!!

[danlucas]

I really liked that cucumber. You have a nice sense of color. Keep the anatomy going, and of course keep the colored digi paintings rolling. You have potential!

[kittymeow84]

Thanks danlucas! :D
The cucumber was a lot of fun. I've got a million ideas and activities to do to get my skills up and its like there's not enough hours in the day for all the things I want to do!

[kittymeow84]

On Jove's fantastic advice, today I have been trying digi painting using black & white values only.
I've found a great website with awesome high-res shots of vintage hollywood pinups. Really nice shots with great lighting and just perfect tone...The most fun to draw!

This is a WIP - about an hour work in Photoshop. Still getting most of the tones right and resisting all urges to hone in on the face and get crazy with detailing.

I think her body is maybe a fraction too short...I did transform it in PS to stretch it a bit. Her face is rounder than the photo I'm working from but I don't think that's such an issue right now.

I hope I'm showing some improvement! I've been drawing pretty much every day and the last few days its been more than an hour each day which is a lot considering there is work and dinner to be made every night.

Also - I mentioned on my blog...I think out of Loomis and Bridgman, so far I am preferring Loomis for the anatomy stuff. Only because it seems more structured right now.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/4099709517_e7201f6e3e_b.jpg

[element1988]

some cool stuff in here, i really like your style.

If your still looking for the bridgemen books i think Google has the pdf up for download for free, that's where i got mine. Its probably worth having a look if you don't mind reading on the computer. They have a bunch of other books too, i would link you but i cant find it now XD sorry.

[kittymeow84]

Thanks Element - I got some of the Loomis books in PDF format. They are really great. Love them. But yes, sometimes a real book is better. :D

[Creusa]

I hope I'm showing some improvement!
Yep. A great improvement indeed. One only has to see the first and the last work of yours.

[kittymeow84]

Aww thanks Creusa! :D I did a bit more on the latest one last night. Shall finish it off today I think!

[kittymeow84]

Some more work on this one. Finding more problems with it as I go along. Her front leg is too long in comparison to the other. Hmm.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/4102114751_c6fc351780_b.jpg

[struve]

You've been making some good progress in the last few days. please share with us, what is this pinups website? :o

[kittymeow84]

Here be the website:
http://www.classichollywooddivas.com/

Just click the photos and they download quite large. Also go through the archives cos there's TONS of stuff there!

And here is the finished piece. Could have polished it much more but sometimes enough is enough. Dont want to overwork it. I think I shall put it in the Finished section too. Yay!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2641/4104394495_3080a59116_b.jpg

Now, back to those anatomy studies!

[kittymeow84]

Some sketches from the last few days. Trying to do some hands.

These with no reference - and some chickens thrown in ;)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/4108788472_d64cac4a5d_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4108788356_c61de39896_o.jpg

Bridgman - obviously
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2560/4108788258_afcb2646ae_o.jpg

And some Loomis face studies. Two are copies and the smaller ones are all me.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/4108022873_153fe453bc_o.jpg

[kittymeow84]

Some ideas for CHOW
Please let me know which one you think is most anatomically correct. I think its the first one because the second there is no real room for her pelvis. But I like elements from both. Hmm.

The third is just trying out some details - but I like the shoulders.
I used no reference so a redline would be good or if you know of a photo where there is a pose similar that would be a great help!
Thanks!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4111995298_4c76506454_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2658/4111995184_0c115f6218_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/4111995018_3a35d59e45_o.jpg

[kittymeow84]

After seeing a Link in the crit centre I thought I would post something I did a *little* while ago.

LOL.

I was 16 when I painted this on my bedroom wall. I didn't even plan it - just started drawing on the wall and painted it all in one day. Its actually life size!
My parents are moving out of that house soon but the new owners have offered to have it cut out somehow so my Dad can frame it.
Its done in acrylics and its probably fading a bit now but I still like it :-)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3333/3517949560_7fa3326c77_o.jpg

[AlexTooth]

Wow I'm mega impressed with your non referenced stuff, poses looks awesome! Sure way to get good very fast drawing from memory :)

[kittymeow84]

Thanks so much AlexTooth! :) They're not that good really - when you DO get a reference you see how much you did wrong hehe!

[kittymeow84]

A finished work for a friend who's wife is getting a tattoo of Rizzo from Grease in a pinup style on her leg. Its not perfect and doesn't look too much like Rizzo - but I'm pretty happy with it for how long it took.

Trying out a new program too - ArtRage from Smith Micro....lots of fun! And cheap too - only $50. Not as sofisticated as Painter but it has a lot of potential. It isn't as sensitive to the pen pressure from the tablet as I'd like it to be but its still good to use.
I did the outline with ArtRage and then coloured in Photoshop.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4119504126_706e303d03_b.jpg

[NewmanD]

Hey, kittymeow84, want to say that your style of painting is AWESOME, keep working on, I think you'll be one from the best painters... May be I do not saw much paintings in this like style - I don't care... your style for me is WOW! And you know well how to hold pencil and wacom pen, I don't know what to crit... :)
I will visit your SB from time to time...

P.S. : Me too like Art Rage - for me its good way to forget for a minute that you have a real 2B pencil... :)

Keep it up!!!

[Reymus]

Thanks for your comment on my SB :) and good studies.

I have trouble with this myself, but in Photoshop (or ArtRage as well), go for harder edges, they really do help you see shapes better.

[kittymeow84]

Lots of new sketches.
After the stress that was CHOW its good to relax a bit. I've got a few things I need to do for friends and clients....some chickens and a pretty girl with makeup for a business card. So you can see those in these sketches.
Also, I want to do a sort of self portrait/avatar sort of thing - a character design of ME....since I've never really explored actually creating a character, it might be good to start with someone I know so well ;)

Some dodgy poses
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2659/4132582569_39ea455b8b_o.jpg

A few train faces
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/4132582473_98cb05d8b2_o.jpg

These are roughs for the bus. card....I have a better sketch I am working on right now though. Post that soon
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2550/4132582373_bae7880df7_o.jpg

A page of chickens :D
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4133342942_9681f1315e_o.jpg

And the avatar stuff
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2795/4133342876_c0897b3d12_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/4132582129_8bf5be489e_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/4132582051_26102052c6_o.jpg
They're all pretty dodgy - just tryin to get a pose at the mo and a feeling.

Thanks for the tip on the hard edges Reymus :)
NewmanD - compliments much appreciated thank you :D

[kittymeow84]

Aaaaand, here's the sketch with a bit of PS fiddling. Fun! About 20mins work :D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2573/4133415756_4cf4a608ab_b.jpg

[kittymeow84]

Getting a little somewhere with this pose...
Though I think its a little too serene and still to be really me hehe...need to somehow convey silliness....so might work some more on a different pose. Hmmm. Dontcha hate it when you change your mind halfway through something???

[kittymeow84]

Just some sketches from the last few days.
Wish I could take part in CHOW this week - too busy with other stuff....eh. I will put up WIPs when they are of presentable quality

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/4146440178_f13e1d57d0_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/4146440354_b9f68bf852_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/4145681127_3cd85f4e45_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2620/4145680693_34bae7cef8_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2611/4146440748_d24ab428fc_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/4145681915_cf54512298_o.jpg

[kittymeow84]

Oooh another drawing for today!! This is my latest commission. Gotta draw a pinup with the face of the girl I am doing it for. Having some issues with her face obviously....my reference is a 3/4 view. Any tips on getting her face right??

Otherwise, I'm okay with the anatomy and stuff. I know there are some liberties taken here but its a pinup! Hehe.

Trying my hand at doing tonal values first. Any comments on how I'm doing with that so far would be much appreciated. Mind you this is very early stages and so far I've only spent 20mins or so on the clothes.....well its the face I'm more worried about really.
Any help would be good! :D

Thanks!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/4146015459_85ea7e82a1_o.jpg

[kittymeow84]

A few more things.
All without refs except for the bunny....Saw that on Cute Overload and it was so ridiculous I had to draw it. <3
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/4149971762_7d711611f5_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2589/4149971756_c1282cd81a_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/4149971752_3a8ae3d2fe_o.jpg

Bun!!!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4149971760_c9a689beee_o.jpg

[DiR3Kt]

Hey Kittymeow, you have lot of nice stuffs here especially the digital paintings. You seem to have your own style this is really good, push it and make it yours :)

About the pinup I think she need a longer neck or at least a different head position! Keep in mind that man have short neck and woman have long neck. Also I would put less shadow on the nose because we feel it is a big strait cylinder (dont know if this is clear at all^^).

Hope this can helps!

[vardoburrito]

The bunny is too cute. Darkening out it's nose inside that dark fur would probably make it cuter.

CA's Tutorials, Tips & Tricks (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=42) section, a must browse also. x)

-"Don't you hate it when you change your mind half way thro...." Yes, yes I do ... although bright ideas can come out of nowhere, so, just always go with the gutt feelin'.
-Post #43 has no neck? Even pin-up girls have sternocleidomastoid muscles. o.0
-Else, I like #41, #15 - most of the closer to finished sketches - Keep up them studies.
Lin Ran on my sig is a must must. Cheerio

[kittymeow84]

Thanks for the comments guys! I did some more on the pinup last night and gave her a neck. Shrunk her head a fraction too. :)

I love that Lim Ran link - gonna go through it tonight. Yay!
And HI to another Melbournite! Good to see some Aussies around these parts :D

[kittymeow84]

Making a little progress.....
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/4152684726_c1ac713e86_o.jpg

Got the big head sorted out (though now I think maybe too small??)

Contemplating and getting scared of going to colour........ Eep!:thinking:



(omg there is a kitty emoticon!! :meow: !!)

[erter]

Hey Kitty,

Thanks for your comment in my SB :) You have some really good stuff in here, and seems like you're headed in the right direction. I really like your anatomy studies. Good move to add a little neck to your latest painting - looks much better. I think the nose could use a little work, though. One thing to consider about noses is how the skin is stretched over the bridge (is it called that?) of the nose. I made this quick illustration, which isn't all that pretty, but should show my point :) Basically, the lit side of the nose requires no/very little shading, depending on how stretched that piece of skin is on the face in question.

Hope that helps :)

[DiR3Kt]

Yeah the pinup looks sexy now :)

/agree with erter

[kittymeow84]

Thanks Erter - I took your advice and smoothed out the lines around the nose a bit. The face is still not 100% but I think I'm gonna go to colour now and tidy up the face later.
Also fixed the knee a bit.
If anyone can point me to some good, detailed tutorials on the Photoshop values -> colour process I would be very happy! :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4161501411_f300a10ee0_b.jpg


Also - some posemaniacs sketches. 30 seconds first and then some 90 second ones.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2653/4161495741_6334bbaa65_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2731/4161496055_8c42161681_o.jpg

[My57]

Im glade to see your constantly updating. Just keep up the anatomy studies and dont forget your head!

[kittymeow84]

Thanks My57 - yes I need to do more heads! Thanks for the reminder :)

[My57]

Also don't forget your imagination along with your heads. Thats a good thing to remember.

Thanks for stopping by my sketchbook. If you want to get better at drawing the mass of muscles and such re-read my last comment. And be prepared to sweat blood from your hands.

[kittymeow84]

Some recent sketches....
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/4168024499_37ae7b157d_o.jpg

Study from the photo reference....
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2676/4168024379_870b207771_o.jpg
And then the next day without looking at the pic in the meantime.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4168785904_045fcdff9f_o.jpg - not trying to do an exact replica, more just that I've got something in my mind that I can draw on the train. Hehe
Oh and trying to use coloured pencils to sketch instead of graphite. I need a pencil sharpener!

Loomis stuff:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2727/4168785504_35e658c52b_o.jpg

Trying to draw some people on the train after only a quick glance at them. This is done with only about 20 seconds of looking and then just see what I can come up with.
Might colour these in a minute.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4168024089_f2288833e5_o.jpg

[kittymeow84]

Sooooo....I think this is finished.

Been taking up ALL my drawing energy for so long. Just need to loosen up now and do some scribbles. Plenty of those coming too. :)

Lessons learnt:
Loosen up.
Painter is still more natural and intuitive to paint with than PS.
Simplify painting method.
Plan the workflow from start to finish.

[kittymeow84]

Aaaand another one for today. Had to get this one out. Need to loosen up the sketching again after going so hard on the pinup drawing.

45 mins or so in Painter. How I miss thee. Aaaah Painter :heart: :heart: :heart:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2636/4189280255_70620e695b_b.jpg

[latigid]

Wow your improving fast keep up the studies and keep posting

[faedri]

Looking good, Kitty! I love your color palettes and female faces :)

[goldilockz]

I've only ever used Painter once. I'd like to get my hands on it again now that I have my Mac. Great sketches :)

[kittymeow84]

Okay so I suck at updating daily. Well - it IS the holidays hehee.

here's some stuff - one I did today and my CHOW entry for the Surveyor.
CHOW
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4202915078_1b5c037585_b.jpg
Details
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2650/4202915082_58386be3e8_b.jpg
And todays sketch from a dress I saw on a vintage website. Alas, it was sold. Dammit.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2785/4212026749_3ea21b6eb0_b.jpg

[goldilockz]

Is that your Surveyor for the CHoW that just passed? Awesome!

[kittymeow84]

^^ yep it is :) Thanks!!!

[Janos]

Hi there,
Wanted to drop by and tell you you did a wonderful job at the chow entry. I respect the way you kept your original idea, yet used the crits we gave you in the chowthread to improve it. The eyes especially look great now.
Also, thanks for your vote. Means a lot to me.

Cheers

[kittymeow84]

^^ Hey no problem at all Janos :) I think you put a lot of work into your entry and understood the brief well so you were definitely deserving of a vote.

Thanks about the crits too - one thing I learnt straight away on joining CA is that you should take crits seriously. :D Everyone's been such a great help here and its good to get such great feedback!

[jackpot_anjr90]

Good work going on here...love the studies! I think if you defined the form with value rather than with outlines, your work would look stronger. Keep it up :D

[kittymeow84]

jackpot_anjr90 Thanks for the tip. I have troubles with drawing without lines. I think that is my biggest challenge, moving from the lines of the pencil to the value method in digital painting.

Anyways - here's a latest sketch from my blog. Pretty blergh about it but you know. Been slack over the xmas break and just picking things up again.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4260861793_979e898a88_b.jpg
Its a Dior outfit and I was trying to show the volume of the fabric. I totally failed trying to do the pattern so I deleted it. Hence the horrible unfinished look and there's really not much special about this.

I do like pushing my sketches into colour though.

[kittymeow84]

a pretty dodgy sketch...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4264969341_32995229f3_o.jpg

[DiR3Kt]

Wow this chow entry is rockin :)

You are improving, your sketching is also better.

As a crit for your last drawing I would say that you didn't worked enough the hand on the left, it looks square. Also the shoulder on the right is wrong it looks like it is entering in the ribcage.

But still good work! Post more!

[kittymeow84]

Heheh yeh thanks for the crit. Its a pretty hopeless sketch. All out of proportion. Boo ;)

[xbert]

pretty cool drawings, but excuse me for this stupid question:
did you ever draw a male?! :D

[Likker]

Beside proportion, the biggest thing the last drawing is missing is some structure and motion (story). The most common thing a beginning artist will do is skip a lay-in or directly copy a photograph, and then go straight to finish. Often they'll throw some line down, and then render the hell out of it by adding tone. Unfortunately, most of the time, it ends up looking either disproportionate or stiff and often with muddy tone.

Below is a photoshop drawing (hate using photoshop for this kind of stuff, but oh well) of your drawing and what it would look like if it had some structure. Basically, simple shapes establish a form that can be later built on top of.

So you may be asking, how do I make sure I get my proportion and form correct? By following a procedure: Gesture (scribble), Construction (basic form shapes), Anatomy (bone and muscle) and Technique. Gesture will establish weight, proportion, and balance. Construction establishes form (makes it look volumetric and not flat). Anatomy gives the form surface definition and more life-like qualities. Technique is whatever medium you want to use for the finish. (It's very similar to what you were doing when you copied the Bridgeman's book.)

Take a look at these links, they'll explain how the process works in better detail:
http://sheldonsartacademy.com/images/textbooks/itBook5th/ib5009.jpg
http://www.vilppustore.com/Subscription.htm

I highly recommend ordering Vilppu's Drawing Manaul book and some of Sheldon's videos, because they can teach you a lot about Atelier (classical/Renaissance) figure drawing. This method is more dynamic than copying photographs directly in that it allows you to make up your own figure without reference.

In addition to links, I've attached something I did based off your pose. The drawing is broken down by using the procedure above (my gesture is much more loose and scribbly for this pose, while Vilppu's and Sheldon's are much more deliberate). Notice how I did not copy the pose, but changed it and pushed it to (hopefully) a more in-motion pose (drawing is still not finished :bashful: ). Side note: If you want to do some figure drawing traditionally, make sure you keep the lay-in LIGHT, so you can build on top of it.

I hope this helps you in some way shape or form. And gives you something that you may want to look into and study (this stuff comes in handy, especially when doing character design, compositions, painting... and a whole bunch of other things, but it's hard as hell). Anyway, keep drawing, keep studying, and keep drawing some more.

[kittymeow84]

Thanks so much Likker, they are some fantastic resources. I usually DO try and get down angles and stuff and all the basic building blocks but I guess I was trying a too advanced technique I saw in a Loomis book where he is using only tone to create the form.
Alas, I am not as deft of hand as he was just yet! ;)

Still trying to get volume down correctly and it is pretty hard with just a pencil at this stage. So much to learn!!
I struggle with whether I should be trying all these new techniques or push the ones I know best. But then mistakes are the best way to learn aren't they! And I get frightfully bored doing things the same way all the time. Hehe.

Here is a pic I did from another Loomis copy which is slightly more successful (the face kinda sucks though) - it definitely does make a difference working with a light stroke at first.

xbert, you are right, I rarely draw men. Another shortfall. I did scribble one the other day though. Might have to scan it for proof! ;)

[kittymeow84]

Just whipped up in the past 30mins or so. Taking advice and loosening up and trying to draw 3D forms. There's even a MALE in there (omg!!) ;)

I like the bottom right drawing the best.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2708/4268691406_7b49408b05_o.jpg

[kittymeow84]

some more gestures - without ref
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4270328199_bf8a62b19e_o.jpg

And proof that I tried to draw a man. Albeit VERY BADLY. Ugh.
I'm not even going to START on all the things wrong with it. Heh
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4270328315_676151e94d.jpg

[Dorkthrone]

I would suggest more practice with drawing men so you'll get better at it.
Otherwise, I love the style.

[kittymeow84]

Some observations on the train. More explanation of my process in my blog :D
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4273016377_eca2058e13_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4273016463_64556b4780_o.jpg

My kitty Boof while he sleeps. He's mighty fluffy.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2726/4273760626_38d98ce923_o.jpg

Definitely need to practice men. :D Will be doing that from now on!

[kittymeow84]

Team CHOW sketchin...bit behind eh

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4289505681_557936e2ac_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4290249296_9184b7af08_b.jpg

Sketch for my next commission. Blog header for a beauty site :D
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2681/4289505355_e90ae1470b_o.jpg

And more random shite
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4289505211_d7a16c309c_o.jpg

[kittymeow84]

Gee I haven't updated in YONKS!! Some work:

Label for the palinka my parents make. Or grappa...whatever you want to call it - fermented stuff left after the grape pressing. Very very strong!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4305540444_56d5a8fa9d_b.jpg

My Gra-fight Sketch Club stuff from a few weeks ago. Yes its taken me this long to post. Ergh
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2721/4304768393_1f3ffe42ab_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4305510520_5526efbf20_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4305509776_5770eaba6e_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4305508482_422a7c42a5_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2681/4305507290_5f2d03e955_b.jpg


Sketch of a wicked corset design. Gammy deformed head. Sorry about that!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/4304766017_7de278ccc6_o.jpg
Look! A man!!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4295075192_49988a0790_o.jpg

Cruddy 3D render for work.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4294303813_536b7b6ab6_o.jpg

Some more recent things - sketch from a vintage photo
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4336909566_9d7113ef23_b.jpg
and more train observations...I always notice headwear or hairstyles!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/4336909328_2a1b5d0c32_o.jpg

Work for a client. havent heard back from her yet if she likes it. Hope she does. The design will go on a business card.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4336910206_b11ba065fe_b.jpg

Hope this MASSIVE update hasn't killed all your bandwidth hehehehehee.

If anyone reads my blog you should know I am beefing up my computer.. I can't wait to throw myself into some big projects that I haven't been able to start realistically because my comp just couldn't handle them. I've got a portrait of a blogger I really want to do and I'm going to finish the Team CHOW entries with my teammate even though we never submitted but we want to finish. Yay can't wait to get it!

[Janos]

Hey, eager to see the finished team chow things. All is looking fine, heads still tend to be too large though.

[kittymeow84]

^^^ Thanks so much Janos! Yes I know my heads are always too big. Must correct that asap. :D

[kittymeow84]

Some prelim sketches for CHOW - trying to get a costume down right before I start to deviate.
And some train observations

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4339343937_a9541032b3_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4339343297_f6dce34530_b.jpg

[kittymeow84]

Okay so I haven't completely disappeared. Still sketching and drawing.

Some recent work - from my blog and a sneak preview of my latest drawing.

This is client work:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4388531866_66630fde48_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2717/4388531864_643b0d2b67_o.jpg

And a fashion blogger I am drawing for the hell of it. Liking it so far and very happy with Painter 11 on my lightning fast new Mac Pro. Yeh!

[LordVenom]

Nice sketchbook, I really like your color choices, would love to see some more colored stuff as well :)

[Arteater]

nice work, keep it up :D

[DMosias]

You have a great sense of style and I really love how you digitally color. There's a lot of personality behind all of your artwork! Now, what I think would be a valuble study for you would be to take what you know with style and try and push it into a more realistic figure. You are currently drawing rather large headed women with thin bodies. Try out some more realistic anatomy (it can still be stylized), and proportions, and then give the gesture the push you're giving these drawings. Additionally, I think an important thing for you would be to keep a good reference out of skeletal anatomy even for these stylized pieces. In certain images some of the joints are getting very thin, or the bones look like they'd have a hard time bending that way. They're not big mistakes, but correcting them would make your art even that much better!

I am a big fan of crosshatching, but when you add it to your figures, be sure you're not just hatching away back and forth or in little X patterns. Cross hatch with the figure, or you start to flatten it a little. Think about how the form moves along the figure and imagine the cross hatch line as representational of that. A great example is, actually, a dollar bill! (if you're in America... I don't know other money systems x3). There is some beautiful cross hatching going on in those that really follow the flow of the figure. You don't have to go into that much detail, but it's still good to think about how you can best define the form.

Now, lastly, I like all these female figures, but make sure you do some good ol' male sketches as well :)! It's great to see a lovely variety of figures!

I like what you said to one of the users who has a variety of female figure sketches. Its important to have a variety of different male and female sketches because it is part of the process that will help make one a better and understanding artist.

Right now I am in the process of finishing up school and I will be doing things that are both sketch related and original art related. Good job posting that word of advice.

[kittymeow84]

HUGE sketch dump - I've been neglecting my poor sketchbook. Thanks to all those that have commented :D

I *think* I'm making progress...albeit slowly. I start life drawing tomorrow which goes for 2 hour sessions each week for 9 weeks. I hope that will help me lots!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/4423646925_22299d26d2.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/4434182195_ec0d7249bf_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4456055765_41175ba347_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4456834348_2d4ba50d2d_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4460717434_a91ea65ee0_o.jpg

A finished piece I like
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4463684263_bd4478f1b2.jpg

Sketch meet stuff
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4472787246_e34bf9f930_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4472008865_3d5a57f9e7.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4472787786_8f0193312b_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4472009451_998ca40861_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2775/4472797308_0b7f793ebf_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4472797476_263cf3b04a.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4472021253_7cfc17feba_b.jpg


and some more colour
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4491151615_1cbe529976_b.jpg

Thats enough for now I think!

[Puffynose]

I LOVE YOUR STYLE. I think you should focus more on realism. Your Clothes are pretty!!! You gonna be a designer????? :B

[LtPlissken]

In the post #79 there is a bottle, written something on Hungarian on it: "Törkő pálinka" the one that your grandfather made, and you are from Australia. How is that possible?
Great updates, keep going like this, sketch a lot and never give up.

[pixel cheetah]

hello Kitty! Keep up the good job. My main crit is that your pencil lines are still a bit hairy and that blacks are missings. When you think that you have find the form you are searching for try to use a few (as few as possible) solid lines to capture it. Also do not be afraid to use blacks to strenghten the key points (outlines). Do you understand hungarian?

[Creusa]

So, how are you dear?
Update.

[kittymeow84]

Oh wow it's been a while! Thought I would post an update :-)
Come a long way baby - still a looooong way to go. I am reasonably comfortable with my drawing/colouring skills but my creativity and attention to detail still needs a lot of work!

(not much here and none finished)

The first one I started just today. About 2.5 hours work using Painter and a photo ref.

As far as I got with the Barbarella CHOW topic. I may still want to finish this.

[kittymeow84]

Oh and Pixel Cheetah - yes I understand Hungarian (if you're still around!) :) I'm pretty rusty though but I can read it.

LtPlissken - My dad makes the Palinka down in Dover, Tasmania. We're Hungarian (originally from Romania though) and moved to Australia 20 years ago.

[Mag-Neo]

---Very nice style........... GOOD LUCK!........... :yayca:

[LtPlissken]

Helló. Örülök, hogy még egy magyarral lehet itt találkozni.
Sajnálom csak, hogy ilyen ritkán töltessz fel képeket.
Az utóbbi kettö digitális nagyon jó néz ki.
Sok jót a további munkáidban.
Látogass el felém is ha lesz idöd.

[kittymeow84]

Finished one of the pinups. NEXT

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/5272540577_6a5ee6f633_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kittymeow84/5272540577/)
Pink-&amp;-Blue-final (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kittymeow84/5272540577/) by kittymeow84 (http://www.flickr.com/people/kittymeow84/), on Flickr

[LtPlissken]

Hello, looks very beautiful.