Drawing characters based on set parameters?

[nikita5]

The #1 problem I have with drawing is keeping within a set type of paramters when drawing a character. For example I might say "hmm, maybe her leg would look better a bit muscular". What this does is cause me to spend near endless amounts of time tweaking aspects of what would otherwise be a simple pose. One thing is that if I look at direct refernce material I always feel like I'm copying more than I am drawing (if that makes sense). I'm interested in animation so I know it's really important to know how to use pre-set character designs properly. So if anyone has advice on what the limits of reference material is I would really appreciate it.

[aehbon]

I have the same problems. One suggestion I have that i've learned from watching the Feng Zhu videos; he draws TONS of thumbnails and when he gets one he really likes he takes it to a copy machine and blows it up and then traces it.

This technique works really well. In fact, I've always done this technique with my paintings just didnt realize it.

I hope that helps.

Brandon

[nikita5]

I've tried thumbnails and somehow they seem to take away the "fun" aspect of drawing. I use animation paper and nothing beats being able to go start to finish on the final product and then all that's left is cleanly tracing your sketch. One other problem I've begin to notice is that now that I am drawing on a daily basis drawing for the most part has become a lot less special. I suppose that's a good thing because I can produce sketches with near finished quality in one sitting compared to spending several hours on the same type of sketch several months ago.

[HugeHarHar]

I almost actually enjoy the thumbnails I do as much as the actual finished drawing. For me, drawing 30 quick thumbnails is quick and adds more to the finished product then if you just start right off. Besides, it ALWAYS helps to preplan. So unless you're just throwing paint in globs, thumbnails are your way to go. That's just my opinion though. ~grain of salt~

[_JRandall_]

I'll throw my hat in agreement with thumbnails, I used to just set out and draw a character then everytime I would draw that same character annother time in a different pose, their look and clothing/armor/etc is different and sitting down and doing a ton of thumbnails I have more confidence in my character design than just sitting down and making a finnished piece.

[AnarchyAo2]

I usually think about the character I want. I doodle it some. I'm not trying to perfect it while I'm doodling but I'm trying to get some good ideas by drawing anything that comes to mind.

[nikita5]

This question just occured to me, but is skilll improvement equal to drawing larger when doing thumbnails? Like for example if you were trying to improve your perspective drawing? I usally wont make a thumbnail when I plan to draw for real, but I never realized how time saving thumbnailing could be when it comes to just trying new techniques.

[justice]

even globs need a sketch!









Paint for the Right ............and the Left!