Buffy

[phonicsmonkey]

Really nervous about posting here since everyone is so damn good...but heres a recent digital painting.
It's my first crack at something like this.
I had a pic next to my computer and painted what i saw, no out of computer sketches involved.

All done with Photoshop 6 and a mouse.
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/female/Painted_Buffy.jpg

[John P.]

I'm impressed that you did it with just a mouse! If you're serious about drawing as a hobby, you should definitely get a tablet, at least a Graphire 2. That alone will help you a lot.

As for this drawing:

I did a search, and found the image you've used as a reference.

Before I did that though, the things that stood out as not correct, were: It seems you have concentrated on one eye at a time, and not seen the overall result afterwords. As it is now, she is a bit cross-eyed. The face is too wide at her cheeks, and the body is a little too small compared to the head.

The things I find good in your drawing, are the nose, the eye on the left, and the mouth. No need to change those any(IMO). I also like the skin, considering the use of mouse.

Actually, this drawing would be dramatically better if you just fix that eye on the right(her left eye). Make the iris/pupil rounder and a bit bigger, and move it to the right a tiny bit(try just to make the iris bigger first, then see if it needs to be moved as well).

You can make her eyebrows a bit thicker, since they are in the reference.

All in all a good effort, and especially when done with a mouse. :)

[phonicsmonkey]

Hey, thanks for the reply.
I agree with the comments you made about what's throwing it off - unfortunately I am so fed up with looking at this (never thought i'd see the day when i said that about SMG) that I really cant be bothered to make the changes.
Cant afford a tablet (i'm only 18, and a student at that!) but I'm sure to post some stuff thats my own next time, not just a portrait.

[John P.]

Ok, keep it up anyway! :)

Drawing with the mouse is a bitch, but maybe if you develop some sort of technique...

A tablet is a huge step up though, since you get pressure and tilt sensitivity with the pen.

And a Graphire 2 is only about £75 or so I think, and will at least get you started.

I bought my Intuos second hand btw, so that's also an option.

Ok, good luck. :)