Gilead's Fantasy Art Sketchbook

[Gilead]

1350618

They say my recent work is much better than this old work. It's certainly different so if you want to just skip to the end rather than slog through 100 pages who can blame you?
For a better representation of my current work please check my portfolio or blog which are linked in my signature line.
I welcome comments, criticism, questions and money.
Thank you and enjoy.

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____
Original Post:



Hello and welcome to my sketchbook.
The idea is to draw a different babe everyday or make changes to one I've already done, and then add props, costume bits, weapons and armor.
This is just me drawing for my own benefit with no particular meaning or purpose other than my amusement and practice. But I do hope that you will have a look every now and then and enjoy, ask questions, make comments, critique, ridicule whatever.
These will all be done from some form of reference: books, magazines, smut, swimwear catalogs, photos I've taken and life drawings.

[Gilead]

Here's another. I usually don't have this much time in one go, but it's Sunday. I do most of these at Carls Jr.
#6
100508

[Gilead]

Just a quick one today.
#7
100509
Part of my purpose in this is to retrain myself to draw small. I used to do lots of small pen and ink work for roleplaying games and fanzines in the mid 90's, but since then I've been painting signs and murals. For 10 years almost no small drawings except rough sketches. Six feet is is kind of a cramped canvas if you ask me.
So the daily sketch and daily paint exercises are partly to retrain my hands.

[Gilead]

This is actually yesterday's drawing with a lot of revisions.
#8
100510

[NightVision]

very nice ... shows me that I should start drawing from ref a bit more again ..
great clothing designs as well !

Gonna keep my eyes on this one ...

[charcoalArtist]

hi nice drawings, the one thing that jumped at me right away was that the way the hand connects to the forearm looks odd. I'm no hand expert but it seems you need to either make the wrist smaller or the palm wider.

Keep it up

[Gilead]

NightVision Thanks, Yea all my drawings are better with refference than without. It gives me someplace real to start. Come back as often as you like :)

charcoalArtist You're right I did a little fix on that today, but that's all I did on her so I didn't bother with a scan.

Kind of a rough one today.
#9
100511

Just for interest here's one I did last October.
#10
100512

[Pixeldragoon]

Keep going, looking hot!

[Sharpezor]

Great work, I like all of them, but the 6th ones legs look a bit odd.

keep updating, very nice drawings. :D

[Gilead]

Sharpezor Now that you mention it they are kinda' boneless aren't they? Gotta fix that one too.
Thanks keep 'em coming those extra sets of eyes make all the difference.

[Gilead]

#11 Harem girl or something? She needs a lot more jewelry.
100513

[Gilead]

#12
100516

[Gilead]

Had lots of fun with this one. I actually once made myself a leather vambrace kinda' like these with intentions of making a whole grecco/celtic suit of armor. One of many grand schemes that have fallen by the wayside in my time.
#13
100518

[Icey]

you need to work on anatomy and line... the shadding looks dirty - try to make it with small paralel lines, it will make the shadowed areas look verry good - you'll see!

[corky13]

Icey`s right. Right now it looks a bit messy.
You also maybe want to add more contrast (e.g. more dark values) to your babes to give them a more "solid" look.

[Gilead]

Icey & corky
Thanks and yup this thread is me working on anatomy, linework, shading etc.
Ive spent the last 12 years relying on tricks like heavy black outlines and airbrushed shading on cartoonish or characturized figures. Now I'm trying to go back to the basics and re-learn some controll.
thanks again.

[Gilead]

#14
100519

[Gilead]

This is actually #9 with improvements. Developed the shading, changed the face and hair and lengthened the torso. It was actually right going by the photo, but photos can lie, so I just changed it according to what I know proportions ought to be. Think I'll just work on her a bit more tomorrow.
#15
100520

[Gilead]

#16 Here she is again with a few subtle changes.
100524

[Gilead]

Hey I never said the babes had to be female...did I? Maybe I did... oh well.
#17
100527

[Gilead]

#18
100533

[Gilead]

#19 From a photo of my wife. No she doesn't exactly look like this, but that's the beauty of using refference photos JUST for refference and not being a slave to it.
100534

[Gilead]

#20 Also from a photo of my wife. This one's closer to what she looked like back then, but it's a really old photo.
100535

[Tariq]

Hey Gilead, you really like drawing babes Huh ? Like me..heh, hee. :confident
You have some great pieces in here, especially the last ones showed a mark improvement in your anatomy. The trick is to just keep drawing man, and a few life drawing lessons would help to speed this up. But you got a great start. Keep up the good work and keep posting.
Cheers,
T.

[Gilead]

Tariq Thanks man I checked out your sketchbook and website. Yur one talented dude! I am in a life drawing group and that's helping loads. Thanks much.

[Gilead]

#21
102228

[Gilead]

#22
102229

[Gilead]

Not that I bore easily or anything like that, but here's something a little off the program. (Although she is a babe) This is a drawing I did back in 1983. Ink wash over markers and colored pencil. Dig that metalic paint! Uhg! I did do a mechanical arm though and I was about most of you guy's age then so maybe it's a testoterone thing.
#23
http://members.cox.net/gilead/serpent01.jpg
So a zillion years later I dig it out of the closet and say "Hey that's kinda cool" and I do a re-make.
#24
http://members.cox.net/gilead/serpent02.jpg
Not sure where I'm heading with this one, but I like it so far. She needs an environment and maybe an opponant though not necessarily. Any suggestions?

[Fellah.]

Hey man I have been checking this thread out sometimes now - hell, if it says babes Im there :rendered: There some really nice stuff going on here. Your pencilskill is strong, but most of the drawing could use some more dark values ( I agree with corky13), but I sure you already know that. It would make them stand out more and make those forms more juicy. Most likely some of the darkness get lost in the scanning, happens to my pencildrawings anyway. Its really not a lot you need to do before some of them becomes really cool! If you dont want the drawing to be too dark, you might wanna play more with the light. Make the white really really white, make some shading behind the babes etc.
The last pencil drawing is very cool dude! The pose is sweet and the face is awesome. Killer eyes shes got. Shes beliavble. Work some more on the hand and add some contrast and we got a super drawing to enjoy. Good work man! Nice to see some ink here aswell btw.
And for Gods sake, no more males, no more males

[Gilead]

Fellah Thanks man. Your sketchbook is very cool especially the pen and ink, something I've always wanted to learn to do better. That's why I love coming here you can get crits from the real pros.
You're right there's not much value range in my sketches. I'll try and bring some of these to a more finished level.
What 'cha got against nekkid boys anyways?

[Gilead]

#25 nuthin' special just a breakfast sketch.
102231

[talmir]

Those are really good. Your lines have a faint feel of uncertainty which makes them look scribbly once in a while. But I dig the fantasy clothes and the armored one is my favorire (I'm a bit of an armor nutter) Nice shading going on also. Some of your faces look a bit flat, but that will be fixed with mileage.

More!

[Gilead]

thanks talmir I like drawing armor that looks like it could work. It doesn't have to be practical, but I do need it to be workable.
I'll have to work on the flatness problem. My life drawing teacher is always saying "form before features" or stuff like that.
On that subject...I just read a book called "The Pencil" by Paul Calle. I tried to build up this drawing using his "engraving like" approach. No smudging allowed... But I like smudging.
This is actually #12 plus iron.
#26
102242

[Gilead]

This one is from yesterday. I'll post todays later...after I do one.
#27
102252

[Gilead]

Well here I go again not staying with the program, but I didn't draw any babes today.
My apologies to both of my viewers.
Some guy asked me if I could paint a picture of Drizt the dark elf from Forgotten Realms. I said "no because I don't have permission to paint someone elses' copywrited character. However I can just paint some dark skinned, white haired elf with a couple of swords and you can call it anything you want."
He doesn't get it, but anyways here's the sketch transfered to masonite and inked. Looks more like Orlando Bloom than Elric so far, but we'll work on it.
#29
http://members.cox.net/gilead/elf01.JPG

[Gilead]

I was looking at some old fantasy art and decided to give this one that old 1970's disco fantasy look. Not finished yet.
#29
102253
I also did some work on my dark elf painting. Acrylic wash.
#30
http://members.cox.net/gilead/elf02.JPG
#31
http://members.cox.net/gilead/elf04.JPG
#32 This is probably as far as I want to go in acrylics. I'll switch to oils as soon as this is dry.
http://members.cox.net/gilead/elf09.JPG

[Gilead]

Well here's the finished version of #29. Not sure I really like it, but c'est la via.
#33
102254

[Danilo]

I think u should draw models from life more. All girls are beautifull with perfect breasts. Well, they looks (not all, some are fine) comertial, without deeper characterisation.

[Gilead]

Danilo Yeah they do all kinda' look alike, I guess I always figured I'd personalize them a bit more as I finish them, but I'm kind of lazy.
#34
102255

[Gilead]

Well I was at LepreCon31 all weekend so I didn't draw any babes. (I met some though)
I also gave a couple panels: "Making a living as an Artist" and "Self Promotion for Artists" And I did a couple demos; Figure Drawing, Painting Basics and Airbrushing.
Here's a quick and dirty orc I did for the airbrush demo. It was fun, and people seemed to be having a good time.
http://members.cox.net/gilead/demo1.JPG

[Gilead]

#35
102256

[Gilead]

#36
102257

[Danilo]

This last is realy good ;)

[Fellah.]

I agree, its good stuff :)
The mouth goes a bit much to the left and left shoulder are slightly too big. But i dig them apples :}
The armour items are really really well done! Same goes for the drawing above - looks cool!

[Gilead]

Danilo & Fellah
Thanks guys those ones were fun. I was looking at some Scythian art when I did the last design. I love celtic stuff, but everyone does that now.
The crits are spot on, funny I don't see it untill someone else points it out and then there it is.

[mentler]

last images load they did not!!

[Gilead]

mentler, Don't know what to say Yoda, they show up on my screen.
Looking for babes are you? Found some you have hmmm?
#37
102259

[Gilead]

#38
102266
#39 Just another rough one to add stuff to later.
102267

[aliceglass]

i really need to take lessons from you...

[Gilead]

aliceglass, Well we live pretty close so I suppose that's possible.

[Gilead]

I liked #38 so much that I decided to do the back view of the same outfit (different model). She looks a bit unbalanced, but I like the design.
#40
102268
The two of you who are actually reading the text here, may find this interesting. A few months ago I really became interested in retuning to fantasy art. So I looked at some some old sketch books from 10-15 years ago which had a lot of nude women in them and I still thought they looked pretty good. This isn't good because if you are progressing then your old work should look all wrong to you.
But just yesterday after a few months of life drawing and a little over a month with this daily exercise I looked at the old sketches again and realized that they were REALLY BAD! This made me feel good, because it means that in just this short time I have actually gotten a little bit better, while I had made no progress in the previous 10 years due to hardly ever doing that sort of thing. So keep drawing, it's helping you more than you realize.

[Chahiro]

I love your watercolor/ink images. Very Nicely done. Some of the figures seem a bit "stiff" and a little too posed. Maybe try being a little looser with your line and get a little more movement into your poses? Just a suggestion. Great work though, keep it up!

[Gilead]

Chahiro, Thanks, I'll try to loosen it up a bit.

Well I didn't want to be the only fantasy artist in the world to never do a bikini clad bad girl in skulls and spikes. Normally I don't go in for the -I'm so bad that if I raise my arm I'll gouge out my eyes with my shoulder pads- look, but just this once...
My costume designs (normally) may not be the most practical in the world, but I like them to be feasable. Somebody COULD wear them and still be able to move and not hurt themselves.
But the muse commands and I obey.
#41
102269

[Fellah.]

Nice one Gilead - i like her alot - not because of the spikes tho :wink:
You can feel her move and flashing that skull. I think a lot of costume design are meant to scare of the enemy leaving the warrior with only selfmade cuts :wink:

[Malavon Despana]

Oh GOD! What's this. Gilead, you are absolutely, mind blastingly over-talented of a man!!! Damn I love your work here, looks so real, so potential, so authentic and desireable. You really know what tickles our fancies, ahehe...

You got really awesome designs, patterns, armour, clothes and what not, I love them all. And nudity indeed a very important aspect in drawing and a dimension of its own, in its very respective form. Nudity is not meant for any offense or shock, it is natural and for women it is a beauty to cherish, sayeth I !!
And you sure preserve that beauty well, especially adding your awesome visioning on top of them!

I'm plain awestruck, what else can I say that keep it up, lad. I am much indulged and obliged to visit this particular thread of your, for this indeed is something spectacular. And thank you ever so much for visiting my sketchbook, your comment there was something that clings to the very truth, thank you!

[Gilead]

Fellah, Interesting perspective. Your explanation is as good as any.
Malavon Despana, Many thanks man, my most enthusiastic resonse yet. But I think you are the better man in costume design.
This is #39 all dressed up.
#42
102271

[Gilead]

#43
102272]

[darkchild]

Hi, new to the forums. Great work on the shading and shadows. My favorite is #10. Very good use of composition. Come by and checkout some of my work. There are some ladies on my page as well as autoart.

Later,

darkchild

[darkchild]

Hi, new to the forums. I love your use of shadows and shading. My favorite is #10. Great composition. Come by and checkout my Sketchbook. I will be posting more work in the next few weeks. There are some lovely ladies as well as autoart. Later

Darkchild

my sketchbook (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=44648&highlight=darkchild)

[Gilead]

Went to see Star Wars today. Fun for the whole family! So I sketched while waiting in line. You'd think I'd have done a Star Wars babe, but this is what came out instead.
#44
102274

[Gilead]

By the way darkchild, Thanks. I checked out your sketchbook and i agree with everyone else; your pencil work is far stronger than the computer stuff. I know nothing about computer art so I can't tell you why that is.
Ok we saw Star Wars again today and this time I decided to do something more star-warsy. I know I got her head shape wrong, but I did it from memory so there you go.
#45
102279

[Gilead]

Hey what do you know I'm on page two now. Whoopie!
This one's a bit light. I had no refference for the drape so I was hesitant.
#46
102280

But I got to paint a babe at work today too
#47 Acrylics and latex with a little airbrushing. 3 foot by 20 foot. About 7 hours.
http://members.cox.net/gilead/CHEBAM~4.jpg
http://members.cox.net/gilead/CHEBAM~1.jpg
Yes that's a mermaid and an octopus sharing a hookha. It's a mural I'm doing for a place called the Cheba Hut. It's a sandwhich shop with a marijuana theme.

[Gilead]

#48
102283

[Fellah.]

Hi man, nice babes 8)
The armour on the last one is really good dude - you should design that stuff!
The hands looks unfinished, arms are a bit too short ( im really becoming a nerd) - the shading and line work is very nice here.
The pose from Yesterday 07:32 is one of your best yet. I noticed that some of them has a light and dark eye - entended?
NIce mural - i did some big ones years ago - kindergardens :bashful: one of them was also a mermaid and it showed her breasts which the kids liked :)
Damn - im replying here more than you :nohope:

[MarkHarchar]

Hey Gilead,
I love the sheer thing that you got going on with #46. You said you are married. Does your wife get aggrevated with all the naked women drawings? My wife is pretty cool, but she seems to get annoyed when I draw too many nudes. All I hear is, there you go drawing boobs again. Arrggghhhh....

Keep posting. I'll keep viewing.

[Gilead]

Fellah, Thanks for posting I appreciate all the feedback I can get. You're right about the eye thing though it's worse in the scan than on paper. Still since this is where people are seeing this stuff I need to work on it.
I used to make armor and stuff, it was fun, but tedious. Perhaps someday I can get together with an armorer and collaborate on a project. I made and sold lots of studded leather armbands in the 80's.

hylandr2, Thanks. My wife is pretty cool about that sort of thing. Well she's pretty cool in general. If that stuff bothers her she doesn't say so. It helps that she knows I don't mean anything by it. I'm just drawing whatever comes into my head, I'm not making a statement about women or sexuality or whatever..none that I'm concious of anyhow.

Don't much care for this one, but you can't win them all. Though she does kinda' have that warrior girl next door look going on.
#49
102284

[mentler]

Babes galore here ~~~ like the subtle touch ~~~ could be even a little less detail on the last face ~~~ it becomes a major factor on beautiful women to do just enough ~~~ "remember all the best do less" ~~~ I usually try to marry the pupil to the top lid if I separate it out at all!

[Gilead]

Thanks mentler, Yeah I don't always know when to stop.

Atomic Comics had Red Sonja Issue #0. I had no choice but to buy it. I don't much care for the cover art, it looks flat and pasted together. So I was inspired to do my own version. I could take this a lot farther, but here it is so far.
#50
102285

[darkchild]

Just checking out your new works. Looking good. I love the Star Wars babe and the girl with the sheer drape. Good work on the making the material seem sheer. Great rendering. I'll be checking back.

[Gilead]

darkchild, Thanks for coming by.
#51
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe042.jpg

[Gilead]

#52
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe044.jpg

[Gilead]

I was just at the Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. Teminal 3 has this huge stained glass piece in the ceiling, it's really nice. A couple women walked by and one of them in a really sarcastic voice says something like this: "Yeah that's really pretty, but everytime I see something like that I think about how we had to cut the budget for the arts and music programs in the schools in order to pay for this stained glass thing, but gee isn't it pretty?"
Now I can be a little slow sometimes so while I knew this train of logic bothered me, I couldn't quite figure out why until after they'd walked away.
Then it dawns on me: The airport is a private institution while schools are publicly funded so there's no connection in the first place. But even if there was what she was really saying is this: "We need to educate children in music and the arts and teach them how to go out and have creative careers. But once they grow up and aren't cute anymore, To Hell with 'em! Adults should never get a dime to actually DO anything artistic. They should just stand in line and beg for minimum wage jobs at Burger King like everybody else."
Anyways I hope the schools continue to teach art and music, and I hope adults actually get to use that education. There's no need for hollow cynicism here. And if you're ever in the Phoenix airport: look up, it's a beautiful sight, and be happy for a fellow artist who made a whole bunch of well deseved money off of his or her talents.
#53
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe046.jpg

[Gilead]

#54
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe047.jpg

[Gilead]

People have accused me of drawing nothing but boobs all day long. Boobs boobs boobs all day long. This is so unfair because there is actually so much more to me than that. So to disprove this accusation of shallowness I submit the following.
#55
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe052.jpg
#56
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe053.jpg
#57
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe055.jpg
I think I make my point thank you very much.

[darkchild]

Right on... there is nothing wrong with drawing other stuff besides boobs. Great sketches.

[~Faust~]

I like your style! There's always enough detail for the viewer's eye to complete the faces in their heads but not too much to damage the impression. Nice man! Keep going! :}

[Gilead]

darkchild, I agree.
Faust, I met Frank Kelly Freas a couple of times and one time we were talking about style. He said he tried for years to create a style of his own unsuccessfully, in his opinion. But everyone else told him he had a very recognizable style. Eventually he came to the conclusion that an artist's style is "the sum total of the mistakes he doesn't know he's making". I later heard him repeat that story several times, I think there's a lot of truth to it.

One more with no boobs.
#58
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe056.jpg

[aprat]

Good stuff. I have a suggestion though. I noticed that you draw pretty much all of the faces from the front, so how about doing some profiles and 3/4?

[MarkHarchar]

I like the girls better...

However, in the interest of art, the male pictured here seems to be missing what my wife and other women have called "male cleavage". The obliques? around the waist form this line that seems to be missing in the last one. Even men that aren't very muscular tend to have it defined. You may want to take a look at that. I'd also like to see some profiles and 3/4 heads. I'm sure you will nail it...

[Gilead]

aprat, Yeah I've been using very similar source material for most of these so the poses are a bit redundant.
hylandr2, I don't know what obliques are, but I'll look it up. I take all these critiques seriously, don't know if it shows.

I was in Atomic Comics the other day and they had an artists corner where they display fan art based on a monthly theme. This month's theme was "your favorite star wars character". I knew who that was in a heartbeat.
#59
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/leiah4.JPG
This was just a bunch of foamcore scraps cut and glued together, then airbrushed.

[MarkHarchar]

I figured I'd save you some trouble. Here is a quick diagram displaying the external oblique muscles in the abdoman area. You can see by the shaded area that there is a sharp end to the muscle which causes an indentation a few inches above the hips.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/hylandr2/Obliques.jpg

[Gilead]

hylandr2 Hey thanks, If I have any of those on my body they look a little different.
I was on the road for a couple days so I didn't draw any babes. Back in business now though.
#60
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe045.jpg

[Gilead]

I think the feet are too small.
#61
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe050.jpg

[darkchild]

Hey, come to see what your up to. Nice update. I like the girl with the spear. On the second sketch, it's nice but you're right the feet are too small. It's also on the light side, I think that the sketch would come out nicely with some darker areas in the background and keep the lighter gradients on the character itself. But that's just me. I hope to see more from you. As always your women are beautifully sketched. I'll check back. Later

[thebluepuppy]

that ascrylic painitng of the women is absolutly stunning. keep up the good work

[Gilead]

darkchild, thebluepuppy, Thanks one of these days I'll finish some of this stuff. All your ideas and insights are helpfull.
#62
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe051.jpg

[Gilead]

#63
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe060.jpg

[MarkHarchar]

Gilead,
#63...very nice. Good facial angle you captured there. Nicely done. The bum has a very nice shape to it and the rendering captures nice volume. Keep throwing some different angles our way, top down, worm's eye view, Cirque de Soleil contortionist stuff... I know you got it in you. This stuff is great.

[darkchild]

Hey... I came by to see what you're up to and caught sight of #63. Very nicely done. I think this one is my favorite in terms of rendering and shadow so far. The pose is excellent and you've captured the light on the ass perfectly. The upper back near the shoulder blades is also nicely done, not just 1 shade of dark but subtle hints of shadow. Keep posting more like this. Later

[Gilead]

hylandr2, Thanks I had my Paul Cale book out while working on that one.
Umm... Cirque de Soleil contortionist stuff? Dont hold yer breath, but maybe.

darkchild, Thanks I'll try to give a more finished look to these. Of course part of the problem is the source material I'm working with leans more towards washed out frontal lighting. This one was a bit unusual in that respect.

Ok so nothing really new today just worked a bit on a couple old ones.
This is #54 with changes
#64
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe061.jpg
and this is #49 with changes.
#65
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe062.jpg

[Gilead]

Not thrilled with this one, I probably wont take it any further.
This was babe #2 with lots of changes.
#66
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe063.jpg

[Gilead]

and this is #53 with some work done.
#67
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe065.jpg

[Gilead]

Ok so nothing completely new today just did some refinements on some old stuff.
#68 The one from last night.
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe066.jpg

#69 Ok maybe I shouldn't do this, but in honor of it being my 69th pic...
This is a very old drawing what can I say?...I was young! It was the drugs! Peer pressure! Everyone experiments in college!
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe069.jpg

Red Sonja again. This is sketch #50 revisited.
#70
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe067.jpg

This is sketch #65 reworked
#71
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe068.jpg

and this is sketch #64 reworked
#72
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe064.jpg

[darkchild]

Hey... I see that you got some reworked stuff up. Great stuff with the backgrounds. It really brings out the sketches more with a subtle background. I'm starting to experiment with that also. Despite the nature of #69 I think its an awesome sketch. Great pose and understanding of placement for the characters. Later..

[Gilead]

Nice to see you again. I'm kind of regaining skills that I've lost over the last decade or so. In some ways I've improved in some ways I'm really struggling.
#72
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe059.jpg

[MarkHarchar]

Dude,
This is a very nice composition. The hair rendering is really weel done. I see one thing. It is hard to tell where the light source is coming from. The lower legs and breasts show it coming fromt he front left. The upper legs and right arm seems to be coming from front over head. The left arm and hand are somewhere else. Try to keep in mind the light source when you render. Otherwise, nice pic.

[Malavon Despana]

'tis been a long time since I last posted here, sorry for that, I've been utterly busy, but obviously you've been keeping up the pace, ahehe. Truly awesome work and you are on page 2 already, great!!!

So many new works here and so beautiful they are, as always!!
Very inspiring work, the shape, decorations, armour, clothing, shading and everything is precise and truly great work. You got the entity nicely in your grasp in every work, and it's great that you do reissues of older pictures, 'tis a nice thing.

Hahah, the #69 was an interesting draw but very... according :D .

I just can't say anything else but praices to you, but I would request you to do something more massive, epic, action-based as well. You got the talent and aspects well in hand, why not to unleash them all into a massive work?
Think upon that ;) , I hope you get some thoughts for an endeavour such as that.

The painting you did for 7 hours was truly remarkable, just plain awesome. I nearly dropped my jaw as I gazed upon that in amazement O_o . Keep it all up, you are a man of sadistic potential :D . I just love what you do, so do it more!!!

And if I am better in custom desing, outwit me, for I know you can do better than I :D ! I'll try to be more intact with CA now, I've been negleting this way too much, due to the fact that I've been busy with oh-so-many things. I updated some of my thread, so take a look and critisize me into the lowest pits of the Nine Hells ;) !

[Gilead]

hylandr2 You're right, I'll fix it.
Malavon Despana You're too much...keep it coming.
Epic? Massive? Well I don't know about that, but this one's maybe a bit more...scaled up than usual.
#70
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe071.jpg

[Gilead]

Well I know I already posted today, but it's the weekend and I didn't have too much to do so what the snark!
hylandr2 This is for you. Not finished yet, but I thought I'd post what I had so far.
#71
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe075.jpg

This one is #58 revised. I don't know what this guy's so excited about maybe he likes a good fight. Or maybe he's anxious to show off his...sword.
#72
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe074.jpg

[darkchild]

You just keep improving everytime I visit.... #70 sketch, very nicely done. A little rendering goes a long way. You got some subtle tones as always (your signature style) very nice, but this time you have smoother rendering. The lighting on the breast came out real nice. #71, great background. The way you framed the woman with the view through the window. That extra stuff brought out the pic very nicely. One crit on this pic is that her left hand resting on the table is a bit off. It doesn't quite follow the direction of the table. But I'm just being picky. #72, the warrior guy. Good rendering, the shield is way too small to be effective. I realize that you probably did not want to cover the majority of the figure with a larger shield. I gotta say awesome updates.. Keep them beautiful women coming.... Later

[Malavon Despana]

Mighty fine updates yet again!
Great to see more reissues of older pictures. #70 has very good pose, as you always tend to have. I like the aspect that very a few of your characters are standing straight, if even any are.

The picture #71 indeed is more in depth now, due to the background, which adds alot to the overall look of it. I just got to love the shadings you do.
You have very realistic look to everything you do, very cool thing indeed.

Perhaps you might try to due a duel picture, strech out more of your skills that you already possess. You have so good touch to the human shape, use it more to your advantage. We want to see your awesome characters on the move!! Backgrounds behind the characters would do well too. Think upon those. Great as always, hope to see more from you soon!

**Darkchild, it's a buckler the man is holding, they are like that small always. But true, not very shielding ;) .

[Gilead]

#73 improvements on #...21 I think
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe070.jpg

darkchild There were a couple of fighting styles that used a tiny little buckler like that. In my SCA days I used to like to use one. You can see around it and just kind of slap attacks aside with it. And, yes I hate covering up my figures with a big old shield. If I had people would say I was hiding anatomy problems behind it.

Malavon Despana I appreciate what you're saying, but I'm kinda' not at that stage yet, and the purpose of this thread was more just anatomy practice from source material.
On the other hand I hate dissappointing my crouds of adoring fans so here's some older stuff just to show that I do actually have some range.

#74 ink
http://members.cox.net/gilead/ink007.jpg

#75 ink
http://members.cox.net/gilead/ink003.jpg

#76 acrylic on masonite
http://members.cox.net/gilead/bull02.JPG

#77 acrylic on canvas
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/Ape07.jpg

#78 acrylic on masonite
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/snake06.jpg

#79 ink wash. I call it "beach party". I always intended to do a large painting of this. It was one of our most epic D&D battles. We'd barely beached our longboat in front of the evil castle, and out of the fog lurches a couple hundred undead. And there we were without a record collection.
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/beach.jpg

[Gilead]

#80
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe073.jpg

[darkchild]

Hey, there..... a buckler, huh? Shows you how much I know. My mistake. On #80... I thought you did a good job on the foot. Maybe if you sketched in a hint of a nail for the big toe. That would make the foot seem more 'finished'. Great work on the epic battle scene. I like that character with the sword through the skull in the corner. Later

[Gilead]

darkchild Thanks, finger and toenails are one of those things I often get wrong so I think I subconciously avoid them, but people sure look wrong without them. Good catch.
#81
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe048.jpg

[Gilead]

Kinda like where this is going, but she's too close to the top of the paper. I'll have to trace it onto another page.
#82
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe076.jpg

[darkchild]

Hey how's it goin? Just back to crit some of your new stuff. Not much to crit on #81. Great pose, good portrayal of attitude. She's like a Lady Indy Jones (you call her Doctor Jones!!). Just a crit on #82.. I know its not finished but I would like to say that to me the way her right breast is pointing, the spike should be a bit higher and shorter. Practically pointing at the viewer. The angle is slightly off. Ok I go away now.... Can't wait to see the finished product. Hey do you sketch on 8.5" x 11" paper? I have found it easier now to sketch on 11" x 14". Problem is that my scanner won't accomodate that size. Keep sketching!

[MarkHarchar]

Hey man,
I agree with DC on the boob spike. It should at least be pointed a little more straight at you. Also, the mohawk isn't quite centered on her head. It is makingk her look a little more like a cancer patient than a warrior. Just so you know, checking out you new babes of the day really makes mine.
Later.

[Gilead]

darkchild, hylandr2, It makes my day to make your day. thanks for being around.
And you invisible visitors; Evan, Ray, Lizzie, Kyle I know you're out there. thanks for dropping in.
Now as to this nipple issue...I'm going to have to go study this topic veeery closely. Ah the many sacrifices we make for our art.

[Gilead]

Just a little more work on #19.
#83
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe079.jpg

[Gilead]

Loosely based on a photo of umm...someone I know
#84
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe058.jpg

[Gilead]

A little work on #63
#85
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe078.jpg

[Malavon Despana]

I like your old stuff with some action in them, as much as I like your sole poses.
Your acrylic work is plain awesome, really talented stuff they are, oh yes.

Hands you might try to bring out more, they are left rather "unnoticed". Add more shape to them and they'll shine more out from the rest of the drawings.

#82 is nicely different style, due to her tough/rough outlooks ;) .
The reissues look great as always, you invent lots of nice things in them always. Good to see them evolving more and more.

#85 might have a wee little bit more round back on the right side, wouldn't you say?

The man's right chest looks rather odd compared to the roundness of the left side, but that doesn't matter to the overall look of the picture, nice pose and drawing.

Keep them coming, always a treat to the eyes your girls are.

[Gilead]

Malavon Despana, Well you're right about the hands for sure, that's one of many areas where i need a lot of work.
I don't know what you meant about the guy's chest though. Once I decide what to do with him I'll pay close attention to the photo. Also I'm trying to make an out of shape guy look heroic so I may be having problems with that adjustment.
Thanks for the crits. I keep all this stuff in mind whenever I work on the next piece and I think It's helping.
#86
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe077.jpg

[Malavon Despana]

Great that my notifications could help you ;).
I mean the man's right "breast" might be a little more solid, "muscular" or the like. It looks a bit "loose" in a way, as if it was a little fat :P . It's hard to explain, but then again, it's just how I see it, hahah, so don't sweatdrop for it too much. Trying to make him look more heroic? Sounds cool, perhaps he might don a light Roman empire Legionaire armour or the like ;) .

I am have some major problems with hands as well, so you're not alone with them =) . But everything in time, no? As much as a I tend to spend more time with design rather than the actual shape of body (whenever I leave space for some naked parts in my pictures, since most people are overly covered with armour and clothes).

By the way, you accidentally posted the same picture again ? :P. Or am I actually too blind not to see any difference in them O_o .

I am waiting eagerly for more heroes and heroines !!

[Gilead]

What the-expletive deleted-! I did post the same one twice. sorry about that. I've substituted something else now. Bad hands again and his nose looks broken.

[Malavon Despana]

Ahehe. Well, yeah, his nose seems to have an interesting twist to it, true that.
And the hand seems way too flat.
He could also get a perhaps little more male-ish look on his face, unless of course he is the pretty boy :D. Not that it matters to me, though.

Great pose and overall picture!!

[Gilead]

Malavon Despana, Yeah that one's got problems. Ah well.
I don't know why this one came out so comic-booky, but that's ok.
#87
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe080.jpg

[Gilead]

Thought I'd try a model with a little more muscle
#88
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe081.jpg

[Dan1989]

Subject wise I like #80 the best. #88's arms seem a little short. You're doing a good job on these, but some of them are very similar technique wise, it would be nice to see more experimenting. Keep up the steady drawing!

[aliceglass]

no fair! i want perfect boobies like all the babes in your drawings! can you draw imperfection as good as perfection? (thats my downfall: i cant)

[NightVision]

Last ones have more definition & contrast, I like that ! Faces are getting better as well, more diversity !

I like the comic style one (87) ... more ?

Great acrylics ... made me check out your paint thread, and I'm glad I did !
How about one of your woman in paint :D ?

Keep 'em coming !

[Gilead]

Dan1989 Yeah there's a sameness too be sure, but learn to walk before you fly eh?

aliceglass, Can I draw imperfection? No. Because imperfection exists only in your eyes when you look in the mirror. I could draw you exactly like you are and people would still say that I only draw perfection. And they'd be right.

NightVision, Thanks for checking out the painting thread. An acrylic painting babe sketch is certainly on the way.

[darkchild]

Hey I think you did a really good job on #88. Good pose. I especially like the face and hair. So when are you gonna break down and throw a bit of backgrounds to some of these stunning beauties? Like #71.....

[Gilead]

darkchild, Oh you know...someday.
In the meantime here's some more.
#89
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe082.jpg

[MarkHarchar]

Hey man, nice job in rendering the back musculature. She looks buff, yet very feminine. Great butt too... There are also two small indentations (the sacra..something bones) at the base of the back. It would be easier enough to add them here if you wished.

[Gilead]

#90
Pretty rough and scratchy I know.
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe083.jpg

[Gilead]

This is # 86 with armor and other changes.
#91
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe084.jpg

[Gilead]

So I thought "ya know I really don't like #91 so what have I got to lose?" So I threw it in the sink untill it was soggy wet and then painted the back side of the paper with latex house paint base and slapped it down on a small piece of masonite. Once it was dry (I live in Phoenix so that doesn't take long) I painted it with latex and acrylics. About an hour painting time.
As a painting it has more things wrong with it than right, but as an experiment it was perfect. I didn't care if I ruined it so I wasn't afraid to take risks.
#92
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe086.jpg

[Gilead]

#93
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe087.jpg

[darkchild]

Hey dude! Back to see what you've been up to. I notice you sketch really good rear shots. Good musclular tone on #90. If you want the shield to be more shiny, sketch a heavier line across it. But from the looks of the sketch, it looks like a really quick sketch. Nice work on #92. On #93, great pose, possibly another quick sketch? Little details missing. Toes and toenails would be set this pic nicely, some nipples wouldn't hurt either:) Later!

[Gilead]

darkchild, yeah they've all been kinda quick scketches lately.
Like this one. I kinda' lost direction with this one and am not too happy with it, but i gotta' post the bad with the good eh?
#94
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe088.jpg

[Gilead]

Starting inking this one, but I got bored. It's kinda' silly looking anyway.
#95
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe089.jpg

[Mindflaw]

looks good you got some nice ornaments in some of them like #48 and #64

Imho you should test using a finer pen for the shading it gives a little more greyish and softer look although one needs to put in a lot more lines then :^^;:
anyway the above is not a crit just a suggestion for you (from a newbie) if you want to test different approach, you work the shading nicely. :)

[Malavon Despana]

*Hhrrnnhhh* 'tis been some time since I last stumbled to comment 'ere. I've been actively following the thread, though.

#87 differs from the style, as you so told yourself being more "comic-like", and I think it turned out nice. Looks very good it does.

#88 also is very good, I like the more muscular look in this one, the shading is stronger and very fitting.

#91 went through some interesting procedure, but I like the outcome of the painting look of it, very nice in my opinion. Older style of coloring, looks good though.

#94 has a good stance and cool armor as well, more poses like that ;) .

#95 is brilliant!!! She is beautiful O_o !! Please do finish inking that one, it looks mighty good!!!
I like the shape and way it looks already, being finished it would be very awesome and welcome add to your sketchbook! The cloth/armor on her is cool, very nice style, I like it. Perhaps you could add lots of detail, small intricate patterns or some emblems on her gauntlets and the part covering her abdomen, would bring them nicely forth ;) . Hope to see the rest of it inked!!

Good work Gilead on every pose, yet again. Lurking in the shadows to see more, I am ;)

[Gilead]

Mindflaw, Thank you, I have a whole set of steel nib pens, I need to break those out soon and start doing things right. Gonna' try a variety of style to finish some of these, stay tuned.

Malavon Despana, Thanks again, The action poses are fun to draw, but I'm doing all of these from a source, not making any of the poses up. So static poses are easy to find. There's not many lingerie catalogues that show the models swordfighting.
I do have a bunch of photos of my wife from a long time ago. We went out in the woods and took photos of each other swinging swords and stuff. But it wasn't a good camera and the details are just not there. I'll be using those a lot more in the future.

#96
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe090.jpg

[Pesmerga]

Her head is too big and her arms are kinda strange.

This is a nice GALlery ;) Your 2 males are pretty cool too :blah: . What's this obsession with the female body? :upset:

[Gilead]

Pesmerga, you're right the head's too big. Didn't like that one much, that's probably why.
Is this a request for more males? Some people have begged me not to do any more. Perhaps I could take a poll.
What's this obsession with the female body? Beats me I just draw them for the articles.

[Gilead]

#97 another rough one, sorry
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe091.jpg

[Mindflaw]

yeah I stay tuned :)

[hypocalvin]

ur stuff is nice. but can u add more expression to there faces? #96 was pretty gud, the expression on her face showed loniness or something. All the others are kinda bland, well no, some of them were more interesting. I'm not saying your current faces are bland, they are pretty gud--it shows form and everything, but you can still step it out in that area. Show some emotion, anguish, try some face studies.

[Gilead]

hypocalvin, Thank you. You are right about the blandness don't be afraid to say so. I'm a firm believer in packing as much into what you do as possible. As I improve I hope that every aspect of these drawings will improve; action, expression, proportion, texture, depth, value, everything.
I'm still learning to crawl in my opinion.

However I am trying to take some of these to a more finished state.
This is #73 transferred to parchment paper and done with brown and white conte' pencils.
#98
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe092.jpg

[Pesmerga]

I love that last one. There's a nice angelic feel to it.

You don't need to be sorry for the rough ones dude. That's what sketchbooks are all about ;)

btw, that wasn't a request. I just think you should draw more males (but you don't have to post them :P

[character]

cool sketches man. nothin like some good old babes and swords. i love #69, that was pretty funny, heh. i'd recommend trying to follow the contours of the body and making your lines follow that instead of just hatching all in one direction or something. i think it'll help these drawings alot. take it easy man

-guillermo

[Gilead]

Pesmerga, Thanks, I like the cool weapon designs on your site. Why not post them in a sketchbook here? It's a much better site I think.

character, Thanks, nice penwork in your sketchbook. Imaginative and free, I really like it.

[MarkHarchar]

Yo, sup? Dude, I really like the last one. I have always been drawn to earth tones and this last one just screams them. Nice use of the white pencil to generate the lighting bright spots. Kudos on this one man.

[Gilead]

hylandr2, Thanks just trying something different.

This is #71 re done with "Darkwash". If you havn't used it I reccomend it highly it's loads of fun. It's just like a graphite pencil, but it's water soluable so you can draw, erase whatever and then go over it with a brush and a little water to blend it out. Really cool.
#99
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe093.jpg

[Gilead]

#100 Whoohoo!!
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe094.jpg

[darkchild]

Hey man, awesome pose for the last sketch. Those fingers came out beautifully.

[the patient]

Very nice. You seem to have the flow of body down pretty well, but I've noticed that a lot of these girls look unnatural. The breasts seem to be too much like stiff circles, whereas they should not look so harsh. But perhaps you like that unnatural look? Or mayhap that after so many years of waking up naked in the morning I've never bothered to realize how awkward my own body is compared to the norm. So my reference might be wrong, but the girls still look stiff. Also in a few pictures a few extremeties look detached and awkward, not exactly fitting in the body.
Your work is great, nontheless. Keep it up.

[Gilead]

darkchild, Thanks

the patient, I'm not sure exactly what you're saying, but you're probably right. After all it's the nature of mistakes that we dont realize we're doing them. I'm not intentionally going for any particular look, but I have used mostly swimwear and underwear catalogues for refference on most of these so they are going to be similar in that way.
...Of course if you really wanted to help a guy out you could send along a few of your own photos that um...illustrate your point? No? Can't fault a guy for trying.

Here's a few re works
#101 which is #90 with changes
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe095.jpg

#102 from #3
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe096.jpg

#103 from #42 think I'll give her a horse.
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe097.jpg

[Gilead]

This is # 82 with changes. It's been suggested that I throw in a little bit of background. So here you go, a very little bit of background.
#104
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe098.jpg

[MarkHarchar]

I'm not intentionally going for any particular look, but I have used mostly swimwear and underwear catalogues for refference on most of these so they are going to be similar in that way.


Gilead, if you are looking for woman references, there is a site called www.mc-nudes.com, which if you sort through some of the pics, some of the them have the ladies in some very sexy, sensual and tasteful body positions which may add some new life into the pics. Take a look, toss and bad and keep the good. Its just a thought.

[Gilead]

hylandr2, Thanks, there's lots of pics available on the web, but the catalogues I've been using have 3 advantages
1. they send them to me for free. I actually don't know why.
2. I can carry them around in my sketchbook.
3. I can have them out on the table at Carl's Jr. without getting arrested.
I just wish they'd pose swimsuit models in realistic combat poses with medieval weapons. Is that too much to ask?

This is a complete re-make of #95 which I never liked all that much. It's not finished yet, but it's all I have to show for now. Pen and ink may be a thing of the past, but I always liked it and was never all that good at it so I'm gonna' try to learn. I figure I can try all kinds of stuff with this because I really dont care whether I screw it up or not.
#105
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe099.jpg

[MarkHarchar]

hylandr2, Thanks, there's lots of pics available on the web, but the catalogues I've been using have 3 advantages
1. they send them to me for free. I actually don't know why.
2. I can carry them around in my sketchbook.
3. I can have them out on the table at Carl's Jr. without getting arrested.
I just wish they'd pose swimsuit models in realistic combat poses with medieval weapons. Is that too much to ask?


I hadn't considered that. I do most of my sketching on my bistro at home. But I like the mobile idea. If I come up with any catalogs with a wider array of poses that can blend in on a burger joint table, I'll be sure to let you know. I have a quest now....

[Gilead]

Ok
This is actually from last December. It's in charcoal an is a bit too large for the scanner.
#106
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe100.jpg

[ashemoto]

The figures are good but could do with some more definition, a bit more contrast
especially in the area of the breasts .... they look too configured
if you know what I mean
apart from that ... man you been working hard good way to go.

Maybe you need to tone down the similarity in the women. Make them alive.


Your later work shows great promise

Keep at it man you are getting there


Ashemoto

[Gilead]

ashemoto, Thank you. Actually I don't know exactly what you mean, but EVERYBODY mentions the breasts in some way so I'm obviously getting them wrong. Poor little me I'm gonna' have to go study breasts now.
Were you really born in 1937? That would make you the one person on this website older than me.

This is #103 finished. Pen and ink plus ink wash. Kinda fun to do something reckless and messy after all that tight restrained pen work.
#107
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe101.jpg

[darkchild]

Hey man, great work with the pen and ink piece. There's nothing wrong with good 'ol fashion inking. Keeps everything looking clean and tight. Don't worry about the breasts, I've been "studying" them for years now and I'm still trying to improve. But I gotta say the charoal piece jumped out at me immediately. I love it! It's awesome. Everything looks so smooth and subtle. Great job with the darks. Later!

[Gilead]

darkchild, Boy you said it, the charcoal piece really shows how low contrast all the others are.

This is a drawing I started about 10 years ago and never finished. I have a drawer full of stuff like that.
I like this drawing, but it has real problems especially the face and waist. Apparently I didn't believe in eyelids back then.
#108
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe103.jpg

So I traced her onto a sheet of toned paper and made some corrections.
#109
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe104.jpg

[Mindflaw]

I really dont care whether I screw it up or not.

Yeah I like that attitude stuff seems to get better when you don't put so much pride in them at least to me

like the see-through metal armor like # 103 :perv: he he :)

Keep up them pen and ink stuff....(so when I get back to doing pen and ink you could give me pointers :) )

[Gilead]

Mindflaw, yeah I have to be carefull to not be too carefull. It's easy to get hung up on this stuff and forget that it's just exercise. None of it is supposed to be great art, just me practising so I can do great art later.

The peekaboo armor was supposed to look embossed actually. I'll have to work on that as well.

I'll be happy to share any pointers that I can, but for now let me reccomend a book I'm currently reading Rendering in Pen and Ink by Arthur L. Guptill. It was written in 1930, but is in re-release. You might find it at the library.

[Fellah.]

Hi man, sorry for not posting here in a while. Just wanted to say that i enjoy this thread a lot. keep them coming <3

[Mindflaw]

Thanks I know thats a really good book recommendation since I own it :]

[Gilead]

Fellah, glad you enjoy it.

Mindflaw, No excuses now, we'll have to figure this inking thing out or look like dummies.

I just realized that my numbering system was off for a few days, but I fixed it now, sorry for any confusion.
#110
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe105.jpg

[Teigrob]

Interesting tack you've taken, using swimsuit and lingerie magazines for ref. I'm sure you've noticed the downsides (besides there being a lack of suitable swimsuit babes in accurate combat poses) such as washed out lighting and similar poses. I think your hands are still your weakest point, and then feet. A good mag to get for hands might be an entertainment magazine - those often have more interesting poses too. Just a thought... Nice work!

[MarkHarchar]

Hey G,
Just wondering...do you try to keep these sketches to a time limit? Like, do you say to yourself, I am only going to spend 30 minutes a day doing it, or do you simply put as much time in as you feel is needed. I ask because I know you have a painting thread where you use a time limit.

[Gilead]

Teigrob, Thanks for dropping by. You're right hands and feet are a real weakness. It's mostly impatience. I cant stand fiddly details anymore, I want to work big and bang out big results fast. Comes of painting murals by the square foot I suppose. I'll have to do some hand and foot studies just to discipline myself.

hylandr2, I don't really have a time limit on these, they're just something I do in my spare time. Most often while on breasfast or lunch break in some fast food joint. I carry a sketchbook plus some partly finished sketches in a loose leaf folder with some magazine clippings of poses, costumes armor etc. So I just work on whatever appeals to me. I find that even if I'm heading off to paint a sign for a pizza shop or something it still gets my creativity flowing if I sit and do something like this for a while first.

This is another one from my drawer full of unfinished work from 10 years ago or more. I liked the costume, but botched the face while inking and now I can see anatomy problems so it's time to re-do it. You cant really see it, but she was going to have a pet panther or something behind her.
#111
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe106.jpg

I couldn't find the same pose in any of my stuff and didn't want to fake it, so I'm using this pose instead, we'll see how it goes.
#112
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe107.jpg

[aliceglass]

ya know... using swimsuit calalogs is a great idea. i think im gonna try that. thanks for the idea! :)

[Gilead]

aliceglass, You're welcome:)

This is another ancient one I now realize that the anatomy is extremely bad. I drew her without refference or any preconcieved idea this is just how it came out. She was originally rather explicitly naked, but when I wanted to enter her in a show I chickened out and made a costume for her. I never really liked the way it turned out and always felt like I'd ruined it.
#113
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe108.jpg

This time I found some refference pics. Nothing exactly right I had to composit this from 4 different photos and still had to fake a lot.
#114
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe109.jpg

[broken lizard]

at least no-one can say that you're gay.

[Gilead]

broken lizard, They did in high school " 'e drawls 'em er' pickchurs... an 'e's got long harr 'e must be gay. Let's kick 'is ass boys YeeeeHawww!!!"

[MarkHarchar]

Wow, almost sounds like you grew up in Pennsylvania..LOL

[Gilead]

hylandr2, I grew up in the savage wasteland of Prescott Arizona.

Here's yet another from the vault. I think I had a refference for this one but I don't remember. Check out those skinny knees!
#115
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe110.jpg

So I traced her onto bristol board and fixed up some problems. Her legs look too short now that I put some meat on 'em.
#116
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe111.jpg
If you thought I'm starting more projects than I'm finishing you'd be right.

[darkchild]

You've been busy I see. Great re-done's from the past. #109's head seems a bit small now. I'm impressed, you've managed to work in some background to a lot of your sketches. Now I gotta work on my own. #110 great contrasts. You made a dark back ground with almost no shading to the character. Makes her stand out really well. Great work. Later!

[Frank the Ninja]

Wow! 86 is my favorite. You are an inspiration. I have been trying to draw girls also. Any general tips?

[Gilead]

darkchild, Thanks the background's do help give the character form sometimes.

Frank the Ninja, 86? seriously? huh.
Don't take this as a snarky answer because it's not intended that way: The key to drawing well is to draw A LOT. My painting teacher used to say "If you want to paint good landscapes paint one hundred landscapes. Number 101 will start to be kind of good. If you want to paint good still lifes paint one hundred still lifes. Number 101 will start to look kind of good."
Same goes for any other subject or medium. I'm just starting.
That being said I looked at your sketchbook and you're doing pretty well. I assume that you realize you're being a little cartoonish? Shoulders too narrow, neck too long, head too big. You should learn to draw realistically first and then learn anime or whatever not the other way around like most people do it. Otherwise I can tell from your construction lines that you're going about it pretty much the way I do. Keep it up.

[Gilead]

This one's really old like 1978 or 79. The ink wash wrinkled the cheap paper we had at school. I know I used a refference; the lingerie section form the JC Pennies catalogue I think.
#117
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe112.jpg

Obviously I couldn't find that refference again so I found a similar one. This is just a rough.
#118
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe113.jpg

[hurricane]

i was sure i already had given you a reply... how odd...

great stuff, alittle too naked for my taste, the girls doesnt really have a purpose except to show their bodies...

ahwell, well drawn and good pen technique !

cheers !

[Gilead]

hurricane, Thanks you've been a busy man yourself. There's no purpose to any of this stuff, I just want to draw.

Here's yet another really old one. It was drawn so light that I couldn't trace it so I darkened the lines and made corrections as I went.
#119
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe114.jpg

Then I traced it onto toned paper. That's it so far.
#120
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe115.jpg

[Gilead]

For those of you who might be interested I've done a couple painting demos on one of the other forums. Here's the links
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=47519
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=46622
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=48460

[Gilead]

Just a quick one today.
#121
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe116.jpg

[Gilead]

A vampire chick I tried long ago. BAD drawing, but the spider leg cape thingy is cool.
#122
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe117.jpg

my new version so far.
#123
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe118.JPG

[madplanet]

I don't think that it's a bad drawing at all. I kind of like it.

[aliceglass]

cant wait to see the finished one :)

[Gilead]

madplanet, thanks, but the head is a bit lopsided, and the waist is way too skinny. I did that a lot back then.

aliceglass, Well I have gone and given myself a stack of projects to work on, which is a good thing, but I'll get to that one soon.
What part of Phoenix do you live in? We should get a group of locals together for a sketch jam session at Barnes and Noble or something.

#124
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe119.jpg

[Odds]

cool figures.. looks like you've been studyin' :)
you should work on your line quality, though. the best suggestion i have for you is to slow down and really think about each line you put on the page. either that or learn the hard way by sketching in pen. either way works, just keep it up-

[aliceglass]

i live far north of you. :P 17th ave and the 101, but am also always in the area around north scottsdale/desert ridge. whenever and wherever is fine with me as long as we can figure a time with our hectic schedules.

[Gilead]

Odds, Thanks I have been studying. For an artist I'm am strangely uncoordinated especially with fine small work.These drawings are, in part, just exercises in coordination. I have also been doing pages of trying to put one line down right next to another and keep it straight etc. That stuff's hard for me, but I'm seeing improvement.

aliceglass, There are probably more people close to you than to me. We should put something together and then post it in the "local area" section in the lounge, maybe we could start somethin'.

[daspetey]

gilead, these are all really great! you have a perfect sense of proportion, and a great sense of graphic line. however, and take this critique with a grain of salt because you are far better than me, i think you would benefit from shading with the contour of the form. right now it seems you are shading sort of diagonal hatchy style.. which is tending to flatten out these otherwise great images.
try to imagine looking at these women as if they had stripes painted on their skin, and draw those contour lines lightly.. does that make any sense? i dunno.. its late. hehe. ignore me
-pete

[Gilead]

daspetey, Thanks. No need to apologize, your crits are right on. It's a sort of fast and dirty method I use to lay in shadow areas. In my own defense though they don't usually look like that in what I consider "finished" work...do they?
Not that this one's any better

#125 some iron added to #121
http://members.cox.net/gilead1/babe125.jpg

[Gilead]

#126
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe126.jpg

[Gilead]

#127 a few changes done on #89.
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe127.jpg

[MarkHarchar]

G, #126 is awesome. You seems to have a knack at drawing swashbuckler boots and laced up tops. Since woman and weapons are the topic here, how about more pirate ladies (with swords or course.)

People are dropping like flies from heat out there, huh?

[darkchild]

Great updates! #126 is awesome! Love the hat, but I swear that left arm is a bit short. Maybe it's just me or an optical illusion. If you have the right arm slightly bent and the left arm straight (I'm assuming its straight) they come down the the legs at the same height. But thats just me nitpicking. I like what you've done on 127, great changes. Keep them coming. Later!

[Gilead]

hylandr2, Yeah pirates are cool, I'll have to try a few.

darkchild, I think your right about the arm. One's a little short, the other's a little long.

#128 Just added some stuff to # 124.
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe128.jpg

[Gilead]

#129 More work on #112
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe129.jpg

[Gilead]

I submited a cruder version of this one to the "It's Finally Finished" section a while back. It got the panning it deserved, but I like this version a lot better.
Once again this was inspired by looking at some old disco era fantasy art like Boris, Frazetta, and Esteban Moroto. You look at this stuff together and you'll notice that distinctly 70's flair that it had. I've deviated somewhat from that at this point, but that was the genesis anyway.
#33 completely re done. Pen and ink and colored ink wash on bristol board.

#130
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe130.jpg

[Malavon Despana]

Oh Lord, so much new art here Gilead!!

#106 shows something spectacular skills, I mean it's just so wonderfully done. It has very strong feeling to it and the whole looks of the picture is just gorgeous. And the expression on the girl's face is fantastic! I just love the whole work, it's one of my many favourites in the line of the first ones!

#107 Is truly intriguing change to the former ink version of it, the colors are cool and it has good feel to it, great work!

#130 Is simply astounding! Oh yes, hell yes there's some Boris Vallejo in it, I give you that! Great revision out of the former one, charming colors and strong background. Astounding work, really it is. More stuff like that and you are becoming something God-like!...to say the least ;) .

Others between the reviewed are truly awesome work too, of course, but I'd rather not evaluate everyone of them individually, writing a litany of compliments to you, hahah. Suffice to say that I just love everyone of them!

[madplanet]

The only flaw that I can see on #130 is that the neck seems to be too large and the head sits a bit awkward on it. Maybe it has the same tendency as #122, like you said, 'a bit lopsided.' I like how you captured the expression on her face; kind of an innocence, in a way. Alluring, yet innocent. I don't know if that makes sense or not. I also like what you've done with the background behind the circle.

I really like your color work, it has a good feel to it.

[Gilead]

Malavon Despana, Why thank you ever so much, but God-like? Hardly. I'm just a beginner like the rest of ya. The finished works are great fun though. Perhaps in a year I'll be so good I'll think these ones are awfull, but for now I'm pleased with them.

madplanet, Thanks, I looked at the neck for a long time after you said yhat, but I don't think I'll change it, it looks ok to me. A month from now I may look again and see what you're seeing, but right now I'm too close to it, so if I change it I'll only do it wrong.

I decided this thread needed a logo. So I'll put it here and at the beginning as well.
#131
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe131.jpg

[armando]

You said number 117 was done in 1979. Most of the pictures use the same kind of pose. To add some action think about what the person is doing, like are they flirting are they waiting for something, think about what they do a few moments before and after this pose. If you're comfortable with this type of pose then you can vary it a bit by changing the horizon line, do the same pose except looking down at the model or from a low viewpoint looking up. Or do the same pose but a little off to the side. A way to force contrast into your pictures is make one area as dark as your pencil will go, like on 126 make her hair under the hat super dark. Also play around with the facial expressions, all these babes just sorta stare blankly, "The Artist's Guide to Facial Expression" by Gary Faigin is a good book for this.

[Gilead]

armando, Thanks some good advice and I'll be loking for that book. Gonna' stick to using refference on these for now so the only way I'll be changing the angle of view is if I can find a pic of it or get someone to model that way. But your other thoughts are more immediately usefull. thanks again.

Based on an old photo of my favorite model.
#132
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe132.jpghttp://members.cox.net/gilead/babe132a.jpg

[darkchild]

Hey how's it going? I haven't by for a liittle bit. I like #130. Great details. The logo is really cool. #132, nice pose. I would grab a larger sheet of paper and sketch the rest of it. You have a very nice dynamic pose going. Throw some of those trees from the background in your sketch as well. It's good to see your work! Later....

[Gilead]

darkchild, That one could be worth doing over on a larger paper, but it's mostly just a sketch. We'll see. It's not like I don't have other projects to get back to.:)

#133
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe133.jpg

[Car2nist]

i honestly dont like this stuff...


eh, everyone entitled to their own opinion, but it takes me back to a 9th grade art class.

[Gilead]

Car2nist, OK.

#134
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe134.jpg

[Gilead]

#135
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe135.jpg

[aliceglass]

i definately think you have talebt and it doesnt remind me of 9th grade art class. half of the people in college art classes cant do this..... :)

[Gilead]

aliceglass, Thank you my friend, but I'm not overly threatened by the opinions of a self professed mentally disturbed, gangsta' wannabee in his 6th year of high school.
Besides while I love compliments and helpfull criticism, I'm really just practicing here. I often don't like my practice pieces either, but I post them in the hopes that someone else can point out why.
Thanks for coming by.

Here's a work in progress of a painting I'm doing based on #125. Next to it is a portrait of the mysterious Dr. Eldritch.
#136
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe136.JPG

[Car2nist]

haha gangsta wannabe? im pretty damn preppy, lmfao, you make me laugh fat bitch, you make me laugh.

are you a lesbian? i think you are.

[Gilead]

The nerve of that guy...calling me fat!


Take that!
#137
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe137.jpg

[MarkHarchar]

Hey G,
You seemed to have achieved a nice fluid dynamic pose in this last one. Looks very energetic, however when you get to her facial expression, it doesn't seem to match the motion. It might be better if her eyes weren't looking right at the viewer.

[Gilead]

hylandr2, hmm.. yeah I guess she ought to be looking at that head flipping through the air. I'll also try to give her more of a snarl since she's kinda' pissed.

#138
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe138.jpg

[darkchild]

Hey man. How's it going? You got some great updates here. I really like the last one. Great pose on her. Any chance in doing a watercolor of that? Maybe with a background? .....Also I must be a slow learner because I wasn't drawing like this back in 9th grade. Keep them coming. Always a pleasure viewing your work. Later!

[Gilead]

hylandr2 & darkchild, Thank you for all the helpful comments.
I like that one too so far...watercolor? Worth a shot I guess, I'm no pro at watercolor, but it'd be fun to try.

Gonna take this one farther as well.
#139
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe139.jpg

[Gilead]

It was a rainy day today and my regular job involves painting outside, so I kinda' got an unscheduled day off. So I got to stay home and Play!
Here's the finished work that I showed in #136.
I had lots of fun with this one. Once again this was a sketch that I wasn't too invested in so I was unafraid to cut loose and try whatever came to mind.
Pen and ink, ink wash and acrylics on masonite. 11"X14"
#140
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe140.jpg

[NightVision]

More dynamic poses, pleaze ! They look very cool !

I really like 138, you should make the lower legs longer, and revise her right upper arm, and it's gonna be killer !

[darkchild]

Hey, #139 is interesting. Will like to see where you take it from here. #140 the pose is kind of plain. I'm only saying this because you have an abundance of that same pose. I like your new stuff with the dynamic poses. The girl with the bow comes to my mind. I love the way you did the background. The tip of the spear tends to dissapear into the background. Maybe slightly more of a contrast would bring it out more.... unless the tip is glass, then in that case great work. Later!!

[Gilead]

...OK this is very strange: I posted this morning and now my post is gone. Where did it go?
Oh well, It went something like this.

NightVision, Glad you like the dynamic poses. Just for you I'll do more, but there will be lots of the other kind as well.

darkchild, Thanks, You're right about the spear tip, I'm going to go work on that right now.
Funny thing is since I don't care much about the more boring sketches, I'm more willing to take risks with them and so they wind up being the most finished and interesting pieces. Perhaps it's just a phase I'll have to pass through before I get the confidence to do more ambitious projects.

#141
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe141.jpg

[Gilead]

#142
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe142.jpg

Having posted this one in the "It's Finally Finished" section I got some good critiques and modified it accordingly. I like it much better.
#140b
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe140b.JPG

[grisalisan]

hey! this is good! I really like your last painting, the background is very well done. And your other girls are good too!

[darkchild]

Hey, great revisions on 140. I noticed you brought the tip of the spear out more and darkened the shadow on the wall. Looks awesome! 142 is really good. I love the background. It fits very nicely with the character interaction. Good head and arm position. Any chance in painting it for a revision?

[Gilead]

grisalisan, Hey thanks for stopping by. I checked out your sketchbook, good stuff going on there.

darkchild, Thank you. I think 142 deserves to be a watercolor or something. I have a growing pile of projects to work on all of a sudden. Oh well it keeps me young.

#143
http://members.cox.net/gilead/babe143.jpg

[MarkHarchar]

Hey G,
I was really impressed with the #139 sketch. It was a nice deviation from your normal pin-up type stuff and really showed your capabilty of showing dynamics in the character and scene. I like the angle from the rear of the female fighter. I would like to see you do more of these. I am presuming that you didn't use your swim catalog for that one. If it is from the mind, I'd like to see you keep pushing that limit. Cheers.

[Gilead]

Ha! no not the swimwear catalogue for that one. Many years ago my wife and I took a bunch of sword fighting pictures with a cheap little camera (#132 is an example). The photos are very small and grainy, but the poses were great. You just can't see a whole lot of muscular detail and stuff. Now days we have much better cameras and a computer, but unfortunately neither of us look quite like we did back then. Such is life.

[aliceglass]

gilead: you're awesome! love the sword fight poses in response to the shithead that called you fat (because i know you are definately not fat). they do seem to have a lot more life in them than some of the other poses. id like to see more action poses like that. :)

[Gilead]

aliceglass, Thank you very much. "Not that there's anything Wrong with that..." I mean some of my best friends are fat...;)
Lots of action pictures coming up.

Several people have pointed out that hands are something of a weakness with me so I thought I'd better do some hand studies.
Here you go.
#144
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe144a.jpg
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe144b.jpg

Some of you will have noticed that #141 & #134 look alike. That's because I did two different drawings from the same photo, but my mind was going two different places with them. Here's #141 greatly revised. I call it "Night Watch"
#145
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe145.jpg

[Gilead]

A little bit added to #138
#146
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe146.jpg

and a new one
#147
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe147.jpg

[Gilead]

#148
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe148.jpg

[darkchild]

Hey nice work there. Great hand studies. I've always had trouble with hands. They all look good especially #145 146 148. A little background goes a long way. #147, cool thumbnail sketch in the corner. But, #142 is the one I'm looking out for a painting or watercolor. Later!

[Gilead]

darkchild Thanks man. You noticed the thumbnail eh? I do that a lot when working out where to place other elements once the main figure is in. Usually it gets erased.
Not to worry #142 will be re-worked for sure.

Sort of a pirate babe. I drew this a few weeks ago, but with the head in a different pose and no costume. It was just boring and I never even scanned it. Now I wish I had for the sake of comparison.
#149
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe149.jpg

[lyon]

Gilead - This is impressive. You are improving a ton and I think #148 is my favorite so far. It certainly has the most natural feel to the pose and your hand studies are nice. Keep it up!

[Gilead]

Thanks Howard I appreciate you dropping by.
I just looked at your website again, there's lots of new stuff since last time. I really dig those troll drawings man those are a hoot.
Everybody check out Howard's website, there's loads of magical, colorful, fun stuff.
#148? really? I thought that one was kinda' dull, but perhaps it has some potential.
Is the life drawing session really going to start up again or was he just teasing us?

[madplanet]

Whew. Just got caught up on all your posts. I'll have to come by more often.

#137- I too liked the fluidity on this one. Very nice.

#140- This one was done nicely, but I think that I liked the background in the earlier version better than the latter.

#146- Are you going to do this one in color? That would be cool.

#149- All I can say is...nice.

[Gilead]

madplanet, See what you miss when you don't keep up? ;)
I think 146 would make a good painting. When I'll get around to it is another question alltogether.

This was #81 I didn't like it then, and I still don't, but it's better.
#150
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe150.jpg

and this was #88. I had been dressing her as a cowboy with a cavalry sabre, but I started thinking more along the lines of Barsoom.
#151
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe151.jpg

I threw this in just for laughs. It's all out of my head no refference. Everything else on this thread was done from refference except the occasional hand position that I had to change or something.
#152
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe152.jpg

[m00ftak]

yo gilead i really like this thread..and not just because its filled with nekkid womens. alot of progress has been made methinks. I bet drawing such pictures make it alot easier to keep up your motivation haha.

take it easy. lll be backl

[Gilead]

m00ftak, Hi there, thanks for the kind words.
I do feel like I'm improving, but it's nice to hear it from other people as well.
I've actually noticed a serious improvement in my hand coordination: I can put the pencil closer to where I want it to go. That was actually a problem when I started this thread, my hands just were'nt used to the small intricate movement of drawing anymore.
I still have a long way to go before I consider myself to be "Good", but I'm getting better.
Come back often, bring friends, we'll have a party.

[lilschecky]

Gilead,
I love your nudes and your armor designs, but i have to say that your inkwork is what really blows me away. Nice line quality and variation, and it really adds structure (and detail) to the sketch.

very impressive
can't wait to see more!

on a side note, it would be interesting to see your interpretation of a larger women warrior...
^_^

[Gilead]

lilschecky, Thank you. Larger how? Tall, Chubby, Busty, Muscular, or are we talking attack of the 50 foot chherleaders here?

I've either gotta' learn to draw even smaller or carry a bigger sketchbook.
#153
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe153.jpg

#154
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe154.jpg

[lilschecky]

ha, sorry! i should have been more clear, although a 50 tall girl would be kinda neat to see.

i was thinking like a sumo-wrestler size woman warrior, like the muscle of your female army. Just an idea, but it would be cool to see what you would do with that subject.

take care ^_^

[Gilead]

WOO HOO! we're up to page five. Everybody dance!

lilschecky, Uhmmm...a sumo...wrestler Babe? I uhm...well... gee I, I'm kinda' busy right now...

I only used a photo refference on part of this one, can you guess which part?
#155
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe155.jpg

The perspective was real difficult on this one. She's charging up hill at me, in case you couldn't tell.
#156
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe156.jpg

[darkchild]

I love the perspective on #156. But I think her head might be a bit small. Either that or my depth perception is off:) Hey wheres the cool thumbnail at the top? I like the pirate girl and the swashbucker also. Great work with them and the backgrounds.

[Gilead]

darkchild, Good call on the head size. Since we're looking down on her there should be more of the top of her head showing. That's what these extra pairs of eyes are for. Thanks.

[Gilead]

I thought I'd posted a rougher version of this before, but I guess not. Take my word for it it's heavily revised.
#157
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe157.jpg

[lilschecky]

ha, just a suggestion, no problem!
in the meantime, nice work!
i really like #'s 155 and 156, the different perspectives add much to the sketch

[armando]

Great improvement with the poses, shading and expression. There's a lot more variety now. On the middle of the picture of the hand studies I'm having trouble telling the thumb from the pinky. Compare the size of the pinky to the thumb, how they're jointed and how they move. You should do shin/calf and foot studies too, I noticed that they're cut off in most of the pictures. Keep on improving!

[Gilead]

armando, Thank you. You're right that hand looks wrong in the scan. If you could see the original sketch it's actually a shadow that makes the pinky look so thick. But as I said before if it looks wrong here it's wrong, because this is where it's being viewed.
I don't intentionally avoid shins and feet I just run out of paper. I plot everything out in advance and then get carried away and make everything too big. In my day job it's a small painting if it's less than 8 feet long. But it wouldn't hurt one bit to do some foot studies as well.

#158
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe158.jpg

[Gilead]

#159
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe159.jpg

[Gilead]

This one's a real babe.
I always hang out and draw at Carl's Jr. One of the ladies who works there asked me to do a portrait of her baby. It's charcoal and white chalk on pastel paper. I got $10. for it. I'm convinced that if you wanted to you could hang out at the mall food court and do this kind of thing all day long.
It'd be a living as long as you don't mind babies.
#160
http://members.cox.net/stellar1/babe160.jpg