Another new guy...

[Jason Rainville]

Hey all.

I'm a student of graphic design who has loved to draw since I was a kid. Lately I've made a few improvements and I felt the need to get better at drawing. Even though drawing makes up only about 5% of my future career, I really want to push myself to get better even if it's only for personal expression.

I've read a bunch of stickies already and I found them very helpful. Hopefully I can arrange a 'sketching' group at the college to work on my skills.

So here's what I've been doing the last little while. None of these are really complete and I'm not sure if I should post them here. But I want feedback on these newest sketches, not for encouragement or for general goals (I got those from the stickies already) but I want some human eyes to look over my work so that flaws are brought to my attention and short term goals can be established.

Right now I'm a wannabe, and need a kick in the right direction.

Don't pull any punches :dead:

(clickable thumbs to save room)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/th_galad2.jpg (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/galad2.jpg)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/th_crazay2d.jpg (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/crazay2d.jpg)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/th_guy001f.jpg (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/guy001f.jpg)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/th_Gondorprincessff.jpg (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/Gondorprincessff.jpg)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/th_Jemhadarownzorz2.jpg (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/Jemhadarownzorz2.jpg)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/th_Jemhadarownzorz.jpg (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/Jemhadarownzorz.jpg)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/th_Tanria.jpg (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/Tanria.jpg)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/th_Fighters.jpg (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/Fighters.jpg)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/th_Lizard2.jpg (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/Lizard2.jpg)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/th_Lizard.jpg (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Rhineville/Art/Lizard.jpg)

[Slash]

You're off to a good start here, you seem to know how to use your pencil. Sadly that isnt enough, and there are some flaws in your pics that needs word. First of all, there is anatomy. You MUST study anatomy, because that is the first step of drawing a believeable human being. For starters, go to www.saveloomis.org and read the book "figure drawing for all its worth", and maybe read some bridgeman.

Second, your line quality. All your lines are the same strength. this isnt a good thing. Vary your lines, mr. elwell can explain this much better than me, right here: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=51913

Light and shadow. You need to establish a light source and stick to that. right now your pieces looks too evenly shaded. Pushing the values more will bring your sketches more to life. (darker darks and lighter lights.) Study form. An arm is a glorified cylinder, study how a cylinder reacts in different light sources.

Other than that, good luck with your progress, and remember to draw every day!

[-ThePenciler-]

Um 2 words perspective and anatomy.

I agree with Slash. Study anatomy, but beyond that find a life drawing class. Nothing is better than drawing from real life. If you can't find a class go to someone you know and ask to draw them. (Be careful about asking to draw them nude, you may walk away limping:)
No, really studing anotomy books will tell you about muscles and bones and how they work. Drawing from life will give you better understanding of light and shadow and so much more! Draw every day! Something i've been bad about myself since the break.

[Jason Rainville]

Thanks guys!

Yeah, I've been trying to get anatomy down and even though I've made a little progress with upper arms and midsections, my forearms are quite lacking.

Next chance I get I'll see if there's a sketching group in my college and if not... I just may organize one....

I have a sketch I'm doing for art history class that I hope will incorporate decent anatomy, I'll post it when I'm done.