huge ass image dump

[metalwinds]

huge image dump. ive been drawing but i havent been able to scan for a while, so heres what ive been up to. experimenting with a lot of stuff (charcoal, markers, robots, buildings, etc), so any kind of comments are great. thanks
images are in sequential order (by date)
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/disinsxhx.jpg
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/knightxxlh.jpg
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/princexls.jpg
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/chinesex.jpg
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/helmetsxo.jpg
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/pagesyx.jpg
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/charcxo.jpg
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/charcx.jpg
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/designswx.jpg
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/pagesxs.jpg
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/buildingsxo.jpg
http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/mechxo.jpg

[DustinTrimble]

Great work, I really like the way you approach shading, but I think they are lacking in full exicution of the idea. You may want to get the whole body gestured first, that will allow you to use the overall shape for your design, and not just a series of busts/ partial realizations. I also see the Doug Chaing kinda marker gesture at the bottom, you can work shapes out by using the maker to sketch value, then go back and give it lines, like in his tut. Also if you are doing a background design, do a series of thumbs first! That way you can work out composition and not have cropping troubles. Your style is very illustrative and appealling, Your face anatomy is really good, you just have to work out those few little things.

[I.was.ink]

I really like these. It's great to see your experiments. One small suggestion: Draw their legs. Since just about every drawing is hiding the legs, or missing legs, it makes it seem as though you're are scared of them. Not saying you are, it just kinda looks that way.

If you are, then draw a lot, I know they aren't easy, but there is only one way to get better at them. PRACTICE!;)

[Papparazzi]

Hey Danny, nice concepts, but try to add more emotions to yur characters..I mean they're always just staring and chillin' there.Have them in defferent moods and with different expressions of body language. Have some smiling, some angry or sad...stuff like that u know what I mean.It adds more personality to the drawing. Still..I totally dig yur style and can't wait to see more.....but next time:"ACTION-esque-sequences"..pleeeease..lol
-Tin

[thomasaurus]

very nice character designs, makes me want tpo draw right now!

[Dryfire]

These are really nice indeed! I like your style, it seems to be pretty hrmm i can't explain it, but they remind me of pictures you would see in like an instructional book... hrmmm i guess what i'm saying is that i like the structure of the bodies and facial features.. but people exaggerate things too much, and make it unrealistic, i like your proportions, except for the small helmes head thingy. hehe small head

[metalwinds]

trimble- yeah, i need to work more on full body poses. the backround designs were just experiments with the markers.. .they werent supposed to be really nice layouts or anything, just studies. ..but i will take your advice when i start trying to make some environments.
ink- your response made me realize that i rarely draw legs, and i think that is because im scared of drawing them for some reason. i have no problem drawings legs and the anatomy of legs, but when they are attached to a body i have trouble drawing them accurately (because of the waist). i ll definitely keep at it though.
zzi- yeah, i should put more emotions in my characters, i dont have a problem doing it, i just dont for some reason. i havent drawn any action sequences yet because ive been focusing on developing my ideas, but i ll work on a couple and post them.
fire- the guys with helmets have small heads? im not seein it.. ..explain please.

thanks for the comments guys, i really appreciate it.

[Peter Johansson]

cool drawing man.

I especially like the costume design on the 10th drawing,
superb. a little star wars influence perhaps?

we want to see some legs in the near future ;)
(I have the same problem) but there is only one
solution, practice, practice, practice.

[Lukias]

wow nice work man. Its impressive now so I expect some amazing work from you in the near future!.

Yep legs are a bitch, they're my biggest woe.
I suggest adopting a 'draw what you can't draw' approach.. as I am starting to do, otherwise you'll find yourself being an expert at one thing and rather lame at another and that gulf could grow. Worst case scenario of course.
:)

PS Watch the style influences..

[Aidan]

Your drawings remind me of those by Lukias so - i love 'em.
That's exactly the way i want to draw like...sorry, if im not trying to develop my own style.
this one is just so...perfectly beautiful.

[metalwinds]

peter- yeah, i just got finished looking at the episode 2 concept art book. amazing stuff in there, and i think the princess designs stuck in my head a little.
lukias- glad to see you responding to my stuff.. . i really love your artwork. about the style influences.. yeah, i see what you mean... too much time staring at yours and wes9000s stuff. right now im kinda "adapting" the styles some. i ll break free eventually... .you dont get anywhere being a ripoff artist.
aidan- yeah dude, i know what you mean. im trying to achieve certain aspects of the style so i can take my style in a slightly different direction.

everyone- currently working on legs. im gonna start drawing them in all my pictures so i can learn how to draw the bastards better. thanks for all the comments

[Dryfire]

Hey, sorry about the unclear post, i didn't say what i wanted to =) my only real problem is with the guy in the fifth picture down, on the left side, looks like he has dreads like predator. It seems that maybe the mask is too small. It just looks a bit funny to me =D

[MattyMoo]

taht is really amazing i like all ur sketches ur great man

[Guges]

This must be a really popular style to work in...

As soon as this thread loaded up I thought I was looking at Ian McConville's (from www.machall.com fame) sketch work :) He uses runes/'alien' text to dress up a lot of his characters or robots etc. as well.

I really like the way you've shaded you're characters MW. It brings out an undercurrent of emotion in them.

Anyway, just wanted to comment on the style thing, as I really appreaciate it a lot.

Take care,

[metalwinds]

dryfire- it isnt a full head helmet. ..its mostly a mask that goes over part of the top of his head, and attaches in the back.
moo- thanks man.
guges- yeah, i really love this style, but i dont have it down yet.. .im still not satisfied with my drawings by any means. thanks for the emotions comment, but im currently developing that (and yes, legs too). im trying to capture facial expressions more, just so i can bring out more of the characters personalities.
jens- i achieved the backround with vine charcoal (the medium that the piece was made with), and used a kneaded eraser to pull out some of the whites. its something new that ive just recently discovered, but when i do it i dont rub the eraser. ..i blot and twist it to make the irregular shapes.

once again, thanks for the comments guys.