Female Archer (Updated)

[Wynd]

Hey all,

This is my first post here at ConceptArt.org. I've been lurking here for months but never had the nerve to join in. So many great artists here and all that. But I figured I had to bite the bullet and join a forum where lots of big names were and learn from the pros and art students of all levels.

I have to say though, all of the people and artwork here have been a major source of inspiration when I was out of ideas or in a drawing rut, so thanks in advance!

A little background on myself:

I'm 24 and *still* in college, that's what I get for switching majors as a senior I guess. Now I'm majoring in Communicatoin Design at UNT and draw anime as a sort of hobby. However, I'm trying to move away from anime and getting back to the basics and leaning towards more contemporary illustration (painting, for example).

The major weakness I'm trying to overcome is static compositions. Half of my problem is that don't draw everyday like I should, so hopefully I'll be inspired to do so here. :wink:

Anyway, here's a rough sketch I'm working on. She's supposed to eventually be a female archer concept in the long run, I'm just trying to make sure I don't have any major foreshortening, perpective, or anatomy problems before I go further.

Self-crit:

- I know that the foot closest to the viewer is a bit off perspective, so I'll be changing that.

- I'll be bulking her up a bit as well. She's an archer after all!

- I'm not sure yet, but I think I'll develop this along the lines of goth and/or sci-fi.

http://wynd.teamanime2k.org/sketch_archer.jpg

Update:

- changed around the arm position after studying archery poses.

- added a yumi (japanese bow) as a sort of reference to the pose as far as bow position.

- tweaked the musculature of her torso, leg, and foot.

http://wynd.teamanime2k.org/sketch_archer2.jpg

http://wynd.teamanime2k.org/yumi2.jpg

http://wynd.teamanime2k.org/sketch_archer3.jpg

[jester]

Try to find some pictures of archers. The hand holding the bow has to have a different angle (did some arching myself years ago, so I remember a little of this)

Jester

[Dryfire]

Hey, looking pretty good so far. Hrmm I think that her right thigh should be a tiny but longer, it kinda looks crunched up. Other then that anatomy seems aight to me. The one thing really bothering me is the bow though. Right now it isn't uhmm flexing i suppose, or doesn't look like it is. Its going to be a hard shot to get being that the bow isn't symmetrical.... I'm not sure how you would convey the bow as being tight and drawn back... I'd like to see where you go with the picture though =D color it

[jester]

Dryfire, Wynd obviously chose one of these Japanese ritual bows for reference... looks weird, but they really work.

Wynd, the hand's position is much improved, but as far as I remember you don't extend the inex finger. Good job so far!

Jester

[Big-Dave]

Just a few technical points since I did archery for a while. The right hand shouldn't be clenched around the bow, since this can cause problems with accuracy (ie, if you clench when you fire, the bow moves and your aim is off) most archers use a loop of rope or leather around their wrist to keep from dropping the bow. That's why in films about medieval wars the bow drops to about 45 degrees to the arm after firing, the archers aren't actually holding it. Last thing I noticed, but I'm not too sure about, is that the right hand looks like it's twisted. If it is, this would cause the bowstring to strike the body or arm, which can be painful and result in blistering. You might want to change it so the bow's straight up and down rather than angled.

Most of these are technical things and probably wouldn't be noticed by anyone other than an archer, so it's not a big deal if you don't change them. Still, hope that's helpful to you.

[Wynd]

Thanks all for the crits and archery info!

I actually took a bit of archery in high school and college but it's obviously been a while heh. Originally I did have the hand in a more relaxed "hand-shake" pose as opposed to gripping, so I'll probably revert back to that.

I'll post an updated version when I get the chance.