A Query From a New Member

[DavyJones]

I've just signed up to this site not really with the intention of gaining a more realistic style, but as a means to hone it and taylor it and make it all the more my own.
If this is not the place to do this, then please inform me, but I do have an idea that intrigues me...
Each picture that I will post, particularly the following three, are dramatically different from most of what I see in these forums. It's very apparent how very different my drawing style is from most of yours.
So, if you could, redraw my pictures, sketches, or even photos, should I post them, at your leisure. I would really enjoy seeing how other people could see my drawings changed.
in any case, here are the first drawings/skethes/what-have-you that I have ever posted on this site.
http://myspace-660.vo.llnwd.net/00750/06/66/750846660_l.jpg
http://myspace-220.vo.llnwd.net/00750/02/24/750854220_l.jpg
http://myspace-518.vo.llnwd.net/00750/81/56/750836518_l.jpg
Thank you for your time.

Harsh Criticism is also much appreciated.

[Wilhelm87]

I like these, you have a nice style, they kinda remind me of how one of my friends is drawing. Well, as I see it, you can either develop this particular style of yours, and continue doing what you are doing, or you could just stop caring about drawingstyles, and start practicing drawing from real life. Learning the basics is very important, I did the mistake of drawing just "for fun" before I learnt about anatomy, perspective, shapes, colors and all that stuff. I still suck at those things, and I try to practice as much as possible, not just drawing for fun. I think it's a lot more rewarding in the end. If you learn all the basics, it will make it alot easier for you when you draw with a particular style. Hope all this jabbering helps, good luck! :D

[Jason Rainville]

Of course, after I make a huge post about the importance of a realistic background for ANY art, with crits on a bunch of stuff, the site needs 'maintenance', only with my luck...

Anyways, didn't I see you on the ES forums?

Main crits restated: There's no depth whatsoever to these. The only way I know something is in front of another is that something is covering something else up. There's no shading, rounded edges, we're looking at everything dead on and everyone is on the horizon line.

Don't want a realistic background? Well most of your figures have weird poses that are not possible. Not a realistic style? Doesn't matter, those poses don't look good.

So, all in all, it really depends what you want to get out of your stay here...

[Ryn]

Generally, if you want to refine a style, you need knowledge of realism. If you want to stick to stylized but not bother practicing realism because you don't find it fun, that's absolutely fine. But you won't improve much, skill-wise, unfortunately.

[DavyJones]

Thanks much for everything, but I can't be expected to not respond to anything. There is only ONE thing I cannot promise, sadly: color.
I'm color-retarded. Shadows, horizons, POV.... these are things I can handle, but I simply can not for the life of me tell apart the more important colors in drawing people.
Impossible poses and unrealistically dynamic posture (if such a term can be used to describe ANYTHING) are things I can't help but want to throw in for the hell of it. In all honesty, I view myself as more of a cartoonist than an actual "artist," which is why I'm here.
Also, this was indeed my absolute FIRST post, here, so I'm not positive what ES forums you're referring to.
Absolute realism isn't really my thing, so was it a bad idea to come here for this? I was just looking for a bit of criticism and maybe a couple ideas so I could keep going on with what I was doing.
I may post some other pieces in the future, but I suppose in the meantime I'll just stare at these and rework them as much as I need to to be happy with them.
Well, see you around. ^_^

[dannE-B]

Even if you consider yourself as a Cartoonist you still have to understand anatomy etc as this will help you to fully explore your style.