Seekign Advice...

[Arekusu]

Right, my reasons for making this post is because i wish to seek advice on furthering my drawing style.

The thing is, i used to draw manga, then i developed my own style to a certain extent, but the thing is, when i see the work on here i realise how much i need to improve, now im only 16 so i have a fair few years to get up to a good standard, but i really want to imrpove. Now the thing is, i want to move away from manga totoally for now, because as good as it is, its not original, i want to be able to do something that is mine, so the reaosn for me makign this is because i wanted to find out how all of you got into your styles? I mean what sort of things did you do to further your skills, what made you draw the way you do etc? Anything like this will be helpful because maybe it will help me see different routes i can take, and also any advice that can be offored would be very apreciated.

I am currently drawing lots of different things to widen my drawing horizons to allow me to be more free when drawing, i aim to achieve a half and half style by the end, where it has an element of realism in it, but at the same time as still being cartoony...if hat makes sense...

Well any help is apreciated so i look forward toy oru responese ^_^

-Alex

[Noë]

Hi Alex :)

I'm 16 too, and haven't found my "style" yet. What I'm doing to get better is drawing a lot. I'm getting a lot of great advice on what to improve from people that visit my sketchbook, I'm concentrating on figures mostly at the moment, but I also try to get my colours better. Right now I draw a lot from references, but I'm going to try to draw more from mind from now on, especially drawing something from ref first and then try to do somewhat the same thing from mind. But enough about me ^^
My advice to you is; try out a lot of different things, look at a lot of artwork (maybe create an "inspiration" folder on your computer, in which you save images that you think are great and inspiring. Try to make that folder divers, and try to mix some of those styles you like in your own work to figure out what kind of style you want.

Ofcourse your own style changes over the years (and months :P) so just try out a lot of different things and see what suits you and what doesn't.
What you already said you're doing; draw lots of different things, don't (for example) stick to drawing only faces for a long time.

Ah well, just open up a sketchbook, draw a lot and see what happens :)

love
Marleen

[dogfood]

I've heard from a lot of folks here, and the most successful agree that personal style develops on its own. It sounds like you're moving in the right direction; draw many different things, study how things look and work, and draw like your hand is possessed.

Post some of your work and folks will give specifics.

Welcome aboard!

[Seedling]

Hello Arekusu,
Take a look at my sketchbook – I’ve been doing a one-hour still life each day in order to learn oil paints. You could do something similar in any medium.

Individual style (as opposed to the style of a computer game or movie, which is deliberate and chosen) I have long felt to be a result of finding the limits of your abilities and pushing on those limits. So, choosing a style, rather than finding your natural style by pushing your limits, can be limiting, as you seem to have discovered with manga. If you take the time to find your own style first, and then try a style like manga again, you will find yourself in a better position make kick-ass manga.

Good luck!

[demented]

Many artists are capable of adopting many different styles, but merely choose to follow one they are comfortable with. Draw every day in every way and it will come to you. Also pin down influences, and determine what you like about them and what you want to incorporate.

- d.

[Arekusu]

Thankyou everyone for all the adivce ^_^ it is really helpful to get advice from really talented people. I will take what you all said on board, and maybe at the weekend ill make myself a sketchbook. The only problem is nowadays is finding time to draw, cos i am at school, finding time is not easy, but i doodle in the back of my books whent he teacher isnt looking XD

As for referances, i shall continue witht hat for a while, a while back i got human eyes and used them to try and help me draw eyes, and i did the same with ears, so next i will focus on the actual body with muscles and thigns, and as soon as possible, i will show some of my work ;)

Once again thankyou for the advice!

-Alex

[Justin.]

I'm 16 and in Highschool as well.. I take 6 academic courses that are 90 minutes each. I still find time every day to draw, even through homework and chores. If you are seriously serious, then seriously gotta schedule drawing time if you have to.

[Interceptor]

I think the best advice I heard is "don't learn a style before you learn to draw".

If all you think about is style, tha I think you're missing your nartural flow of drawing that is where style comes from. Style is your own perceptions of how you see things and it's what your inspirations are. At 16 years old, I say just have fun drawing. And learn fundamentals :D

-Loren

[Zord]

Completely agree with Justin and Interceptor. If you want to improve, you'll make time to improve; no matter what the cost. Style's just something that comes out of hard work, time, and natural progression. Goodluck!

[Arekusu]

Thanks again everyone for the advice...i will try and get into the habbit of setting aside tome to draw from now on...infact..ill go and draw right now XD