Help!! Suggestions welcome!!!

[Newbie Artist]

I have only just started to take my drawing seriously, but its always been my passion, i was thinking to try and make a career out of it when i get better (long time to go!!).

Any suggestions on how to improve would be welcomed.

Any suggestions how i could improve this piece for example?

Its my first robotic style sketch, i just knocked it up quickly.
(Sorry its so small, click to enlarge. Future posts will be bigger)

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/9953/dsc00561kc6.th.jpg (http://img244.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00561kc6.jpg)

[Cookiedough]

You can directly upload your pic to CA. That way you don't need an external link.

Your robot is stiff and the helmet/body makes me wonder if it's a robot or a man in high tech outfit. Compositionwise, i'd crop it til about midthigh, since he has no feet and add a bit more space on top. Photoshop will def. help there. Also watch your hatching. It's flat and doesn't suggest volume. Think of your robot in curves and match your hatching to the curve. Check up on crosshatching.

Designwise, i'd look into Star Wars designs and Terminator and i dunno, i'm not a robot fan. Transformers will be out in a while, but they also use robots in hospitals. Think of all those different designs to come up with your own version. Add buttons, lasers, discoballs... whatever.

For human anatomy, try getting your hands on Loomis and an anatomy book. And maybe some lifedrawinglessons. These will help you much with understanding structures. Don't focus on a style yet. First get your basics in order. The style will follow by itself.

Best of luck and keep drawing!

[Newbie Artist]

I see what you mean about the hatching, thanks. I am still learning a lot of basics from anatomy books, i am worried about doing life drawing classes in case what i draw is dreadful. And its expensive in Norwich, England. lol. Thanks for your help, im going to get straight on it!!:)

[quickreaver]

Yeah, the best advice we can give ya is DRAW DRAW DRAW! And start from the ground up. Get your anatomy down. If the body isn't right, no amount of armor will make it so. I think Rebecca Kimmel has an anatomy thread here somewhere! Find it. Use it. Call it George. ;)

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=7