The practice thread

[Kris]

Started up as a nice idea Pure and I had.

This thread is open for everyone.

What this thread will hold:

1. Weekly drawing competition (Everyone can join into it, and everyone can suggest ideas for themes).
2. suggestions and references for images that could help drawing stuff better.
3. Ideas for chars and comic.
4. Sketches and Wip (Links to others' art threads are good too).
5. Guides (self made by users who publish here).
6. Questions about art and whatnot.

I can see it growing big. It'll be a thread for everyone to practice and get better.

We are aware our style is more into the Asia's one, but, of course, everything is welcomed here.

Feel free to add your opinion or suggest more stuff.

also, feel free to link us to your works. You can also request that we tell you what can be done to make the works better or show if there are errors.

Let's go.



The Group so far: (everyone can join btw)
Kris (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=953)
SQJPURE
C
Auki (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4207)
Ace of Hearts
Mr E Solved (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16917)
Riddles Three
StormWolf (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3525)
Wattz
CoffeeLorencia (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16951)
Housemaster (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20552)
Black Dog
Carnival (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=23751)
Enfilon
Imp (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?p=563275#post563275)
Nemesis
Joona
choubead
andrinaandug
kiesse
ElementOfChaos
PinkBandit
Toastdurr
stevezilla
SilverAce
Naraness
Cutekitty150
-Reisen-
Biophysicist
jarms48
Craze
Fayt
cereza13
Lukasade


Guides
Pure-1 (http://role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=590380&postcount=5)
Kris-1 (http://role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=591174&postcount=20)
Auki- 1 (http://role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=592519&postcount=38)
Auki- 2 (http://role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=630287&postcount=165)
Neccy's Classroom - A Design Mentor Thread! (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=19484)
Imp- 1 (http://role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=563275&postcount=9)

Project threads: (http://role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=644534&postcount=184)

Kris's project: The Devil's Wake (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16932)

Pure's Project: Balls of Fury & pieces of others (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16983)

-:Riddles' Project:- Ethanria: Rise of the Immortals (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17067)


Our DA:

http://roleplay-adventures.deviantart.com/

[SQJPure]

Yay!
She did it!!
This is great!

I love a chance to do something with my pencils and have others go through it with me. I wanna see how others draw and I wan to see if we can all take something from each other. Deviant art is cool but its not great without some back and forht art talk between others like you.

[Princess C]

I will be posting some of my very crappy drawings that I drew on the computer later on... :P

[Kris]

Great you joined C.

and I'm sure your works are just fine.

I have some old guides I made so I'll have them here later :)

[SQJPure]

This is not the perfect example of my technique. This is more like the perfect exampleof being lazy and getting a little lucky with the sizes.

I always se an H2 to start with and just let my pencil go wild till I get something close to what I want.
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs45/i/2009/075/8/8/Goddess_and_the_flame_1_by_SQJPure.jpg

There was allot of erasing allot of redrawing befoe I got here.


http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs45/i/2009/077/3/6/Kiss_by_SQJPure.jpg

Shading is everyhitng to me since I suck at it. So I mostly do my large pictures so I can focus on the shading. Okay so the picture is kinda huge. Used sheezy art for the final picture...sorry.
http://art2.server01.sheezyart.com/image/207/2075648.jpg

Is that what it your supposed to do? Did I show of my free hand process right?

[Auki]

Oh, maybe I should try and make some kind of guide... C:
This is a snazzy idea by the way.

[SQJPure]

Hey maybe the first comp could be creating a drawing/skech what ever out of a picture from one of the RP members. I used to do that, it suprisingly challenging, and hard depending on the pose.
Or maybe a fan ficiton cross over? Like drawing one character from a TV hsow cartoon anime manga ETc and another from another one?

[Ace of Hearts™]

I'll rep whoever can guess this.

http://i55.tinypic.com/2ia4hep.jpg

[SQJPure]

Its vilgax from Ben ten!!!!

....With bat wings...

Yeeah...no rep for me...

X___X

[Ace of Hearts™]

What?!? No way!

That leads me to ask if the first contest is to sketch your favorite monster?

[V]

Cthulhu?

Hmmm I think I'll try to take pics of my stuff as I go through my process on inking :)

[Ace of Hearts™]

Yes! You're right! You get...

A thousand years of insantity and torture.

And rep!

[Kris]

I plan to publish my "working tools" too... that could help us exchange info about what type of stuff to use and learn from it :D

Ace, Auki and V welcome to the thread :D

Pure, I just LOOOOOOOOVE what you showed us :D

[Ace of Hearts™]

I'll be doing most of my work on GIMP or MS Paint. I don't know how to get a sketch on without actually taking a picture of it.

Is this okay?

[Kris]

Yes :)

[SQJPure]

I'm sure Kris doens't mind the Ms paint thing. Personal I'd preffer you take the picture dude. Since then we get a beter view of your shading techniuque, how you do your lines and ETC which is what I'm really fascinated in.

Its what I used to do before I stole my mother's scanner.(She wasn't using it...much)

Thank you Kris ^^

I got another idea for a Comp. A rock band portrait. You can eiter make up a rock band like RPA characters in a rock band
http://boredomcure.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/star-wars-awesome.png

or use exsisting members. It can be any kind of portrait. Long range, close up, etc.

[Ace of Hearts™]

Well, art is art. It doesn't really matter what it's done on.

[Kris]

Now that's what I cool Art and Roll!

[SQJPure]

@At Ace
Too true dude. Too True...

@ Kris
Yers it is.

[Kris]

2007 ~KRIS GUIDE 1~

a guide I made to show how I work with Layers when doing digital works:

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/2987/workingwithlayerswy4.jpg

1. While working with layers it is important to create each parts with different color and with different layers (and be sure to name the layers)

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8361/workingwithlayers1gk2.jpg

2. Overpass it with black color over a different layer and then marge it done if you wish.

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/2944/workingwithlayers3vg0.jpg

3. Color within in different layers as well.

[Ace of Hearts™]

Oh yeah, one up me...:'(

Meh, I'd just be doing these cute little picture. Maybe if I can get some actual drawing up.

[SQJPure]

LOL

That was epic. Kris I'm start on my next sketch when I get back from work. I figure I might as well do the next samurai picture. Done have any process shots for beast wears but I'll post some of that stuff later.

[Ace of Hearts™]

You should totally rep me for it, and I'll give you a picture!

[Riddles Three]

I'm joining this place. Oh yes indeed.

Bought a tablet recently. And I'm dying to do something with it!

[Kris]

welcome :D

We shall publish some ideas for contest soon enough, but this place will be guides heaven and what's not :D

EDIT:

I'm making user list on the first post :D

[Auki]

Are we going to have a contents list of guides, tutorials and whatnot in the first post for easy access or no?

[Kris]

Yes :)

[Riddles Three]

Sounds awesome. Looking forward to this.

[SQJPure]

Looks like this is turning into something truly awesome ^^

[Kris]

and big :D

and it will grow more with your help :)

[StormWolf]

I'll join, seeing as how summer break is just 48-72 hours away.

Yes Kris, I will do the entire UKC cast. I haven't forgotten.

[Kris]

@_@

YES!!!

[SQJPure]

Here's a post about all hte Art books(The ones I paid money for) I have.

The complete's idiot's guide to Drawing Manga, Illistrated(I cna't imagine wha it would have looked like if it wasn't but if they want to make it a part of htier heading...sure Whatever)
by John Layman and David Hatchison for IDEA + DESIGN WORKS, LLC

Rating out of ten
5!

This books is kinda shitty,there's very little I learned from it as it went after all the typical generic syles and didnt' really leave much for me to absorb. Unlimately it wasn't worth the stash of cash I used on it. I'd have given it a lower score but the actual art work is nice and I learned something about action poses(Not much but somethign is something), to bad that section isnly 8% of the book.

If you want a book on manga look for another.

The Art Of Drawing

By Micheal Butkus
5.5

This book is more about fine art and penciling, which i love, unortuantely this book didn't give me much that I didn't know. It didn't tell me shiwtabout porportions, angles etc. it instead gave me pictures ofan out line then half a completed product then suddenly a completley perect final product. Very dissapointing as I'm a mna who likes to know all the detials.

The whole book is 31 pages long with 20 fancy bonus pages for drawing on your own.
-___-

What I got from this book was that my scratch work (I call scratching at the page with my pencil till what I like forms) was such a bad think becuase it worked for him. It appears the artist is more of a freehand drawer using basic shapes then filing them in. So I technically got somethign from this book but I also think it wasn't worth the money I spent.

I can't find the htird one I'll edit this or repost this later in the week, if I dont forget. ^^
Hope that was potentiall helpful if your looking for book.

[Ace of Hearts™]

Books on art (Much like writing) are rarely effective, except for teaching the basics. The only real way to get better is to do.

[Kris]

I don't agree. I learned a lot by looking into other's work. You can have ideas how to make stuff and get more creative.

[StormWolf]

I am in the middle when it comes to art books. It really depends on what they are, who makes them, and if their step-by-step demos are any good. Personally, how to draw anime/manga books suck because, in all honesty, anime and manga kinda sucks. The art style is very cookie-cutter. Everyone looks the same.

Now, a few Christopher Hart books, while they can be childish at times, are awesome. How to draw Comic Book Characters and how to draw Anatomy for Comics are great because they simplify muscle groups so much by turning them in to simple shapes.

I found that one of the best ways to improve is to find some images you like that are done by a master (for me it would be Frazetta, Cho, or some of the Marvel artists) and trace the image over and over and over. The key is not tracing every line and curve, but the gesture of the image. That is how I teach myself to do complicated poses, like someone vaulting over a car or something. I find a pose similar to it and and I trace gestures till my fingers bleed. By that point, it will be muscle memory.

For me, that is the key. Start with simple shapes, never just jump right in to a complicated figure. Today is my last day at school, so I'll post a demo of my creative process soon.

[Wattz]

This sounds lovely! May I join? =D I really need to motivate myself to be more creative on a regular basis >__<

[Auki]

Personally, I feel the only way to become an amazing artist is to strive to understand how the world works, particularly the subjects of your pieces.

Physics, for example, is important when drawing any piece. The reflection of light/colour and gravity come into art a lot.

Also, whether you draw humans and animals, understanding the basic skeletal and muscular anatomy of the creature provides immense benefits when trying to draw. Half of art is about the originality, eventually being able to draw a pose without having to find a reference to copy it from. Whilst tracing can be helpful when one is a beginner to the subject, it is heavily limited. I agree with browsing through images to gain ideas and inspiration. I personally do not agree with tracing.
Books can be highly useful if they teach technique or understanding and not just 'step-by-step on a specific pose'.

After the basics come the understanding of things like perspective, etc.

But then that's just my opinion of course.

On another note, some canine artist on a pet site asked me to sketch up a quick tutorial on how I go about shading the fur on my canines. I thought I'd share - It's not particularly helpful but it shows my art technique;


http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u207/Angel-Of-Mist/FurTutorialcopy.png

[Wattz]

I definitely agree that one of the best ways to learn how to draw is to really understand the physics behind it all, or at least to practice drawing directly from life. Practicing drawing from life constantly is key too. This isn't to say that books and the like aren't helpful either. I'm always looking at drawing books and online tutorials to get a feel for how artists go about their business. Puts things into perspective.

I took a life drawing class once upon a time and it helped me so much just drawing the real, fleshy figure. But after the class was over, I immediately went out of practice and couldn't seem to get the feel for the figure back nearly as well as I had before, same with light and the like. It makes a HUGE difference.

But now, one method that helps a ton besides looking up reference poses is doing the pose myself (corny as shit, I know XD). But when I can feel what's happening, it works wonders! Same goes for facial expressions. Sometimes I'll take a few pictures of variations on one pose too, just so I have something concrete to go back to.

Auki, that is some lovely coloring! I'm always jealous of the way people color, and I'm always looking at tutorials for some help XD. I like that you don't just use a darker shade of the base color. Definitely brings out more depth using something different.

[Auki]

I fully agree with you on the self-posing thing, Wattz - The amount of time I've spent staring at my hand in the mirror, trying to get a hand gesture accurate, is ridiculous x)

And thank you~

[StormWolf]

Don't forget reflective light. It is a minor and usually painstaking detail (if you are doing a colored piece. Monochromatic makes it much easier) can really anchor a character or object in an environment.

and perspective is basics, at least one-point perspective is. Then you get in to two-point and three-point perspective and images can either get really cool or really distorted.

[Wattz]

@Auki: OH gosh, seriously! XD And oh, how it hurts the hand X___X

@Stormwolf: UGH oh my gosh, this times a million. Perspective and reflective light is so important, and oh so difficult x___x.

[Auki]

Of course, although only really applicable if there is a background. It's one of those things most artists forget unfortunately and is somewhat difficult to get the head around.

I rarely see people get the complicated perspectives right. Or even the simple perspectives right in detailed pictures.
And I just personally believe anatomy comes before advanced perspective shots when learning to draw - I'm no expert to art so it's mere opinion.

This is an helpful tutorial (http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm)for the physics and art technique behind light and colour by the way.

[StormWolf]

blending colors with light is quite easy in CS5. The key is using the right brush(es). My personal fav for doing this is the brush preset #20. It gets the color in, but to get the true core color you have selected, you need to make several passes. This is really handy when you are trying to imply that light is tapering off of a curved surface, say... a bulging bicep.

While the 20 brush is fun, use it wisely, otherwise your art could look really messy and muddy.

[SQJPure]

Wow...such... big... words ....

@___@

so....many....of...them.... *hugs pencils tightly and runs away....*

[StormWolf]

lol try reading my digital painting notes...

[Ace of Hearts™]

Wow, all this make my Cthulhu look like crayon. Maybe I should get a scanner, oh whatever they're called.

[V]

XD I do .... hugely less realistic things than you guys it seems. I love drawing weird sort of stuff and playing about with colours. But I won't really go into that too much :P

When I do humanoid stuff it's not overly realistic either. Not one for colouring them either :P

[SQJPure]

I dont colour either, unless you count pencil shading, but htat's still pencil. ITs not colour, colour....

[Riddles Three]

Been messing around with my tablet. Trying to get used to it. Think I'll try actually drawing something now. I shall post the result!

*scurries off*

[Riddles Three]

And I'm back

Decided to draw a character for an RP I'm interrested in joining. (Don't know if I'll be in it or not though. The GM hasn't replied yet)

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/AbstractMonkeyArt/Concept/DreamCatcherChar.png
He has clearly forgotten something

[Kris]

wow that's lovely stuff Riddle :D

[SQJPure]

wait you did that now? With your tablet? In one sitting?

[SQJPure]

I have this potentially weird and potentially ridiculously stupid idea that mixes drawing/sketching etc and plays in line with the thread. What if we had one massive runing theme behind our drawings. We'd post what ever came to mind when we wanted and every week post something that's running with the theme. Since we're all member you have to post something as a rule so there's never a week that passes wihtout us practicing.
If that sounds okay ...
I have the suggestion of us creating one 'world' Kinda like Pandora. We leave the option for any creations. Landscaping, arcitucture, plant life, animal linfe(insects, rodents, birds, small game, big game, massive game), seneint beings, different races, different race technologies. Old fashioned wepaons, new weapons, race family groups, family pictures, as many little things as you want be as smiplistic as you want be as detailed as you want....

It would be a side thing. We'd still have the chats, we'd still have the drawing competitions and everything. Any thoughts?...Yeah I'm bored....

[Wattz]

Riddles, that's such an interesting looking character, I love it XD. He's also strangely adorable 8D

Pure, no need to call the idea stupid. I think it's pretty cool! We'll have to refine it though, since so far it's pretty vague, but I'm not opposed to enforcing weekly practice with a sort of collaborative effort.

[StormWolf]

So, you are talking about creating a world from concept to completion in a week? I think more time should be given. A couple weeks to a month maybe with a weekly post so we can see how the idea is developing

[SQJPure]

@Wattz
Thank you, I got the idea from the World I created(In it there's 1 continent, four nations, 400 terratories, 50 humanoid races, a mixed plant life and a huge range of unique animals none of whihc I've had the confidence to draw). But I'm curious though, what do you mean by refine?
@storm
LOL yeah sorry if there was any missunderstanding. I meant a contiuosly running theme throughout the entire lifetime of the thread. So if the thread runs for a year then the building process will run for a year.

[Wattz]

Well by refine, I mean to say that we need to decide on rules for this overarching theme, and if we're allowed to mutate it in waves down the line, or if it's going to be more strict than mercurial. Also we'll need to decide on a theme, meaning we could always throw in a bunch of ideas and have a poll or some other way of deciding XD. Are we strictly going for world building, or is the theme going to be something without the intent of "building"? Ya know, just answering those sorts of questions in the way of refinement XD

... yeah *yuppers*

[SQJPure]

LOL!!!

Umm...okay....Big words....X__X

I can do this.... XD

Um....Pass? No seriously (In terms of the world idea)I was thinking of making it very open to one's creativity. Once one of the bigger items in the world, a land,a species of humanoid, has been created poeple would then be able to add to the creation, add special trees and wild life if some created a forrest etc or make another ofthier own.

Yeah deciding on a theme would be pretty cool, throwing ideas and stuff sounds like more fun. the world building thing was just one idea being thrown for the larger runing theme thing. There could be other themes, the world building one I made was just a way so everyone had space to draw anything. I mean htere could be a running angels and demons theme. It would cover allot in terms of people's favs but sill be about one thing. Of course there could be a more less broad themes like....er...sports(Soccer, snow boarding are my suggestions ^^)

I dont think I answered that right...curse my tiny vocab....I blame hip hop...and heavy metal....punk rock....and my lack of reading....

Edit of course all of this is not decided. Its still all up to Kris.

[Riddles Three]

wow that's lovely stuff Riddle :D
Thanks Kris, nice to know when people like your work.


wait you did that now? With your tablet? In one sitting?
Aye, did it in one sitting. Practicing speed painting. Trying to get out a result to my liking with the least amount of time. That took about 2-2½ hours. (A little more if you count in the episode of Phineas & Ferb I saw)


Riddles, that's such an interesting looking character, I love it XD. He's also strangely adorable 8D
I like the fact you find him adorable :D

If you want to know more about the race he's from I could make a post about it.

Anyhow - So about this "creating-a-world-idea". I rather like it. It gives us alot of content to work with. Hard to run out of things to draw if you're making a whole world.

To throw out some ideas regarding how we'll set up the rules. I think we should discuss these points atleast:

Theme - Fantasy : Sci-fy : post apocalyptic : and-so-on.

Level of technology - For instance: If it is a fantasy based world. Do they possess firearms and the like? If it's a post apocalyptic world. What has remained, has something been remade?

Magic/Powers - Pretty self explanatory.

When we've established atleast those three, we can delve further into the concept of creating a world.

Atleast that's my opinion.

[Kris]

I like the sound of it Pure :)

[Wattz]

@Pure: Pft, music never did nobody no harm XD.

Yeah, I think either a world or an overarching theme would be really fun to do. The world would provide for more structure but then the theme would... well I don't quite know XD. Sounds like a world would be the best bet.

@Riddles: Sure, I'd love to hear more about him!

I think you've got a good starting point there in the way of setting up rules. I'm inclined to choose something either sci-fy or post apocalyptic-esque with magical overtones and somewhat high levels of technology mixed with clunky tech but that's just me XD;;;

[Riddles Three]

I'm all for the world thing.

Regarding themes and such. I'm up for either fantasy or post-apocalyptic. Not a huge fan of sci-fy. (there are some exceptions ofcourse)
Mixing magic into either could also be awesome.

Depending on wether it's a fantasy or post-apocalyptic. I'd say the technology should be somewhere around:

Fantasy - Firearms and explosives are fairly new. And thus have a tendency to malfunction.

Post-apocalyptic - Some technology have preserved throught whatever caused the apocalyptic event. But most of the current technology is made from scratch.

Both can lead to some interesting designs. Since we'd have to take malfunctioning weapons and/or some brand new technology into account when we're drawing this new world.

@Watzz:

My character is named Crest.
The name of his race is called Az-raqwim which means "They who Forget" I'll delve further into why they're called that in a moment.

There are 4 sub-races within the Az-raqwim. (Like we have blacks, caucasians and so on) The only way to tell them apart is by looking at their eyes.

Az-raqwim - They who Forget: Most common of the three. Gray eyes.
Az-rasha - They who Remember: Slightly more common than the Larik. Golden eyes.
Larik - Halves: Very rare. As the name suggests. They are half/half. Gray + one of the other. One half is always Az-raqwim.
Kahuun - Doomed - A little more common than the Az-rasha. Black eyes.

The Az-reqwim race has born memory issues. The most common disease among the race is amnesia. It's like a cold among humans. Though this obviously attacks the memory of the infected. And almost everyone is born with it.

The gray eyed Az-raqwim are forgetful. They can forget their names, where they live, what they are supposed to do. In general. To counter this. Most of them make notes of anything important. Not that it works most of the time because they forget wether or not it is their notes or not.

The gold eyed Az-rasha, in stark constrast to the other sub-races, have a very keen memory. They are the leaders of the race. They are the main reason why this race haven't died out long ago.

The black eyed Kahuuns are the worst fated of the Az-raqwim race. They never live for very long. Their level of amnesia is so high it can affect their instincts. Most of the Kahuun die from suffocation, because they forget how to breathe.

The Larik are a very rare type of Az-raqwim. One eye is gray and the other is either golden or black.

Gray/Black - Are often found wandering aimlessly around. Their Az-raqwim memory will keep them from forgetting their instincts. But the Kahuun part of them will constantly make them forget what they are doing and where they are. They rely on the kindness of the others in order to survive.

Gray/Gold - The Az-rasha part of them will give them some sort of memory. Some have optical memory. They are able to relate things together if they've seen them before. For instance. Have a note that has just their name written on it. If the person forgets his/her name, they will remember the note. Find it and then recall their name. Other can remember through sounds, or touch. It differs from each individual.

As you may, or may not, be able to tell from my concept picture. Crest is a Larik. His left eye is golden and the other is gray. He's the type who has optical memory. (Which explains all the notes on his poncho)

This is what I have at the moment.

[SQJPure]

Aweomse I'm glad you guys like the idea. I was honestly thinking of mixing everything together, which is why I mentioned Pandora as an example. Because you had the advanced humans and the old school Navi.

We could do that, as for the element of magic. We could set a....for lack of a better term...law of physics for magic or a magic system. Mix tech and magic, kinda like I'm trying to do with my fantasy 40K RP. Poeple who love tech can make tech and poeple who love magic can do thier magic thing without one group alienating another, I figure since this whole thread is still new we should try be accomidating without 'bending over' for every one at the same time.

PS Liked the idea of rules.... But in stead of making firearms new I was thinging of making them old. They work as well and even better then any spell made on the spot but a planned presset spell held within a object(basically an enchantment) has just as much power if not greater depending on the situation.

By the way..

blacks, caucasians and so on LAWL......

[V]

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg201/youngmastervivi/ThisDork.jpg?t=1304852513

A random sketch that I'm gonna try to do .... something with. Had some fun with those hands. >_<

Oh and sorry about the terrible quality pic :P

[Kris]

Good sketch :)

you really need to buy a scanner XD

[V]

Well we have a scanner but it's in another room .... and I've never hooked it up to my computer so I fear it willl explode if I do. Sometime in the future I plan to get one though.

I ruined the rest of the page with extreme dorkyness! XD

[SQJPure]

Dude I like the sketch, i love the chubby cheeks and the cap. ^^

[SQJPure]

Okay I just comepleted this making it my second drawing in my pheonix character design. If he changes his mind Ill kill him. :afro: No serieously I've got the butcher knife right here.
Like to know what you think.
Does he look...feminine to you? If yes it wasn't on purpose and I dont know how I did that. does anyone know? Some porportion element I left out? Is it the small shoulders(Didn't realise how small they were until I scanned, I'm blind! X__X)

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/129/c/2/samurai_without_helmet_close_u_by_sqjpure-d3fxunm.jpg

[Riddles Three]

Nice sketch E. Looks awesome.

@SQJ: I'd have to agree with you there mate. He really does look pretty feminine. The lines are too round/smooth. Males look more blocky, while females have more round and smooth forms.

He does look very asian though. So assumeing that was the overall goal also. (Is named "samurai" so guessing asian is what you went for)

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/AbstractMonkeyArt/samurai_without_helmet_close_u_by_sqjpure-d3fxunm.png
Tried making the shoulders broader. Also moved the eyes down a bit. Anatomy wise. If you drew a line from your eye, towards your ear, you'd hit just about the mid section of your ear.

This is just my take on it.

[SQJPure]

LOL that was fascinating dude/duddette. Thanks for helping me firgure ou what was wrong with it. I'll definately take it into consideration when I'm doing the next one.(I'm doing five)

Yeah I was going for something asian not completely asian but in the middle so good noting. What you did with the cheeks was interesting. I wsn't sure or rather I wasnt' confident on the lines on the face so I left them clear, you putting them on and having it come out much more manly makes me think.

You did all that with the tablet? How good is a tablet compared to paper? (In case I decide to save paper and buy one one day.)

[Riddles Three]

You can't really compare drawing on a tablet to drawing on paper. Both techniques are pretty unique.
For instance, with a tablet you can redraw everything within moments. And you have the option to redo some od your strokes with the magical Ctrl+Z.
When drawing on paper. You'd usually have an easier time drawing hard edges. You also get a whole diffrent level of details when drawing in hand rather than drawing digitally.

Both sides have it's ups and downs.

It's super fun to draw with a tablet though. (Atleast if you ask me)
Also glad I could be of some assistance SQJ.

PS: I'm a dude :3

[Riddles Three]

Alright. Been drawing for 3 hours now.

Time to share the result!

http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz53/AbstractMonkeyArt/Concept/Harpooneerv2.png
Man the harpoons!

A wooden leg wouldn't be awesome enough. So gave him a shotgun leg.

[SQJPure]

that's cool dude. I love the scarf, despite the massive harpoon and the jackhammer shotgun leg, its what sticks out for me ^^

[Kris]

Lovely stuff Riddle!

[Riddles Three]

Thanks a bunch chums. For the kind words.

As a side note, I love your Frollo sig and avatar, Kris. Insane fuck. But he has an awesome song! (Hellfire)

Anyhow. Should we do something to kick this off? (The whole weekly drawing stuff)

[SQJPure]

Something like what?

[Riddles Three]

Well for instance. Pffft...

If everyone agrees. We could kick it off by actually drawing something for this world of ours. Like for instance. Start by drawing a race each.

Now that I think about it. We still haven't agreed on the overarching theme of the world. (sci-fy, post apocalyptic, fantasy, the-like)
So maybe I'm just being a little over eager here.

[SQJPure]

Yeah we never accepted anything. But I'm working my way up with htis new learning books I'm loking at. Starting with faces, then moving onto the torso as soon as I get there I'll start posting any races I come up with....

[Wattz]

I think one of the best ways to do this is to formulate a poll of some sort, and also see who actually wants to participate.

EDIT

Not that they'd be exempted from joining later or anything, but it'd be nice to see who'll be in at least to start it off XD

[Riddles Three]

So, can we make this thread into a poll? So we can establish a theme for this world?

[Wattz]

Yup! We can add a poll to this thread, but we'll have to talk to Kris about it cause she's the original poster XD.

What's your opinion on this whole thing, Kris?

[Riddles Three]

Fancy stuff.

So we'll be deciding between: Sci-fy - Fantasy[/i] - Post Apocalyptic?
(Thats just about the 3 genres I can think about. If anyone else got some additional ideas we could throw them in also)

[Kris]

Okay guys, we might have a real big contest soon :)

I want you to suggest me a theme you want to draw.

[StormWolf]

fantasy or post-apoc are my votes

[SQJPure]

Either A sci-fi/Fantasy mesh or Angels and Demons are my votes.

[Wattz]

I'd like a post-apocalyptic setting with magical elements of a sort XD.

And yay, a contest! Oh dear, what kinds of themes x__x. I'll... get back to you soon as I can XD. I wanna think of some good ones. <3

[StormWolf]

As far as creating, what do we want? 1 character? A character and a creature? Character, creature, environment? Are we going to do the same world in 1-months chunks? This is full on game design stuff we are talking about here

[SQJPure]

Always wanted to be a game designer. ^^ But to be honest I wasn't thinking game design till you said it Storm! ^^ We should totaly do the fantasy-sci fi...picture Final fantsy meets Halo meets Dragon ball Z meets Avatar ^^

[Kris]

I think I'll make it into two categories: Traditonal and Digital. Each section will have different themes (for example: Fantasy for pictures made by hands while Sci-fic for pictures made using tablets)

I don't mind you doing fan-works, but I do want to see a full made pictures (action, interaction between the chars you draw, background and so).

Still considering ideas.

[Riddles Three]

Think it'd be wise if we sepperate traditional and digital drawing. Since they are so very, very diffrent.

I'm not entirely certain what you mean by fan-works so I'd like you to specify that one. Is it like, traditional making something in the digital section? (One might see something and find it awesome. And then draw something similiar? Is that the case or?)

Regarding the contest I have a few ideas. I could PM em too you if you'd like. Or I can just post them here.

[StormWolf]

i'll be doing whichever one uses the tablet, but I think it is a good idea to seperate them, becasue photoshop has tools the tradtional media people can't use.

[Riddles Three]

Ctrl + Alt + Z

'Nuff said.

[StormWolf]

you make is sound as if it were cheating. . .

[Riddles Three]

It's not cheating. Technically traditional drawing can do the same with an eraser... With some redrawing... Yeah...

[StormWolf]

technology is a great thing. But to be honest, digital painting takes more time than most traditional media nowadays. *cough* 100+ hours on a single piece *cough*. and to be fair, the undo action only goes back so many steps.

[Riddles Three]

100 hours on a single piece? What is this madness you speak of?

Also. You can change the number of times you can undo. As long as your computer has the memory for it.

[StormWolf]

Professional digital painters spend looooon time working. For one final piece for my digital painting class I spent about 15-20 hours working

[Wattz]

Sadly, I don't have a tablet, but I don't mind much working with traditional media XD. I mean, I try to color in photoshop after penciling and inking, but usually to no avail. I've been lightly taking up colored pencils though! I can take forever on a single drawing regardless of the medium I'm working in though x__x. Doesn't mean it shows for much, but that's what practice is for I suppose xD.

As for a possible contest idea... what about a drawing based on a favorite book? Based being keyword. Or even a drawing based on a song lyric. I would totally be down for that.

[Kris]

As for a possible contest idea... what about a drawing based on a favorite book? Based being keyword. Or even a drawing based on a song lyric. I would totally be down for that.

I like the ideas :)

Riddle, you are always free to PM me :)

[Riddles Three]

I remember trying to apply color to my drawings with colored pencils. Never really turned out as I wanted it. So I just stopped doing that after a while.

After I got my tablet a few weeks back. I decided applying color to my works again. And I'm loving it so far. (And a huge amount of high-fives to my cousin for teaching me how to use my tablet)

I do like your contest ideas Wattz. Except the Draw based on favorite book one. Think it would be more interesting to draw something more original. Rather than something which is already layed out for you. (Do enjoy fan works though)
Also have some ideas. But would like to know if the contest is something like: Character drawing, or enviroment, or maybe a bit of both?

[Riddles Three]

Or maybe something entirely diffrent.

Edit: Useless. Was meant to edit the previous post. Not write a new one.

[Kris]

Ideas and PMs are always welcomed :)

[Kris]

Got a PM from Riddles Three which held Lovely ideas and I wanna ask you about it:

Traditional

Will need to draw a character with an item of power. The character can be of any race and kind and the item of power is open for your ideas (even a rifle).

The image will focused on the charcter and how it interact with the item. A description of the character and the item should also be included.

There should be some enviroment involved but the focus will be on the main theme.

In Riddle's words: "the character should be in some appropriate enviroment. For instance the gauss-rifle wielding character would be in a sci-fi enviroment. Shooting at spaceships or whatever. Striking a pose. The focus should still be the character and his/her/it's item of power though"

Digital

The drawing will centered around enviromental drawing.

In Riddle's words: "Either enviroment with, or without, action in it. And by action I mean like; Warriors fighting against each other. A spaceship taking off into space. Survivors trying to salvage whatever. Something has to happen. If there is no action. It could be a grand forest in the mountains. A large metropolian city. A small fishing town", etc.


Side Note:
I want to get Wattz ideas into it too so I thought it will be okay if you base your image on book, band, song, TV-show, magzine's picture, game and what's not. But please don't copy it completely.


Still open for ideas on that one

[Wattz]

I... love... the item of power one, for sure. It sounds like an awesome challenge. so awesome in fact, that even if it is not the contest focus, I may just attempt a picture anyways XD.

[Riddles Three]

I still believe we shouldn't limit traditional or digital drawing to just one of them. There may be some in the digital category who'd much prefer to draw a character rather than an enviroment. And there may be traditional artists who wants to draw an enviroment.

I think we should settle for either; one overall category. Or have both open. And then it's up to the artists to decide which one they'll enter.

Between Wattz's ideas. I'd primarily vote for the song one. It leaves the artist with more room to be original. Compared to a tv show or a book.

I see a challange en either subjects.

[SQJPure]

Open for anything, the object of power thing is cool. The background thing is quite something. Its a difficult challenge for me with the item alone, the background means shrinking my drawing which is somrhing I'm generally not a fan of but then again that is the point of a challenge, so be it.
I will most likely run out of internet sometime during the comming week so I say pick Riddle's ones and everything else we can do later.

[Riddles Three]

Good to know you people like my ideas. Always nice to be a little appriciated.

Wouldn't mind hearing the opinion of some of the other participants. (Or rather, read them) - I'm looking at you Ace, Storm and Auki >:3

[StormWolf]

But what if I want to do a character digitally? Or what if I want to do all 3 together in a huge scene of sexiness?

[Auki]

They are lovely ideas~

Although... I'm confused what one could even do as an 'item of power' for any race that isn't humanoid.. Which would limit me to the second one already. Environments aren't really my thing - I don't enjoy them as much - but I guess I could make some attempts x__x

[Kris]

They are lovely ideas~

Although... I'm confused what one could even do as an 'item of power' for any race that isn't humanoid.. Which would limit me to the second one already. Environments aren't really my thing - I don't enjoy them as much - but I guess I could make some attempts x__x

We can think up of ideas together and we can even suggest them to others as well :)

Feel free to PM Auki about any problem, it's still open case :)

@StormWolf- You can, but the focus is more on the background and Environment if you go on Digital

[Riddles Three]

Well it was never specified that the race should be humanoid. It could be a creature of some sort. And the item of power could be anything. A necklace, clothes, armor - whatever comes to mind.

So you shouldn't be limited just because your character is a beast instead of a humanoid.

If you want some ideas Auki I'd be glad to assist you >:3

[Auki]

I guess it just severely limits what this 'item' could be. A lack of opposable thumbs means things like clothes, armor, weapons, most jewellery, etc are unlikely as there is no way to put them on/hold them.

I'm not complaining - I think it's a great idea for a theme. Just most the things I draw don't have material possessions, let alone powerful ones x)
I will just have to... challenge myself to draw something completely new.

[Riddles Three]

Thats not such a bad thing either. Being challenged to do something you're not too confident in only improves your skill.

Which I'll also have to apply to myself. Drawing enviroments really isn't my thing. But I'll take the challenge once we get to it. I'm also an ass when it comes to beasts. So I'll have to have a look at some of your work Auki. (Especially the guide you made earlier)

[Riddles Three]

By the way. How long will the contest go for?

Are we talking about a few weeks? A month?

Also have a few ideas when it comes to the contest itself.
I believe we should continuously, as contestants, have either:

A thread each. In whichever category we end up choosing. Where we can post everything from - thoughts, sketches, general progress on our piece.
So people can comment. Come with advice, suggestions as the artist progresses towards a final result.

And if not a thread each. Then atleast one or two posts they can edit in whichever thread we end up in.

It'd be interesting to see how each person handles the contest. From the initial thoughts all the way to the final piece.

[SQJPure]

Its supposed to be a contest a week isn't it? I mean this is not an official competition, its just stuff between us.

A thread for each contest doens't seem cool if these aren't officail contests.

I thought we were going to whip out art posts then drop them for no real award before moving onto the next one. After all thier thread is the thread for discussing art and art progress right? Making another one would be redundant wouldn't it?

[Kris]

It's a bit problematic Riddle for this current contest, because I plan for people to send their words to me without anyone else to see them before we show the results. However I don't mind once the contest is over that each of you will post in his or her own thread the stages of your works.

I'll let you know when we start the contest and what date it will to end. I'll give at least a month time to get by it.

If it goes well we'll consider to do simple weekly made contests with "in-between" presentation of sketches and what's not (Like you suggested just now, I loved that idea)

@PURE- this one will be with "real award", but later we will do simple ones as well like we planned from the start :)

[Riddles Three]

Ah I see.

So the contestants will do their thing. Send the finished product to you and then you'll take care of the rest, right?

Thinking about it. Wasn't Weekly content the original idea behind this thread?

[Kris]

Indeed.

We can start a weekly no reward one at any given time too. :)

We need something as main theme and less hard to pull in a week :)

but if we up for it and have at least 4 people we can go at it already :)

[Riddles Three]

For weekly "contests" we could do stuff like: This week. A character - next week. Enviroment - next week. A creature.

Something simple. If we want to spice it up a little from time to time we could add a theme to it also. For instance: Post apocalyptic character. Or a sci-fi enviroment. Or even a fantasy character.
Then people don't have to worry about too much when they are working on their weekly entry. Like one would do with a longer contest. Where the rules are more specific.

[Kris]

For weekly "contests" we could do stuff like: This week. A character - next week. Enviroment - next week. A creature.

Something simple. If we want to spice it up a little from time to time we could add a theme to it also. For instance: Post apocalyptic character. Or a sci-fi enviroment. Or even a fantasy character.
Then people don't have to worry about too much when they are working on their weekly entry. Like one would do with a longer contest. Where the rules are more specific.

Yes =D

and of course when we create something big it will be in different thread (detailed and all). I just asked here to see rather it was worth pulling something up or not.

and of course our weekly ones could be in different threads as well to make more order, but we can link it to this one for further questions :)

[SQJPure]

Wow, so its an official art contest?
I guess that means it will be a few weeks long right? Becuase I wont be around till next month.

[Kris]

I don't plan to start it right away.

I asked because I wanted to know if people were into it at all.

and on another note: "The weekly" contest can start at any given time once we have "easy" theme to do.

But of course I'll let you know so don't worry :)

[Riddles Three]

The one we've been talking about will probably last for about a month. Seems like a decent amount of time for a larger project. Most people only have some time a day to work on it. (I'm guessing) School - Work - General real life and all that.

The weekly stuff is just some in-house challenge for all the artsy people here. For the sake of improving our skills. Having a short deadline is a nice way to improve your skills. Pressuring yourself a bit. (Atleast I believe so)

[StormWolf]

I'm still not liking the limitations depending on medium. I think we should decide a prompt and then have digital and traditional media separated for judgment among their peers - traditional gets judged by traditional and digital gets judged by digital. What if someone wants to do a character and an object of power, but they hate being limited to traditional?

[Kris]

The one we've been talking about will probably last for about a month. Seems like a decent amount of time for a larger project. Most people only have some time a day to work on it. (I'm guessing) School - Work - General real life and all that.

The weekly stuff is just some in-house challenge for all the artsy people here. For the sake of improving our skills. Having a short deadline is a nice way to improve your skills. Pressuring yourself a bit. (Atleast I believe so)

yes indeed

@Storm- Riddle asked about it too before. I just think the Digital one should be more challanged, but you have a point there. I dunno much what to say on that note.

[SQJPure]

I'm still not liking the limitations depending on medium. I think we should decide a prompt and then have digital and traditional media separated for judgment among their peers - traditional gets judged by traditional and digital gets judged by digital. What if someone wants to do a character and an object of power, but they hate being limited to traditional?

umm...we say to that guy....too bad so sad?

XD

Edit okay seriously...

I think it should be seperate but not completely. As the digital can do more with thier stuff they should have harder assignments.

EG.
Like where the tradition have that whole object of power thing.

The Digital should have a theme called objects of power in action.

[Riddles Three]

This I still agree with Storm.

People should have the option to chose which one of the subjects they'd like to work with. Rather than, as you said, being limited depending on your medium.

Edit: @Kriss: Drawing a character is still a huge challenge on a tablet. A tablet doesn't neccessarily make the job easier.

[Kris]

@Pure- amm... Well... you know, you want to join something you make fun of too...

I kinda understand what Strom is at...



amm... I'll give it another day of thought...

[StormWolf]

What I am proposing is having two sessions of judging so traditional and digital aren't put against one another, so there is a winner for traditional and digital.

Giving digital medium people harder assignments seems really cheap and it honestly bugs me a bit. I will always be a fan of traditional medium, but I can take my pieces further through digital. Forcing digital medium to undertake much more difficult task like environment/ scene that involves perspective, multiple light sources, multiple textures, and over-all more busy work seems really cheap and unsporting. Why should I be forced to do more work because I like working on a computer? I have been in actual art contests for ImagineFX and they judge the final result, not what you used to get there.

[Riddles Three]

10 internets to you StormWolf. I agree with you there.

[SQJPure]

^^ Lawl...Whoops didn't mean to upset you man. Just seems like an idea to add that element of a challenge for the digital section(Though the question comes up why make two drawing options if poeple are going to have the option to draw either anyway? There should just be one option then and then 2 seperate winners, traditional and digital). Anyway the digital section has nothing to do with me as I'll not be a part of it.

[Riddles Three]

Having two categories isn't necessary in any way. It's just an option really. Was just a suggestion to have the two diffrent categories. So the artist has some sort of choice. We could just roll with either and call it a day.

Adding an element of challenge can really be applied to either medium. (Traditional and digital drawing) - Just because you draw on a tablet doesn't make it any easier. It just makes it diffrent. Some things are much easier to do traditionally rather than digitally. And vice versa.

Under all circumstances. Traditionally and digitally will be judged diffrently. Anything else wouldn't make any sense.

Also. I'll have to apologize if it seems like I'm trying to take control over all this stuff. I'm just getting worked up because it seems interesting. (That and flinging ideas out left and right) >:3

[Riddles Three]

Been thinking about this. Might be an idea just to go with the character option and then disregard the enviroment suggestion.
People seem more interested in drawing a character rather than an enviroment.

Or any other suggestions?

[Kris]

"The object of power" does seem to have more sparkle to it.

[Riddles Three]

But not sparkle as in. Edward Cullen sparkle.

A better sparkle! Like unicorns.

[Kris]

God people! what's with everyone and ponies?!

[Riddles Three]

I'm sorry Kris but you are WRONG! It's a unicorn. Not a pony. Entirely diffrent creature you know.

[Kris]

Sorry Riddle I'm just too tense. You can never know when those pony's agents will get you.

[Riddles Three]

I feel them... watching me in my sleep.

Which could explain why I have chronic insomnia. Or why the carrots I buy suddenly disappear.

[Kris]

I feel them... watching me in my sleep.

Which could explain why I have chronic insomnia. Or why the carrots I buy suddenly disappear.

Very peculiar!

Where is V when we need some investigator?

[StormWolf]

Anywho, back on topic of the issue at hand. Have we come to some sort of agreement?

[Riddles Three]

Was about to mention we might have gone a bit off track.

But I say. Go for the character idea and then have a traditional and digital art section.

[Wattz]

If we nix the environment idea, can we make an environment if we so choose? I feel like environments are exceptionally important to practice.

[Riddles Three]

You mean like. Drawing the character in an enviroment? Or the enviroment idea (http://role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=600842&postcount=104) posted earlier?

IF we decide upon the character idea. Then we'll also have to discuss how the entry should be portrayed. Like for instance.

Should the character be drawn with a front view and/or side view? Or maybe just a pose of some sort? Could also leave it up to the individual artist on how many views we'll see his/her character from.

[Wattz]

Well for some reason I was under the impression that we were still discussing the environment idea, in which you had to draw a character holding an artifact of power within an environment, and we were considering nixing the environment part from the initial idea XD.


"the character should be in some appropriate enviroment. For instance the gauss-rifle wielding character would be in a sci-fi enviroment. Shooting at spaceships or whatever. Striking a pose. The focus should still be the character and his/her/it's item of power though"

If anything, I feel like this idea already sort of combines the separate environment idea. It just means that the environment itself won't have as much of an opportunity to be busy. We could always combine the two ideas if we're having some amount of dissent anyways, in which we can choose to do digital or traditional or a combination of both. We can always do an environment-central contest later.

[Riddles Three]

Oh yeah. Forgot about that part.

That was more of a; we could also include enviroment. For the badass effect.
In the end I think we should leave that up to the artist. Wether he/she wants to add in any sort of background details.
Though the final judgement is still focused on the character and his/hers/its item of power. The background would just be there for fancy-factor.

[Auki]

Sooooo... what's happening here with these contests and such anyways?~

[Riddles Three]

Also curious about that. Was guessing something would come up before we hit june. Atleast regarding this contest we've been brewing.

Will just have to wait for Kris to enlighten us.

[Auki]

Kris did mention that she'd be coming back to this soon but I think she's rather busy at the moment .__.

[Kris]

I promise to get back to it. I wanna set a date for a contest.

[SQJPure]

Okay guys wassup? Did everyone just stop drawnig or are you allwaiting for hte competition?

[Kris]

They are waiting on me. I need to post up the first contest soon.

[Riddles Three]

Good stuff. Looking forward to it. Can't be much online the next few weeks though.

[Kris]

Hope I'll send you on the "contest mission" before that.

[Wattz]

Sorry, I just haven't been around out of sheer busy-ness. I just came back from my sister's graduation today, so I'm trying to settle back into my groove.

Take your time, Kris, no rush! =D

[Kris]

I'm going to (hopefully, *cross fingers*) finish one of my RPs today.

If I get it done I'll make a contest thread even today.

Again I'm sorry it taken me so long and I'm so glad to see you guys are still around.

You are the greatest art team I could have ever asked for =D

[Auki]

Hooray!~

I can't wait to get this in motion C:

[Kris]

I love your new sig and ava, btw =D

[Auki]

Heh, thank you - I love it too~
I am never disappointed when I request something from Necella.

By the way, are the contests going to be based on themes (true love, what makes us human, nature's beauty) that we individually interpret and draw or is it going to be done by set guidelines (draw a character doing this, draw a scene with this in)?

[Kris]

Most likely a theme.

[Wattz]

Heh, thank you - I love it too~
I am never disappointed when I request something from Necella.

By the way, are the contests going to be based on themes (true love, what makes us human, nature's beauty) that we individually interpret and draw or is it going to be done by set guidelines (draw a character doing this, draw a scene with this in)?

For the record, I think those themes would be REALLY fun to try for contests XD

[SQJPure]

Hey guys, art question. Funny thing. I drew this image with the idea of creating a female character with a semi-muscular build. Which I kind did, in a way, but the image wasn't as muscular, as I'd expected to be since I'd used nine heads. The reffences I use(Andrew Loomis) suggest using 8 heads for your figure art since 7.5 Heads makes your character look dumpy and fat. The more heads you use the bigger and muscular your character is supposed to be right? If so why didn't my character come out musclar? Did I space the bodies out wrong or alternatively, was nine heads not enough? What do you guys do for human figures?

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/153/7/5/group_shot_of_dare_by_sqjpure-d3hwo2k.jpg

[StormWolf]

I don't measure with heads. I start with drawing the torso - shoulders to waist. Then I draw the head, which should be roughly size of the ribcage (if you are drawing a normal human). The legs should be the size of the torso, but I usually add a head or two to stretch put the legs. The common viewer likes that for some reason. For males, make sure the shoulders are broader than the hips, and vice versa for females.

For muscles, just look at reference photos and charts, there is no other way to do muscles, because we all subconsciously know what muscles look like, so you need to get it right. Making the character tall will not make them look muscular alone, they'll just look long and lanky. I don't know what kind of bull your reference dude is spewing, but you have to add the mass yourself. Marvel artists would be a much better reference if you want to do muscles.

[Auki]

I agree with Storm. Height does not suggest muscle if you're not drawing any muscle there.

Exercise burns fat and converts it into muscle. On women, this means it reduces the size of breasts, hips and thighs as well. Once excess fat is burned, muscle tone starts to show. Looking at photographs of athletes is a good reference for how it looks.

I'm an amateur in human anatomy (Hell, I swore to myself I'd never draw humans but that went out the window a while ago) but I guess toned bodies look something like this:


http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u207/Angel-Of-Mist/muscle_definition.png


Wish I could be more of a help but I guess you just need to add a bit of muscle definition to show their atheletic ways?

[SQJPure]

Well I had this wonderful detailed post about how htere'd clearly been a misunderstanding, with refferences reenforcing what I'd been trying to get across. It was quite a pleasant read.....then my 3G card decided to remind me who was boss and I lost the whole post.Screaing at your moitor does nothing, but you do feel better....

Long story short. You missed my point Its not about anatoy, or rather it is. By increasing the nuber of heads on the body, you make the head itself larger and the body bigger by contrast. Ironically that's a technique used by pretty much most Marvel comic artists. I got this info first from Chris Hart(Or some name like that, Like I said I lost the post). I tried to do that by using nine heads but all I ended up with was a tall character, which in the end suited Daredevil's Beast wars character. I'm trying to figure out where I deviated from hte original plan. By what you've said muscle thinkness is the problem? I should have just drawn a wider image?

[Auki]

I think I'm still missing the point because I still want to answer the same way to your second questions x____x

This head-measuring technique seems to be a rather... strange way of making muscular-built characters and personally, I do not understand how it's going to work in the way you've described.

No matter how many heads you use, the build of your character will be determined by the bone to fat to muscle ratio that you draw. A 'wider' character could show either excess muscle or fat depending on whether you define the muscle or not. A 'thinner' character could be either toned or just slim depending on whether you define muscle or not.

I know I'm probably not helping but the nine-head-technique you describe seems misled.

[SQJPure]

LOL its cool, I was experimenting. Actually it settles something in my head. I'm prolly just looking for some answer that isn't there like how to keep the ratios each time you shrink the head or something. I think I'll just stick to 8 heads, its what I've been using since I starting drawing huan figures. Which is pretty much the only thing I draw ^_^, though I am plannig on drawing an evil unicorn, or rather Naya's pet from Jin's War

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/091/3/d/panel_22_by_sqjpure-d3cxv3u.png

Hey what are you guys drawing of late?

[Auki]

Yay! Unicorns are cool! C:

The last piece of art I completed was...



http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u207/Angel-Of-Mist/Reptile_Character-1.png



...and I've been lacking any ideas since. I've been hoping this contest will spark some inspiration because I've been missing drawing >:

[SQJPure]

That's awesome!
You should totally start drawing a species type, like five from different angles or something. I would love to see what you come up with. I'm too nervous to draw animals since I lack the practice(Ironic? YUSH!!!). I have like ten animal types I would love to draw.

Which reminds me....do you think we're still doing that world building theme?

[Auki]

D'awww, thank you C:
And that's a really good idea - I'm totally going to try that when I have the time!

Personally, I think animals are easier to pull off than humans but it really is all about practice.

And I don't know about the world building - I think that's another thing on the list for Kris to get round to.

[Riddles Three]

Awesome to see some life in the practice thread.

As always Auki, good stuff. I'll have to take notes of your work when I try out some beastly drawings myself. (ho-ho)

As mentioned earlier. I'll pop up at random, from time to time, during the next few weeks. So much to do mid june-early july. Atleast for me.
Will be good when the contest kicks in.

Anyhow. Gotta dash. Later folks!

[Auki]

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u207/Angel-Of-Mist/Scarf_Animate.gif



Just a quick thing - There's a couple faults where the layers f-ed up near the end. Now I really want to try my hand at some more complex animation xD

Also, Kris, how's the contest coming on? C:

[SQJPure]

Wowser...I'm so jealous....I'm so jealous..... X__X

So good! I liked it. I can't wait to see more animations. This your first attempt?

[Auki]

Hehe, yep, my first attempt! And it was mega fun to do ;D
I just need an idea of what to do for another animation x___x

[Kris]

Beautiful updates! I love your works so much.

[CoffeeLorencia]

//admires the excellent artists.
I am so jealous of everyone's ability! I should practice more. D8 I'm getting nervous about posting my work here. >n<

I will continue lurking around this thread. 8D So amazing. ;____;

[Wattz]

//admires the excellent artists.
I am so jealous of everyone's ability! I should practice more. D8 I'm getting nervous about posting my work here. >n<

I will continue lurking around this thread. 8D So amazing. ;____;

Please do post your work! That would be lovely! =DDDD

[Riddles Three]

Go ahead and post your stuff Coffee. We'd very much like to see it.

I'll be able to be a little more active the comming few weeks. Woo!

Also, Kris. Any progress on the contest? If you need some assistance, give a call.

[Kris]

I kinda have an idea.

I'm PMing you this idea now.

[Auki]

You should post, Coffee~

I'm real excited about this contest still.

[SQJPure]

Hey guys, nothing is happening here, which is really depressing becuase I'm trying to learn off of you guys!!! Grumble grumble...anyway...


I was wondering something.

Most of my drawings, are done without refference images. I use what I've learned about spacing out and measurements and produce my works because I've convinved myself that that is the way I'm going to create powerful. But I cna't help but feel my work is starting to plateu and I'm not at hte level I want to be.

Do you think drawing without refferences is a goal that poeple should set out for? Or shoudl I have a thousand imaignes flashing at me all hte time so I can see what I need to be doing all the time?

[Wattz]

I don't think it hurts to use reference images at all. It's not about others telling you what to do, it's about learning from real life, or from photographs. they're also great for just getting a quick image of "what an arm is supposed to look like set in X position". I'd be hard pressed to find a successful artist who hasn't used references to get where they are today. Many of them still do anyways. Practicing from real life is the best way to go, but it never hurts to use a photograph.

One place I love to go for reference poses/ideas/practice is posemaniacs.com, because unfortunately I do not have models on hand XD A downside to the site is that the mannequin thingies are super duper stiff, and they don't always have the pose I need/want, but they're nice to have on hand.

[Kris]

Okay dudes!

I talked to Riddle about something and he had some good points so what I'm about to suggest won't be the actuall contest but a side thing:

I've decided to bring this idea to you and hear you out.

There will be contest ahead, but I want to intrest you about some ideas that will also help reviving intrest in RPs and our images.

I plan that each of us will hook up with RP he/she likes and ask premission from said players of GM to draw their chars.

Each of you will open a thread that will focus only on that said RP.

Consider it as project portfolio. You may post sketches and other stuff in it and we can come over your threads (which you will link us to) and help you improve by saying what we think.

I know I for example plans to take the RP of "The Devil's Wake". I need some practice when it comes to drawing comic so I'll use the plot we have to do more than just chars' artwork.

In addition to this Project (That will be without time limit because I want you to enjoy this, and maybe create something bigger) We will make our contest when I come up with ideas and finish setting up right rules for it.

what you think?

[SQJPure]

Sounds intersting....

You want split us up so each of us works on something different?

[Kris]

More or less, it's not a must, you don't have to do it (I'm doing it anyway), but I think it will give you some job to do if you want to.

You can choose which RP you want to do as your project. On that you won't have time limit and you'll be free to do as you will in this thread and ask everyone for guidance.

THIS IS NOT PART OF THE CONTESTS. (It's just something to have us start on, while I think it will help the RP section as well)

[SQJPure]

I dunno I'm definately thinking about it, its just..... being the only artist on a whole thread set up around a single role play is....well....daunting.

Do you think sharing a RP with another artist is cool?

[Wattz]

Dude, Kris, this sounds awesome XD. I can't wait to get started on this!

Consider yourself rep'd, even though I can't give you any yet T___T

[Kris]

I dunno I'm definately thinking about it, its just..... being the only artist on a whole thread set up around a single role play is....well....daunting.

Do you think sharing a RP with another artist is cool?

That's why you need to ask the GM/Players for premissions to do it. You can even use your own RP as your project.

I knew I wanted to base mine on TDW and aksed if it was okay for me to do it. Since we publish it on RPA only I don't see problems with it.

I plan to open up my thread soon so you'll have some idea on what I had in mind, but feel free to ask more, it gives me more idea how to plan this =D

And Wattz thanks =D

[Kris]

UPDATES=

The guides been update on the first post of this thread.

I want to see more guides and more pictures ;)

Also, Do you think I should put links to the names of those who are in the group to link to your gallery?

[SQJPure]

MAAM YES MAAM!!!!

*Salutes*

Yeah you totally should put links for everyone's stuff, it be a nice touch for new commers who want to join out club ^_^.

[Kris]

Sure thing.

I'll be right up to set up my project thread so you'll know what I have in mind.

[StormWolf]

UKC is still my turf.

[Kris]

UKC is still my turf.

YEAH!

Okay here's the thread just to give you preview on how I think it should be:

http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16932

[Riddles Three]

Good stuff Kris. Good stuff indeed.

Gotta look through various RP's now.

[Kris]

Awesome!

Post links to your projects threads here and I'll add it to the first post of this thread :)

[Kris]

Okay added more links to the first post.

Follow guys:

SQJPURE
C
Ace of Hearts
Riddles Three
Wattz

Some of you have few threads in art section and some of you don't have at all (Unless I missed it)

Please link me to the threads of your art if you want me to add it to the first post and those of you who have few thread give me link to the one you plan to use as official thread (Or create one if you wish XD ).

[Auki]

Most of my drawings, are done without refference images. I use what I've learned about spacing out and measurements and produce my works because I've convinved myself that that is the way I'm going to create powerful. But I cna't help but feel my work is starting to plateu and I'm not at hte level I want to be.

Do you think drawing without refferences is a goal that poeple should set out for? Or shoudl I have a thousand imaignes flashing at me all hte time so I can see what I need to be doing all the time?

Reference photos are a great way to learn as long as you're not just copying the image in front of you. If I can't work out how to pull something off, I'll find a reference image, study how it should look and the mechanisms behind it. Then I'll stop looking at the image and try again to draw it myself without further help. Rinse and repeat until it looks right.

And Kris, that sounds like an awesome idea! I wonder if Necella would let me tackle Athamar? C:

[SQJPure]

Thanks for the answers.

I have another question, this one is mostly for people who use pencil just like me.

Abandoning a drawing? I hate abandoning a drawing. HATE IT!!! If I can tell the ship is going to sink I'll rather erase the shit out of it sometimes changing the image half way through. Like if I wanted to make a fancy pose and it failed I turn the picture so you cant see my shitty attempt at fore shorting. Unfortunately this takes AGES. I erase and draw, erase and draw about twenty times till it finally feel its right.

Now my question is, if I feel that the ship is sinking(if my drawing is going tits up, for those who didn't get my super extended metaphor) should I just jump ship, tear up the picture ad try again or keep doing what I'm doing?

[CoffeeLorencia]

Hello there Pure. C: About your question - it depends on the drawing for me. There are only two reasons I stop working on a particular piece: I lose interest in it, or I think it's not good enough. Usually, the case with me is the first. If it is the second, I tend to draw over the entire thing, encircling what I think's off, making notes, and then start redrawing it from scratch, using the old image as a bad reference.
On both occasions though, I save my works in a particular folder called 'Unfinished'. I like looking through my old art, WIPs included. Sometimes, I'll see an old WIP I particularly like, and then start continuing it, adjusting some things along the way. Sometimes a fresh view on things is just what you need. .u.

So really, when you feel the ship is sinking, I think you should just save the drawing for later and take a break. You might go back on it, you might never. It all depends. I just think it's a good idea to save whatever things you've put serious effort into, no matter how awkward or ugly it might look. 'u'

[Wattz]

It depends on how frustrated I am with the picture XD. If I'm mad enough, I'll enact vengeance upon it by tearing it up or rubbing at it with pencil. But I usually just put it on the back burner for a later time, though it's rare that I'll actually finish it unless my heart's dead-set on it.

All in all, there's nothing wrong with saving the picture for a later time, or even just finishing it right there and redoing it at a later date, but it's all a matter of preference and whatnot.

[Kris]

Well most of my stuff are left unfinished and I just get back to them... sometimes.

When you look at some works in new light you learn to accept them even with mistakes.

I have many works I've been finishing along the years.

EDIT:

CoffeeLorencia will you join our group =D

EDIT 2:

Guys, social group. yay or nay?

[SQJPure]

I thought this was the social thread.

[Kris]

I added your project to the links pure ;)

[SQJPure]

YAYZ! XD

Hey what's with the raised eye brow...what did I do? O_O

[Kris]

No no! I was saying "Way to go" =D

[CoffeeLorencia]

-is too lazy to click quote, sorry-

Kris, I'd love to join you guys~! ♥

Hurr, and what raised eyebrow, Pure? o___o

[SQJPure]

I always take the ;) image as a raised eyebrow image. XD


Yay a new member! Love your work! I even bought a felt tip pen to try that while inking thing. ^_^

[CoffeeLorencia]

Love your work too, Pure! ♥ It's so nice. >u<

|D *digital artist* A lot of people actually mentioned that a lot of my works look like they were inked using a felt pen or some sort of calligraphy brush whenever I use a thicker lineart. However, I've drawn with a felt pen before (projects! D8) and it's hard to avoid making mistakes. You can't go too slow otherwise your lines become jittery, which is a major problem because I absolutely adore smooth lines.

I do draw traditionally as well, but I usually draw landscapes and still life. Pastels are my favorites~♥ I've always wanted to try painting though - any of you guys tried it?

[Auki]

The upper walls of my bedroom are lined with canvas' of paintings I've personally done. I love to paint but it's really not my forte.

Oh, and I wanted to attempt another humanoid so I drew one of Wattz characters, Ualan. I hope you don't mind x__x




http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u207/Angel-Of-Mist/Ualancopy.png

[Kris]

wow Auki! That's pretty awesome pic!

[CoffeeLorencia]

>A< Man, I'm jealous. Your skills make me green with envy. >n<

[Wattz]

@CoffeeLorencia: Huzzah! Welcome to the group! Your art is wonderful *__* consider your thread subscribed!

@Auki: !!!! Oh my gosh, she looks fantastic! I just love the way you ink, I really do =DDDDD

@Pure: Nice job on starting up your own project! I really need to pick an RP to draw too XD;;;

[SQJPure]

Thanks. XD Do one of mine!!! DO prison break!!! XD

[CoffeeLorencia]

@Wattz: Why thank you. C:

I'd love to do the sort of project Kris came up with but I don't have the kind of dedication (or attention span) it requires. |D

[SQJPure]

Come on! DUU EET you should totaly do it!

[Kris]

I think you should try it out, you have no idea how much it will get you to improve yourself.

[Riddles Three]

I agree with the others, Coffee. Your drawings are wonderfully-awesome and I dare say. You should join in on this project.

As a side note. I have time for RPA now. *applause*

Nothing planned for the next few weeks. And I finished watching season 1 of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. (Manliest show around)
So after making a new sig + ava combo. It is time to draw!

[SQJPure]

RTiddles has time for RPA!!! Wicked stuff man!! Can't wait to see that upserge of drawing there will be!! Start a wave man start a wave...... XD

And no it isn't......you still lose man points....extra for putting manly in brackets like yuor ashamed of it X___X

PS, having one hell of a boring time drawing white hair.....any tips advice tutorials?

[CoffeeLorencia]

Damn all of you! Now I'm tempted to do the plan. oAo;; ily still though. >A<

//has never tried drawing white hair.
Actually, I've tried avoiding the use of white/black altogether. =____= I find it really difficult to shade.

[SQJPure]

GOOD!

*Bites you, zombie style*

Now you have to be one us! MAke the thread....do it...

[CoffeeLorencia]

DD8 DON'T DO THAT.

too lazy to finish this. 'u' Was inking the doodle of the image in my art thread, and I only managed to finish the head before giving up.


http://i51.tinypic.com/2dha9ud.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/wtg0w.png

I'm the perfect example of diligence. *U*
why do I lose interest so easily?

[Riddles Three]

Know the feeling of losing interest in a piece you're working on.

Trying to speed-paint my way through drawings with my tablet now. I'm finding that rather enjoyable so far.

[CoffeeLorencia]

As a random question to all the artists, what materials do you use, both traditional and digital? 'u' Been curious for quite a while now - dunno if this has been asked yet.


Traditionally I deal with normal pencils and pens. Coloring would usually be with colored pencils if it's not a landscape/still life. If it is, I use oil pastels with oil and cotton technique or draw the entire thing on sandpaper using only pastels.
As for digital, I use (most to least) PaintTool SAI, Shi-chan (browser based), GIMP and Pixia. My tablet's a Wacom Bamboo. *U*

[Wattz]

I usually just go with pencil and pen, since I don't have a tablet and I enjoy using pencils XD I scan my stuff in and try to color it on the computer because I don't have a tablet. I really wanna at least try one though, because using the mouse is such a pain *yuppers*.

But I'm starting to dabble in colored pencils, and once upon a time I used charcoal and chalk pastel. I love using chalk pastel, but charcoal... we have a long-standing disagreement XDDD.

[Miss Fortune]

Not sure if this picture would go in this thread, but because it was a type of anatomy sketch loosely based on correct dimensions (as I was sketching it will looking at the image). It's the main cover from the "Ecstasy Unveiled" book by Larissa Ione. I assume it was the torso of her character, Lore, a type of Seminus Incubus that her novels evolve around.

My apologies if it's in the wrong place, but it was a one time drawing for me :lol: I tried drawing a nude girl kneeling, but let's just say it didn't work out too well.

The shading isn't perfect because I'm not well versed with the male body. I was really proud of the sketch ^^ too bad I haven't been able to do something like it again. I had to omit the intricate tattoo that was on his harm -drawing it was way out of my league. Trust me, I tried XD I couldn't make it 3D, so it took a lot of erasing for it not to show.

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp120/Alazuria/087.jpg

[SQJPure]

I liked it! I also like how hard you are on yourself, I'm the same! XD No, I take that back, I'm much worse! ^_^

As for my tools of the trade I have a bunch of pencils, 2 H2s(I always lose one, sometimes in mid drawing) 1 H, 2 HBs, 2 2Bs(both stubs), 1 4B, 1 6b(super stub)1 8B(longest pencil I have but that's becuase I dont know how to use it right, its pretty much just charcoal)

I also have 3 erasers two grainy ones(kneedled I think the word is) and one regualr soft schooling one(barely does the job I only use it for big erasing jons since I'm grinding down my others to dust).

Yeah I need more pencils.....

[V]

I use whatever pencil is on hand, whatever is the lightest. Then I sometimes work my way up from there. I'm horrible with colour pencils though.

Sometimes I use a mixture of regular blue pens and those um black pens.
I have Ink on hand with brushes too.

And my acrylic tools are about for when I start my next painting.

~~

@Wattz, I loooooove those chalk pastel things. I haven't used them since high school but they are great. I have one of my old art folders here with a picture of fire in them from their use. Liked that far more than my final piece for the year too.

[Kris]

Nice stuff Misfortune, feel free to always pop up and show stuff (and maybe join us?!)

Linking Riddle's project into the first post of the thread =D

[CoffeeLorencia]

*U* Omai, people are so different when it comes to the mediums they use. I've never tried chalk pastels before - I might pick up a small set if I spot it at the local art materials store. (I practically live there, haha. |D Everyone calls me by name)

Misfortune, that's a good sketch. 'u' I usually have trouble with references, so I end up trying to turn the original image into simple shapes and then copying said shapes. A pretty time-consuming process, but it gives me a better idea of how the image works.

Also, I'm thinking of posting up how I draw digitally, since I just started drawing something half an hour ago. Finished the sketch, and thought I might make it some sort of tutorial (if not tutorial, at least the process) for people who want to see. C:

[Riddles Three]

We look forward to seeing it Loren.

I've actually switched from traditional drawing over to digital recently.
I use a A5 size tablet from wacom. I believe it's called Graphire4 or something along those lines.

I used whatever pencil at hand, back when I drew traditionally.

[V]

I'd love to get a tablet one day myself, but I'm not sure if I'd use it.

Perhaps I could ask my friend if I could borrow his. Can't say my style would change any though - need to find time to draw as well XD

[SQJPure]

I'm the same! I'm not sure I'd use a tablet if I had it infront of me. I'm sure I'd get discouraged after 2 attpemts and stick to the pencils where I can mix and match styles, experiment until something works.

Traditional art Question......Page sizes.... I sometimes look at your works and I wonder how much of the page you guys use when you're doing you're art. I pretty much us the whole page becuase I'm not confident enough to try drawing smaller stuff. Just wondienrg what you use as a general use of thumb.

[Riddles Three]

I actually had a tendency to draw alot smaller when doing traditional work. It rarely worked out as I wanted it when I drew larger pieces.

Kinda funny that I'm doing the exact opposite after switching to the digital midium.

[Miss Fortune]

Thank you! As for me, I'd rather use whatever pencil that I don't lose. I've always enjoyed sketches, and I am a total failure when it comes to water colors, oil paitings, and paintings in general :lol: Ever tried drawing flower details from a kimono onto canvas? It was really hard; took me two weeks to do it in Freshman year.

If only my art teacher wouldn't have wanted me to paint what was originally a wood block painting from Japan onto a canvas. I ruined part of the painting, trying to get the right shades. Because of my eye problems, I have a hard time seeing darker and lighter shades. One eye sees darker shades, the other sees lighter, which makes picking out the right color for drawings even harder.

I've never been good with coloring. I still fail at using crayons, but I found it easier (and more time consuming) to color with multi-color pens when I was 12. I used one if those giant pens with about 8 different color pens you could switch with one click. I did enjoy chalk drawings, but it got really messy.

A simple pencil and paper will do for me ^^ No fanciness needed.

[SQJPure]

Hey I was thinking after this whole RP thing runs its coarse and the hype dies down(Hopefully ending with a small subforum with nothing but a List of threads holding picture sets of each RP the thread is about. No words! Just pictures that will run on forever XD)
and we're in need of something to do once again.
Could we do a clothing project. All sorts of clothes and styles. Medievil clothes, futursitinc clothing designs, modenr clothing etc...

Watcha think?

[Kris]

ME LIKE!

[Riddles Three]

Clothing is always an interesting aspect of character creation. I rather like the idea. Though I'll be doing alot of that down in my project thread :P

[SQJPure]

Yeah but I figure its not as cool dressing other poeple's character's up.

How many drawings have you guys done?

[Riddles Three]

Always fun dressing characters up. Though I do agree with you a bit. Since you can rarely go all out when the characters clothing is already described by someone.

I've done a billion when I drew traditionally. Only done a handful or something after I switched to digital drawing. And you've pretty much seen all that.

[Princess C]

http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/2236/1/1/how-to-draw-tramp-from-lady-and-the-tramp.htm



http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h436/nikki123456789101/262044_2010015564485_1066592075_2281936_1955622_n. jpg



Opinions? I know Tramps' body proportions are off also. :p

[Riddles Three]

Oh I love the Lady and the Tramp!
Well. I love, more or less, everything from disney.

Awesome drawing C.

[Princess C]

Thank youu. I'm obsessed with that movie. ♥

[Riddles Three]

I feel ya. I have it on blueray. Along with many other disney movies ♥

[Wattz]

I'ma join in on the Disney love but resist breaking out into a rousing song of *insert Disney song X here*

I really like your drawing of Tramp! I'm always in awe at people who can draw animals well.

[SQJPure]

Yo Heads up I shall be switching to digital when I get my graphics tablet today!

I am tired of looking at my actual drawing and looking at the scan out and feeling like half the shading got lost in translation somewhere. So I'm gonna switch. IT could be a train smash with me realising the drawing on a pad is much much hard than I thought or it could be a success leading to an easy transition, less paper and more pictures with less fear over drawing.

We shall see! XD

[Riddles Three]

I have awesome friends. One of my mates got back from vacation and heard about my... condition. Then drove 3 hours to my place and lent me his laptop. This guy deserves a pizza.

So I'm online again, woo! And my hand is nearly back to normal. Then I can draw stuff again - extra woo!
I've been missing this place. Dare say I've been bored out of my mind. Watching TV all day quickly get's uninterresting. (They rarely show anything good :< )

But now I'm back, with a vengeance. 'Tis good to see you all again.

@SQJ - Looking forward to your digital masterpieces my good sir.

[Kris]

GAH!!! I need to draw this week!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Riddles Three]

Man the harpoons Kris!

And fire some of those exclamation marks! There seems to be an excessive amount of them. Might as well use them as ammunition.

What'dya gonna draw? Some more stuff for your project? :3

[Kris]

I gotta draw something, anything, but I gotta draw.

Hadn't touched anything in a long while because of some stuff...

AND I NEED TO DRAW!!!!! MAN!!! I NEED IT!!!!

*Kris being shot*