[nori]

Very much of my artwork has consisted of a single subject with a very simple background or none at all.

My question is, how do you learn how to draw whole scenes? A gladiator in an arena. A soldier in the battle field. An alien in a lab. Do you use photos to learn from? Where do you begin? I believe I have a good understanding of the basics of shapes, values, and color. But I don't understand how to makes them into a scene that comes together as one piece.

How does the single light source effect everything in the scene, and how do I learn to use that light source to tie everything in the image together? Any ideas where I should start? photos? other artists I admire? I can't really afford to get outside and paint what I see just yet, altough I'm pretty sure I wouldn't see a gladiator in an arena. Any ideas?

[Breakerboy2]

Photos are a good place to start, and you definitely want some reference material to help you add those little details which give a background personality.

I watch way too many movies, but learned a lot about composing images from watching films. Empire Strikes Back, Blade Runner, City of Lost Children, Alien, The Adventures of Baron Von Munchaussen, most Tim Burton films... These are all really good examples of cinematography which use interesting backgrounds in well composed shots.

I'm too tired to be much more help, but if I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

[ceenda]

I think it comes down to basic building blocks at the end of the day.

For instance, if you learn anatomy, you learn to draw people and hence can draw a gladiator.

If you learn perspective(also needed in anatomy drawing) and landscape composition you learn to draw landscapes etc.

Once you master a number of areas you can put stuff together by collating what you know.

There's hardly any people in most of my pics for the simple reason I can't draw people. Once I become more experienced in this area I'll be able to add people to my scenes.

Basic building blocks my friend. It takes alot of practice. Don't become frustrated early on.

[ichiban]

that's a very good point...go with your strengths. otherwise, you'll never develop your style. my grandmother used to draw those girls you see in the newspaper when the stores have sales - cheaper than a photoshoot. but she can't draw hands, so they would always have their hands behind their backs, etc....