[-[sargent]-]

Hello guys,
ive posted two v.rough sketches here,
what do u think,
please let me know how i can improve them,
thanks

[feebsaint]

I have to admit, man, that I immediately saw why you're not getting any responses... your drawing style is definitely promising, but your drawings are the culprits of a tired subject.

The 'cry for help' genre of insane and suicidal depictions, pretty much died out with Quiet Riot and Scorpions album covers. There's nothing wrong with the effort, except that it's gonna make people do what I did... roll their eyes. I nearly didn't comment, but I'm pretty much of the mind that someone needs to at least acknowlege the efforts someone went through to make a post of something they've created.

Call me an idiot, but I like your rough style of sketching. If you're gonna go with dark themes, try to express them more subtly... everything under the sun has been done with artists and their drawings of ultimate suffering and mental breakdown. The wording, "Depression," with the blood dripping down is particularly tacky. Come on, man... reach much further inside of yourself to express what you want to communicate. Any candy-ass can draw a dude with a gun to his melon, head down, and shoulders hunched in a gesture of hoplessness... you can do it, fella... but you gotta work on your emotions more.

That having been said, here are some things to work on, concerning your anatomy: The dude in the straight jacket (sigh) needs shoulders more like the dude with the (....) pistola to his noggin. The guy sporting the gun is suffering from 'extended abs' disease... I'd strongly suggest reading up on how a ribcage and abdomen interact. In fact, I'd draw from anatomy books and life (pictures, if necessary) as much as possible... the best thing you can do for yourself, is to see how things break down into general shapes, and while you're drawing something from reference, pay closer and closer attention to how things work, as you go.

My opinion on how to move from this subject into another? Think of how truly these things reflect self-absorbtion. It's a bane to success, buddy... The tendency of the living world, and nature, is to not be compassionate and concerned, but to have as little to do, as possible, with those who are feeling sorry for themselves. However: If it's dark you're going for, there's nothing much cooler than a dark figure lurking in some shadow... If it's the human condition of suffering you need to share, change the situation, where the viewer can immediately sense the hopelessness of someone suffering opression or tragedy...

Just because life isn't going well for your subject, who can sympathize with a dolt about to chuck his brains on his wife's pretty wallpaper, without due cause? In fact... a greater depiction of tragedy would be a dude with a gun to his head (I can't believe I'm thinking like this), his wife and child looking on... and you arrange the layout of the piece, to focus on the emotion the child is going through, at that psychotic moment.

I actually have to stop myself... hell, I could talk about this subject for so long, I'd have chapters. I'm pretty sure I made my point, though... keep pressing on... and don't get trapped in this psychosis for too long... it doesn't exactly enlighten the soul. Overly dramatic stuff leaves a sour taste in one's mouth... one of the best skulking/dark artists I've met, and seen the work of, is Timothy Bradstreet... and the dude is a happy cracker in real life... he just knows dark.

Remember that... know dark, but don't saturate your life with it... it's a dangerous road, dark/twisted artwork, but it can be a moving, even beautiful thing, if mastered. Good luck!

[Basement bound]

feebsaint... dude... I had to read your post twice before I reallized that you are trying to help. Funny.
-[sargent]- Mike is trying to be helpful. He like others is kinda tired of seeing this genre of art. There is just so much more out there to explore. But, since you are doing it, make sure that it has a reason or purpose. Try to create a whole narration of emotion or statement using imagry and well placed text. And Mike is right this is the topic that you have to really look inside of yourself (soul search). Brainstorm ways (images, style, text, etc...) that you can get you point across. Mike may seem agressive, it is his way of saying 'he sees something he likes (your style) and he'd like you to go try again.'

Here is something that will illustrate what I mean.
Click to see wayshak's image

[ June 24, 2001: Message edited by: Basement bound ]

[feebsaint]

D'oh! Thanks, Basement, for clearing that up! I do tend to come off wrong sometimes... I'm glad you read my post twice, and I'm glad you reinforced to sargent that I only want to help!

Sargent... also, take everything I say with a grain of salt... I really don't mean to sound downplay your art... I do dislike the subjects in their depictions, but I don't think that should truly deter you from ever doing as you please. I hope my post was helpful, and I hope you understand my intention of a critique that is geared towards working on your strengths.. and not pointing out faults. I think you're bound to do awesome work, whatever you choose to draw/paint, but I tend to say what's on my mind, and sometimes tact get's shoved out of the room, when I'm babbling on.

So... we cool?

[Kiz]

WOWSERS!! if that was a real man i would shag him! DO you do requests???