[Tendril]

just though id post a few excerts from my sketchbook. I hope you see an improvement over the last ones i posted(tho no-one will remember them). I can draw hands a bit better, as u can see in the first pic.

I have a question for u guys too- how can i improve my drawing of geometric objects, id like to draw mechas and stuff but i find it much more difficul than figure drawing. Are there any useful exercises apart from just practising(tutorials on the net?)?

anyway, here are the pics,




yeah, and any other hins and stuff would be helpful.

[Socar MYLES]

The thing with drawing mechas is that you always have to consider weight and practicality. The mecha sketch you've got, for example, would crash down, because it's a bit top-heavy. So the proportion of the legs and feet to the upper portions is very important. To figure out balance and center of gravity (and what will stand and what won't), you might want to build a few small models to begin with, out of Sculpey or plasticine.

The best mechas tend to be the convincing ones that don't look as if they're going to take a nosedive the minute they lift a foot.

Also, you could try experimenting with various styles of metal plates, plugs, circuitry, et cetera. Look inside some old electronic rubbish you don't plan on using in the near future. It's generally pretty complex in there. A common way to make one's mechas interesting is to stick the fascinating circuitry on the outside.

Make sure the lines that are supposed to be straight are bang-on straight, and the curved lines are flawlessly smooth. This will make the finished product a lot cleaner.

There's an anime artist who draws some of the best mechas I've ever seen...but I'm not a big anime nut, and I can't remember his name.... Someone-or-other Shirow, I think. (Do forgive my ignorance).

Anyway, I hope this helps. Good luck, and keep up the good work...You should slap a bit of colour on these sketches. I'd like to see them coloured.

[Tendril]

thanx for your reply, the mech thing is meant to be pretty small, smaller than a human, more of a cyborg sor of thing. I might redraw it one day with more detail and so it doesnt look like its falling over...

hehe, yeh, ive got ideas for designs and stuff of mechas but i cant really draw them cos im not good at drawing hard mechanical sort of things yet, i spose i just need to practise a lot...

yeh, mirasomething shirrow rocks, i love that sort of stuff, the drawings are always perfect perspectivewise..

is anyone else going to respond??