[rec|use]

I don't know whether anyone is really into anime at all, but I thought I'd post this anyway. It's my first attempt at trying to draw my own anime character.

The resolution is really small I know, the reason being I was intending to use it as a signature/forum combination on another forum.

Comments and Crits Much appreciated.

~ Tom

[matter]

it's not bad; you should definitely study traditional drawing/anatomy along with learning anime style, though. for instance, the head is cut off in the back or perhaps the eye is just too far up...

[rec|use]

Yeah, that's one thing that I should deffinately do. As anatomy is one of like the most important things when drawing anime (or anythign involving characters for that matter) as if that's off it spoils the whole image.

I'll try and look into that and change it.

Thanks a lot for your comment.

[jdillon]

Well, it's an okay start, but as a character design or illustration, this really isn't giving us much to work with. I know it's for use in a forum, but that doesn't change the fact that it's really generic and uninteresting. It doesn't feel like much thought was put into his design. Is this just a random character you wanted to make up, or is it a character with a name and personality that you've developed? His expression is vague; he's just staring dully off into space, and a lot could be improved just by reworking the eyes. Think about developing the composition and the character design further. Who is he? What does he do? Why does he look the way he does? Challenge yourself. Make him stand out. Give him life.

I know this has been said, but the best advice for anyone in any style is to look at the real structure and anatomy that lies behind the stylization of anime. You're already headed in the right direction; the ear is placed well, the lips and chin area looks nice, but overall there are inconsistencies that distract from those qualities, as you said... I would highly recommend doing lots of fast studies of real faces, either from photos or from life. They don't have to be perfect, just do them quickly and focus on proportion and volume, ie, how large are the features in comparison to each other? How far back does the skull reach? How far do the eyesockets sink into the skull? Where does the neck insert into the skull? Drawing from life is best, but magazines and books with lots of photos are helpful; you can just flip through and sketch while watching TV. Don't just copy, try to really think about what's going on with each overlapping form. And whatever you do, don't just study anime. It will cripple you. I know you probably already know this, but I wanted to reiterate it; it's that important. Keep at it, I can see you developing a really nice style.

[Wagner]

The way you colored it turned out good. It looks like you've been drawing and using photoshop for a while.

the post above mine says everything that could be said, exept i realy think that you should develop your own style, that picture is pretty generic anime, it would be impossible to tell it apart from other peoples drawings. This isn't something you have to 'do', and this is your first origonal character, but keep in mind when you draw, not to just copy other peoples style, but to make your own. I think individual style is one of the most important parts of making art.

great first! it'll be fun to see how your characters evolve.
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I just realised that my screen name is Wagner, but my last name is Wagner, I'm not making any references to anyone.

[rec|use]

Thankyou both so much for taking the time to reply

jdillon - You're 100% right about not much thought going into the 'character' if it should be called that at all. It wasn't really anything which I had evolved from a book or a figure/character with a personality from my imagination. It was simply a task set by me to see fi I could draw.

I'm deffinately going to look into anatomy a lot more aswell. I really don't know much, if anything at all about it. Hence the neck-line looking a tad 'odd' and other features (such as the eye which you stated).

Wagner - I have been using Photoshop for a little while yes. Although I've not been using it long for doing worth while things like actually drawing something using the brushes. But instead mainly compiling images together or photo manipulation. I think the point that you make about me devoping my own style is very good though. The only problem is, is trying to find that style.

Thankyou both again for commenting
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