[davenewt]

Hahaha, only kidding!

Well, in all seriousness, I'm REALLY (REALLY) sorry for inflicting this on you. But, some of you encouraged me... so what can I say? You've only yourselves to blame! *grin*

A few weeks ago, inspired by the speedpaintings on this very forum, I bought a couple of books, a pad of paper, pencils with numbers on them. Then I sat down at the kitchen table, took a deep breath... and stared at an orange for an unhealthy period of time.



Like I said, I'm sorry for doing this to you talented people

After the orange, I got clever. Thought I might be able to draw a glass (!)



I discovered I have a problem with proportions as well as fruit

Then, perhaps giddy from the eraser fumes, I ploughed on like a bad accident being slammed by a juggernaut...




*crunch*

So, some constructive criticism, anyone? Bearing in mind these are literally my first drawings that haven't been scrawled on a pencil case during History! (I'm much older now, and I realise I *should* know better). Again, I'm sorry.

Doc, is there any hope?

-Dave.

[FallDamage]

It's good that you've decided to start with excercies that will increase your skill, as opposed to diving right into extremly complex characters and landscapese. Not that you shouldn't feel free to explore different ideas, but starting with the basics helps. I didn't, and I should have... I still should, in fact.

The alternative is somewhat unappealing:

http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=24872

[seth1]

Hey man! This is a wicked start all ready! I would really work on the form and prespective as well heres a little tutoril on drawing ellipes http://www.sibleyfineart.com/index.htm?tutorial--draw-ellipses.htm Also when drawing think of the 4 vaules as well! Really inforce those black when needed, and enforce those highlights when needed it makes the image pop! Draw every day, even if it's for a couple minutess... Just keep on drawing. Nothing better then practice....

I 6 vaules on the image down below witch is the shadow the shadow midtones the highlights the bounce light etc... A little drawing to show what i mean. Hope u dont mind/...

[davenewt]

What can I say, guys, thanks so much for stopping by

FallDamage:
I can't believe YOU have actually taken the time to say something when you were confronted with such bad artwork! That means a lot to me. I realize I need to start with the basics and I don't want to progress until I feel like I'm getting somewhere with the "easy" stuff. Your landscape speedpaints are just incredible, I wish I could do what you do... I'll keep trying, maybe one day I'll get close! As for the thread on conceptart, I've just read some of the comments - Red_Rock sounds kinda angry! ROFL! - I completely understand what people are saying about getting AWAY from photoshop. Even with these first few sketches I've done with a pencil, I've found myself thinking "how the hell can I do this on a tablet?" I used to think that once I had a tablet for my PC I'd be able to start drawing. How wrong I was. What I need to begin with is some lead, mashed trees and a ton of practice!

Seth1:
I get what you're saying, thanks also for the comments. I'll check out the tutorial... it's so hard to control the pencil at the moment, holding it like a paintbrush?! What's that all about? I really feel like just holding it like a pen a lot of the time. Do you really hold a pencil that odd way? All the time? I can't even draw a straight line... up & down, side to side or diagonally... sheesh, gimme a ruler! Thanks for the mini tute as well man, really appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I see what you mean with emphasizing the blacks... I guess I'm too careful a lot of the time, not sure enough... but I get it. And emphasizing the blacks will automatically help the highlights, right?

Guys, thanks. Really. I'll try to keep a lot of my work to myself and only post again when I feel like I'm getting somewhere new, or doing something that I really need help with.

Thanks again. Can't thank you enough. I'm humbled!

One question for you both (and anyone else sitting on the sidelines!) - aside from holding the pencil funny, how do you set up to draw when doing so "traditionally" (i.e. with a pencil and paper)... do you sit at a table, use an easel arrangement, put the pad on your lap...?

I was sitting down doing those sketches, and I found it quite tricky to work at a table. I feel like I should be standing at an easel. I had to hold up the pad of paper vertically in front of me to use the pencil when holding it "that way"... but it still felt awkward (as I guess all new things do)...

Back to the drawing board

Cheers guys!
Dave.

[Max]

Hey dave! It's nice to see you are getting serious about drawing.
Don't be afraid to show your stuff. It really isn't as bad as you think.
Everybody started somwhere. We all have been at this level.

Just keep drawing, that's what it is all about. There are no shortcuts or special secrets.
About holding the pencil. Just do it the way it works for you. It really doesn't matter at all. I hold it like a pen. Just as if I would write something down.

Here's an IMAGE of my workingplace where I hang out and draw most of my stuff.
Anyway, you can also take a simple skechbook and draw stuff anywhere with it.

What helped me with the pencildrawing technique itself was copying from 2d reference. Especially drawings from artists I admire. It won't help you alot with your 3dimensional imagination but you can concentrate on other things more this way. Values, composition, the way you hold your pencil. You just get to know your medium this way. Much easier if you don't have to translate 3d to 2d by drawing from life. (BUT: drawing from life is also very important) What worked for me must not work for you though. Most of these things you have to find out by yourself. It's a long journey that never ends. Most important thing: Have fun!

[Mega Muffin]

Practice practice practice!!!

That is the best advice I can give you. And there is also a wonderful book called something like Drawing with the Right side of the Brain. It basically proposes that drawing is more learning to see than learning to use a pencil. And it really is. I think you will be amazed at how the way you see things changes as you progress. Dicerning between values and colors and all that stuff just takes alot of effort. And it really helps to think about what you're doing while you're doing it. Think, "okay, that color is a bit lighter than that color...hmm....that reflected light is much brighter than the shadowed portion, but it's still not as bright as the highlight." Stuff like that. Learn as you go.

Now, I don't know if this works or not, but I find myself doing it: I look at stuff and like, imagine I am going to draw it. I try to see the values and colors for what they really are, in relation to one another. One time, I remember, I was sitting in a friend's driveway after working on a float for the homecoming dance, just looking at the sky. She walked over to me and asked what I was doing. I responded, "I'm trying to see what color the sky is." Haha, that strikes me as a good quote for something. Anyway, it might be worth doing, especially if you're ever board and just sitting somewhere.

Also, try holding your pencil really loosely, kind of like..uh...a hose is the best thing i can come up with right now. Haha there is nothing better than sitting in art class, leaning back and making messy strokes on a still life drawing. It's so relaxing. Maybe like a hose that's not pointed straight in front of u. Anyway, just experiment with it. It can't hurt.

Just remember. It's all relative. Good luck, and don't give up!

[davenewt]

Hi Max, thanks for taking the time to post. You have some excellent work on your site... great faces. Can't believe the "butterfly woman" you did wasn't completely from reference... just the face? Everything looks so perfect! Thanks also for sharing the WIP... like I said, without it I would have thought you took the whole person from ref and just added the wings. Cool stuff. Thanks also for posting the picture of your work space - it's interesting to see how other people work.

Good point about copying from 2D reference, I can see how that would help with focusing on line, tone, contrast, etc... will give it a go! And I'll try not to get too hung up on the technique with the pencil!

Surprised you don't list Bladerunner among your favourite films

Mega Muffin, Right Side of the Brain is one of the books I bought a little while ago when I decided to get started. The author goes on a bit too much about the whole "L mode, R mode" for my liking. Still, I see what she's getting at. I do find it much easier to draw when I shut out all other stimuli! Although sometimes I find loud music helps too Thanks for the advice!

Cheers,
Dave.

[insane007]

dave, I'm sure most of us would appreciate it most if you posted all the work you can.

You will become a great drawer if you put the time in, and from the looks of it you aren't doing half bad. Start simple. What Max said about copying 2d references is a great tip, it really helped me at the start, but it is also important to do life drawing simultaneously, so that you are still used to it when you go to put the techniques you learned with the 2d in place.

I started off much worse than you. Then I progress as far as copying Dragon Ball Z characters at age ... I'd rather not say. Anyhow, I've been doing art for a number of years now, and though I don't post very often, I draw quite a bit. I still draw alot of shitty pictures. Much worse ones than what I see here. I have my good and bad days, and you will too.

Post your pictures and we will look at them, comment, and help.

[Max]

Dave, thanks alot. Glad you like my stuff. Of course I listed Blade Runner! - at the end of the list

[davenewt]

Thanks for the kind words insane007, I'll post what I can... just didn't want to flood the board with my amateur stuff... I'll probably open a sketchbook over at conceptart if I can get a few halfway decent drawings together... obviously I will continue to post stuff here too!

Max, you just edited your site to include Blade Runner didn't you?! I didn't see that first time I looked - d'oh!

Cheers,
Dave.

[Max]

Nah, I didn't - honestly - It has always been listed