[Probus]

i was wondering if you guys use stick figures when it comes to draw poses. reading polykarbon�s tuts made me see they are crucial for making anatomical strong characters, but is it like, you get better and you stop using them?

[Gothic Gerbil]

I'm no professional by far, but when I'm thumbnailing out my composition I use stick figures at first then flesh it out a tad if I like the composition.

[Steelwind]

I use bubble-people to get the pose and general anatomy right. If I get it right I start going over it and adding detail. If I don't I try again.

A friend of mine doesn't often use any kind of guidelines or stick figures, and I hate him for it. He makes it look so effortless. But you can see his style is much more cartoony, so anatomy isn't as rigid for him. I try to work more realistically.

Steelwind

[ December 03, 2001: Message edited by: Steelwind ]

[Anthony]

If no reference I use Loomis' dummy figure, and if I have reference I just feel out what I see. Course, I suck next to a lot of these guys at drawing :]

[Highfive]

I use stick figures to decide the pose, line-of-action and the composition and also to get the proportions right. I try to keep it similar to a human skeleton, though, by including a rough rib-cage and pelvic bones.

[LinaBo]

well, my drawing skills right now lag behind my CG skills, so yes, I use stick figures as a basis, to help me learn. I'd like to eventually grow less dependant on them.

[ December 06, 2001: Message edited by: LinaBo ]

[Brain]

I don't use stick figures as much as I used to. I kinda find I've been able to stray away from their usage. I still do use them, of course, but I seem to just draw my pose, and if there's parts I don't like, I'll redraw over them. This is for human figures tho; I'd see myself doing stick figures for less human things. Don't ask me why @:-)

[wayfinder]

you mean, you guys actually draw more than stickmen? how????!?! WTF?!?! What have i been missing?

[rain]

I don't really use actual "stick" figures, but I always keep in mind what the bones of the figure are doing. I usually start by doing a scribbly gesture drawing. This keeps my figures poses more fluid (less stiff). Then I make sure the anatomy is correct (roughly). Then I refine everything to make a good drawing. Hope that helps.

[The Brat]

Yes and no. If I'm having trouble with a certain picture, after I've erased and sworn a few times, I'll use a sort of stick-body/structural guideline to help me out.

Storyboards, now... that's another matter entirely. You should see my rough boards -- makes my art from grade 2 look like a series of masterpieces.

[maceface]

it all depends on the drawing im doing...if its life drawing then no i dont...if i am creating a character out of my head without ref pics then yes i do...its usually a stick figure with balls for a head, hands, elbows, knees, pelvis and a sort of tube for the ribs.

[bld]

always use stick figures, quit drawing lines in faces awhile ago tho.

[Probus]

thanks for the help all.