[Alen]

Ok, when i draw things, i usually have to look at a picture and then draw it. I can never make up my own stuff and put it on paper...

I tried it once, I made up my own character and i had it in my head, but when I put it down on paper it was all messed up and deformed...

What can I do to make my drawings, on paper, as good as they are when I plan them in my head?

Any techniques or tricks would be appreciative, thanks.

Alen

[Golongria]

The awnser sounds simple and it's probably not something you are expecting but the only thing that can help you with your problem is practice. I have the same problem, but I noticed that after every sketch I did, the figure began to look more and more like I wanted it to. Another thing, observe everything!!! Look at the way things bend, move, the way the light reflects off of them and so on...
Hope at least a little of that helped.
-Matt

[kurisu]

This, I think, is a common dilemma, and there is only one answer: Practice.

From my own experience, I have found that the more I learn to 'see,' the better my work becomes. Learning to see has many facets, but basically it is my ability to appreciate all the wonderful details life shows me every day. Here is how I have learned to see:

1. Life drawing
No matter what style I'm employing, I feel it is important for me to be able to duplicate reality in some form or another. This takes practice, to draw what I see, to sculpt... to learn important elements such as proportion, weight, balance, composition, color... all from just looking around me. This helps me strengthen my 'perceptive muscles.' I practice by sketching people, kids, dogs, plants, cars, buildings, trees... quick sketches or otherwise, but always trying to pay attention to form, pose, action, etc. etc. as well as the little details of color, texture, line or whatever.
I, for one, don't like to concern myself too much with whether my creation looks real or not - it's got to serve it's purpose - whether that's to be funny, cute, impressive... whatever. But, the practice of seeing and duplicating real things is an incredibly strengthening and empowering exercise that inevitably helps make my creations others can relate to easier.

2. Doodling
To me, there's nothing more fun than just creating from my mind. No reference - photos or otherwise... unless I really need it to look real. I enjoy creating for the sake of creating - not for expressing my imagination by fitting it into what reality says it 'should' be. So, I draw all the time... because I love(d) to. On napkins, scratch-paper, back of some memo, or whatever's available.
In the past, I tended to let the picture draw itself - meaning I wasn't sure what it was going to look like when I started it. Other times, I'd have an image in my mind, but by the time I was done, it would be different. Now, I can usually make what's in my mind, or just let the medium take me where it will... all because of a lot of practice.

3. Get inspired
I have seen many real life things that inspire me - nature, events, emotions in others. This is important for me to strengthen my cyclical interest in creating based on any and all inspirations I have, and consequently, improving my ability to create art that is closer to what's in my mind and heart. Other artists can be a major source of inspiration� to see new subject matter, styles, colors� new or different ways I'm not accustomed to experiencing. Music is always there for those long hours sitting with a sketchpad, canvas or computer in front of me, too.
Other than these rather free forms of learning, there is always more structured learning. Studying books (anatomy, art styles of 'great' artists from the past and present, etc.) and taking classes have strengthened my imagination muscles.

4. Patience
There have been several times when I felt I just wasn't 'good enough' to continue with art. Granted, I've been doing graphics as a career for some time... but even before drawing for a living. In school, I met some of the most amazing artists I'd ever seen. This was both inspiring and depressing. I'd say to myself "Man, I'm *never* going to be as good as <insert better artist here>..."
Over time, I saw more artists, and continued to practice, sticking with it and not giving up. What I realized was something quite simple... there will always be artists that can do some things better than me, and there will always be artists that I can do some things better than them. What does 'better' mean? That's for each to decide for his or her self!

5. Realization
I have come to firmly believe that no matter what it is I do, it all ties in to each other. I'm not just talking about art and being an artist. I mean everything� from taking the trash out, to talking with friends, to posting forum messages� as long as I'm always trying to do my best, and to be true to myself, it all helps build strength. It's like weight-lifting, for example� strengthens the body - but it provides mental and spiritual benefits as well. The healthier my body is, the easier it is to think clearly and perpetuate my enjoyment of learning, improving and even stumbling.
I used to be afraid to 'stop' drawing, that if I didn't 'do' it, I'd lose it. Well, I think if I was someone who didn't spend much time in the first place drawing, that might be true. As it is, I think my level would go down, but it would take time - just as it does to 'get back into the swing of things' when I'd come back to it. If I spend more time on my 'personal life' it actually helps my drawing - sometimes inspiring me to make better use of my time when drawing, or get more excited when I actually do it.

So, to end this long-winded reply to your simple question, I think the more time that goes by, and the more I draw anything that inspires me whenever I get the chance, the stronger the connection I have between my imagination and what I actually create.

Don't know if this was helpful at all, but I hope so, at least.

Good luck Alen!

-k

[kurisu]

Well said, Golongria

-Mr. Longwinded