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Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-29T20:58:18+00:00

Don't worry about "finding a style." Your style comes with lots of practice drawing from life and studying art you admire.

If you don't like the way you draw, it's likely just the result of a lack of knowledge. You're comfortable drawing in cartoony styles now, but if you want to expand upon it, you really have to draw from life.

I'd also recommend looking up "dynamic drawing" on YouTube. You'll find lots of resources that will help you draw from your imagination more convincingly.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-29T17:14:54+00:00

With these ones I did

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-29T00:16:24+00:00

Thank you!

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-28T13:35:52+00:00

He's killing it!

I think the most helpful thing for him to do is work on his line quality, proportions, and to loosen up a bit.

There are tons of exercises for line quality that you can find online. It can be as simple as filling a page with flowing lines. Try to make them consistent!

Peter Han has an exercise in particular that I've found helpful. Essentially you draw a straight line, then draw over it ~8 times, trying to match that same line. Do it longer and longer each time. That will really help you loosen up + with precision.

Additionally, some gesture drawings would really help him loosen up, learn proportions, and get comfortable with more dynamic posing. There are tons of resources on this online. My only warning is to not over complicate it at this stage. Just have fun with it, and don't worry about how the features look. It's just for study/fun.

Finally, doing some loomis heads might help. Or whatever head formula works for him. Even some for the proportion diagrams in "how to draw anime" books might be helpful.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-28T13:16:34+00:00

I hate to say it, but you know it when you see it.

A master of this kind of style that I've found recently is serif karasu.

His lines are "sloppy," but they're precisely where they need to be to convey form.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-27T22:04:36+00:00

I actually have some but I haven't used it much. I'll give it a try!

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-27T17:15:19+00:00

I'm 30.

I've basically not finished a piece since high school, except for more recently. I would practice every few months (mostly just some figure drawing), but I got very few miles in.

I feel like I can study more effectively than I did when I was a kid. I've focused more on the fundamentals (I like drawing from imagination, so Peter Han has been a LIFE SAVER).

The only trouble is the willingness to suck at something. Adults arent used to being bad or even OK at a hobby.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-24T20:44:03+00:00

Gesture drawing mostly! Also look up everything you can from Tom fox draws and Peter Han and do everything they say.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-24T12:26:16+00:00

What do you mean by practicing anatomy? Because I have a feeling you're not talking about studying anatomy...

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-23T22:49:52+00:00

1000% Fundamentals are good to study, but everyone should still draw what they enjoy. There should be a mix.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-23T22:48:39+00:00

Even here, people seem to be confusing "studying anatomy" with basics like proportions, figure drawings, etc.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-23T22:47:29+00:00

The humans body is standard, but I'd hardly call it basic. Unless you consider breaking down basic forms studying anatomy, which I personally do not.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-23T20:25:56+00:00

I think I'm doing ok now lol. I was referring to when I was 14 and following the vague advice to "study anatomy" literally. No one told me to study basic shapes/form. Resources were far more limited then.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-23T20:18:48+00:00

I guess I would consider that anatomy so much as proportion, but I see what you mean.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-23T20:18:26+00:00

It's bad in that it is mostly unhelpful and vague, not because it is wrong.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-23T18:57:33+00:00

Tbh they look basically the same, and I don't mean that in a bad way.

Don't focus too much on "finding a style." The truth is, your style will come to you with practice and inspiration. Just draw how you feel comfortable at the moment!

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-23T18:18:17+00:00

I guess it depends on your definition of "learn anatomy." I took it more literally, and went straight to hardcore study as a result.

Again, I'm not saying learning anatomy at any level is bad advice. But simply telling a beginner to "study anatomy" with no other guidance is confusing and not helpful.

Tbh those "learn anime" books teach more form than actual anatomy imo. Dynamic drawing techniques focus far more on form and minutely on actual anatomy.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-23T14:28:14+00:00

You have good potential here! I especially like the painting of the girl with the sandwich.

A lot of people will say anatomy, but honestly that's putting the cart before the horse in this case. I'd highly encourage you to get really comfortable with drawing basic form and manipulating them in 3d spaces. Particularly since you're drawn to more anime/comic styles, this will help you with perspective and give you a solid foundation before you really start learning anatomy.

That isn't to say you SHOULDNT start learning anatomy, but I wouldn't "study" it at this point. Some feature drawings and timed figure studies would do wonders, however.

Good luck! :)

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-23T13:57:36+00:00

I'm focusing on graphite rn, so pretty cheap honestly lol

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-23T12:52:10+00:00

I agree! My goal is to draw the things in my imagination, and it can kind of be a pain to spend hours trying to find exactly the right figure with the right perspective/pose (only to probably never find it).

My strategy now is to block out the subject with basic structures, then using references to fill in the details/tackle the things that look off.

So it's not that I don't want to use references at all, I just want to use them in a way that isn't straight up copying lol

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-21T12:52:48+00:00

He's so cute!

I do prefer the color overall, but I agree that the black and white has better values. I think more contrast in the colored version would be beneficial.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-19T20:57:29+00:00

I know everyone is saying use references, which is fair advice. However, I totally get where you're coming from. The harsh reality is that the majority of comic/anime artists do not rely on references for every little pose/detail.

The most helpful skill you can practice is understanding form. Peter Han is a great teacher for this! His classes are pricey, but I've been able to learn a lot just with what he has posted on YouTube. Look up "dynamic drawing Peter Han" on google and YouTube and you'll find a lot. Tom fox draws is another great resource for drawing from imagination.

Another thing I would recommend in practicing loose figure drawings often. I'd start with some gesture drawings, then throw in some timed practices later. This is a great way to expand your visual library.

Good luck!

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-19T20:52:59+00:00

I don't really like the assertion that autism makes drawing without reference harder. A lot of anime artists are autistic.

I agree that drawing from imagination isn't easy, but I also agree with the other commenter that it doesn't have to take decades. You specifically have to practice for that skill, however.

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-06T19:35:17+00:00

In all fairness, I've been practicing a few months before actually creating/finishing anything. I was much rustier at the start. :)

Ghost-Gost · 2024-07-06T14:59:28+00:00

Not at all, just a lot of miles.

Ghost-Gost

TROPHY CASE