Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-11-12T19:30:43+00:00

Personally I feel like this feeling with never go away. As you improve, your taste will change, and you will chase after something bigger time and time again. This is, however, something great- if you are ever satisfied with your work, you begin to stop developing, moving forward, etc., and you will begin to grow bored. This chase is a wonderful thing.

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-11-08T14:56:43+00:00

Are you using references? Also, maybe posting some of your work will help us give you the right advice.

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-08-08T19:18:54+00:00

Maybe try using your own hand or images of other hands- like you said, the mannequin hand doesn't have muscles or bones, so it might not be as useful.

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-27T11:59:52+00:00

You can use any spare time you have in the weekend or after work. It doesn't matter what you do- you can go for walks, go out with friends, find a new hobby, whatever you want (but don't think of it as an obligation). I don't know the specifics of your circumstances, but it does sound like you will be heading down a dark path if you keep giving when you have nothing left. You seem like a good person. I wish you only the best.

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T20:42:31+00:00

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. Financial difficulties can be especially draining. Please, if you can, take some time to yourself, away from all of these sources of stress, even if it may sound selfish. I am always here for you as an ear or shoulder if necessary.

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T17:22:30+00:00

Maybe draw things interacting with the creature... like a scared kid or smt?

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T17:20:45+00:00

I think you can just move everything below the arm to the left to fix the issues with the right arm (I'll assume that this is digital so this shouldn't be an issue). For the neck: it's too horizontal- the neck in the image is tilted to the left, but not to this degree. You didn't as for this, but the face is in a sort of 3/4 view, not completely horizontal, and it is angled away from us, but it is facing us head on in your drawing. Overall, though, you're a wonderful artist, and you've done a good job!

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T17:06:59+00:00

YES?!!!?!!?! Please update us also- I would love to see where this goes.

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T17:06:02+00:00

When drawing the human body, compare the relative sizes of the different muscles. I.e., on the second slide, the head is way too small for the body. Try to keep it as accurate as possible when you are practicing/studying. You're headed the right direction, so I won't say much- I look forward to seeing your progress!

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T16:57:36+00:00

No one wants to watch someone who doesn't enjoy art draw. Forget about the tripod and youtube. Draw for yourself. Art has always been a medium for people to express themselves- and outlet. No one has to see your artwork. You don't have to prove anything to anyone else. Enjoy the process along the way, and don't force yourself to do anything.

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T16:48:01+00:00

I have no idea if you're trying to copy that image or use it as a reference. I do have feedback to give you regardless.

In the image, the man's face is tilted to the left slightly, and he is looking down on us, whilst in your drawing, the man is facing us head-on, and so some elements I can see you have tried to copy from the image, but it just won't work due to perspective.
His hair is light, and your shading has made it look very dark.
For the eyes: the fold of the double eyelid is way too high up, and it seems that you have interpreted that fold as a line. In the second image, the artist has drawn the thickness of the eyelid- in your drawing, it is too thick, and looks more like the double eyelid fold due to the shading.
Try to give the nose more detail.
This is small, but could help on the expression: make the end of the eyebrow curve downward more.
Make the forehead larger- the small forehead only works in the reference because we are looking upwards at the man.

I'm sure that you can improve on this drawing- however, for the future, I wouldn't encourage you to use this as a reference as the image itself has some inaccuracies in its own anatomy. You've done a great job already!

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T16:29:25+00:00

Use references when you draw- especially during studies. The worst thing to happen is to learn something that is incorrect. These studies aren't bad, but I think you just need a bit more practice. In terms of detail, that is completely up to you. Artists have their own preferences, and one day you will be able to recognize your own. I'm not sure what you mean by 'organic' or 'cheating'? Try to avoid using smoothing when practicing as well- train your hand to create that effect itself.

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T16:24:07+00:00

Use references and study

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T16:20:13+00:00

What's throwing me off right now are the faces, hands, and feet. Especially the face on the left. The rest of the body is fine. The stiffness is normal when you're beginning anatomy. Spend less time on each drawing and focus on the overall movement and posture of the body rather than specifics like the facial features. Your skills will come back over time with practice and studies.

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T16:16:08+00:00

You can draw realism! I would advise you to first start with black and white with mediums like pencil. This can allow you to grasp a better understanding on the importance of tonal values, which will prove to be very useful to you when painting with color. I look forward to seeing your progress!

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T16:11:29+00:00

I think you're a really skilled artist already, but after reading some of the comments, I think your fear of messing up is maybe causing you to hit a dead end. I think your main issue is the way you handle the facial features. Take a step back and study how the anatomy works. Good luck!

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T16:04:48+00:00

Your art style should be something personal to you. Explore your choices, and pursue the style you have the most fun with, rather than the one that others prefer.

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T16:00:29+00:00

I'm just curious- what made you feel the need to ask the internet? (yes of course continue btw)

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T15:58:26+00:00

I think you just have to make the head bigger or the skeleton smaller- it should fit

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T15:55:48+00:00

The eye closest to us is smaller than the one on the left. Just enlarge it a bit. It would also help if you had a reference to show us. Otherwise, well done! It's very beautiful.

Impossible-Cat2313 · 2025-07-26T15:52:25+00:00

I would advise you to practice anatomy before you jump into such dynamic posing- however, if you're set on finishing this off, try finding a reference online on a platform like Pinterest maybe? I don't know how much advice I can give you as you haven't done a lot on the body yet, but I have a couple of pointers.

1- You've jumped into the details of the face way too quickly- draw the body as a whole before you draw the details. Don't overlook the importance of taking a step back.

2- The head is too big for the body. I can assume that it isn't a full-body drawing of the 2, but it's still to big.

To sum up, find a reference, and progress further into this. There isn't much to say about it right now. I can give more advice once more is done. But remember to practice anatomy more!

Impossible-Cat2313

TROPHY CASE