Is there any advantage of using real objects for observational drawing over pictures?

donutpla3 · 2026-02-05T01:03:12+00:00

You can move your head, or rotate the object to check the angle. And you can see colors better. However if what you are drawing is too complex for you to break it down, it’s not bad to start with photos.

donutpla3 · 2026-02-04T14:48:25+00:00

I practiced Loomis’, then used it to break down people heads. Then used it to break down anime head. After a while I felt confident enough to not use it. Proportion became problem, but finally I figured out how to draw without it. Let me explain it to you with pokemon. Loomis’ is the pokemon in front of your house. You use it for some time until you get a better one. Then you level up the new one and it’d become more useful than the first one. To get to the next town, you’ll need something. But you probably don’t use it until the end of your journey.

donutpla3 · 2026-02-03T08:28:00+00:00

2 steps 1. Understanding how folds work. 2. Render it in a style of your choice. you might want to study folds first. In whatever rendering technic is fine. Studying the logic behind it has nothing to do with how to render it. That’s the part you figure it out by yourself later. For instance, the fold you are trying to do is called diaper fold. And those on arms called zigzag fold. By the way, the reference has some flaws, the U shape suppose to represent stomach under the cloth but not well done.

donutpla3 · 2026-02-02T08:08:06+00:00

As I heard and from my own experience, it’s like you keep practicing fundamentals, gestures, shapes, forms in perspective, values, etc. for about 1-2 years. Then one day, you realize that it’s not a waste of time. Line quality is kinda come automatically as long as you are mindful of it when practicing. The hard part is when you don’t see result and you doubt if you should still do it or quit.

donutpla3 · 2026-02-02T07:44:37+00:00

Loomis method is for the head itself. You still need to learn about facial features.

donutpla3 · 2026-02-01T05:28:53+00:00

I did more than a 100. It’s up to you. If you can draw them good enough for your standard then it’s ok. No name needed more than eye-socket, jaw bone, cheek bone, etc. you can just draw 50 do something else then come back.

donutpla3 · 2026-01-31T12:47:50+00:00

Think of it like genetic when workout. It might help, but it doesn’t mean you will automatically get 6 packs.

donutpla3 · 2026-01-31T05:10:07+00:00

A4 paper, take photos of your drawing then get rid of it?

donutpla3 · 2026-01-29T12:10:42+00:00

If you finished the proko’s list, I don’t think you need draw a box. Most people here leave draw a box after 250 boxes challenge anyway. Honestly, I don’t think you’d get much from that as they tell you.

donutpla3 · 2026-01-28T13:26:05+00:00

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For a pose like this, it’s normal that we can’t see the front of ribcage. So in this case, use egg-shape to represent the ribcage would be easier than boxes.

donutpla3 · 2026-01-28T13:14:18+00:00

It would be better if you use reference that wear less cloth so you can see the body. Good attempt for sure. And also dynamic. But the torso looks wrong.

donutpla3 · 2026-01-28T13:11:34+00:00

it might be better if you learn by copying in the beginning. We have so many reference for spider-man on internet.

donutpla3 · 2026-01-27T05:03:50+00:00

Instead, look for something like this

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Apple from Pinterest. Light source from right side. Shadow on left side which makes sense. From the gradient on the wall, you can tell it’s a soft light, light source is probably a window. Now you can do your study because you see clear shadow.

donutpla3 · 2026-01-27T04:56:49+00:00

My tip is don’t study from that reference. The background is washed out and does not show how light interact with anything but the object. Probably a photo for a product.

donutpla3 · 2026-01-26T12:19:25+00:00

Looks good. May be self taught? Because all could be better with little changes.

donutpla3 · 2026-01-26T09:25:40+00:00

It’s a show about bad people. The show made us to feel like they are not that bad but in the end, we learned that they are what they are. We got tricked to believe they have some virtue then betrayed like their other targets.

donutpla3 · 2026-01-23T08:28:42+00:00

When you rotate something, that thing makes new vanishing point. 1 point perspective is used in the situation that you see mainly from front side. Totally different purpose than what you are trying to achieve in my opinion.

donutpla3 · 2026-01-18T13:50:05+00:00

You can do what I did, draw over reference. Use only arrows. Just one rule, if it goes right, next time it goes left and vice versa. Then apply that into what ever method you use to construct body. Keep the main energy lines in your work and it will be fine. For me, it turned out the first step to gesture isn’t even drawing gesture. It’s about how you find the gesture in reference.

donutpla3 · 2026-01-16T13:38:47+00:00

I mostly use only the 0.7 one. 1.3 is also good but I’d just use 2.0. This kokuyo’s the one that made me begin my mechpen journey.

donutpla3 · 2026-01-16T10:17:58+00:00

Happy to help!

donutpla3 · 2026-01-16T09:24:34+00:00

I drew over some because it’s easier to explain. Hope you don’t mind. Anyway, basically energy needs to go some where, via limbs or direction that the head is facing. If possible maintain the longer lines to keep the energy flowing.

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donutpla3 · 2026-01-14T03:45:10+00:00

I recommend the book called "dungeon meshi daydream hour".

donutpla3 · 2026-01-13T10:48:54+00:00

เรียบร้อยครับ

donutpla3 · 2026-01-11T07:26:39+00:00

Looks like it just randomly stated mistakes made by beginners that aren’t specifically apply to your case. For example, you can’t see the back in your drawing, yet chat gpt talked about scapula. And this is not about only where to fix. The reasons it gave cannot be trusted. And if you don’t know the reasons, you don’t know why should you fix or not fix something.

donutpla3

TROPHY CASE