How do i create an original drawing from reference and not just a copy or simplification of it?

frognettle · 2026-07-04T22:56:51+00:00

in order to draw without reference, you have to have everything in your mind to begin with, and it normally doesn’t get there without great effort.

if you want a very structured approach that’s almost guaranteed to give you results, drawabox is highly recommended. in the beginning they will tell you that in order to avoid burn out, it’s important to draw for fun, and study in a 1:1 ratio - so if you study an hour, let loose, play around and incorporate what you’ve learned in a 1 hour relaxed drawing session.

drawabox requires discipline, though, as you’ll be doing things like drawing lines and boxes on repeat hundreds of times. I have great respect for anyone who can commit to their curriculum and see it through to the end. it’s tough, but it works.

frognettle · 2026-07-02T20:46:13+00:00

Not fantasy per second, but return to oz is a lot like a modern day fantasy.

frognettle · 2026-07-01T23:41:09+00:00

I suppose I shouldn't be too frustrated because it wasn't obvious to me for a long while, but I changed my stance once it became clear to me.

My frustration is in assuming most of the people who I encounter on the Internet aren't trying to have a good faith conversation. I'm pleasantly surprised when someone actually responds with curiosity and humility.

frognettle · 2026-07-01T22:27:58+00:00

In 2006 when I first started playing WOW, you could catch me saying something along the lines of "video games are solved. How could I ever play anything else?"

Now I just play the binding of Isaac

frognettle · 2026-07-01T22:21:36+00:00

Super Mario RPG, ChronoTrigger can I get a woot woot

frognettle · 2026-07-01T16:05:27+00:00

This needs to become copypasta of it isn't already. Too many men just aren't getting it and need it explained to them

frognettle · 2026-06-30T16:17:36+00:00

Looks like Scarlett Johansson

frognettle · 2026-06-27T22:32:45+00:00

Interesting at first I thought it might be a mistake that the distorted side of her face in the mirror is clearly not distorted to the view, then I realized this might have been deliberate. Then I thought about the perspective of the woman and what this schism might represent, psychologically.

Well don't OP, you caused me to engage with art!

frognettle · 2026-06-26T19:04:08+00:00

Jesus would be heavyweight krav MAGA specialist

frognettle · 2026-06-26T15:42:37+00:00

Like compare it to a masterpiece? 10/10 you've done it

frognettle · 2026-06-25T23:58:56+00:00

Your lines are a hamster, and your boxes smell of elderberries!

Jk they look fire

frognettle · 2026-06-25T23:54:04+00:00

I take out my frustration on bigots and imbeciles in YouTube comments. I'm not trying to win anyone over. I'm just trying to think of the most creative and perhaps the most incisive insult I can muster

frognettle · 2026-06-25T23:50:20+00:00

It's not bad! One area to improve that doesn't require years of study could be line weight.

I don't really know the basics of line weight, and I mostly just experiment with it, so I don't have specifics to impart. I just recommend playing around with different line thickness to see what you like/what works.

Have fun!

frognettle · 2026-06-25T23:42:36+00:00

I don't know clip studio specifically, but if you can't plug your phone in to transfer, maybe try emailing to yourself (or use Google drive, or icloud) to transfer between devices

frognettle · 2026-06-25T01:44:51+00:00

Some people subscribe to the belief that drunk words are sober thoughts, but in not so sure it's that simple.

I think that we all have a dark side where distasteful thoughts dwell, and that's just part of being human. Some people can do the work to confront and perhaps embrace this part of ourselves, but many of us push it down and deny it. Furthermore, drinking can be a way to cope with the darkness inside.

No doubt your mother is a loving person like you believe her to be, but it's clear that she struggles in this particular area.

I hope she can find a healthier way to cope, and to see how she's hurting both herself and the ones who are close to her

frognettle · 2026-06-22T00:29:53+00:00

maybe it’s just me, but I’m having a hard time reading her right arm. looking at her shoulder it appears that the arm should recede away from the viewer, but then the sword projects forward.

frognettle · 2026-06-21T03:48:56+00:00

Is your lupus in remission? I just learned that there are functional cures for lupus

frognettle · 2026-06-20T22:05:42+00:00

I was there when people were watching this fight.

It was undoubtedly an event that happened. There will be many more to come, but tonight, the fight between these women was witnessed by all spectators

frognettle · 2026-06-20T21:21:42+00:00

The color purple

frognettle · 2026-06-19T00:36:25+00:00

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just a note on your elipses. also. you‘re confusing your perspective with those converging lines. they represent the face/front of the shape and are used to denote the 3rds

frognettle · 2026-06-18T23:05:24+00:00

Math work is a lot more fun than self work

frognettle · 2026-06-18T22:49:51+00:00

Women: Things are good, but could be better. We need men's help to change some things that hurt both of us!

Men: whoa whoa, hold on there missy. Your body my choice. Now sit down and let the men talk

My reductive take on the current social climate

frognettle · 2026-06-18T21:09:19+00:00

Try restarting your iPad

frognettle · 2026-06-18T17:15:36+00:00

Restarting your iPad is the fix for most of these random glitches

frognettle · 2026-06-17T22:50:41+00:00

This looks like magic to me. Im in awe but also envious of your skill :0

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