The curse of being Static

[Miss Wiggle]

So, I've been drawing for about 5 years now. I'm self taught, I want to go somewhere with my art so I'm constantly trying to improve myself.

One consistent problem I have had since I started drawing is static compositions. I know that there is no real magic cure solve this for me, but beyond the obvious solution of "practice, practice, practice," have you guys come across any exercises that helps to create more dynamic compositions?

[Arne S.]

compositions? like this?
http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?story_id=3275

[Seedling]

Hmmm. . . I'll have to add compositions to the list of subjects to add to my Concept Art 101 thread. In the mean time, you could try this:

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1023382&postcount=34

Cheers!

[kingshaj]

i feel like i have the cure!!!
my recent mission has been to improve the same aspects of my drawing.
flow. action, movement , gesture. etc

practice is certainly the only real aswer, but the question then becomes. "practice what exactly, and how?"

i think action resources, (IE photos of great action), have been the biggest help to me. as with most things we improve through observing and imitating life, that is to say,drawing from the real world.

the issue has been, where does one find this action movment in life?

I recently discovered capoiera as a photo resource. I have been aware of the capoiera as a movement for some time but only recently have I googled is as a source of drawing inspiration. Other forms of dance or martial arts dont seem to have the same quantity of large images on the web.


here's some cool images to draw from that i think best desrcibe what im talking about.

hope this helps others as much as it has me...It pays off!

[Goog]

a minor thing you could think about is the rule of thirds, I noticed in most of your enviros, the focus is at or near the center. Maybe that will help shake things up?

[DavePalumbo]

try doing some compositions that make you uncomfortable. I think a leading cause of static comps is the desire to balance everything. You balance too much, you loose all the movement and tension, thus a static comp. Think dynamic, change up your eye-levels, tilt your horizon, zoom your view waaay in, exadgerate your perspective, crop things badly, just fool around and see how it goes.

[Hyaloclastics]

Get your sketchbook,go outside and start to sketch people.

My 2 cents,anyway.

[Seedling]

try doing some compositions that make you uncomfortable.

Ooh, that's good advice! *Adds to bag of tricks*

[Idiot Apathy]

Lots and lots of thumbnails!
And moving out of Utah helps so I've heard.

[HunterKiller_]

compositions? like this?
http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?story_id=3275

Thanks for the link. It's great read.