Menno's doodles. Updated just now

[Menno]

Hello, my name is Menno and I'm an alcoh...er, forum lurker. I love to draw, but lately university has been kicking my ass and I haven't had any time to make with the penciling. So I figured one of these sketchbook threads might force me to do so more often.

Problem is, I have no scanner here. Yes. I'm a poor student. So I am left with no choice but to do wacom only stuff. And I'm not all that good with it. I'm one of those people that really need to look at where they're drawing. But I suppose that adds an extra challenge and might make me a better artist in the end. Anyhow, I hope you guys like my stuff.

Yes, I do get (slightly) better later on.

First try at digital drawing... again. Kind of experimenting with brush sizes for this one.

[ped454]

your stuff is nice. you look like you know faces. post more

[SEVANS]

Nice 3/4 view faces. Now post more.

[Menno]

Thanks guys, I'll try. This time something a little less random:

[tsabu]

nice use of construction in the figures but it looks like on the last pics these guy had a bit to small, to thin hand (drawing in the perspective shortcuts is hard thing)

[Menno]

tsabu: Are you talking about the hand with which he's holding his arm, or the other one?

Ok, some anatomy studies this time. I kept in the underlying figure construction (as a vague outline), which is something I'm trying to improve. Mine is a mix of the one used by Loomis and the techniques Vilppus uses. I should probably do some silhouette studies too...

[Menno]

More anatomy. Every once and a while I get hit by the sheer ammount of things I still need to learn and improve. Blech, it makes me feel ten years old again.

On a positive note, I found Mentler's threads, which are an awesome anatomy knowledge base. I'm gonna put some of that into my own work, hopefully it will help... I wonder if anyone recognizes my favorite "wizzard" in the bottom right? (hint: Paul Kidby's work is wonderfull indeed)

As always, any advice and suchthings are very much welcome.

[Dan Valkar]

nice stuff mate! ur figure drawin' its very accurated...and yeah check the hand over the arm...its kinda smaller than the robotic one....keep it up...this sb looks very interesting so far

[Menno]

Dan Valkar: Thanks! I hope I can keep it interesting.

Hm... you guys might have a point regarding the malformed hand.

[Menno]

Ok, so just some boring exercises this time. Things remembered: Having one leg carry most of the figure's weight makes the pose more dynamic. Still, remember to keep the figure balanced around the center of gravity. This is fairly low, so the butt alone is quite a lot of counterweight. Don't use arms as a "crutch" to balance the figure (unless it's vital to the pose). A "ruler" line is a nice way of eyeballing proportions. The pelvis is very important.

Happy new years everybody.

[Menno]

I wanted a break from sketching, so I decided to get back into rendering/coloring (from reference). For a first try I started with value only, so I went black & white. I probably invested around 3 hours in this piece... and then I got bored with it. As a result, yes, the hand and face suffered. In my defense regarding the face, adding details to small images such as these is difficult.

As an extra, I've included a few old studies, ranging from 20 minutes to one hour. These were my last attempts at color, from about a year or so ago. Anyway, I hope you like it. Oh, and happy newyears!



And ye oldies:

[Rachnir]

Great stuff, I liked the Faces most. Everything is verry good. Want to see more, dude!

[Menno]

Thanks man, will do.

[IamPeter]

Good drawings!
The studies look good,
would like to see some of your drawings colourd.

greets!

[Ekul]

very nice faces!

[iceman478]

really cool pencil work ...would like to see some more if possible

[kischi]

Cool work here!! I see you have a good understanding of form and proportions and anatomie itself. Nice digis too. Keep it up you are doing great.

[Menno]

Thanks guys, it's always nice to hear positive comments. If you have any critiques I'd love to hear them as well.

For today one more value study... a 70's pinup this time.

[Menno]

Ok, I've been in a bit of an artistic rut lately... school is taking up a lot of my time. I did manage to produce this icy landscape. I've never tried environments before and I have to say it was haaaard to get into. I still feel my overall brushwork is crap and wastefull, I hope it gets better with practice. Also struggling with selecting the right brush for the right job. Hopefully I can get around to doing a whole set of anatomy studies soon.

[RandAlThor]

Hey menno, welcome to ca.org. excellent sb so far. i must say your anatomy is very good, the scratch6.jpg image made so much sense when i saw it i felt one of those moment where it clicked, if you know what i mean. anyways, keep posting dude, im gonna be back here often im sure. ;-)

[Menno]

Thanks RandAlThor, it's cool to hear that something I made invoked a reaction in someone Although it's Mentler who should be credited for the concept behind those studies.

[Menno]

Some really random, late night scribbles this time. Might turn the deathknight into a full painting.

[socalsek]

Your characters have GREAT sense of volume and weight. Your study of poses is really interesting. You capture the movement of a figure quite nicely.

[Ignominious]

you've been doing some really nice anatomy studies. however, post #18 looks really disproportional, however, all your other people look fine....

[Menno]

socalsek: thanks!

Ignominious: yeah, I was struggeling with the proportions on that piece. What part of it bothers you the most?

[Danuh]

lovin the outfit in post #22, keep up the studies too, they look great. Although I have to agree with Ignominious that #18 looks a bit off.

[The Legendary Left]

I agree with Danuh post #22 looks cool as well as your anatomy studies.

[Menno]

Danuh: thanks! And I agree.
The Legendary Left: thanks

Some more studies this time, and my first finished piece in like, forever (warhammer online inspired). My fingers actually cramped up making that piece.

[Sublimus]

pretty good start you have here.

That goblin seems to have a pretty huge head though.

[Menno]

Sublimus: thanks. Regarding the size of said goblin's head: it's supposed to be on the large side They're nasty, small, disproportionate buggers. They'll shiv you in the back on the knee when you're not looking.