The Beginning of a Long Quest

**Dantayl** · March 28th, 2010, 02:11 PM

Hello!

I am new to the forums. I say new, I have been lingering around here for the best part of a year now but finally decided it would be silly to not post anything, even if I don't think it should ever be seen by anyone elses eyes.

I'm currently at college studying on an Art and Design course but guidance is limited from the lecturers.

I'll start with a few recent things from my sketchbook
You'll have to excuse the first few scanned images as they are a little faint, my scanner seems to be making a mockery of me today.

**ajtabril** · March 28th, 2010, 03:24 PM

welcome, i am a new one too, sure you enjoy in this way and one day you will become an artist.
do your best.

**Dantayl** · March 29th, 2010, 06:12 AM

Thanks, ajtabril.

I had a look in your sketchbook. You 'have' got skill!

Here are some random digital paintings I did recently. Some of them are observational and others were just silly joke things I did for one of my lecturers. She seems a bit mad but she comes out with tons of random thoughts every day.

**Dantayl** · March 29th, 2010, 11:10 AM

Couple more random things.

**Dantayl** · March 30th, 2010, 06:53 AM

More random ramblings.

**Dantayl** · March 31st, 2010, 07:35 AM

Couple of things.

**Dantayl** · April 1st, 2010, 11:43 AM

Just a quick update because I had work last night and got work tonight too. (10 hour nightshifts will be the death of me)

**JustinBeckett** · April 1st, 2010, 12:19 PM

EDIT...

**JustinBeckett** · April 1st, 2010, 12:19 PM

Hmmm, good studies, keep drawing, make sure to draw all the time at your beginning stage, I suggest drawing bigger too, it will loosen you up. Also when you draw small its easier to hide in your mistakes. Keep going!

**DefiledVisions** · April 1st, 2010, 02:57 PM

yeah pretty much what JustinBeckett said!

good start though.. arh 10 hours nightjobs you say? tough shit. If you're able to doodle while working, then do that as much as possible.
Even if you got like 5 minutes over, I suggest you just doodle some crap. When I used to have some minutes over I'd just sit and do nothing, you know, like waiting for a bus or the train. I got the tip to start doodling when I have those minutes, and sure enough, even if 5 minutes is nothing, do it 10 times a week and you have almost an hour of drawing!

**Dantayl** · April 2nd, 2010, 10:33 AM

JustinBeckett - Thanks. I will definitely work bigger. I am just scribbling in a small sketchbook at the moment and finding it rather restricting. Ta for the tip!

DefiledVisions - Yeah, they can be a killer some times. I try and cram in atleast a few minutes in on my breaks and before I leave but it never feels like enough. I suppose when you put it that way it does though. Cheers!

Another couple of scribbles before I jump back in bed again.

**Dantayl** · April 3rd, 2010, 11:25 AM

Just another quick update.

**Dantayl** · April 21st, 2010, 10:06 AM

It's been a while since I last posted but I've been busy with other things, not an excuse, I know. I am about to enter my final project at college which is cool though, it's an illustration project about English Myths and Legends. The final books will be judged and the winner gets a laptop. Safe to say I'm going in guns blazing!

I've been unhappy with college up to this point, I'm in my element now.

If I can I'll get round to posting some of the concepts and illustrations I'll be making during the next 6ish weeks. Any crits you have on them would be great because I could use any help I get.

Until then I'll throw down a few sketches I did recently while I wasn't tied up with other things.

**Dantayl** · April 28th, 2010, 10:08 AM

Here's a few random things I've been working on during the past few days.

**Dantayl** · April 30th, 2010, 12:30 PM

Quick update of some sketches I did today when waiting for the lesson to start.

I really need to do some drawings from photos and still life tbh.

**Dantayl** · May 5th, 2010, 01:11 PM

Two images today. The first is an update on the illustration I'm working on for my project at college. I really need to redraw that faerie or do something with her.

The second is a WIP that I'm sure many of you will be familiar with. A WoW Draenei. (All rights reserved for Blizzard Entertainment and all that) I know, it's all over the place at the moment. I'll crack on with trying to finish it when I've got time. I have that issue with not finishing things I've started. Bad habbit, I know.

**zombifried** · May 8th, 2010, 03:33 PM

Looks like you're a WOW fan...It appears as though you're on the right track, however, your work could use a bit of refining. This will come with practice.
I would suggest looking over some Bridgman and Loomis anatomy books.
You can find a couple Bridgman books here.
Pay close attention to proportion and head height. (I'm still working on getting stuff correct, myself) Draw as much from life as your able to (and yes work from photographs, old master drawings, paintings, sculpture, engravings,etc., and *gasp* comics! But only good ones! Look for stuff by Bernie Wrightson, John Byrne, Scott Mcdaniels, Jim Lee, and Todd McFarlane to name a few) Hope this was helpful...
Good luck!
~Zombifried
zombifried's sketchbook

**Dantayl** · May 10th, 2010, 12:44 PM

Thanks, zombifried. Very useful infomation you posted.

Will most certainly take it on.

Just another quick update today. Part of my college project. I dunno what I'm doing with the little cottage at the top of the steps right now so I painted it in a bloody colour as a reminder to fix it.

**Dantayl** · May 18th, 2010, 08:53 AM

Another quick post. Busy with college at the moment. In a few weeks I can really start updating this sketchbook.

**Laurice** · May 18th, 2010, 09:11 AM

yup, i second zombifried.

"keep drawing" doesn't really work for me, i usually get plagued with thinking about what to draw. when you aren't drawing, you can always think of what to draw! draw your friend, draw your mom, draw your professor..

Vilppu's drawing manual is a good thing to start with, too. he teaches you how to view the motion of the figure as a whole, then start narrowing it down to specifics.

keep up the good work!

**David.Mansaray** · May 18th, 2010, 10:53 AM

great work you have here. keep drawing. i've just started drawing myself. you ve got good energy. leep it up!

**Diarum** · May 18th, 2010, 11:29 AM

pretty much what everyone else said just draw every time you can (something I need to work on) lol and draw what you see. You have to build up a mental library which is really important for everything really. get some prespective book ( sorry if that has already been said.) and just keep your nose to the grinder!

**Dantayl** · May 20th, 2010, 04:45 AM

Thanks guy! Even the little comments give me the drive to carry on. You're posts help more than you may ever know. (Yes, that was rather 'cheesy') This sketchbook may be a little dry over these next few weeks but as soon as theseproject shackles are off I'll get a thousand volts up the ass.

For now I'll post what I can.