A complete ameteur's thread...

[Anne Black]

Hello I'm 22 and I have almost no experience in drawing (even if there is some I don't think it's worth much). I hope you'll help me to improve my skills. I don't think I have any talent, but I do love it. I won't have much spare time. In a month I'm taking a kind of double major + part time job, but I'll do my best to regularly provide you with something to criticize.
Yes, I am "another manga/anime fan" BUT I want to develop in general. I am also aware of the fact that without knowledge of basics in anatomy, proportions etc. I won't go far. At this stage I consider following the examples of manga works a point of departure for something greater. Thanks for your help in advance

The first picture is based on Mark Crilley's works from his book "How to draw (...), the second one is just an effect of scribbling on the basis of a flower-pattern I've seen.

[Anne Black]

Another work, I've just finished it. It's just a sketch really, but still. Something non-manga
Based on one of the works from www.easy-drawings-and-sketches.com
Thanks for constructive criticism in advance

[Hiddles]

Great start, you definitely have drawing talent and should pursue it I especially love the sketch of the eagle it is quite beautiful.
One thing I would say though is don't depend on 'how to draw' books too much, I'm no pro but I have had a few in my time and from experience they tend to be aimed at a younger audience and the stages of drawing aren't the most practical and you should be careful of learning bad habits with 'anime proportions'. I have problems with proportions because of this D= Trying to work that out >//<

Overall though, nice start, look forward to more from you

[Clur]

I agree with Hiddles, you're off to a good start! I wouldn't worry about talent or lack of it - in my opinion it's all about the work you put in.

I also agree about "How to Draw" books, that kind of learning-by-numbers won't help you much. But if you like doing exercises maybe check out Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards. It has a lot of beginner level lessons that are aimed at adults and will be much more valuable to you in the long run because they teach how to really see what you're drawing, which is one of the most important skills in art.

Anyway, I like your chibi drawing in the first post! The lines are very clean and they've got good weight to them.

[Psychobuddy]

Hi there, uhm you said you want to learn anatomy and such, so I think it's best if you take a look at books by Andrew Loomis, and George Bridgman, they are pretty much the standards around here, and they are tried and true, the two I would recommend are Figure Drawing for all it's Worth, and Constructive Anatomy; respectively. Both of these can be found as pdfs pretty easily. Anyway happy drawing.

[Anne Black]

Hello again Here I used watercolour pencils. This one took me about 2 hours and now when I look at it I feel embarassed that creating something thit pathetic took me that much time But I've decided to upload here my every more time-consuming work, so here it is. Inspired by one of the animated movies by Hayao Miyazaki. It's a kind of an adult version of what children draw in the kindergarten, I guess... A house, a sun, flowers, and so on. Oh my God, what have I done... Please, criticize me severly so I could learn more... Obviously, I have a huuuge problem with expressing dimensions.. What else? I think the only part worth looking at are roof tiles (at least they don't look all the same :/)/ And since it's already 4.10 a.m. here - goodnight Regards