Starting at the beginning. My journey to becoming a better artist.

[Hiddles]

Hi, I'm new to ConceptArt.org but have been along time lurker. I'm currently studying in my first year of animation in the UK, and I want to improve my art so that I can get my dream job.

I have always loved drawing, but it wasn't until I got a DeviantART account that I became serious about art. I got into the Danny Phantom fandom and was stuck drawing in Butch Hartman style for about 3 years. Unfortunately I became to rely on this style too much, and I didn't learn the important principles of anatomy. I became too dependent on the style and it was showing in all my work. I then got stuck in the anime style phase for about a year.

I'm now trying to improve my general drawing skills. It feels as though I'm starting at the beginning but it's worth it. I have been stuck in a slump for a long time since the passing of my mum and have lacked direction, and motivation in my art. But I really want to change this and I have been trying my hardest to get into a routine so that I can be drawing all the time (I try to draw every day but sometimes I just get a quick sketch out or sometimes I don't draw at all D= ) I want to try and get at least 5 - 6 hours of drawing in a day and be doodling all the time I also want to improve my digital skills (they are a bit rusty).

I'm not very confident of my art, and avoid showing it to others >//< I know this is stupid seeing as I want to make art my career and you can't learn without feedback from others, so this is first step in that direction. I'm really serious about improving

I appreciate any feedback and suggestions given

Ok here we go. These are accumulated from the past few weeks over summer. Most of them are dated.

This first set is all from my sketchbook.
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Skeletons and Skulls, referenced from an anatomy book.

1.

2.

3.

Gesture Drawings, referenced from book.

Scanned with difficultly as I did them in an A3 sketchbook >//<

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

and I did these for fun, fanart of avengers and Hollow Crown. I don't know if these are the kind of art people post on their sketchbooks blogs, and if not I will not post any more, this is what has inspired me lately



and lastly a digital sketch.



Going to try and post everyday or because scanning is a hassle maybe a selection of art from the week once a week. I'll see how it goes.

THANKS FOR LOOKING!

[Turpentine]

Some of these are really great, the skull in particular is fantastic. Others I think need work in terms of proportion, a lot of your figures seem kind of squished down and have short legs, big heads. The fanart is lovely, I like your style a lot! Especially the noses =)

[Kanda]

Fan art is fine, as long as you keep a whole variety of art in your SB too.

Like Turpentine, I think that the skull is great. And I really like the way you draw faces.

However, your anatomy is a bit skewed. I noticed that you tend to draw hands and feet a bit too small and your foreshortening could use some work.

My only recommendation is to keep practicing and develop a critical eye with your work so you can spot your flaws as you work rather than finding them all at the end when it's too late to fix them.

Keep up the sketching

[MilkBeard]

Your figure practice is great. I can see an illustrative curve to each of them. I really like your fan-art too. I want to see more! its great!

[Raiderukkus]

Not so bad, keep it going ang going, keep practicing and we want more.

[Torres]

Hi there! It's very good to see your aiming at the right subjects such as anatomy.
One tip though, really try an pay closer attention to proportions.
Also, focus on drawing every line exactly as you see it.
Keep drawing and post often!

[birdscanfly]

Like Torres said, pay more attention to proportions, you have a tendency of drawing people (way) too thin and their heads are way too big in proportion to the rest of the body. I suggest you take a look at Loomis' book "Figure drawing for all it's worth" in which he thoroughly assesses these things.

Sketching is only half the work, you have to look at your drawing, compare it to the reference and then understand why it doesn't look like the reference so you know what you have to change.

Best of luck and don't be discouraged.

[Hiddles]

Thank you everyone who commented I really appreciate the advice, and I definitely take everything on board and start concentrating on working on my proportions Sorry for the lack of updates not the best start >//< I've been ill this past week, still no excuse. It's a learning curve getting into a solid routine @___@

These are some studies I've been working on the past few days for the newbie study group. They are studies of Bridgman's work I used this website: http://www.artgraphica.net/free-art-...wing-book.html
I've bought the book online though (hasn't arrived yet though) So will be doing more studies in the future.

I haven't been greatly successful but I can only keep moving forward. I hope this is a step in the right direction ^^

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Arms









This is a study of Valerie Winslow. I tried a charcoal medium and it didn't go too well >//<


Legs




http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...abe/Scan10.jpg

[Epona]

I think it's great that you are working outside your comfort zone. There is already an improvement in your observation skills from the first posts. The Bridgeman studies are really well done.
My only comment in regards to them - and I'm hardly an expert - is that I would see it as more beneficial to study an actual figure, rather than Bridgeman's blocky "style". I know he seems to be highly praised here though, so it's probably a good route you have taken

[Zenith_]

The Bridgeman studies are looking good! The best thing about bridgeman studies is that they help you understand the form of the body. Once you get that down, figure drawing and gestures become much easier.

[She-Thing]

Looking great! Do gazillions of these.... I'm liking specially that you're focusing towards directions + particular shapes, unlike the previous drawings. Keep on the groove!

[Hiddles]

Thanks @Epona @She-Thing @The-Idle-Elk

Here are some more studies. Both have there flaws >//< I will redo both of them soon. I'm trying to encourage myself to post something everyday so at least then I will push myself to draw everyday ;D The second image is a study of Loomis.

[Psychobuddy]

Great work so far. Keep doing those studies, you'll start improving faster than you'll believe. Good Luck!

[Chompi'n]

It's hard to move past from copying a style - but it seems you've got motivation!
so way the go
good studies&proportions

[phoenicorn]

Really good studies. Keep them up. You seem like you are improving.

[Epona]

Love the new studies, good job for keeping the drawing up like this!

[Hiddles]

and we're back. I haven't been drawing as much as I should have since the forum went under construction =____= and uni starts soon aswell, but I will try and get into a solid routine. Unfortunately my scanner is in storage for when I move to my new uni flat, so until then I will be posting some of my digital sketches. Which aren't the best as I need to improve greatly in my paint skills



This was for apart of a sketch group I joined, the first assignment was to draw from reference.
Here is my reference: http://s1264.photobucket.com/albums/...t=62007afa.jpg

Anyway it's suppost to be actress Cobie Smulders, she's great as Robin in How I met you mother, and Maria Hill in Avengers

I tried =____= Need more practise. I still don't quite understand brushes and blending

EDIT:

Here is part 2 from the assignment an image from imagination, not very adventurous I chose to do face of a woman, kinda of using what I learnt from the referenced task =___=



EDIT 2: I haven't given up, just a bit behind, I'll be posting more frequently soon, promise ;D

[kevin_]

just keep pushing out these studies and practices, only way to go :b keep it up!

[Hiddles]

I feel bad for lack of updates >//<



Reference: http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6d4f1b45.jpg

Its Captain America (Chris Evans) from Avengers. I was going to work on it some more, but I've been working on it a couples days on and off what wanted to start something new. It was good practise. Not perfect but still better than what I could have done when I started this sketchbook

[Hiddles]

I'm back. Will try and keep this sketchbook more consistent this time.

Images referenced from Loomis





I lost my way abit but I'm ready ;D

[Hiddles]

22 minute speed paint my first attempt. Kinda failed. ^^;