Dragon Design

[Mad_Lobster]

WHat's goin on ppl. I've been working on this drawing for the last couple of days, and I think it is finished. I am still not pleased with the way the body turned out, nor the right hand (on the left side of the image). So, upper artists, what do you think? Any comments on how I did and how I could improve my techniques?

Here it is:


Thanks.

[jester]

The dynamic pose is quite nice. But something is wrong with the thumb-position of the dragon's left hand. The top area of the head is really nice and 3d but the mouth and especially the teeth seem rather flat. The body in the shadows is too undefined - are you sure about your dragon anatomy? Or did you just jeave the black mass in the background because you had no idea of what it looks like.

I hope this is constructive enough and helps you for further dragons.

Jester

[Cowie]

You might want to add, that the drawing is a copy of this
painting by Jeff Easley... And if you wish to get away with
"borrowing" art, pick something less known... I bet there
aren't a lot of people on this board who are not familiar
with Jeff Easleys fantastic AD&D dragons...

The one below is a horrible reproduction... bla...



- Ko

[EVIL]

BUSTED!

[Manta_Ray]

Hi there
Im new to this forum but it looks fantastic...I hope to become a worthy member.

Just one thing, are there rules on copying? Giving the benefit of doubt to mad_lobster...should we make it clear that anyone who wants advice about their technique should state explicitly that they are copying someone elses work for practice or whatever...at least then they dont embarass themselves blah blah...

[Mad_Lobster]

I did not say I made it up. It is from a picture, but I have no clue who the original artist is. A friend of mine asked me to draw it, and I did. I take no claim to the originality of this drawing, I drew it simply by looking at it in the hopes of improving my own personal skills. I posted it here for feedback on how I did and how I could improve.

[Manta_Ray]

Hi there Lobster

You really are Mad! hehe Dont worry you probably misinterpreted my post. I was not criticising you for doing the work you did or copying from other work to practice or do stuff for other people...I do it myself, that is why I said to give you the benefit of the doubt...just that I was suggesting/asking that if it is not explicitly stated, if the work is from another artist the person copying/studying it should say so or that maybe there should be a forum rule to that effect. I did not mean to upset you and I publicly apologise if you feel slighted.

Really, though copying from the masters is one of the best ways to learn/practice so you have nothing to worry about.

Have fun...

[Dan.v.D.]

i think the major problem is that the reference is lacking definition regarding the basic shape of the head, so u considered the neck and back as the top of the skull.

well with this in mind u can´t simply adapt the head and shoulders and at the same time change the dragon´s pose from a more horizontal to a more upright one.

so unfortunately the advice is (like in 85% of all cases) to increase the consciousness for the whole subject in a 3 dimensional context.

and about the flatness in the mouth, make the inside dark! i know in the reference it suggests fire due to the color but i don´t know how u will make that recogniseable i your drawing. i really don´t agree with cowie about the reference beeing fantastic it´s kinda nice but many things ain´t rendered that well.

i think what will help u the most is to try to make sure u are aware of what u really draw and understand it. do some sketches before u start the real drawing, and analyse everything that looks off to yourself until everything makes sense.

[Mad_Lobster]

Manta_Ray, I was not reffering to your post. I am flamming Cowie !

dude, I did not say I made it up. It is from a picture, but I had no clue who the original artist is. A friend of mine asked me to draw it, and I did. I take no claim to the originality of this drawing, I drew it simply by looking at it in the hopes of improving my own personal skills. I posted it here for feedback on how I did and how I could improve. If I had created the dragon, I would sign and date it.

I will not, have not, and do not plagiarise :o

[Pasta Inhaler]

why am I the only one that believes mad lobster? you guys are a bunch of low life critics if you think he did that on purpose.

why not worry about what you are doing wrong instead of what he is? hmmm?:bash:

[Phil "Osirus"]

Ok ok people, it was just misunderstanding. Nobody is at fault here.

So mad_lobster, keep on posting your work, that way you still get comments and can improove your work As for the picture, it is always difficult to reproduce something that was painted by drawing, because you have no actual lines to follow. That's why I think the best thing you can do is make the same dragon, but try a different pose. Or else you will never be satisfied with it as both are drawn in two different mediums. If you work hard on reproducing the same pose, you will not progress as much as trying a new pose. I am pretty good at reproducing art, but I did that so often that I can't draw something new So give it a try, maybe from another perspective, or another pose.

Keep it up and welcome to the forums!

[Manta_Ray]

Nuff said.

[tatiana]

Hey Mad Lobster,

When I first looked at your final dragon drawing, I wondered why there seemed to be a really good understanding of depth in your use of light and shadow in the claws and body scales, but the eyes appeared kinda flat and 2D, and the mouth didn't match the positioning or relationship to the head and body.

But...since you were working from an existing drawing to learn and build on your own skills (an artist you or your friend admired), that helps me to understand what areas to suggest you practice to better your drawing skills and how to critique your rendering by comparing the two artworks.

One thing I might recommend: study how to draw eyes. Other than the highlight, there isn't much else in the eye to indicate light or depth. Maybe it's the JPG.

You might want to look for a book on reptiles, if you're interested in drawing dragons - Michael Whelan who has drawn many dragons for some beautiful book covers, uses alligators and crocodiles for his reference materials (according to one of his early art books, Wonderworks).

And go to the zoo and draw from living animals! It's great practice...just like live figure drawing is one of the best ways to gain a better understanding of the human form.

t

[Mad_Lobster]

Thanks a bunch, fellahs. Critique of taht kind was just what I was after. And I apoligize for my part of the misunderstanding. Sorry, and cheers :chug: