Xylene Fumes - updated - 04.25

[BludHund]

Just cold leftovers, tonight, sorry.



Hmmm...drawing bald pouty humanoids. This sketchbook has come full circle from page 1. This is what happens when I am not thinking about design.

[Mr.Pryminista]

Wow dude! Awesome new updates! Good to see you being bolder with your art work and pushing yourself in new directions. It's just what you needed!

Got no crits at this time. Just happy to see you doing new things.

Rock on and keep pushing!

[HunterKiller_]

The male portrait on the last page is ace.
The planes of the face on the female are kind of distorted.
The brow and forehead area are nicely done, but the cheeks, I think are over stated and the nose lacks the sloping transition into the cheeks which you've done nicely on the male.

Generally when modelling the female face, extra care should be taken to be subtle with the planes and their transitions.

[BludHund]

Mr.Pryminista -

aww, but I want crits.

Thanks man.

PS I friended you on Facebook, David Benson is me.

HunterKiller_

Thanks man!

You are definitely right. I think way over-emphasized the highlights especially on her
cheeks, but I didn't even notice about the nose. Thanks.

---

More marker madness, 45 minutes I guess. There are a number of structural flaws
especially around the chin, but I think the overall value choices worked out pretty well.
Prolly gonna step back from these more involved renderings tho.

PS laptop shopping soon (by the end of the year anyway), any advice? I really want another tablet or a slate.



Thanks for hitting me up guys, I really appreciate it!

[Mr.Pryminista]

Okay, I have returned with some crits

I am basing my feedback off of the last page and the 2 entries on this page.

From what I saw overall is that you need to work on your line weights, you even mentioned this in one of your posts. A simple method to approach line variation is to have at least 2 clearly discernible lines of thickness, the thicker lines being on the outer edges of the larger shapes and having the thinner ones on the inside of those larger shapes. It really doesn't matter how many lines of thickness you have, so long as you keep them controlled. The way to control them is to follow the "rule" of working from thick to thin, outside to inside or general to specific ('specific' being thinner and 'general' being thicker). Of course, this is easier said than done and will require consistent practice, but it wont take that long if you have guiding principles to assist you.

Another tendency I noticed in some of your drawings towards the end of last page is the elongating of necks and shortening of the skull. The jaws on those heads look like have been shoved up into the rest of the skull. It looks odd and I think what the problem you might be having there is a struggle of balancing the proportions on your figures. When constructing a figure of any kind (human, monster, animal, mech, etc...) always keeps proportions in the back of your mind. Think about how the variations in shape and form relate to one another. Next time you're drawing a portrait from imagination, ask yourself "how does my head relate to my neck? are they in proportion to one another?" If your intention is to deliberately distort proportions, then the same applies as well. In fact, the artists who proportionally distort the figure best are the ones who understand realistic proportions best.

Your figure drawings are looking solid. I'm glad you're challenging yourself with marker and that you're incorporating the shadow shapes into your sketches. This will further deepen your understanding of form. Although you could push yourself to work more cleanly when doing figure studies, it doesn't really matter at this point. Cleanliness in your work can be handled at a later time.

As far as your understanding of values goes, it seems like you're pretty much a natural at it and dont have much trouble rendering form and making clear distinctions between values. However, even if values are your strength you must always practice. If its your strength, you it to be as strong as possible. Have you made your own value scale? Those are super helpful. Let me know if you dont know how to make one and I can help you out. It's not hard to make.

All in all, things are looking solid. Just keep at it.

Also, I get the feeling that you can be too hard on yourself at times. I know how that goes. I still do it a lot even though I've told myself countless times to just relax, so remind yourself to just relax and that its pretty okay to make mistakes. Making mistakes means you care about what you're doing.

Anyways, hope I can help you out. Take care!

[BludHund]

Mr.Pryminista -

Thanks, man. You're awesome.

"understanding of values goes, it seems like you're pretty much a natural at it and dont
have much trouble rendering form and making clear distinctions between values"

I don't know how much of a 'natural' at it I am, definitely my understanding of values has
been formed by a lot of reading and study. Photoshop is good for iproving your judgement
use the eyedropper to measure brightness and check your guesses...Loomis' section in Creative
Illustration on value scales is invaluable, everyone should read it. I've also watched some of
Scott Robertson's videos on matte rendering and I've done some independent 'scientific'
observations and conlusion myself. One of these days I'll make a values tutorial...ehhh.

Anyways, as I said, much appreciated, I've taken notes on all the advice you guys are giving

---



Pose/figure invention...these need to be designed up with clothes and such, turned into character sketches.



This guy is pretty much ready to be rendered...how many knives does he have anyway??? Only one heh.

[BludHund]

from tonights life drawing. The model didn't show up so Jim here filled in. He is actually a pretty good model.

Pentel Pocket Brush.

[yucuo]

I only speak a little English, could you tell me what to do to structure? thank you

[BludHund]

yucuo -

Before I try to answer that, could you please start a thread and post some of your work, so that I know where to start?

---

Sorry guys, had to stay really late at work tonight, I only got a few scribbles done.

[Mr.Pryminista]

Man, you could've fooled me! Your studies in value are definitely paid off!

I like your latest updates, they seem more rhythmic than your previous work, especially those figure drawings. In your last post, on the face on the right hand, you've added larger darker areas which is a nice touch to contrast the thinner lines. Good stuff!

Keep em coming man!

[BludHund]

Mr.Pryminista -

Thanks.

---

Inked this guy. I hate his hand, this will have to be addressed. Just when you think you understand hands...you don't.

[AztcFireFlower]

Hands have proportions, like the body. Loomis!
Don't discount home refs for hand positions. You can check why a perspective looks the way it does from a real model or pic.

Your character portraits are pretty cool. I agree with the suggestion of nailing those proportions. Instead of doing hundreds for quantity, don't let one of your portraits go until it works all the way, not just sorta. Quantity is for
co-ordination. You have that.
The reason props are important to character design is seeing what differs from the norm to make someone look evil, feline, goofy, feminine and you'll also be able to create types and ethnicities. Don't skimp.

You are quite dedicated in your studies. It really is great to see you progress with hard work. I believe refining your studies and mastering those not easy basics will push your skills way further.

[BludHund]

AztcFireFlower 0

Thanks!

I think the core of the problem is getting psyched out and rushing instead of checking/fixing the problem.
I'm all like 'gotta push through and just do it' and I trample over stuff that I really already know, I would
just stop and go through all the steps. AS I always tell other people: 'gotta take your time'

---

Soo... finally got my PC setup installed in the basement studio. had to do some digital to break things in.
I am not up on this at ALL felt about as natural as chicken teeth, super frustrating. But I guess that means
I'm doing the right thing, stepping outside my comfort zone.



Also I think maybe I need glasses, my eyes feel like thy're gonna pop out of my head :/

[BludHund]

Whew, I dunno what the problem was last night, maybe my tablet settings weren't right or maybe I was just helluva tired. Anyways, not nearly so frustrating today.

He really needs to have his shadows cleaned up, and some speculars wouldn't hurt, especially for the leather?



Prismacolor markers on paper, messed witha bit in PS. I really think the Prismacolors are far smoother than the Copics. I may start using them instead. It will be hugely more expensive though, given no refills.



So heres where I am right now (that is to say, where I am sitting ):



Still needs some work, but a little at a time.

So...I am sorry I didn't get to anybody's sketchbook this weekend, sorry sorry, sorry. I will catch up this week, I promise.

[p sage]

Really nice structure on bearded man... especially in the head and actual beard area. The left arm feels a bit mushy... could use some structure around the elbow.

It really is great to see you cranked up and producing.

(I'm producing but nothing for this forum right now.)

Keep working.

[BludHund]

p sage -

Hey man! Well at least your producing something.
Wouldn't hurt to show us some scraps now and then, though, eh?

Thanks.

---

Just a doodle tonight.

[HunterKiller_]

Wow, sweet workspace.

The archer dude is good, however, you should've got some ref for the folded arms, they're tricky.

[Danny_K]

The hunter looks sweet man, I did a little correction on his legs, the folded arms actually look good you nailed it down. I made his legs more muscular just as his arms he looks more beefy.
Remember to always build a naked figure first and then cloth it to avoid construction problems later. you know the routine, spheres cubes> lines>cloth/shading/value>color.

Sweet working place you got there, tons of potential. keep up the hard word mate!

[BludHund]

HunterKiller_ -

Thanks.

Yeah, and I use them all the time. I should really sit down and work that out.

Danny_K -

Thanks for the mark-up!

---

I fixed up the legs a bit. One of the nice things about the digital medium

I didn't want his proportions to be exactly idealized but this looks much more natural.
Plus now the foreshortening on his foot is better.

[BludHund]

Hairball. Photoshop.

[Mr.Pryminista]

Nice updates, and nice workspace! I'm assuming it's a new setup? It looks secluded and thats a very good thing. I wish I had that kind of seclusion.

I like the archer guy. Overall, he looks structurally sound but the hand could use some more lovin (like you mentioned) and the legs still feel a bit short, particularly the lower legs. His feet also look a bit small and kinda squashed. The lighting and colors are rudimentary but they work. Are you going for a comic book look and feel? Right now, that's how he feels. If that's what you're going for, you're on the right track and the image is almost finished. To unify the colors more, I'd make his hat and backpack-thingie (whatever you call it) the same color as his "shoes". Also, the fabric below his belt could use some more development. It's very flat right now. A few lines here and there (and in the right spot) will do the trick.

Awesome stuff. Keep it coming!

[BludHund]

Mr.Pryminista -

Yes. It is in da basement. Before it was here:



Right in the middle of the house, in the space connecting the upstairs, the living room,
the kitchen, and really rather close to the TV. So yeah, a big improvement.

Thanks for the crits on the archer guy. "rudimentary but they work" is what I was aiming
for . Basically....most efficient conceptual communication, if that makes sense. I would
have used a different approach to emphasize aesthetics or expression, etc.

I think I will definitely add few folds to his jacket...other than that I think I'm ready to move on.

---

I think I am going to start slapping on large value very early on i the process, as you can see,
I actually SHORTENED his legs in the design/construction phase, totally wrong but I couldn't
*see* it until I added some form shadows and such.



So this started as a warmup of drapery from memory but became some experimentation of style
and 'communication':

[BludHund]

More hair.



Need to work on simpler treatment...also structure, overlapping and crisscrossing waves, especially.

Saw Prometheus last night. Incredible visuals, beautiful cinematography, pitch-perfect conceptual
design and art direction.

....HOWever the story was a misbegotten half-baked stumbling mess. It was really unsatisfying. Also now
I'm going to have some kind weird of genetialia/childbirth phobia, thanks a lot, Ridley Scott and HR Giger.

[Danny_K]

good hair study it reads well.

[BludHund]

Danny_K -

Thanks.

---

Got a full set of warm and cool prismacolor gray markers, now. Testing them out.
I conclusion they aren't as friendly for full-on rendering as Copics, the blending is
too messy (actually it mixes with my Uniball pens, eek) and...no brush tip. Still
I think I will get some mileage out of them. If nothing else I have a nice stockpile
of black markers...

[BludHund]

Life Drawing tonight. Not my best night ever.

[BludHund]

Today was hands. From ref.

There'll be more of this.



Whoops, forgot these:

[Pete Hidalgo]

Love that work space ha ha. I am looking to do up my room bit by bit. Hands are look good man.

[BludHund]

Pete Hidalgo -

Thanks.

---

Grind, grind, grind.

Some from ref some not.



Leyendecker study.



from ref.



From memory.

[Icecold]

Hmm...hmmm.....hmmm. More? ^^'