Can an engineer make art, or is it too late?

[Quixotic]

You guys are great, and I REALLY like art, so lets see if I can't get better at making it, huh? I have always doodled in class, and haven't had nearly enough time away from engineering to practice, and I don't know maybe it's too late to pick this hobby up and still get good at it, but I want to dig in and see if I can convert head knowledge into actual skill!

First post tonight!

[Quixotic]

If you guys have suggestions as to exercises let me know!

here's a question- which should I work through first:
Seedling's great thread on concept art,
Hogarth's great book, Dynamic Anatomy,
or some other great exercise?

BTW, I can answer basically any math or science question you have or find someone who can answer it for you

anyway, without further ado, here goes nothing!!!

[Quixotic]

Well, here's some more....

[Quixotic]

Well, scanner is down, so I won't be putting up the pencil drawings I did today... well are the sketches.

Again, any suggestions as to direction?
anything would be appreciated.

[AlexTooth]

Nice start, it's never too late, if you love art more than engineering then become a full time artist, work hard every day, every spare minute and you will become everything you ever wished

As for suggestions, first pick up Andrew Loomis figure drawings for all it's worth - work through that, important READ everything thoroughly too.

I'd also consider joining Crimson Daggers study group

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=173830

We work everyday and practice painting from life, master artist studies and photo studies, also anatomy, everyday practice and improve Post your work on the thread!

[BlackDelphin]

You should have a look through this list here: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=131117 and start some anatomy studies
Bridgman is something we all eventually do, so even if loomis or hogart his not your style, bridgman will definitely help.
Lots of posemaniacs wouldn't hurt either, but find a way to combine these with other studies in a fun way You gotta have fun, or at least like what you're doing, because if you force yourself it will certainly look different, and you'll perhaps lose interest in a few days, if not sooner

Not bad hands you have there, especially that front view one is nice, but you gotta know your joints to get even better!

So like alex said, you have a good start, so now get even better

Good luck!!

[Quixotic]

.........That took me a long time to post

Well, It is almost summer and you know what that means? No GIANT engineering assignments for 3 months! Anyway, a major goal of mine is to get some consistent stuff out over the summer with all this free time.

You guys are great, and thanks for the input!

Alex: thank you for the suggestion, I'll totally drop by over the summer!

Black: AWESOME LINK look forward to some Bridgeman studies in about 2-3 weeks (after finals of course)

So, without further ado here are a couple of actually finished things for you guys (and gals) to check out.

Thanks again for stopping by!!

[Quixotic]

Oh, BTW the second one is a self-portrait, so there's a bit of personal info for ya

[zombifried]

Welcome to CA!
It looks like, to me, you're off to a good solid start. In the last post the head of the figure (not the self-portrait) seems a bit too large for the body. Other than that, it's just down to practice. the raw ability is certainly present.
Good luck!
~Zombifried
zombifried's sketchbook

[ExiledRed]

If its too late for you, I'm royally screwed.

I think you're doing great. Just be careful switching from the left side of the brain to the right and then back again. I do this with switching from design to code to design, and it can kill my creativity, dead. I do know one physicist who can create excellent art and design though, but he's weird as hell.

As an engineer, how are you with technical drawings?