Ra↑s↑ng my sk↑lls

[Samszym]

I'm finally listening to the advice! check it out, an almost finished piece
I was focusing on composition and perspective. The coloring's killing the image though; I have no clue what I'm doing. Oh well, gotta finish it then it's on to the next one! Also I'm playing mother 3 for some reason.

[Engor]

I like that. Though it seems that she's not looking directly at the toad right now. you could move her pupils more to the right. Well, unless that was the initial idea (then it's ok)

[krysjez]

what Engor said. the first time I tried to do a finished colored thing some people in the crit center told me not to add black for my shadows. Colors on the princess looking a bit dead now, the grey background probably doesn't help that

[Samszym]

yesterday I found out I got rejected from Calarts and Sheridan D:
just gotta work harder and apply next year...

Here's a quick update on the painting. Thanks for the crit about the eyes. Krysjez I'm gonna have to disagree with you, I didn't add black to the shadows (as far as I can tell) and a gray background does "help that". It makes the character come forward since she is more colorful. The problem with the skin is it appears pale because it's next to the dress and hair, which are too saturated.

If I'm wrong please tell me why, I have so much more to learn about color. And uh, everything.

[rinnikirun]

Sorry for the Rejection man Hope you get in next year!

[Samszym]

Thanks Ven

Sorry for the recent lack of updates I...I...AAAAHH WHAT IS THIS A FINISHED PIECE? SCANS???? WHAT IS HAPPENIGN TO MY SKETCHBOK.?












Still gotta work on my cartoons more. And draw more in general. I'm giving Doctor Who and Mother 3 way too much of my time.

[Rhubix]

I'm liking all the Preston Blair stuff. It's a good book- they beat us with it in animation school
Your getting some great volumes in those studies.

I think this will be the last week i time myself, I'm starting to lose count and besides that I don't want to start thinking a high number means i did a good job if I didn't practice effectively. And I don't think I did.
Also this bloodsport entry must be finished. I can't even bother myself over whether I think it's good or not, if I don't finish this it I will somehow become an even bigger loser than I am already.

A simple approach might help- keep a calendar at your desk and when you feel you've had a productive day check off the day- try to keep the checks higher then the blanks. - It's still a visual reminder without the math... also just making a chart of your activities seems a bit like a form of procrastination...
In the end, what ever keeps you going is good.
Happy sketching! good luck with the schools

[KONM]

I smell improvement.

[Samszym]

Thanks guys! I oughta draw from Blair more. Maybe I will get a calender, that sounds like a good idea. So far April has been all X's I'm afraid. I need to to cut out the Dr. Who time a lot...

Well here's my start on the next image. I don't have access to the scanner and I don't want to bother with the camera anymore, sorry.
SOON :| not like I've drawn anything worthwhile anyway...

[Samszym]

Nope still not working hard

[Samszym]

We're on vacation at a beach in the South...I don't like beaches like this, way too crowded and it's all sand and shells. You see the occasional jellyfish or crab and that's neat...I just wish there were a few tidepools and not so many people. I kinda wish I was home, it would be easier to do my homework and it's hard to sleep at hotels.

blah. Here's a chair in the hotel room and the finished faithful John thing. I need to work on my painting, those brushstrokes are horrible. I'm turning these illustrations out way too slow. I started watching game of thrones...

sheesh, I need to get used to the idea that there are awesome things i don't have time to see! I need to start working hard

[rinnikirun]

I'm loving those gestures sam! it would be sweet if ya checked out my gesture studies, i'm still confused on them anyway hope to chat with you and forrest again( even though I don't say much at all)

[MrFrenik]

I understand how you feel about not wasting time. I've been going to bed later and getting up earlier to fit in as much I can during each day, but even then, it's tough. Keep up the good work man.

[Samszym]

here I am. Back again. To take on the day.


I should go to sleep

and also do more Preston Blair studies man these cartoons are sloppy.

[KingElvis]

Your Cartoon drawings are getting more and more consistent! Nothing more to say^^

[MrFrenik]

Cool idea with the little red riding hood. Would love to see it developed more.

[Samszym]

Uh thanks. It's done now. Oh, and sorry it was so huge.
The bear study was kinda rushed :/ values are too bright and all.

[Samszym]

I still have 3 weeks of high school left and I still can't draw nearly as well as I want to

but

Summer is coming and I'm getting better



oops one of the scans is upside down...use your imaginations!

[Velocity Kendall]

nice work sir! love the armadillo stuff.
these are cool too


this is so true: :"I don't like beaches like this, way too crowded and it's all sand and shells. You see the occasional jellyfish or crab and that's neat...I just wish there were a few tidepools and not so many people"
i feel your pain beaches without tidepools to spend hours looking in or even stones to throw, and too many dicks wondering around are painfuk

[dylanj70]

Love the homestucks man! Especially teh picture of (John?), It's awesome!

[Samszym]

Thanks guys
I've been slacking off and thinking to myself "once school ends I'll finally start working harder". I know how bs that is, I gotta stop being lazy right now.
sick of myself

[Samszym]

too muchg painting I need to draw more and also waste less time and learn animation

2 intense weeks of school to go.

[Samszym]

[Samszym]

I've been drawing a lot, just haven't been scanning. here's some gestures and stuff.








I'm trying to review the basics right now. I'm planning on doing loads of composition studies from movies and going through the animator's survival kit and other books this summer, as well as stepping into freelance illustration and making some money. These next 3 weeks will probably be the freest of my life for a long time, I need to use them as much as possible.
I've also started to work out every other day. I'm not really eating better yet though, more to work on :/

driver's license test is also on my list..

Oh, and I applied to my local community college, going for a associate of Arts & Sciences degree. That will help me be well-rounded. older people say that's important to be and I guess I believe it is, but I don't know why yet.

[Samszym]

I suck. At least I have time to practice now, but I wind up wasting too much of it still. I need to start getting some money from art or I'll have to get a part-time...
I don't need money, but I have to start making money, you know?

sheesh...I wanna go through loomis and robertson and blair a few hundred more times, I don't feel liek I have time for not art. Which is total bs based on how much tiem I waste watching shows. arrrgh. hate.

These are all freehand lines

[Pinecallada]

Your stuff is very good. I can see a lot of dedication to your work. Keep continuing what you're doing and you'll become a pro in no time!!!

And also, I really love
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/att...5&d=1335679809

[Aresa]

Hey! I see much improvement since the last time I've been here! Great work with the Preston Blair studies as well as your anatomy studies. The latest batch of gestures look solid. I did the same freehand line exercise not too long ago. Your lines are a little shaky. Are you drawing from your shoulder, whole arm? That usually helps with making straight lines.

Your paintings are also getting better. The still life with the MLP toy looks fantastic! Great sense of depth. In some of your paintings, the brushstrokes look small. This makes the paintings look busy and hard to depict what's going on. Try using a bigger brush on your pieces.

Anyways, hope all is well! Keep up the great work and continue your studies! I'll be checking from time to time.

[Samszym]

working on it, thanks guys Here's some more lines and some comp studies from kingdom of heaven, I'm gonna be studying a looot of movies.
sorry for the awful photos

[Umbravita]

Don't be so hard on yourself, you've been working hard. Keep it up, but remember when to treat yourself well.

[Samszym]