-=Waffle_King's Sketch-Book=- UPDATED Oct. 27th! - Please help me Improve!

[Waffle_King]

EDIT/ 10/12/06:
Thank you so much for visiting! I am a relatively new artist and have found art to be my PASSION- but I want to improve to tell my story better through images. Scroll to the end to see my latest stuff-- and please leave C&C if you are willing. Either way, thank you!

-Andrew

/EDIT



Hello folks,

I've been coming here to CA for inspiration, education, and amusement for a while now- mostly just watching quietly... waiting, some would say. Not sure for what though, and in lieu of contuing to wait, I have decided to jump in and open a sketchbook thread, post things that are, literally, the newest additions to my sketchbook...
A little background on me, just to fill you in. I recently graduated from the school of fine art at the University of Southern California... but my true academic goal is *buh BUM* Art Center-- the Mount Olympus of Art here in So-Cal, from which the mighty gods reign on high.

I am just starting to learn digital work- I mean, JUST STARTING, so I will try and post some of those for crits here as well.

I have been drawing "seriously" for about 3 years now, and I have seen so much improvement thanks to many mentors, teachers, and you guys- the CA community at large. Thank you!My goal? Like most here, to learn, improve, and have a good time with y'all while doing it.


Like most artists, I have scads of things to say about every little sketch; what I see wrong with it, what I want to improve, etc... however, I will hold my tongue and leave that to you- my brothers in arms.


Without further ado, please let me post!

ps: I dunno about this "temporary attaching images problem" thing. I guess just click on the little blocks.

EDIT/
This is just in here for the forum title.

/EDIT

plen-air acrylic. Cloudy day. meh.

fun!




whoever can tell me what amazing CA artist inspired the costume on this next one gets a cookie!






Thanks fellas. I'm gonna clean up a couple of these and try and paint em for y'all.

C&C welcome, expected, and amiably demanded. Thanks fellas!

Cheers!

-Andrew

[Waffle_King]

What she looking down here for?

A quick Speed paint. 30 minutes in photoshop... now that i stand back and look at it I see severe Wonky-ness... ah well.

Thanks for looking and critiquin'.

-Andrew

[Mag-Neo]

-Nice start..... Keep more posting & GOOD LUCK...............

[Waffle_King]

Here are today's.

I know these aren't terribly exciting yet... pretty boring compared to some of the other stuff goin on out there, but for those that did click on the link, I thank you for your time and comments/critiques if you so choose to leave one.

Mostly quickies I snuck in at work- the pastel is from a drawing group I went to earlier tonight. Can you believe a photo from my digital camera looked better than a scan? Sheesh. I didn't quite finish, but it has it's charm.

I'll try and do some more digital stuff. Paint something, make things exciting. You know. Also, I'm not sure if I'm doing this thumbnail thing right- I would assume to just post these on my webspace and then link to them... but I think I read a post that said otherwise. Oh well. If I'm doing something terrible, somebody let me know.

Thanks guys.

-Andrew (time for bed. 4 am here. )

[max xiantu]

Those are some fun cartoons brother.
The colors you use, remind a bit of Harley Brown. That may be a coincidence.
You tell me (?)

I'd like to see some of those characters in an enviroment.
It looks to me like you'd have some good stories to tell with them.
nice hippie :.

[Marty666]

Nice works, I really like the colour and lighting on the first one in that last post. That one really stands out!

Here are today's.
Also, I'm not sure if I'm doing this thumbnail thing right- I would assume to just post these on my webspace and then link to them... but I think I read a post that said otherwise. Oh well. If I'm doing something terrible, somebody let me know.

I don't know about these thumbnails or even how to generate them, but I know you can upload images for free on CA. It's in advanced mode, under additional options. The button is called 'manage attachments'.

[taves]

thanks for the comments earlier.

I'm diggin the stuff. I like the quick color sketch at the beginning of one of your posts. Very expressionistic. I agree with Max - toss em in some environments and see what happens. Good stuff though. Keep it up!

[skullsquid]

Hey Andrew, glad you followed up on this.

Good improvement overall, watch out though, you tend to make some of your figures rather stiff, be less uptight when you are sketching.

Keep going dude.

[Waffle_King]

watch out though, you tend to make some of your figures rather stiff, be less uptight when you are sketching.

YES! This is one of my banes-- I don't know why! I think I take too long on the gestures or plan them out too much... Disco, your figures are sweet and fluid... This has always plagued me. My figure drawings- you've seen em Disco- alright, but stiff as a board.

Maybe your right. Maybe I just gotta relax and make sure I'm not so anal about my figures. Also, more action! More life! More poses!

Sounds hard.

But like many porn-stars, "Hard" is my middle name. I'll have some of em up soon.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to bring fluidity and life to these poor, stiff, scare-crow figures-- please let me know


-Andrew

PS: Thank you all SO MUCH for suggestions. I means a lot to get some feedback! It's helping!

[Waffle_King]

No, these aren't fluid, but they're some sketches of to-day.

This fella I did in Photoshop using a method described here in the forums- I think it worked "OK" seeing as I'm not so a-good with the wacom yet. Both of these are about 20 minutes in PS-- as you can tell, no ref.


A slight variation. I like to think of him as an "evil starbuck's barista" if you will.


I dunno. I want to break away from stiff figures, hollow lines... I want SUBSTANCE in there.



I feel like I'm close to something. Gotta keep drawing. More Tomorrow, hopefully.

-Andrew

PS: Thanks again for your comments, all- I know these aren't thrilling. I appreciate your help!

[Waffle_King]

Hey all.

Some quick PS sketches I did last night 'fore bed, but CA was acting up so they had to wait till today. Trying to keep loose- I'm trying things I wouldn't normally do, so hopefully one way or another that'll help.

experimenting with brushes, trying to understand PS painting a little more.


wanted to try something new. nice graphic quality, but flatness is my enemy.


It was late and I was tired. Base level inspiration. the lines are getting looser, though. Lol, I put a golf-club thingy in her hand to justify her as a pin-up.


I'm at the office-- trying to sneak in sketches.

One sketch at a time!

-Andrew

[Wafflehouseninja]

Hello Oh King of Waffles.

nice start with the photoshop stuff. Just add some sharp edges here and there.

[Waffle_King]

Hey all,

just posting some of the past day's sketches. Trying to think and draw at the same time now- not just scrawl something out for you guys to look at (wow, what a revelation on my part. lol). Just FYI, this is a small sketch-book- almost 6 by 9 I think.

C and C needed!

wonky legs, i know. this guy is from mah head, no ref.


starting to get into it. Studies from THE master, Sargent.


everyone loves a good naked chick, even if she is wonky and drawn from no ref. Oh well.


Trying to figure out dem heads! I'm learning, slowly, but surely! WATCH OUT YOU PROFESSIONALS!


This is a life-drawing from earlier tonight, probably around 45 minutes. Graphite and col-erase.


Comon guys! Tear 'em apart! Let me have it! Cmon, cmon! GRRRRR!!!

Thanks fellas. One sketch at a time.

-Andrew

[Waffle_King]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

max xiantu: I don't think I'm familiar with Harley Brown... the name strikes me though. *runs off to Google Search him*

taves, Marty666: Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I will definitely try to place some figures in environments- heaven knows I could use the practice.

evildisco: Yes! OMG! My figures have always suffered from "the stiffness," and no, I don't mean my male models were excited on the stand-- they just looked... I dunno, stiff. This is a big goal of mine- to reach some dynamic fluidity for my figures. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know (ie, artists to look at, ways to think about the figure, rhythm lines, etc.)

Wafflehouseninja: thank yew, waffle house- That's good advice. I'll apply it and post the results.

More coming soon. One sketch at a time!

-Andrew

[dan liimatta]

Some really good analog stuff here Waffle King

as for more fluid lines - I'm currently looking into Vilppu and his various movies on anatomy.

& on CA this thread is intresting indeed. http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=26748

[Waffle_King]

Hey all,

Sorry about the delay since last post!

I have decided that I will move my art forward by trying to follow three new emphasis'es...emphasii? You know what I mean.

ONE- I will, for all intents and purposes, CHAIN a SKETCHBOOK to my left arm... becuase I use my right arm to draw. I will also draw everything I fancy, either because I want to study it or I just want to draw it dangit! No more censoring myself! Hopefully it's not too much rudeness.

TWO- I will, with FOCUS and CLARITY(lol), study the masters! And not just them old fuddy-duddy's like the Ninja Turtles- but new, hip, and living masters as well. And some others.

THREE- I will, everyday, barring unforeseen circumstances, DO a DIGITAL SKETCH. I paid a ton of money for that damn pad and I am going to RUN IT INTO THE GROUND! IT WILL BEG FOR DEATH BEFORE I AM DONE WITH IT!

I have spoken! So let it be written- So let it be done.


OK, now that I have that out of my system, onward and upward, as the saying goes. Just a few today- a couple analog and a few DSG sketches I've done digitally. They all have their flaws, but- eh, that's how we learn. In order to appease the forum gods and my massive ego, I will both link to these off my web-space and make thumbnails... I like to be thorough.

after Waterhouse. If you don't know who this fool was, look him up- awesome. He was like a concept artist of the 19th century. Or something.


I have to admit I laughed while I was drawing this- mostly cause of the text though.


What do I do during those cost-report meetings? NOW YOU KNOW.


The following are three DSG's- they all have their issues. All in PS CS, between an hour and two.









More soon, specially cause I know you're all holding your breath and all. lol.

-Andrew

PS: here are the thumbs to appease the forum gods:

[Waffle_King]

Teh Daily speed paint.

30 minutes, PS CS.



Back to the drawing board!

-Andrew


EDIT: to appease the Forum gods... :

[madhatter106]

I like the speedpaint - I would do some more of those, especially if the one above took only 30 minutes...

[Waffle_King]

madhatter106: Thank you. I intend on doing more.

Jens: Thanks for the crit! I totally agree with you- right off the bat there are some anatomy wonkies apparent- I think I was rushing so much to get the darn thing as "finished" as I could in 30 minutes the proportions suffered... which, if something's going to suffer, is the wrong thing. Better keep it loose and quick but in good proportion. FYI, I was going for an above lightsource, but it seems that was wonked too. Oh well- Hopefully there'll be plenty more where he came from.

I was really trying to concentrate on his pose- to not make him as stiff as my regular drawing... and getting the darn thing down. Thanks for your crit, though. Great stuff- It's what I need!


Thanks for visiting fellas!

-Andrew

[Waffle_King]

Just a couple tonight.

Trying to loosen up and get comfortable with moving things, concealing body parts... I don't think this pose is even possible, but... well, here it is.


Daily speed-paint. Not the most imaginative, but there'll be more. 30 minutes, PS CS.


Thanks for visiting, guys! C&C appreciated....

-Andrew


For the forum gods:

[Waffle_King]

Hey all, some sketches from to-day.


I've never done little studies like this before. Very Useful- I'll be doing it again.






More soon!

-Andrew



PS: for the forum gods:

[Waffle_King]

NUMBAH THREE daily speed paint!

30 minutes, PS CS



Thanks for your comments, guys!

-Andrew




PS: for deh forum gods--

[Halifax]

VERY NICE, your sketches feel more complete than anything else, and the colours you use in them is splended, I do the same with my sketches. Great figures, but the paintings are coming out kind of flat, save the otherworldly human (thats just cool). I want to see paintings that better reflect your sketches, keep drawing please I want to see more!

Your head A' splode, Home Star runner is the best! ( i assume thats what your reffering to)

[Waffle_King]

Hey fellas, kept busy this weekend.

I'll just post my daily speedpaints for now- all of them done in 30 minutes
(minus bathroom time) in PS CS, no ref. Gotta get fast, gotta get better! These are numbers 4,5 and 6 respectively... sort of an exploration of a theme- I call them... "girls with swords." ...lol.

The fluidity is still sucky- I don't know what else to do except keep drawing. I started studying anatomy pretty intensively today- starting off at the muscular "center" of the body- the pelvis. Man- that thing is complex. It's good though, I'm learning all sorts of neat things. Hopefully a better understanding of teh anatomy will show itself in my drawings.

Either way, here they are.

#4


#5


#6


Thanks for your comments guys- I know this isn't very interesting... yet! I'll draw hard for y'all tomorrow!

-Andrew

PS: for teh pagan forum gods:

[Waffle_King]

A couple of speed-paints from the past couple of days.

I promise, I am still drawing analog-- it's what I do most, actually... but I'll scan it tomorrow. I know these aren't that exciting, but I'm just trying to get comfy with a PS technique and hopefully help my action poses. Also, I get to say I draw a "Girl with a sword" everyday. Now THAT will make you popular with your friends, big time. Seriously.

C&C appreciated!

Both done in PSCS, 30 minutes each.






Thanks fellas.

-Andrew

PS: for the forum gods...

[ArtZealot]

great stuff in here. good to see yer doin lifedrawing, that stuff in the answer to everything. in a few of the sketches the necks look a little long, but only in a few. keep it up.

[Onir]

hey Waffle_King, nice sketchbook ya got goin here. nice work on the little studies as well as all the anatomy work, it really does pay off in the end. I really like these digital paintings as well, especially that dsg about the monster shedding it's leaves (really nicely painted on that one). only thing I can really think to crit on is what ArtZealot mentioned about the necks, everything else is looking good to me. keep it up man! oh and I love the little speech bubbles you put with your drawings lol.

[Diego]

Hey man, thanks for stopping by my book.
I think you shouldn't be worried about being faster, just enjoy the process, think about it, meditate about the pose, if you're doing out of your head then when you feel you're stuck, check some references, don't be afraid to use it, only try to learn about what you're copying so you don't get dependent on the refs. Also doing more studies from life or photo will increase the amount of data that you'll dispose later on for your imaginative work.
Don't restrain yourself just to the figure, try some animals, objects, furniture, clothing, shoes, hands, feet, eyes. Everything counts.
And remember, not just copy or try to be faster, try to understand what you're drawing, the forms, the shadows, even if it takes you 3 days for a drawing, you'll learn a whole lot. The way you see will improve too, so be patient.
Hope i don't bored you with all this rant.
Good luck and keep on working.
Cheers

-d

[Beelow]

I say go back to basics do life drawing to improve. The more you do from life the better you will retain what you see for stuff that u don't use reference for. It's better to know than not know. Keep at it! XD

Question did you go to AIPX at all?

[Waffle_King]

Hey guys,

Sorry about the delay since last update- my home internet has been on the fritz.

ArtZealot: thanks for the kind words and encouragement- I will keep it up. One sketch at a time!

Onir: Thank you so much for the compliments! I will have to keep drawing to give you guys some neat stuff to look at. Thanks for stopping by!

Diego: Some very good advice. Often I find myself in such a rush to get better and wanting to become a poke-master that I forget to stop and learn. What you say is very true- better to take your time and perfect your form in one image thatn rush out a bunch of poor works. Thank you so much!

Beelow: Thank you for the encouragement! As for AIPX, I'm not sure I know what that is- so that might mean no. Why do you ask?

Thanks so much for your time and comments guys- I really appreciate them. On to the show!

Some varied sketches...Just having fun.








Head Studies! From ref-- gotta draw dem heads better- I figure studies are one good route to go. Firemen, mostly.





The cornerstone of the Atelier method- the cast drawing! PS CS- probably a couple hours. Not sure if I'm done yet.



Finally, some of my daily speedpaints. The first face guy was inspired by watching that Bobby Chiu video-- such a great resource, he is. The second fat dude is from ref- some sweet fat african priest. He had this awesome smile... the last critter is from ref, a piece by this artist named Steven Chen. Just wanted to represent and let you all know he's awesome- and that's why I'm studying off him. All of these were in PSCS, first two maybe 45-hour, the dog-creature was maybe an hour and a half.








I'm going to try and get some "finished" pieces done. A little goal of mine to target a historic weakness I seem to have. As such I've entered a couple T-Dome challenges-- I'll post the results here!

Ok! sorry about the long post. Again, any c&c will be mucho appreciated. Thanks so much, guys. I'll post again soon!

-Andrew

for the forum gods: