Art Improvement

[ArtMonkey24]

Not sure if I can really improve myself this way or not but anything is worth a try. Before I post anything I need advice on which art program to go through. Right now when I scan in it goes to acrobe then I move it to mspaint. Leaves me a nasty white block of empty space on the right side I can't get rid of. I've heard of blender but thats 3d art. Will something like that still work or is another program better then that.

[Luwano]

At 5/12/11 06:39 PM, ArtMonkey24 wrote: Not sure if I can really improve myself this way or not but anything is worth a try. Before I post anything I need advice on which art program to go through. Right now when I scan in it goes to acrobe then I move it to mspaint. Leaves me a nasty white block of empty space on the right side I can't get rid of. I've heard of blender but thats 3d art. Will something like that still work or is another program better then that.

Welcome to the forum then,

Re2deemer posted a list with some free art programs and even reviewd some.

The GIMP seems to be the most popular free program.

Next, I recommend uploading some of your already existing pics to this thread using the include picture form below the message box. That way you can get some tips and hints more easily.

I hope you enjoy your stay here.

[ArtMonkey24]

Thanks for the reply. Trying out gimp but this program looks harder then th work I'm doing in my xhtml class... Oh well here is that same wolf pic I showed before. This is a work in progress. Its already a 2pager in my skectch book so I need to scan in the updated version. Right now I'm having trouble drawing a piece of it so there are a lot of earser marks.

[Fifty-50]

Interesting. Well a I'd advise you to use a pen for darker more refined lines. The wolf drawing itself is quite decent. You're about a lot better than that other guy I must say.

[ArtMonkey24]

Thank you ...well for the complament towards me anyways. That is only the first stage. let me run up to my scanner and I scan in stage 2 which isn't done.

Stage one: Idea generation
Stage two: Details
Stage three: Vaule
Stage four: Complete

Put that cause I confuse people when I talk about the stage of one of my pictures. I could use some help. I can't quite get the muzzle to look right on one of them.

[ArtMonkey24]

Here it is

[Daverom]

i'd stick to paper and pencil, programs can be expensive if you actually buy them or go with the free programs, and are usually not too worth it unless you have a tablet to go with them.

[ArtMonkey24]

Funny thing is I have two tablets just can't use them well yet unless I use tracing paper on them.

[Fifty-50]

At 5/13/11 12:42 AM, ArtMonkey24 wrote: Funny thing is I have two tablets just can't use them well yet unless I use tracing paper on them.

So how do you find our community of "wannabe artists" so far? Tablets are quite hard to get used to at first according to some people I've talked to.

[ArtMonkey24]

I did apologize for that. Anyways, just waiting to see. So far most of what I was told about Newgrounds you have disproved but I generally give things a chance for awhile before I decied. As for the tablet I already pulled it out of storage after typing that. I'm trying to go into digital animation, so I better learn to use it. These sketches are going to be really bad. >.<

[Fifty-50]

At 5/13/11 01:21 AM, ArtMonkey24 wrote: I did apologize for that. Anyways, just waiting to see. So far most of what I was told about Newgrounds you have disproved but I generally give things a chance for awhile before I decied.

Actually I feel some remorse about that incident. I wasn't planning on even talking to him anymore until I saw his journal. Trust me, we are not really assholes or bullies. To tell you the truth we genuinely wanted to help Mr. Wesmeadow to improve at first when we came across his thread. When we gave him advice that he actually asked for and and started to act like an asshole. He even mocked Kinsei's teacher. :( If you read his thread carefully you can see who's the real asshole in my opinion. Anyways, I apologize for "ruining" his character.

As for the tablet I already pulled it out of storage after typing that. I'm trying to go into digital animation, so I better learn to use it. These sketches are going to be really bad. >.<

Anyone can be talented at anything by practicing and keeping an open mind. I'm sure your sketches will be okay, actually we don't really mind the quality of the art piece itself but the attitude of the artist who made. I'll wish luck.

I want to apologize again for the dispute that happened.

[ArtMonkey24]

He made me think you were hence my remark on DA. After I came on today and read everything thats when I signed up and said I'd take care of it. I'm sorry for his actions. I will handle it. I already talk to him once today and if he don't listen I'll tie him down and make him lol. I'm just worried for him thats all. Just let him stay on DA for awhile so he can practice.

[TheDragonBoy]

Your actually pretty good.

I dont think people here really care for what happens on DA. Idk. I'm new aswell :P

[ArtMonkey24]

I'll try to post something new tommorow. Bought a big cat reference book, might do something from there. Can't get my tablet working its probably just too old. Time to get a new one I guess but I'll wait on that.

[ArtMonkey24]

Sorry for the double post here but I got a crazy idea. I named this thread art improvement not just for my art but for everyone. In saying that I once mentioned I'm reading a book called Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. I do highly recommend it. Anyway this is the first assignment in it. I really want to see if people have the same thing happen I had happen to me. No one at my job will feed my curiousity.

instructions:

1) Copy the face pattern. If you left handed use the top one, if your right use the lower one. The sketch doesn't have to be exact.
2) Make the horizontal line and the top and bottom
3) Redraw the profile of the pattern. Just take your pencil and go over the lines, naming the parts as you go, like this: "Forehead...nose...upper lip...chin....neck." You might have to do it a second time (I did). Make sure you really think to yourself what those terms mean.
4) Then, go to the other side and start to draw the missing profile that will complete the vase.
5)When you get the somewhere around the forehead or nose you may begin to feel some confusion. Thats the point of this to make the two halves of you brain go what the heck.

lol this is a fun thing only took about five minutes. When I got the other side I couldn't speak right anymore. It mentions that one person doing this hand shot off the paper. Give it a try and if you all like this I'll put the next assignment from the book up. The picture itself is rather famous called vase/face. You either see two faces or a vase. Enjoy!

[test-object]

At 5/13/11 01:38 PM, ArtMonkey24 wrote: Sorry for the double post here but I got a crazy idea. I named this thread art improvement not just for my art but for everyone.

That's nice of you, albeit a bit unnecessary. That's a small practice that everyone is new to drawing WILL bump into sooner or later, be it a book or in school. Thanks for sharing anyway.

You have any more drawings though? Something of your own imagination, perhaps?

[ArtMonkey24]

Working on a few. that wolf picture is still on stage 2 and I'm also work on a cheetah. Everything wlse I have is werid things assigned by my class like glass and light. This is a thumb nail on DA I posted. there is still a lot I want to plan on it. I need to add more depth. Thinking about a demon shadow and flying demons with spears through hearts. The chain is going to me moved to attach to the handle. I can't complete it right now since I'm stuck working on my final for the term. That one is going to be a more complex sulrealist piece. It helps to do the thumbnails on the colored contruction paper so I can plan a bit on the color scheme.

[test-object]

Not bad, but if you are going to shade, make sure the outlines aren't too visible. When lighting/shading a drawing, try seeing them as blobs of light. You start with the whitest part and work your way out of those. Especially the mug suffers from this.

I would like you to push through your style more though. Some stylistic details help a ton. You could make the hand either more crooked, make the shading more drastic,... Exaggeration in an aspect of the drawing is always fun. You choose what you want to improve in and focus on that, as well as the basic drawing rules. It doesn't matter THAT much if the anatomy isn't 100% spot-on. That's why you practice. It's all very school-like right now, something that is gone the sooner the better. You will get better as time progresses and as long you keep drawing though. Don't worry.

[ArtMonkey24]

Thank you for the feed back. lol shading is one the biggest things I'm working on. I still have a lot of trouble with light and shades. All it takes is more practice. Everything I do you'll notice is a bit lacking in that an in vaule so those are my weakest points. Hopefully I'm improve. I'll trying doing what you suggested thanks again =)

[Ramatsu]

I like your style, I cant cant give many tips but if you keep working at something your bound to get better. If your an artist your a student for life because of ways to improve our art and styles are endless. Under the wolf the value should be darkened to bring out the effect that it is laying on the ground.

[ArtMonkey24]

At 5/13/11 03:51 PM, Ramatsu wrote: I like your style, I cant cant give many tips but if you keep working at something your bound to get better. If your an artist your a student for life because of ways to improve our art and styles are endless. Under the wolf the value should be darkened to bring out the effect that it is laying on the ground.

Thank you ^^. I will get better at those low points in shading I have. The wolf will be darkened as well as I will finish sketching the cubs. I generally switch between which picture I'm doing so I don't get too frustrated but that one will be hopefully closer to the final stage by monday. I will also do what you suggested and darken the vaule beneath the wolf. That should make it pop out a bit more.

My cheetah is coming along too. Its just an outline right now but I'm really hoping once I get done with the details it looks less puma-ish. >.> if not I just call it a puma lol. Either that or I invented a new hybrid. Sorry I rant. Anyways. Thanks for the great feed back.

[ArtMonkey24]

Just a little bit of an update. Still working on my sketches. Trying to decided if I should shade with normal pencil, color pencil, or atempt my first computer paint on it. Opinions?

[ArtMonkey24]

I think a anwsered my own question lol. I took an old image from about year and a half ago and tried to see what I could do with in on gimp. Yeah I'm not showing the results. Anyways I now see I perfect challenge before me. This is the original I will so but I will keep playing with it. Notice there is no shading. Back then I didn't even atempt it. I know it isn't up to fifty/50's lvl or most anyone elses, but sadly though its old my manga is still at this point. >< This is probably one of the best ones I did. Her name is Skylin just for an additional note. It was a character design for a fantasy comic I never got past the storyboards for.

[ArtMonkey24]

Still going through old art books. This one is another comic I'm working on. However I am a perfectionist with this character design so until I'm happy with it I will go no further with the project. Its nowhere near the image I have in my head. Meet Rimm. You might reconize him a little bit from the image I did from when I first started drawing (as horriable as that first one was). I redraw him probably never three months or so updating him to my newest skills. Its over due time to do it again. After I complete it it will be nice to compare the images.

[Fifty-50]

I'm not that skilled in my opinion. I don't know about everyone else, but I think the quality doesn't matter compared to the attitude of the artist who made it. It's perfectly fine. We're here to help and encourage you to improve. Some inking would just be lovely with your comics. It will look more professional, although it's up to you if you want to heed my advice. But I'd say the quality looks okay, it's not bad at all.

Hope you keep on drawing and improving.

[ArtMonkey24]

At 5/16/11 12:31 AM, Fifty-50 wrote: I'm not that skilled in my opinion. I don't know about everyone else, but I think the quality doesn't matter compared to the attitude of the artist who made it. It's perfectly fine. We're here to help and encourage you to improve. Some inking would just be lovely with your comics. It will look more professional, although it's up to you if you want to heed my advice. But I'd say the quality looks okay, it's not bad at all.

Hope you keep on drawing and improving.

lol I would love to ink it. ^^ I even bought some but always been afraid to try. Kinda of the same thing for the shade afraid of over doing it. Even bought tone sheets those I need work on. lol ruined the whole first sheet. Thanks to my lovely scanner I don't have to worry too much now. I can scan it in and store it just incase I mess up. I'll ink Skylin's pic and see what happens with it. ^^ By the way I love advice so don't be afraid of stating anything you see. I'm not the sensitive type. Also fifty-50? After I draw Rimm again now that I know more about shading I was wondering if you could if you want draw him too. I wanted to update him first since I have so new concepts but your really talented. Your version would probably be closer towards the image in my head then what I can do right now.

[ArtMonkey24]

The atempted didn't go so good. =( good thing its saved on my computer. Shows I need work. Messed up heavily on the rightside so tried to turn it into shading it needed anyways. Messy as it is still glad I tried at least. I'll keep practicing.

[Fifty-50]

At 5/16/11 04:05 AM, ArtMonkey24 wrote: Also fifty-50? After I draw Rimm again now that I know more about shading I was wondering if you could if you want draw him too.

Yeah sure, with one is Rimm?

[ArtMonkey24]

At 5/16/11 10:39 PM, Fifty-50 wrote:

At 5/16/11 04:05 AM, ArtMonkey24 wrote: Also fifty-50? After I draw Rimm again now that I know more about shading I was wondering if you could if you want draw him too.

Yeah sure, with one is Rimm?

lol It is the comic book cover art. I have to redo the image of him first. I have different idea to revamp. Make him less girly though most elf types are anyways. Oh here is atempt # 2

[Morthagg]

At 5/13/11 01:38 PM, ArtMonkey24 wrote: lol this is a fun thing only took about five minutes. When I got the other side I couldn't speak right anymore. It mentions that one person doing this hand shot off the paper. Give it a try and if you all like this I'll put the next assignment from the book up. The picture itself is rather famous called vase/face. You either see two faces or a vase. Enjoy!

I just did the thing, and aside from producing either two icky faces or one ugly vase, nothing really happened. I could still say the words, still draw, nothing.. Is that good or bad..?