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A Budding Artist

Fluffy

Fluffy

A fool
Has anyone ever had to fill in a form which asked you for your hobbies? Whenever I get to that question, I always run into immense difficulty because, whilst I manage to fill my time with what I find interesting, I rarely partake in something that a) could be considered a hobby and b) is something I can share with other people. My passion is religion and that does not go down well in many circles, especially with people my age.

This has been bugging me for some time since I have oftened wondered whether this is part of the cause of my laziness. Regardless, I wanted to do something about it so that, if nothing else, I would have something to say the next time I was asked that damn question :D!

Something I have always had an interest in but never quite found the time to engage, was manga and anime. Apart from the fact that you just need pencils and a rubber (plus photoshop for colour but I think thats a bit to advanced for me right now) to draw some, the end result is very bold and satisfying so I've decided I would really like to have a go.

One problem though. I have never drawn anything (beyond a few scant "art" lessons in primary school) in my life. I figure the best way to start is to just dive in at the deep end and keep at it until something which looks vaguely like japanese art is staring back at me. However, I don't suppose there are any other pencil and pen artists, who are into manga or otherwise, on these forums who would have any advice for a budding artist like myself :D?
 
johnnys4life

johnnys4life

Pro-life Mommy
That depends. If you are drawing from life, or even a picture (which I highly reccomend) follow the lines with your eyes as you draw. Practise!

My art teacher always told us that serious artists draw lines (particularly thier hands, very difficult for me) every day for at least 15 minutes. I'm not THAT serious anymore, but yes it does help. When you do it, look at the thing you are drawing, only look at your pencil when you are moving on to the next line. It's easier than it sounds!

Don't think of the overall image, think of the little area, the line or curve you are working on at the time. You see it's all lines and curves and angles...not symbols!!! A 4 leafed daisy is not a drawing, it's a symbol. When you are drawing a nose, don't think "nose" think "curve of the edge of the nose, curve of underside"...etcetra.

The difference between great artists and not-so-great is the way you draw your lines!

And keep an eye on negative space! Learn to make it FLOW. Too much and your picture looks boring, a little in the wrong places can confuse the eye. You want the focal point to be accentuated.
 
Scuba Pete

Scuba Pete

Le plongeur avec attitude...
I usually just limit the hobbies that I list to my actual obsessions. I just have too much fun for anyone's good! :D
 
Unedited

Unedited

Active Member
I have the same problem with hobbies. I had all these university applications I had to fill out a while ago. You just have to get creative. Your time on RF can be 'reading' and 'debating.' :)

As for manga, the biggest thing is to keep it fun! Drawing can be hard sometimes, especially when you just can't get that eye just right... but as long as you're enjoying it, you'll be motivated to finish it.

I am, and always will be a horrible drawer, but I like to draw a little manga from time to time. I started by finding something I liked, then trying to draw it by looking at it. I don't know if it's the best way to go about it, but if you do try, redraw with your own style (don't stress about getting it exactly the way it looked originally).

Oh, and you should totally post drawings if you can. I'll even post some of my horrible work if you're embarrassed. :D
 
michel

michel

Administrator Emeritus
Staff member
Same here - most of my true hobbies are seen as anti-social (Computing, Religion) - but the anti-social label is only there because there is noone else in the fasmily who share my interests.


Talking of art - (Slightly off topic) I am useless at drawing; I have been told that anyone can be taught - but I think I must be the exception - and the same was true for my Father; he could not draw. But his step-Mum was a great artist.

I remember being told that when Dad handed in a bit of homework once, and had irt marked, it came back as "Mr Hiernaux 0/10 - your mother 10/10..............:D
 
Fluffy

Fluffy

A fool
Thanks for the advice guys n gals. And thanks for the suggestion, Unedited, I think my drawings are just a little bit too embarrassingly bad to post at the moment but maybe when I've drawn a few more I might put some up here for comments :).
 
michel

michel

Administrator Emeritus
Staff member
Fluffy said:
Thanks for the advice guys n gals. And thanks for the suggestion, Unedited, I think my drawings are just a little bit too embarrassingly bad to post at the moment but maybe when I've drawn a few more I might put some up here for comments :).
Click to expand...
Aw heck - Fluffy go ahead and post some - there is stuff in museums which I think looks like the work of a deranged monkey - you can't be that bad.:D
 
Fluffy

Fluffy

A fool
Aw heck - Fluffy go ahead and post some - there is stuff in museums which I think looks like the work of a deranged monkey - you can't be that bad.
biggrin.gif
Click to expand...
lol that made me laugh :). Okay then, I've drawn my first 2 pictures and as soon as I figure out how to use the scanner (don't hold your breath) I'll put them up here. Might have a couple more done by then.
 
cardero

cardero

Citizen Mod
Fluffy first I must welcome you to the oldest, inexpensive, time consuming, self-satisfying, most magical hobby in the history of humankind.

I too enjoy dabbling in manga and anime.

Here are a few things that you will need to remember.

1. Relax. Loosen up. There will be a time when you have to keep a rigid pencil but in the beginning when you are finding a perspective on your drawing you will have to keep a loose pencil until you get it under control.

2. Draw everywhere. Keep a few sheets of computer paper and a pencil with an eraser when you know that you will have time to kill. Practice, practice.

3.Go through the motions. Most every successful comic, Anime, Disney animator has to follow through with the steps of drawing a stick figure (to get the flow of action or the balance of stance) fleshed in with shapes (circle for the head, cylinders for the arms and legs, triangles for the chest, hips, hands, feet.) before tightening the finished drawing. In the beginning these steps may seem time-consuming but eventually happen quickly with personal shortcuts over time.

If you have the means there is a publication entitled “How to Draw Manga” from TwoMorrows publishing that has helped me in my studies.
 
michel

michel

Administrator Emeritus
Staff member
carrdero said:
Fluffy first I must welcome you to the oldest, inexpensive, time consuming, self-satisfying, most magical hobby in the history of humankind.

I too enjoy dabbling in manga and anime.

Here are a few things that you will need to remember.

1. Relax. Loosen up. There will be a time when you have to keep a rigid pencil but in the beginning when you are finding a perspective on your drawing you will have to keep a loose pencil until you get it under control.

2. Draw everywhere. Keep a few sheets of computer paper and a pencil with an eraser when you know that you will have time to kill. Practice, practice.

3.Go through the motions. Most every successful comic, Anime, Disney animator has to follow through with the steps of drawing a stick figure (to get the flow of action or the balance of stance) fleshed in with shapes (circle for the head, cylinders for the arms and legs, triangles for the chest, hips, hands, feet.) before tightening the finished drawing. In the beginning these steps may seem time-consuming but eventually happen quickly with personal shortcuts over time.

If you have the means there is a publication entitled “How to Draw Manga” from TwoMorrows publishing that has helped me in my studies.
Click to expand...
I think I ciuld practice until the cows come home without getting any better.......:(
 
cardero

cardero

Citizen Mod
Step 1.

In the stick figure drawing, establishing the center line is important. It is seen here as the line connecting the head and focuses on the the curve of the character's spine. this helps give your figure balance no matter what position you are drawing. Oval for the head, circles for the shoulders and hands and the dividing line that separates the hips. You are just mapping out the anatomy. Keep this stage loose and do not be afraid to use your eraser until you aquire the desired perspective. In your spare time use the stick figure method to sketch alot of action and non-action poses (from pictures and your imagination.

Feh1.jpg
 
cardero

cardero

Citizen Mod
Step 2

Start giving your figure mass using ordinary shapes.Triangles for the body and hips/pelvis area (a sack of flour is also a popular choice for the body amongst artists), cylinders for the arms. Start dividing the face. Eyes and ears start halfway down the face, pay particular attention to where you want the nose and mouth to go. Again keep the pencil free and loose (and preferrably light), you are still sketching, shaping the character to what the final drawing will be.

Feh2.jpg
 
cardero

cardero

Citizen Mod
Step 3.

Go in for the detail! This is where it all comes together. If you have carefully done the first two steps everything should come together. Heavy lines will give some areas weight and you can use shading to enhance areas where you want the eye to linger. If you are using another picture for reference do not be upset if your picture does not look exactly like it. This is your picture you can draw it anyway you like. After a few examples of using other pictures start using this knowledge to come up with your own characters. Some exercises to try.
1. Use a picture as a reference from beginning to the end of your drawing.
2. Look at a picture that you would like to draw for 15 minutes (don't draw anything yet) then remove the picture and start drawing (using the above techniques) then compare the picture after you are all done.
3. Look at a picture of a character you would like to draw then draw that character in a different pose and different size, using the picture only for references to clothing and hairstyle and other details.
Feh3.jpg
 
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