AfricanVoodoo's Sketchbook

[John]

I took a look at John's recommendation and it was Dorian's Accuracy guide. I've heard of this technique and it is definitely not what I am used to doing (plotting down horizontal and vertical lines at the beginning of a sketch opposed to just drawing the ribcage, pelvis, ect.). Although the main goal that I have right now is to find more shapes in the human face and not rely on one way of doing a face, learning how to see and be more accurate with my drawings is also a value so y'know, I'll try it!

someday

Like you, I started out the same way. I got started with How to Draw the Marvel Way and Wizards How to Draw, which basically preaches construction above anything. I do get understand why the Accuracy guide isn't as attractive as learning construction. I disliked doing those exercises which are of similar ilk; like Bargue studies, and, especially, the grid method of copying.

Just saying that the accuracy guide is there to help you be consistent. I like to believe that that exercise made me more aware of my proportion issues, especially when doing sequential art. There are plenty of times where I draw a character that can look one way on one panel, and a different way on another. There was nothing consistent about how I drew the character except for the hairstyle and clothes he's wearing. If you happen to run into that issue, maybe it's a good idea to give those traditional exercises a go.

I hope it doesn't come across that I'm forcing anyone to do anything. I do believe everybody will get to where they want under their own terms better than people who would like to tell them what to do.

If you guys think this is shit, tell me now. If yall think this art is pretty, tell me now. If you got anything to say about the progress that I am doing, type it in. If you got shit to say about the way I do things/think, speak up! That is the whole point of me being here, to get dragged across the mud so I can come back better. I'm sorry if that sounds selfish (well, I think I sound selfish considering the fact that I don't give that much critiques myself. Not that I do it on purpose, I just think everyone's knowledge on art surpasses mine.) but FUCK, I don't know what I am doing.

Don't shy away from telling me anything about my art because of this or that. Just speak out your mind and don't worry about me! I have been waiting for yall to get me and it hasn't happened yet and my tea is getting cold sweetie bring it on!

For starters, reddit and 4chan are good places to be shat on!

Personally I believe it's hard to know which art works and which doesn't, especially when we're talking about works that are stylized. There's nothing really out there that's 'correct' to base your art against. Who am I to say Jamie Hewlett draws his heads too big, or Yoshiyuki Sadamoto's tendency to draw elongated torsos do not work?

That is probably why most people have a hard time critiquing anything, especially stylized work. Artistic license is enabling two things: one's propensity to do 'good' art, and/or one's greatest excuse to justify what they're doing. Sometimes it's hard to tell one from the other. Sometimes it's the same thing altogether. One can even argue if it's even important to care in the first place.

You said something about coming back better. How do you quantify 'better'?

So, how's that for speaking my mind sweetheart :)