Thursday, July 7, 2005

Pics and art
Ive desided to follow some of my own tips...
Im gonna write how i create my drawings !
But first i have something really important to say: there's a difference between original art and NON original art! With this i mean to ask you: can you remember this when you rate and comment? Not only on my art, but everyone elses too. If someone just "copied" a picture, its not an original. That means that the artist isnt doing much of a job! He or she are only good at copying! But! On the other hand, if they made some changes in the picture, they may take some credit. So please, please, consider the fact that it is alot harder to draw originals than it is to "copy". Think about that when you vote/rate and comment!

My art!

1. Imagine
I think of an image that looks nice to me, this is when the inspiration has to work ^_^

1-2. I picture in my head the exact possitions, clothes, accesories ... It is really important to me that all of this is clear before i start to draw, so i dont have to stop up to think about all the details when im in the middle of drawing.

3. Sketching
I try to recreate that image onto paper, and this is when i draw the sketch. Normally (almost always) i use grey pencils, and draw very light, so that it will be easy to change the line or erase it.
Tip: try to avoid erasers! If you erase every time you feel that its not perfect, you will end up drawing nothing at all. And it takes away the pleasure of drawing. Draw lightly instead, then you can change the lines often. Use the eraser when the pic is done and just needs a final touch.

4. Outlining
When im done with the sketch, i outline the drawing with pen (black looks good, but i use blue alot too), or i continue to use the pencil, but make the final lines stronger. Then! If i used a pen to outline: i wait untill it dries up and then i erase the pencil lines. If i continued with a pencil: i normally dont erase anything at all, but if i think i really really need to (like, if i made a big mistake during the sketch) i erase it...
Tip: when using a pencil, be careful not to smudge it out with your hand/palm or fingers.

5. Light and Shadow
Actually, i put shadow where i think it looks nice and cool, but i do follow some lines. You have to imagine where the light comes from, maybe from many places. And if its bright or dimm. Always ceep this in mind when shadowing. I always shadow first, and draw a thin line where the shadow will be. I can also do the same think with the light, but mostly, i shadow first, Then outline where the light will be (light can be in haire, eyes, clothes, skin..) After outlining the light, i colour (or use grey tones if a pencil is used). Then i eighter leave the light spots white, or give them a very light colour.
Tip: Its not nessesary with both light and shadow. You can also use just light, or just shadow. It gives a different outview, but can be just as good.

6. Colours
I just learned myself that i should be careful with colouring, and see if the colours i want are actually matchin eachother or not. Otherwise it can get messy. I like to use watercolour pencils for colouring, because the lines flow easily into eacohter, and its prettier i think. I personally hate colouring and leaving white spots here and there, or making some lines stronger than others because i have to draw the lines almost (and sometimes) on top of eachother. When using light and shadow in a coloured drawing, i try to use the same colour (instead of light blue and blue, just blue all the way) and just draw hard where the shadow is and light where the light is.
Tip: when using a grey pencil, try creating light/shadow by smudging the lines out with your fingertips, or make lines softer by doing the same thing.

7. Background
I hate backgrounds, theyre boring to draw... =p Thats why i dont draw them, or make them extremely light and almost not present.. Backgrouns can be cool, but i have to work on it. At the moment im working with colours and try to be good at that, so backgrounds will have to come later.
Tip anyway: dont overdo it! If theres to much background, the main image might dissapear into it. The same goes for details. And be careful when you colour everything. If the background isnt a part of the main motive, than you should give it a different tone from the main motive.


Well, thats about all i can think of! I hope it will be of use to someone!

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