Fan Art

[shadowinthelight]

Atomic, can I order one of those for my living room?
MerchManDan, will do later, have to get up early tomorrow.

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I don't really know where this came from other than Kath looking pretty good.

[Atomic]

Atomic, can I order one of those for my living room?

Download and print out the Desktop version. I'm sure a weaver looking for a project would love to crank out a 3x5 throw for you!

[DinkyInky]

What if it's more like Sluggy Freelance's Dimension of Cham-Pain where the food is actually excellent but is cursed so any weight gained as a result can never be burned off?

Save me seat #666.

This actually. I do know how to cook the mentioned menus, and they are fan faves.

[Wdot]

Wdot, did you shrink down the picture to get around the forum attachment size limit? If so, getting a free ImageShack account may be your best option. R.I.P. Photobucket (well it is dead to me ). Also, I always recommend running images through PNGOUT.exe to everobody to get the smallest PNG file size possible. It shrank your file from 121KB to 102KB.

Hey, shadowinthelight, thanks for your suggestions! I already have a imageshack account as well as an Imgur account. I had misplaced the passwords on how to log on because I usually let the computer do it, but it died the final death and I had to find where I wrote it down.

[DinkyInky]

Playing around with willow charcoal while getting stress outta my system. Cannot figure out the settings on this tablet, so apologies if the image is a bit fuzzy. I was going for a bit of realism with her.

[Wdot]

Well you know who's fault this is. Same terms as usual.

[Wdot]

Playing around with willow charcoal while getting stress outta my system. Cannot figure out the settings on this tablet, so apologies if the image is a bit fuzzy. I was going for a bit of realism with her.

I like it DinkyInky!!!

[DinkyInky]

Thanks. I had to seriously rein in the impulse to give her wild curls, and instead adjusted it to a geo bob shag cut. Once I get off my butt and reset my scanner, I will try to reupload a better version. If things calm down, I may even try my hand at others..

Atomic, can I order one of those for my living room?

Download and print out the Desktop version. I'm sure a weaver looking for a project would love to crank out a 3x5 throw for you!

For a cheap and dirty mockup, you can buy printable fabric or heavy press hosho rice paper, print the design on HQ paper photo quality settings, then stitch fringe to it. If you leave a decent margin at the top, you can also stitch a hem to run a dowel through for hanging.

I'd do it for ya, but my HD archive printer inks cost a mint, and being on a very fixed budget is putting a heavy dent on artsy creativity.

[shadowinthelight]

I love it!! D'you think you can rotate it 90 degrees to the right? 'Cause it would make a fantastic banner for somebody's* signature.

Check your PM inbox.

For the throw blanket/carpet, I realized if I ever wanted to do that for real I could get an art projector from Hobby Lobby to blow it up to trace onto the large fabric.

1365010270956.jpg
Playing around with willow charcoal while getting stress outta my system. Cannot figure out the settings on this tablet, so apologies if the image is a bit fuzzy. I was going for a bit of realism with her.

Such pouty lips. I'd be tempted to go for a kiss if I wasn't afraid she would slap my face off.

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Atsali had a long, hard day.

[DinkyInky]

1365010270956.jpg
Playing around with willow charcoal while getting stress outta my system. Cannot figure out the settings on this tablet, so apologies if the image is a bit fuzzy. I was going for a bit of realism with her.

Such pouty lips. I'd be tempted to go for a kiss if I wasn't afraid she would slap my face off.

Try it, who knows...she might like that...

[Atomic]

[img)Fab Charcoal Work(/img]
Playing around with willow charcoal while getting stress outta my system. Cannot figure out the settings on this tablet, so apologies if the image is a bit fuzzy. I was going for a bit of realism with her.

Lovely stuff! Good luck on getting the settings to work.

FWIW, two thoughts: 1. The eraser is your friend, and 2. Knead-able (the play-do kind) are great for detail work.

Have fun with it!

[DinkyInky]

[img)Fab Charcoal Work(/img]
Playing around with willow charcoal while getting stress outta my system. Cannot figure out the settings on this tablet, so apologies if the image is a bit fuzzy. I was going for a bit of realism with her.

Lovely stuff! Good luck on getting the settings to work.

FWIW, two thoughts: 1. The eraser is your friend, and 2. Knead-able (the play-do kind) are great for detail work.

Have fun with it!

I did not think this version needed clean-up, so I am trying to get a zoom to verify. Scanner is not liking my alt OS, so here are some quick pics. I love critiques, and debating on them, them so...
Willow charcoal+textured paper= erasers do not work nice, even the putty. I have been using charcoals and pastels for over two decades now, and they do not play nice with erasers. The compressed "pencil" ones do, but not raw. Pics above to show you what I mean, plus the breakdown pencils of her face. If you find a brand of putty that will play well with Strathmore 70lb textured pastel/watercolour paper, please let me know, as there are days I would love to save them. I scrapped two before I got one well enough to post.

[Atomic]

Ah! They you've got the charcoal learning curve well behind you then! Hmmm... I've had more success rolling the putty than dragging it (or dragging the plastic/rubber kinds) on the soft textured papers. Then again, I've mainly been working with Strathmore 400 drawing papers which are pretty tough and survive erasers pretty well. Some of the classes I've been in stressed wiping the paper with charcoal cloth to gray tone it, then you can erase your way lighter as needed. Then again, I tend to finger-paint much of my charcoals, and keep the soft vine stuff for the really dark areas and the fine details (if I don't break the point -- bleah!)

Haven't played much with pastels at all, but I do know they can smear easily, so erasing is an adventure. I'll root around and see if I've anything worth putting up for show.

(edit - one art pile sort later)

Ok -- Here's a little something on 18x24 Medium Drawing paper with lots of erasing to shade/enhance things, particularly the shirt.

Several things a bit off in this (hands, left shoulder, etc.) but I hope it shows you what I meant. Some of the other students were putting in eyelashes and single hair accents by carefully blotting their kneaded eraser. Of course, the trick is the paper needs to be tough enough for that! I've done that sort of thing with graphite - smear and add the hair shine, for example.

Draw big, have fun!

[Boxilar]

[img)Fab Charcoal Work(/img]
Playing around with willow charcoal while getting stress outta my system. Cannot figure out the settings on this tablet, so apologies if the image is a bit fuzzy. I was going for a bit of realism with her.

Lovely stuff! Good luck on getting the settings to work.

FWIW, two thoughts: 1. The eraser is your friend, and 2. Knead-able (the play-do kind) are great for detail work.

Have fun with it!

I did not think this version needed clean-up, so I am trying to get a zoom to verify. Scanner is not liking my alt OS, so here are some quick pics. I love critiques, and debating on them, them so...
Willow charcoal+textured paper= erasers do not work nice, even the putty. I have been using charcoals and pastels for over two decades now, and they do not play nice with erasers. The compressed "pencil" ones do, but not raw. Pics above to show you what I mean, plus the breakdown pencils of her face. If you find a brand of putty that will play well with Strathmore 70lb textured pastel/watercolour paper, please let me know, as there are days I would love to save them. I scrapped two before I got one well enough to post.

I usually end up erasing just as much as I draw. I flirt with charcoal, but always end up going back to graphite. I'm liking this take on Phix.

Ah! They you've got the charcoal learning curve well behind you then! Hmmm... I've had more success rolling the putty than dragging it (or dragging the plastic/rubber kinds) on the soft textured papers. Then again, I've mainly been working with Strathmore 400 drawing papers which are pretty tough and survive erasers pretty well. Some of the classes I've been in stressed wiping the paper with charcoal cloth to gray tone it, then you can erase your way lighter as needed. Then again, I tend to finger-paint much of my charcoals, and keep the soft vine stuff for the really dark areas and the fine details (if I don't break the point -- bleah!)

Haven't played much with pastels at all, but I do know they can smear easily, so erasing is an adventure. I'll root around and see if I've anything worth putting up for show.

(edit - one art pile sort later)

Ok -- Here's a little something on 18x24 Medium Drawing paper with lots of erasing to shade/enhance things, particularly the shirt.

Several things a bit off in this (hands, left shoulder, etc.) but I hope it shows you what I meant. Some of the other students were putting in eyelashes and single hair accents by carefully blotting their kneaded eraser. Of course, the trick is the paper needs to be tough enough for that! I've done that sort of thing with graphite - smear and add the hair shine, for example.

Draw big, have fun!

Hands are the enemy. I always struggle to get them proportioned right and have the fingers doing something remotely realistic. One of Paul's strengths is that his hands always look good.

[DinkyInky]

For both of you. Proportions muffed on say, copyrighted figures can show you are not lightboard abusers(a huge sore spot with my artist circle of friends). If done properly, messed proportions can make a character unique, yet not overly cartoony. Have fun with it. For the longest time, Glasses were my Kryptonite. I was fortunate to be staff at ACen when the marvelous Chiho Saito(Revolutionary Girl Utena) was guest there, and she gave me a personal lesson on creating them (via translator), which I practice often so I keep it fresh in mind.

Here is a trick I learned from my mentor from HS(God bless his marvelous soul...He was amazing, and is missed by several generations of my family alone). Get a pocket sketchbook. Sketch hands in there from every angle...the best is live, and when they are not aware you are doing it. Then extend that up to the elbow, same deal. Once that has been mastered, move up to shoulders, then you will have no trouble putting it all together.

My two trouble areas were eyes and male musculature. It took a few rounds of doodling the neighbourhood brats shirtless(I got into the boys are cool thing waaaaay late) to figure out muscles. Once guys realised I was drawing them, they took off their shirts more often (not that I appreciated them at that time).

My son found one of my old eye books, and is now learning that same trick.

I like textured paper for the unique results I get, even though it may be less sturdy for erasure. I also found if you make you outside line bolder, you can take blending cones or even a damp watercolour brush and make softer details. Pastels are especially good for this. Oil pastels and alkyds are a bit more messy, as you need xylitol or turpentine to "paint" with, so loads of ventilation is needed.

[MerchManDan]

I love it!! D'you think you can rotate it 90 degrees to the right? 'Cause it would make a fantastic banner for somebody's* signature.

Check your PM inbox.

Wicked! Thanks again!

[Boxilar]

For both of you. Proportions muffed on say, copyrighted figures can show you are not lightboard abusers(a huge sore spot with my artist circle of friends). If done properly, messed proportions can make a character unique, yet not overly cartoony. Have fun with it. For the longest time, Glasses were my Kryptonite. I was fortunate to be staff at ACen when the marvelous Chiho Saito(Revolutionary Girl Utena) was guest there, and she gave me a personal lesson on creating them (via translator), which I practice often so I keep it fresh in mind.

Here is a trick I learned from my mentor from HS(God bless his marvelous soul...He was amazing, and is missed by several generations of my family alone). Get a pocket sketchbook. Sketch hands in there from every angle...the best is live, and when they are not aware you are doing it. Then extend that up to the elbow, same deal. Once that has been mastered, move up to shoulders, then you will have no trouble putting it all together.

My two trouble areas were eyes and male musculature. It took a few rounds of doodling the neighbourhood brats shirtless(I got into the boys are cool thing waaaaay late) to figure out muscles. Once guys realised I was drawing them, they took off their shirts more often (not that I appreciated them at that time).

My son found one of my old eye books, and is now learning that same trick.

I like textured paper for the unique results I get, even though it may be less sturdy for erasure. I also found if you make you outside line bolder, you can take blending cones or even a damp watercolour brush and make softer details. Pastels are especially good for this. Oil pastels and alkyds are a bit more messy, as you need xylitol or turpentine to "paint" with, so loads of ventilation is needed.

I apreciate the advice. I'll give it a shot. As far as "light boxing", it's actually disturbing how many professional comic book artists trace from magazines and the like. And I'm not talking about using a photo realistic background retouched to place your drawn character in front of. I mean the characters themselves are copied. This, right here is a prime example. And there are others. So many others.

[Atomic]

I apreciate the advice. I'll give it a shot. As far as "light boxing", it's actually disturbing how many professional comic book artists trace from magazines and the like. And I'm not talking about using a photo realistic background retouched to place your drawn character in front of. I mean the characters themselves are copied. This, right here is a prime example. And there are others. So many others.

Thank you for the advice and compliments! And yes, it helps to use a body model, but seriously -- make your own character! Sheesh!

As a construction project, I built the following in Gimp using several body models, clipped for pose/posture, and then inking over it. I wound up photographing my hands to get those referenced just right.



I'd be doing it a bit differently today (Popeye forearm can shrink some, fix the neck), but it is a valid way to build stuff.

[shadowinthelight]

I wound up photographing my hands to get those referenced just right.

Were you holding your own bikini string too?

I didn't know "lightboxing" was a term but it is pretty self explanatory. For my Pix and Nudge comic I copied heavily from Paul's artwork changing only a few key details but it was all done by eye. Tracing by a so-called professional without up front acknowledgement is just sad.

[Atomic]

I wound up photographing my hands to get those referenced just right.

Were you holding your own bikini string too?

Mmm - sort of -- it's called "modeling" for a reason, ya know!