I'm SCARED!

[fieryjen]

I really am. But I'm going to post anyway.

I draw, sometimes, for pleasure. I'm not that good at it and under ordinary circumstances, I probably wouldn't post here (well, I would, to admire... not to share!), because the artistic ability of everyone here is a little intimidating at times. However, there is that dreaded Survivor contest and the Illustrated category, which I would like to fill.

I play D&D and I've created sketches of what my characters look like in the past (and had the opportunity to scan them). Those happen to fit with a fantasy story I'm writing right now, a chapter of which I'd like to submit under Illustrated. I don't own a scanner, so I only have the option of either creating something on the computer, or using older stuff of mine that I've been able to scan. I am so tempted though to just scratch the idea and take some boring picture, because I'm nervous about the quality of those sketches.

For one, they weren't created on white paper. I don't know if the lines in the background are distracting or if they work - considering I want to pass this off as a casual sketch, not some great drawing. I figured they may or they may not, but I can't tell. So that's one thing I'd like advice on.

Also, I'm very very bad at drawing people, and I know it. I have gotten great advice and taken classes, but my proportions still turn out to be quite wrong, especially faces. So, in conclusion, I was wondering if those sketches work at all or if I should go for something else - better - in the Illustrated category.

The sketches are non-sexual in nature - one is supposed to be a human and the other an elf. Honesty is much appreciated! I can take it, I promise

Edit:

This didn't start as an art & picture thread, but I think it has somewhat evolved in one now. So I'm putting up an index to make it easier for anyone who wants to see the pictures.

First Collar Picture

Second Collar Picture

Third Collar Picture

Fourth Collar Picture

Fifth Collar Picture

Chain

Another Chain Picture

The Same One in Grey

Chain & Bare Neck/Shoulder

Chain & Piercing

More of the Chain

 

[Halo_n_horns]

Thank you very much for your contributions. I mean that sincerely.

Your illustrations just took me back a ways. You're starting right where many of the great, contemporary artists started; on binder paper.

You obviously have the raw imagination, talent and drive. You stated that you draw for pleasure, and that is by far the best reason!!! You've done a great thing by putting yourself out here despite your feelings of intimidation, and I commend you for that.

I took art classes, and to be honest, I didn't learn much either. There's often better ways to learn than through classes.

Now the big question would be: What would you like to do with it from here?

 

[fieryjen]

Thank you very much for your contributions. I mean that sincerely.

Your illustrations just took me back a ways. You're starting right where many of the great, contemporary artists started; on binder paper.

You obviously have the raw imagination, talent and drive. You stated that you draw for pleasure, and that is by far the best reason!!! You've done a great thing by putting yourself out here despite your feelings of intimidation, and I commend you for that.

I took art classes, and to be honest, I didn't learn much either. There's often better ways to learn than through classes.

Now the big question would be: What would you like to do with it from here?

Thank you. You're very good at taking away most of my initial nervousness.

Hmmm... I really don't know how to answer your question though. What are my choices?

I'm sorry if I maybe really just don't get what you're asking. It's been a long day

 

[Halo_n_horns]

Thank you. You're very good at taking away most of my initial nervousness.

Hmmm... I really don't know how to answer your question though. What are my choices?

I'm sorry if I maybe really just don't get what you're asking. It's been a long day

I know what you mean. I've been having a long day all this week.

All I'm really asking is, where would you like to see your artwork go in terms of your own personal satisfaction? Would you like to be able to illustrate the anatomy of your subjects at a higher level of skill? Would you like to hone your imagination for everything from costume designs to surrounding the subjects with interesting surroundings? Are there only certain things you'd like develop, or whole spectrum of things? Would you like to indevelop your skills at all, or are you happy where you're at?

That probably about covers it.

 

[Green_with_envy]

I really am. But I'm going to post anyway.

The sketches are non-sexual in nature - one is supposed to be a human and the other an elf. Honesty is much appreciated! I can take it, I promise

Great pics nothing to be scared of...

 

[fieryjen]

I know what you mean. I've been having a long day all this week.

All I'm really asking is, where would you like to see your artwork go in terms of your own personal satisfaction? Would you like to be able to illustrate the anatomy of your subjects at a higher level of skill? Would you like to hone your imagination for everything from costume designs to surrounding the subjects with interesting surroundings? Are there only certain things you'd like develop, or whole spectrum of things? Would you like to indevelop your skills at all, or are you happy where you're at?

That probably about covers it.

Aaaaah! I geddit

I'm always willing to learn new things, and if I was truly happy with where I'm at, I probably wouldn't be so dead scared posting here. As I mentioned, I wish I could learn how to draw faces better, because if mine turn out at all, it's always luck. Mostly they don't. And yes, being able to draw a background would also be lovely. Most of all, I'd like to be able to draw people in other poses than the one you see in the pictures - and I usually get problems with body proportions when I try that.

Great pics nothing to be scared of...

Thank you, I appreciate that comment very much.

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

I'm still trying to get past the hot babe playing D&D part

The pictures are nice, but for an illustrated story, especially as part of a contest, the blue lines would be distracting. For purely the illustration aspect I'd suggest seeing if anyone would help just to get past that hurdle in the survivor contest while you hone and sharpen your skills.

And while I am being nearly hypocritical on this point I'll say it anyway. The best way to get better is to just do it. Draw more, and then more and more. Post now and again and get feedback and tips but keep drawing.

Tha being said I have to go get my pencils out now

 

[fieryjen]

I'm still trying to get past the hot babe playing D&D part

Hee. Well thank you for that compliment.

The pictures are nice, but for an illustrated story, especially as part of a contest, the blue lines would be distracting. For purely the illustration aspect I'd suggest seeing if anyone would help just to get past that hurdle in the survivor contest while you hone and sharpen your skills.

And while I am being nearly hypocritical on this point I'll say it anyway. The best way to get better is to just do it. Draw more, and then more and more. Post now and again and get feedback and tips but keep drawing.

Tha being said I have to go get my pencils out now

Thanks for your advice. What exactly do you mean by the first part, that I ask someone else to draw for me? Because the illustratons all need to be by the authors themselves, it's part of the rules. Just checking if maybe I got you wrong or you didn't now about that.

I do practice, but it's difficult for me to improve if I'm not sure which direction to go in and what I'm doing right. If I'm brave enough, I may actually end up posting again and see what advice people have to give, once I get access to a scanner.

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

Thanks for your advice. What exactly do you mean by the first part, that I ask someone else to draw for me? Because the illustratons all need to be by the authors themselves, it's part of the rules. Just checking if maybe I got you wrong or you didn't now about that.

Oh, no. I thought the illustrations could be collaborative. The author having to do the illustrations as well makes things very different then.

Maybe just redo them without the lines, or do a color remvoal tool to take the blue out maybe.

 

[Guest]

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[fieryjen]

my advise. draw what you SEE....see what you are drawing.

Draw faces...even if it is from photos (but that CAn become a crutch).

LOOK up more than down. I mean look at what you are drawing....not your drawing.

if you see a face you ike for a character..draw the face. Draw you self..or freinds. Draw furry stuff...if your chacters are dessed in fur...


with practice drawing what you see...you will more easily invent and draw what you IMAGINE.


Too often we have a preconcieved notion of what a tree (for example)looks like...and even when drawing a landscape will render our cliché ..our icon for "treeness"...we will make it brown with six branches with scribbles for leaves...without SEEINg that the trunk is GREY...and textured just so...and this brabch obscures THAT one...and the leaves cluster and billow here and there...and are in shadow at times....and the tree casts a shadow...and the trunk has volume...


Look how others render things....copy that...but develop your own...


*whhhooooooaaah* * falling off my soap box!

or.....was I pushed!!!!!????

*stands by innocently* I totally had nothing to do with that! Why are you looking at me?
Thanks a lot for your advice. I like to think I'm actually pretty good with that looking up and drawing what I see thing when it comes to objects... just when it comes to faces, I tend to focus and put emphasis on the wrong spots, if that makes any sense. It ends up looking skewed.

But yes, I will practice. I'm really taking this to heart, people, and I'm very thankful all of you are taking the time to actually give me good advice.

 

[Halo_n_horns]

A great way to learn to draw faces, aside from the excellent advice you're getting already, is to break them down into their components. Just start doing drawings of eyes. Comic books, or even the characters in the D&D manuals are a good place to start because those are typically line art and easy to learn to duplicate. The same goes for noses, ears, mouths, the shapes of different jaw lines, foreheads and what have you. Just practice with lines. Don't get into shades and highlights for a while.

The same can be applied to all other parts of the human form. I would also suggest that you get used to drawing the nude human form. First as parts just as with the rest. Pretty much all artists do nudes at one point or another. The thing is that if you understand how the body fits together, and how the various parts move when the body is in motion, then drawing the form in clothing becomes that much easier.

Again, start with parts, not entireties. Start with just lines, no shading or highlighting.

Post what you're doing and we can all go from there. Cool?

 

[Guest]

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[Halo_n_horns]

huh?

I was suppose to noting how the body goes together???

I just wanted to see tits, ass and pussy!

Not you, silly. You just keep doing what you're doing and we'll keep enjoying it. Well, unless you're doing it to yourself, in which case I don't even want to know about it, thank you very much.

 

[Guest]

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[Guest]

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[Halo_n_horns]

Which horror movie?

 

[Guest]

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[Halo_n_horns]

again.
I'm not sayin'.



Ok.

it was a local production "The Carrier"

http://www.fright.com/edge/carrier.html

I still have a copy of the story "boards"...and my name was misspelled in the credits...may be just as well.

It sounds like a predecessor to Cabin Fever. I love poorly done horror movies for some damn reason. I'm surprised I haven't heard of this one.

But we're off topic here ...

 

[Halo_n_horns]

So what's happened to fieryjen? Anyone seen hide or hair?

 

[American Woman]

Draw faces...even if it is from photos (but that CAn become a crutch).

Why is it a crutch?
I mean, is it a "bad" thing to do?

 

[Guest]

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[fieryjen]

So, I'm still here (H&H already expressed his concern of me vanishing into nothingness), and I'm drawing, I only don't have access to a scanner at the moment. But I'd still like to be here and discuss and practice and all I rather love this place.

So, I guess this could be "my" thread now, in a way, no? I've never had my own thread before. Yay, how exciting

Basically, I'm only asking because I'd like to share this picture I took the other day. It's not really artistic, it wasn't supposed to be. It was only supposed to be a proof for my online Dom, showing him I was wearing my new collar. However, I rather like the way it turned out, with the sunlight coming through the blinds and the shiny metal and all.

 

[Halo_n_horns]

So, I'm still here (H&H already expressed his concern of me vanishing into nothingness), and I'm drawing, I only don't have access to a scanner at the moment. But I'd still like to be here and discuss and practice and all I rather love this place.

So, I guess this could be "my" thread now, in a way, no? I've never had my own thread before. Yay, how exciting

Basically, I'm only asking because I'd like to share this picture I took the other day. It's not really artistic, it wasn't supposed to be. It was only supposed to be a proof for my online Dom, showing him I was wearing my new collar. However, I rather like the way it turned out, with the sunlight coming through the blinds and the shiny metal and all.

That collar pic is pretty friggin' hot. Thank you.

Good to see you're still with us. This thread is as much yours as you wish it to be. Find a scanner soon. Borrow one. Steal one. Whatever. We look forward to seeing your progress.

 

[fieryjen]

That collar pic is pretty friggin' hot. Thank you.

Good to see you're still with us. This thread is as much yours as you wish it to be. Find a scanner soon. Borrow one. Steal one. Whatever. We look forward to seeing your progress.

Thanks, glad you like it

I think people might object if I run out of the building dragging a scanner with me. But I will definitely try to get one/find someone to borrow one from as soon as possible. I may bridge the time with some more pictures, if I take any more good ones. Anyway, I'm very glad and thankful you take so much interest in my work and make me feel so welcome here.