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This is not where I teach you to draw, but where I teach you to draw better
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a way of reproducing them as you see them. I've chosen anime style as the way I want to portray the world, but these tips here are universal (or, at least I believe them to be). *side point* I'm watching Tenchi Muyo! while writing this, so you know my mind's not completely on this. |
| 1. Cleanliness is next to godliness. |
WASH EVERYTHING THAT GETS DIRTY! This includes your hands. Oil is the bane of a good pencilled pic; it smears the lead, you can't erase it! I wash up to the elbows, sheerly because I lean on the page that I draw on. Wash your pens (assuming you use them), and the place you store your pencils (save this for a rainy day, it's dull work and doesn't have to be done often). |
| 2. Beautiful art is one ounce talent and one pound tools |
For example, take a good pic, all in your mind. draw it and shade it with one yellow school pencil. Compare it to one drawn and shaded with a whole set of art pencils. It's gonna have less depth, less detail, less quality to it. Take a penned BW image, scan and color it. compare it to something drawn, scanned and colored with a digital drawing tablet. Same problem. If you can afford it, get the best stuff at all times. However, don't be afraid to make stuff at home. I had pen nibs but no pen holder, but it's amazing what some toothpicks, thread, nail polish, and ingenuity can do (this is a permanent way of holding nibs, only do this if you have to, and can figure it out). |
| 3. Everyday stuff can do extraordinary things when used in non-everyday ways. |
I suppose this is a comtinuation of rule #2. A sponge can do wierd things on a watercolor picture, as can salt. Don't be afraid to make your own brushes, they can do cool stuff. A card can make interesting patterns in an oil/acrylic painting, like a palette knife with more give. A single hair dipped in paint or ink can make interesting patterns. Don't be afraid to try things! Experiment once in awhile. |
| 4. Get your ideas on paper as soon as possible! |
Paint it, draw it, whatever. Ideas are best when fresh. If you can't do that, write it down, and all aspects of it. It's the original "idea preservative." |
I intend on getting some general CG tips in here, and expanding the traditional media section I have now. |
