drawing by hand

[Matt_343]

Well, I am trying to improve my drawing by hand and I did not realize how much i used Xara for simple thing. I do not have some of the basic discipline that traditional cartoonist have. Example, just drawing a circle. I tried it and well I had to draw it in Xara, print it and then trace it to get it right. okay I did not do that, but my hand drawing of a circle or a straight line for that matter was not as straight as I thought it should be. Also something like drawing eyes. In Xara it is easy, draw on and copy,paste and flip. by hand one eye is huge, the other is tiny. my characters are kinda freaky. which would be great if that is what I wanted. So what is all this about? Nothing i guess, except new and budding cartoonist(this so includes me), please don't stop sketching by hand.

Matt

[Availor]

You should try following the Gnomon Workshop drawing tutorials, eventhough you are probably an experienced artist there are quite a few handy techniques.

http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/


Availor

[Ross Macintosh]

Matt -- You are experiencing a classic problem. Your hand will not do exactly what your mind thinks it should be able to do. Some people find it easier than others and they are mistakenly labelled as "talented". The truth is almost everyone can learn to draw. Through practice you will find that relatively quickly your hand & mind will merge so your hand becomes a more useful instrument of your mind.

The traditional technique for learning to draw is to draw, draw, draw. Carry a notebook and draw/doodle/sketch every chance you get. Do that and in just a couple of weeks you'll see dramatic improvements. Once you get over that first hurdle you'll find it far easier to look at other's drawings and really understand what you need to do to learn certain skills you like in that person's style. Then you just practice more.

Beware of the 'talent' trap. Many people won't draw because they think someone might see their drawing and think it crap. Our culture totally makes people paranoid about looking 'untalented' in anything. People think you either have it or you don't but it is a myth. The reality is basic drawing is a skill that you can teach yourself easily.

By the way I've found drawing to be very much like riding a bike - you don't forget how. I draw relatively infrequently now but twenty+ years ago I drew all the time (several hours per day / seven days a week). The thing is I find I can draw as well today as I ever could.

Go for it! Draw, draw, draw!

Regards, Ross

[Matt_343]

Availor, I checked out the link. There is a lot of information there to absorb. thanks you very much. I know I am going to enjoy it.

Ross,
Thank you, what you say is very true. I was have a very frustrated moment when I wrote the thread. This weekend I went and bought a bunch of doodle pads from big lots to stash all around my house, car and one to carry with me. You are right about stopping because on the so call "No talent". I believe that is where I had a problem several years ago. So i will be drawing, drawing, and well drawing.

Thanks again guys, I look forward to what I will be learning.

[b3rntumb3r]

Matt: A tip. Try drawing circles from your shoulder, not your wrist. Keep your wrist motionless and make the mark on the paper using the muscles of your upper arm. You get better control.

[Matt_343]

Matt: A tip. Try drawing circles from your shoulder, not your wrist. Keep your wrist motionless and make the mark on the paper using the muscles of your upper arm. You get better control.

b3rtntumber,
I tried that and , wow what a difference. Can this work also for detail work to?