Sonic Fan Characters Article: Why I draw like that

4

posted by TakTheFox

Why I draw like that

So I know I don’t really get that much feedback about why my art looks kind of stiff, (really stiff) but I thought I should explain why it’s not really improving in some ways.

Now I’m not saying I don’t have flaws that are my fault. I do, and I am trying to get better, but the main problem is my drawing program.

Serif Draw PlusX4 is what I use, and if Du have the same problems, you’ll understand.

1.    HANDS!
I can draw hands. Granted it drives me up and down the earth’s core, but I can over time. Sadly though if I want to draw REALLY good hands it takes FOREVER! My program has a strange way of making lines. If Du make a right angle, it will curve it, oder simply just make it straight NO MATTER WHAT Du DO! So I have to bend it like four times each curve to make it look right, and even then most of the time it ends up having tangles of lines for some reason, and/or if Du make a right angle the right way, it will usually make some Zufällig spike that won’t go away until Du bend the right angle some other way.
2.    Colors/Shading
Personally I haven’t been able to do the shading that I’ve seen in a lot of drawings, like faded lines that look all cloud-like, but that is because my program doesn’t let me. Also it doesn’t let me fill things in, unless it’s a complete shape that connect at both ends. And if I want that shape to not be a shape anymore I can’t do that. If I make a line that goes up, then a line that overlaps that one, then another to make an overlapped triangle, if I try to fill in that space, it doesn’t give me the option. I would have to make all the lines connect, and they would have to all be from the same line, not just connect from different Zufällig parts.
3.    Posing
Honestly I think this one has actually gotten better, but again, the program’s curving makes it almost IMPOSSIBLE to draw what I originally had planned, and makes me do something simpler because of that.
4.    Lines
Another annoying thing is the lines. Originally when I used this program I always used the paint-brush tool, because it seemed easier, but it would always make Zufällig dents and bumps, and curves ALL AROUND THE PICTURE! So eventually I had to go with using the normal pencil form. It’s easier to an extent I suppose. I can change the size of the line now, and it doesn’t make bumps, but if Du want to erase just a tiny bit of it, Du either can’t, have to erase a lot, oder bend the line to make it the point Du want. Plus, and this isn’t a huge thing, but the line is a flat end, that Du can’t edge oder curve so it doesn’t stick out all the time.

So yeah, that’s my program, and that’s why my art is stiff. If I had a better one I’m not sure I’d be as good at first, but I’m positive I would get better over time. The one I have now just seems like a demo for the real thing.

iluvshadowo3o, Giz_4ever and 2 others like this

Evolia-Wulf "I didn't say anything because I considered you a starter and would get better with time. They're not THAT bad, but they are pretty stiff and lack motion or a sense of action. "Now I'm not forcing a comment when I do, those are honest. But when I don't comment on some, its usually because I have nothing nice to say. I don't want to hurt your feelings. "I'm sure if you keep trying you'll break out of it despite your problems. Don't dispair!"

Evolia-Wulf "Sorry bro. Say what's on my mind. I'm just REAL like that." XD "Kidding of course. "Your artwork does look like you're a starter though. Why don't you just switch to traditional art?"

Evolia-Wulf "Are you serious? You just need paper and a pencil. Don't worry about scanners and such- just draw with a pencil and some paper. You'd be amazed at what you can do with just that."

MephilesTheDark So pretty much 'A list of excuses that can very easily be fixed.' It just takes more time to work out all of these problems on ANY program. The program isn't important, it's who is USING it that makes the difference. But if it's really bugging you that much, there are free downloads for gimp/paint.net/sai everywhere and I can link you to them if you'd like.

MephilesTheDark I'll post a better comment later when I'm not sleep deprived, mmkay? With some actual links and info because I'm totally a smart cookie when it comes to this kinda stuff.

MephilesTheDark Anyway have some links. DOWNLOADS: Paint Tool Sai: http://www.mediafire.com/?ym2jmbmdzmf GIMP: http://www.gimp.org/downloads/ paint.net: http://www.getpaint.net/download.html FREE ONLINE: http://www.sumopaint.com The program you have, I've used. To be honest it annoys me, but it is still just as usable as any other. Slightly more tedious and more difficult (for me) to understand, but not 'bad.'. (I deleted it from my computer though because I have better.) To fix your problems, I'd just say practice. As I said, it doesn't matter what program you use if you use it well and put in the time. (My usual pieces now take a minimum of an hour and a half, and a maximum of thirty hours, the quality and style depends on the time taken.) I really would recommend Sai, though. It's a fantastic program. C: If you ever want a tutorial for any of those programs, just ask; I'm familiar and confident with every one.

MephilesTheDark Also, I'd suggest looking into some 'line of motion/movement' tutorials if you're wanting to 'loosen up' character posing. 5 second gesture exercise on paper are amazing help. (Just 5 second drawings with pencil/pen and paper, nothing fancy. It hurts your hand, but it's damn well worth the results.) And again I stress artistic exercise. Do an artdump of NOTHING but hands if you can't draw hands. That kind of thing. C: (I will stop commenting for now. Promise. Sorry for the spam asdf.)