I'm of the opinion that anyone who can apply graphite to paper can draw ...for such's basically what drawing is. ^^
Granted, not everyone can draw 'well' (at least not to their satisfaction), and others simply want to see characters drawn by hands other than their own.
Case and point (from watchers, each of who has/had an art gallery),
"Can you draw my oc holding a few balloons?" "Could you draw Homer Simpson on a skateboard naked please?" "Can U draw some Mitzi x Ned" "Would you like to redraw [my drawing]"?
Can I? Absolutely! Will I? Nope! (though I'm generally open to suggestions) :3
And then there are those who like art, want art, but who themselves don't draw at all. Ever.
Some fitting this description have asked me for drawings, either in the form of requests or commissions ...so I gather 'the ability to draw well' isn't a criterion or a determining factor as regards who some will come to for scribbles! XD
Either way, I dislike requests, and accepting money for custom art goes against my morality. That said, I like to think that none who visit me will leave hungry. In other words, I have offered to illustrate some of my drawing techniques, provide reference sheets, etc., so others can learn (or be encouraged to learn) how to draw for themselves ...and this has in fact paid off a few times (ie, I've evidence my references were used by their recipients)! <3 <3
For me, that's more satisfying than just honoring one's request---it shows the recipient appreciated my effort, and that they (themselves) earned some satisfaction from the work of their hands. It's win-win (no guilt, no entitlement)! :D
Still, some aren't open to try drawing at all.
Mind that not everyone HAS to draw, and some have (what they would consider) good reasons not to---there are many variables that don't need or want my opinions or challenges. The only exception to this (IMHO) would be that of anxiety or fear. For whatever reason, some believe a priori that 'drawing is hard' and therefore won't try. Perhaps as a consequence of harsh scholastic/workplace experience, the non-artist may fear the 'failure' they know will follow. Their's is a learned, subconscious thing that may be exacerbated (made worse) by another's assertion that 'drawing is fun and easy!'. :P
For myself, it could be a delusion produced by my autism and (relatively) low IQ, but I believe in hope, at least when it comes to non-life-changing matters such as learning to draw. I've never achieved anything worthwhile in my life: no trophies, certificates or fancy belts to show for my existence, hence I didn't get into drawing with any real confidence or expectations---I just allowed myself the opportunity to fail ...and I did, many times, and that continues to this day. Yet, I have a modest following on three different art sites, with hundreds of ACOs, quickies and the like, that have been enjoyed by persons from all over the world.
In light of that, I would ask the non-artist (who WANTS to draw) what their excuse is.
How did I get started in cartooning?
When I was very young, my mother gifted me an Ed Emberley drawing book (the 'Purple' one!), and from that I developed an eye for putting simple shapes together to form characters and structures. Later, I 'graduated' to the drawings books of Christopher Hart. :3
I will discuss Ed Emberley in a later article. For now, I'd like to introduce my watchers to the talents of Christopher Hart, as most of my present drawing techniques were derived from his works.
It happens that Hart has both a DeviantArt account and a YouTube channel (links below).
To give the feel I'm watching along, I'll interject my comments here (this isn't a review). ^^
HART: "Hi, my name is Christopher Hart. I'm a cartoonist and author of many books on drawing cartoons and manga and all sorts of fun stuff!"
There ya go!
The purpose of this video seems to be to give a lesson of drafting characters. In this case, the subject is a squirrel ...who, for all the world, looks like a beaver to me ^^
Hm.. it would appear Hart is drawing with a Staedtler 'Mars-Lumograph' pencil ...so I used one here, too! :3
The Lumograph is a standard German-manufactured, school-grade pencil. Their selling point was they came packaged in an assortment of hardnesses (from 1B to 6H, I believe). I dunno whether they still come that way, as it's been a while since I've bought any. ^^ Personally, where it comes to common, inexpensive pencils, my preference is the Dixon Ticonderoga. :3
Anyway...
Hart begins with a circle or head sphere. Hart freehands his shapes here, whereas I prefer to use a template. Due to the very tiny scale I prefer to draw at, freehanding isn't the best option (I tend to draw less with my arm and more with my fingers).
...It's interesting to me that Hart 'feathers' or 'pets' his lines. From what's been fed to me (by artistic know-it-alls such as Crowne Prince), feathering is a bad habit. That's probably true, as I do it frequently ...and enjoy it! :3
HART: "...[the subject] has a kind of tear-drop shape, almost like a pear, for the body"
Most cartoony, funny-animal types have this body type, which is notably smaller than the head (sp. for 'cub' characters) these bodies are pretty much interchangeable among species (only identifier is the tail, in most cases). For simplistic subjects, the head itself is the character rather than the form as a whole (per my opinion).
...Know what I like about Hart's tutorial---the fact that he uses his eraser (and generously). I've seen drawing videos in which the cartoonist goes straight to ink, never making a single error. while amusing to watch, these give a false, pretentious impression that cartoonists don't make mistakes and/or that erasers are inessential drawing tools (which is why 'real' drawing pencils don't usually have erasers ...right? No!) :P
The eraser isn't only for use in corrections/removing guidelines, but is also a sculpting tool (as Hart demonstrates). Art pencils don't generally come with erasers because the manufacture expects the user to supply their own---cap erasers don't fit well over most ferrules, and ferrule-mounted erasers will wear out long before the graphite does. :3
...That buck tooth reads 'beaver' to me. I don't mean to harp on that, but I can't help it! XD I know squirrels have long incisors, but they're usually inconspicuous. ...and because we live in an 'offended', cancel-culture society, let me clarify: I'm NOT criticizing Hart. Recall the purpose of this video was to DRAFT a squirrel character---the viewer is allowed (and encouraged!), therefore, to design it their way (so I've nothing to apologize for).
HART: "...cute little eye, there"
Shame on you, Hart! You forgot the highlight! XD
The hair and ruffs really give the subject its character and brings it to life. :3
I admit I recoiled a bit to see Hart erase his pencil lines just after inking---I was certain the ink would smear! XD
I almost never ink my work. It'll all end up in a dumpster when I (eventually) move out or die anyway, so no sense in 'preserving' the line art. ^^ But, if I were to erase lines wholesale like that, I would use an Artgum block in place of a cap eraser (covers more area).
HART: "So you see how all that pencil stuff---the roughs, etc., the guidelines---when we take it out, we see it all came in handy, even though we changed things here and there, it doesn't matter. The final drawing is what matters. You can put this over another drawing on your lightbox, and change it again if you like"
For those who don't know, 'lightbox' is another term for 'drafting table': a board with a large window from which a light shines. The idea is one can use it to trace one's lineart, for modifications, animation, etc. :3
...and that's the video. Do you feel inspired? Encouraged? Like you want a beer? *pops open a Landshark Lager*
Hm. Something next to Hart's video screen is annoying me, though: a video recommendation titled 'The Drawing Advice that Changed My Life' ...what is it?
*watches*
...Ok, a ten-minute video boiled to 'focus > scattered' ...agreed, but confusion, clutter and distress is fundamental to who I am, hence I'm not changing anything. :3
Honestly, I like this simple and clean art style. Besides some minor imperfections, such as the misplaced eye on the bottom panel, and a lack of some simple shadows, this is actually pretty good.
Honestly, I like this simple and clean art style. Besides some minor imperfections, such as the misp
I'm as cheap as they get. Only expense drawing entails (me) is cap erasers (for the most part). But, then, I've hoarded so much art stuff that I haven't a need to buy too much. ^^
I'm as cheap as they get. Only expense drawing entails (me) is cap erasers (for the most part). But,
I've always been an artist since I was a little child. I always LOVED to draw. And I was self-taught. No I didn't learn from anyone. It was something I learned myself and over the years, I'd get better and better. In one aspect or another. It's part of what makes me who I am in life. And it doesn't matter how busy and successful I'll be in life. I'll find a way to set aside time so I can draw lol.
But before I joined ANY of these artwork websites, I would draw at one point. Then I'd take a total hiatus from drawing for more than a year sometimes. I never had the motivation or means to continue. Largely because I had no extra support. So I'd always draw when I want to and what I want to.
I joined DA in 2011. But still, I wasn't drawing actively. Because I BARELY knew anyone on there. It wasn't until I met someone on DA in 2014 was when I started drawing again. Not only did I start drawing again, but I was also very consistent with it. Because the help and support really helped. And it was cool having people say "I wanna see more from you!" for the first time. I knew I was doing something right. And I also got myself interested into A BUNCH of new cartoons over the years. Which meant the ideas and possibilities were ENDLESS lol.
At first, I was more than happy to do requests for people. Since most of their requests were something I'm ALREADY interested in. But then random people started asking me to do these strange and/or outrageous requests. So I moved back to requests for friends only. Then that incident with that user TOTALLY put me over the edge. And I cancelled requests all together.
Now I just draw for myself. And ONLY myself. But sometimes, I entertain ideas and listen to my followers. Even though sometimes I'll say "No" to them. And by sometimes, I mean A LOT. I'll admit it lol. But I guess sometimes it's a good way to get a kick in the ass and FINALLY get an idea drawn and over with. This week was actually a prime example of that. As I FINALLY got one drawing done that someone has been ITCHING to see. The other two were my own ideas lol.
And while yes, I CAN draw. I can't draw straight from mind. I NEED references and screencaps to be able to draw. So some of the drawing ideas I have, I just can't do. There's no way. Granted, I could TRY. And I'm all about trying. But there's no way it'll come out to my liking. No one will EVER know what I really picture in my head.
And I also don't wanna be the only artist drawing what I draw. So naturally here and there, I like to pop in pm's and ask some artists if they would be willing to draw something for me. And I'm all about giving them their respect and space. So if they say no, that's ok. If they say yes but they need time, that's ok. If I have to pay them and if I got money on me, that's ok.
You know? I'm not that type of person to be up everyone's ass asking and BEGGING for requests. And I'm not going to act like a cry baby when an artist tells me no. That's not right. As an artist, who TOTALLY understands why (why do you think I cancelled requests). I give other artists their respect. Because it's the right thing to do in the end.
Ok I better stop now, this thread is getting long lol. Anyways nice job on the drawing man! And keep up the good work as always!
I've always been an artist since I was a little child. I always LOVED to draw. And I was self-taught
Pretty much the same on my end, insofar as requests, etc (we've discussed this before). :3
Mostly, I get requests for porn and/or for 'niche' fanarts. I suppose it's because I'm amomg the FEW artists who will draw a naked 'boy', and because I frequently draw strange characters (you cannot know how often I've been asked about 'Arctic Dogs'---good Lord!). ^^
Pretty much the same on my end, insofar as requests, etc (we've discussed this before). :3 Mostly,
And I've been in the same situation. I've been asked to draw potty pics of characters who I've never heard of, or characters I'm not interested in. And I was also asked by porn fans to draw lets just say "more added details". As I do NOT even wanna go into it. It's just like, really.........? I don't think so. I draw whatever potty pic and mooning pic ideas I want. Sorry if I like my drawings simple, clean and cute. I'm not like a lot of these disgusting creeps
Yeah I know don't worry lol. And I've been in the same situation. I've been asked to draw potty pi
Was checking out your gallery (before any of your other drawings go "poof!" and saw this. Like the description LOVE the character and your "tutorial" on how you and Christopher Hart draw. :D
BUT as always...THE PENCIL!
A Stadler Mars! Nice Choice!! One of my all time favorite pencil companies. I might have more of them for drawing than any other. I'll have to check the honesty of that statement but I think it's at least 80% true. :D
Was checking out your gallery (before any of your other drawings go "poof!" and saw this. Like the d
