Who said illustrating isn't active?
I know when I'm sketching characters, I'm constantly jumping up and striking different poses to see how something should look, or hand modelling (my least favourite thing to draw!) or contorting my face in the mirror to see different expressions or angles. Sometimes, the best way to make something look real is to DO it so you know how it feels!
One of the harder things to capture I think is perspective and foreshortening. For instance, for this little illo of Alice drawing, I was having trouble getting her legs behind her to look right. Because we are down at her level, there is a lot of foreshortening going on, so I ended up drawing this one the floor with a mirror in front of me in the exact same position!
The only problem with that is that you end up drawing yourself instead of your character, but if you're having trouble making it look 'right', it's the best way to solve the problem that I've found!
Here are some of my feet, you can see how I turned them into Alice's by just making them a bit rounder (and less bony! yes okay I have bony feet the secret is out :-P )
I didn't get much time to work on the book this week, but got a fair bit done today, even in the 39 degree weather (yes, celcius.) Ack! my house is like a sauna! I can't even sit and draw without the fan on me, and it's now 8:50pm. We have one room in the house which has an air conditioner but I always feel too guilty to use the energy to turn it on. Well, I succumbed tonight. But it looks like there is a cool change in sight thank goodness.
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2 years ago
9 comments:
Hi Kim,
Love the choice of topic this week, must be a funny sight seeing you draw!!! You did a beautiful job with the feet, hands and feet are so hard, just a little thing and they look all wrong!
Can't believe you're from Montreal, what a small world! 39 degrees, you say? We are BURIED in snow!Oh well, our time will come...
Have a great week!
Hi Kim! :o)
I think you did a great job with Alice's feet. You are right that perspective is a tough one. She is so but so cute! Love her hair so much :o)
I'm always looking forward to your surprise Mondays.. although for me is Surprise Late Sunday Nights.. he, he.. amazing right?
Yes, have to agree that perspective and foreshortening are hard to master. Heck, anything "people" is hard for me right now! I find myself striking a pose every now and then to get the feel of the position while drawing. Really helps!
Alice looks really good; very natural! Excited to see the rest of the gang as the weeks progress!
She looks adorable!!! Can't wait to see what else you come up with and of course the finished product. :)
Hi Isabelle, yes hands are the worst! I've got a way of drawing them now when they're far away but when they're close up I still curse them! Feet on the other hand (or other foot) I quite enjoy.
Thanks Alicia! Glad you are enjoying it. Yes it's funny having such a big time difference - I sometimes report back to my friends in Canada "Tuesday is a good day, make sure to get out of bed today" ;-)
Thanks Tom! I think practice is the only thing that genuinely helps!
Thanks for checking in Lightening!
you did a great job getting it figured out. your little character is really cute!
so funny that you drew yourself! i have been known to have my daughter pose for me. she is so helpful! :)
teri
She's just...lovely :)
She's so cute. Great sketch!
I think you have awesome feet. :)
I often have trouble drawing with just looking in the mirror because I keep moving out of position, so I turn the digital camera on myself, and take several shots, and that helps.
Thanks for the comment princesstomato - you're lucky you have someone to pose for you! (my cat doesn't always fit the bill!)
Glad you like her Karen :))
That's a great idea Angela! Thank you.
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