Null


Edited by Manuziari - 03 June 2011 at 3:01pm

Help can come from anyone not just me, k.
I will not make an edit for you because I think you will fail to learn one of the most basic art skills. Developing forms and shapes.
see THIS for basic chest shapes.
see THIS anime chest which closely resembles what you are trying to do.
see THIS from a great site for body references

In my opinion your problem is mostly color choices. You have colors that don't help you define shape and volume. Check out these colors and notice how with just a few colors shapes are created.

The chain has some problem because its almost to the shoulders and not around the neck. It also looks more like beads instead of chain links.

The cross is not proportionate as the vertical and the horizontal have different widths.

Thanks to both of you. Jalonso chain was done like that on purpose but I'll try to change it. Thank you.

Null


Edited by Manuziari - 03 June 2011 at 3:00pm

Shape must be squared 80x80 to be used as avatar in Pixelaria.

Edited by Manuziari - 01 June 2011 at 8:08am

don't fake the anatomy, know the anatomy. there's no quick trick to getting the muscles right, other than learning human musculature.

right now the pectorals fade directly into the collarbones, and the pecs themselves are too small. Draw the whole torso so you get the proportions right. You can always crop it down to avatar size later.

Ok. I'll do a edit and then I'll post here. Thanks.

Edited by Manuziari - 01 June 2011 at 5:46pm

Don't just copy his work make your own or you wont learn a thing.
Maybe don't have such a gradual change in shades just have two or three shades with big contrast, and just add some AA on the corners ;)

New edit:

Where's everyone?


Edited by Manuziari - 02 June 2011 at 7:19pm

Sorry for the triple post. But edits aren't identical, anyway. Thanks I'll try to fix it.

Take note of how my edit is asymmetrical (the muscles mimic symmetry, but are not technically symmetrical, especially because they expand/contract and because of genetics) -- this gives the body a more organic feeling. Remember that you're representing an organic, imperfect form, not one that was engineered with absolute precision.

Use the brush tool and lay down your colors. You can easily find a reference online and 'paint' from that. You want to be a little loose about it at first, and then refine on a single-pixel level.

When drawing the torso, I usually focus on the abdominal wall and the pectorals and how they relate to each other. I then move on to the collarbone and how it sits above the pectorals, and then the trapezius and how it runs along the collar.
The pecs suggest the width of the shoulders, mainly because they can be seen as 'hanging off' the shoulders.

You're still boxing in your picture and drawing attention to its size limitation. You do this by running dark colors along the edge of the canvas, smushing the subject inside the frame rather than letting it run off the edge. Let the pecs extend out of the picture, shading and all.

Good improvement all around though: you're starting to get the idea of dynamic, wholesome shading.

Edited by W M - 03 June 2011 at 8:06am

can I see the muscle references you're currently working from?

It would help a ton if you got a real reference. Not another artist's anime simplification of muscles. You need to learn actual musculature from the source, not diluted through cartoons.

look at real people

look at accurate depictions of the underlying muscles

this way, you can understand what you're trying to draw, rather than just mimicking another artist's understanding (which might not be a very thorough understanding at all)


Edited by cure - 03 June 2011 at 2:53pm

I think I can call it finish. Everyone agree?

Ok I understand but I didn't copy WM's edit. I'm here to learn so I use his edit as reference. I just looked at the position of the muscles any problem with that? I don't think so. Well, thank you.

Edited by Manuziari - 03 June 2011 at 8:19pm

I'm working on this piece right now, soon I'll post here.

I have all the WIPs here don't get said. xD

better, the new colors read much better. the abs still need work though, namely the obliques are missing
the obliques are the smaller muscles to the sides of the abs, check this ref I posted earlier:


right now the abs just sort of taper off, and it's unclear what happens toward the edges. I also think the space between the collar bones is too sharp. feel around this area on yourself with your fingers to get a good feel for the shape.

While it does look better now than when you started I fear you are learning very little and depending on doing what others have shown instead of understanding the 'why' of the comments.
You will need to practice and practice anatomy and shapes and volumes and all the art basics if you are to truly improve.
I have noticed over time that PJ members enjoy helping others when effort, dedication and perseverance is shown. Those who show otherwise get less and less help and eventually ignored. If you want to be helped you must help yourself too. No one is asking that you be an expert right away. Just that you show that you are understanding and using the c+c given to you at whatever speed works for you as long as its working.

It's not like that.

Let's use a traditional example. When you draw, how often do you erase when working on a single sketch? Will you ever make it to a point where you'll think that it would be more efficient to start from scratch?

Or if you're cooking. If you're trying a recipe for the first time and it doesn't turn out right, do you keep adding ingredients until you get it right, or try cooking another batch?

While you're learning, it's not healthy to keep using the same base every time. At least from how we see it, it's like you're applying the critiques by painting over your original work, hoping that eventually it'll look acceptable. Like painting abs on a fat guy and hope it passes as a ripped hunk.

Just try this. Paint the muscles from scratch. Just a quick sketch. It's more likely that you would see a larger improvement on your piece.

Edit:

I also happened to start drawing because of anime. And I've even seen books like how to draw Dragon Ball style. They don't really help. All they do is teach you to stick to conventions without figuring out why. Why are noses drawn like that? Why are there no eyelids? Why are muscles so broken?

All styles are based on traditional/realistic art. They might seem unrelated, but believe me they do. Keep drawing enough realistic characters and any style you work on would improve, no matter how stylized they are.

Edited by rustEdge - 04 June 2011 at 1:48pm