Sketchbook: Jimmies

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

I'm making one because I could use a fuckload of feedback on my drawing.
I'm completely lost as of now, because I have more ideas than I can draw, etc etc blabhabhabhab
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/thygarbageman.png
photoshop diver guy
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/notdone.png
mspaint face

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

bsghffsdh

[Ruz]

I like the style you are developing.
second one has bags of character. yuo should sketch a lot more and post more.

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

bs about style, deleted so I can look more intelligent

[aesir]

I dont think an arist should ever try to adopt someone else's style as their own. I think you should just draw and let your style develop on its own, although frankly, I dont like the idea of having a style. It seems limiting. It's all about what you're trying to accomplish with the piece you're working on.

so, umm, draw more. I'm likin your stuff.

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

omg shut up and draw, me.

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/lumpkins-1.png

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

Onward

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/bkaehge.png

[Ged]

these are really interesting characters, your using a really scratchy looking style thats quite hard on the eye, is this on purpose?

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

Well, I dont usually try for it, but mspaint kinda makes it that way.
Although, when I'm drawing with pen i'll sometimes go that route for some reason or another

[Ferg]

Hrm, why are you using mspaint? I mean, I can appreciate the impulse to simplify the process to focus on the basics, but I think you really need the ability to control line weight (a la photoshop) to really improve your drawing. Once I started paying attention to my line weight, my sketches got a lot cleaner and my lines started to take on all kinds of new dimensions. It was magical.

Mai too sense... anyway, I dig what you're throwin down so far. Would love to see more non-mspaint stuff though :)

[bitmap]

i like your first doodle. the ocean guy. ithink it would give a nice low lowpoly char. :)
ds style. have you considered making it?

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

Ferg: I'm using mspaint because i've used it forever and it's simple.
However, I have been using corel painter essentials recently, because i finally have enough memory on my hardrive so that It will work. (20 gigs free, as opposed to 500mb)

Bitmap: Yes, i love low poly and I should start to learn modelling. I specifically want to make little low poly games with cool lighting, like dynamic shadows n'shit, but still 128x128 texture maps, with low poly. So much cooler looking.
Anyways, my friend here, Sarccasmm made a model of it, and I should try to get him to show it off in his sketchbook.

[bitmap]

Bitmap: Yes, i love low poly and I should start to learn modelling. I specifically want to make little low poly games with cool lighting, like dynamic shadows n'shit, but still 128x128 texture maps, with low poly.

you have a lots of posts already,yet i havent seen any cool shit from you. if you are really serious about this shit you should start right away and not procrastinate.
you should read this: http://poopinmymouth.com/tutorial/money_mouth.htm

anywho.. learn, do cool shit and then post.

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

DRAW MORE

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/dooooo1.jpg

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

draw more

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/Untitled-1.jpg
Things to work on;
Everything in general, refining my work, front view faces, hair (especially on forehead, etc)
Different noses, bodies, anatomy, overcoming laziness (started drawing for at least an hour everyday after school, even if I hate it and it pisses me off at the moment)

[Slingshot]

Hey Jimmies_the_Squirrel I get in these little art slumps too where I hate everything I am working on too and I don't see my art going anywhere. You have to push through those crappy days. Maby try and focus on drawling a specific type of character instead of just drawling a bunch of characters. Look at references and some of your favorite artists or things that will get you pumped up to drawl. Try not to force the art from yourself just have fun. But while having fun set some sort of objective for your art piece you are currently working on. What do you want to achieve. If you have problems drawling eyes just drawl a sheet of eyes.
On a further note analyze your artwork after you are finished drawling it and ask yourself why do you not like the way my art is turning out. Take a mental note for next time and adapt what you have learned for your next drawling. If you need reference material or some artwork from other artists to inspire you pm me and I will hook you up. Just tell me what you need or are looking for.

Keep your head up and keep sketching. Good luck!
Sorry for the long read.

[Ferg]

the strategy that has worked best for me is to just set aside time for it. After work every day, I go straight to a coffee shop near my place, get a beverage, and sit down and draw for a couple of hours. I don't have any distractions there, and since I've gone there specifically to draw, it's easier to get motivated to do so.

Also, never wait for "inspiration". Draw another of the heads you always draw, if you have to. Draw a random shape and give it eyes and see where it goes. Just keep your hand moving... even if all you get is a bunch of lines and squiggles, it's worth it. You'll eventually get really used to having your hand moving around on the drawing pad... and things will just kinda form themselves.

Aaaaalso... sometimes you draw crap. That's fine. Some days I go through several pages of crap before I draw anything that I don't want to instantly throw away without anyone getting a chance to see it. Sometimes you have to warm up. Sometimes you can't warm up and all you draw is crap. Whats important is that you stay in the habit... and the pathways between your brain and your hand will get quicker and stronger, and you'll find you have to think less and less to make shapes.

Just force yourself... like starting a morning running routine or something. In the beginning, it takes a lot of will power to keep doing, but after a few weeks, it becomes a pretty natural habit, and you'll even miss doing it if you go a day or two without drawing. Set aside time, and just keep sending signals to your hand to move around. Sometimes you'll have an idea of what you want to draw, and sometimes it'll just draw itself.

Hope that helps. Drawing is fun.

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

Thank you much.
I do the random shape method all the time, and it can be kinda fun.

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs27/f/2008/113/e/0/It__s_a_thing_by_Piespelunker.jpg
I drew a quicky thing of the idea i've been working on.
basically a little dude that lives in the refridgerator and is fighting a losing battle against the menacing food items.
I'm basically thinking some really weird shit, kinda stupid if you think about it, but that's part of the idea

I need some help on the design tho, I was kinda thinking of giving him a thimble helmet.
Basically he has a sewing needle for protection and because his little robey thing needs constant repair.
I was thinking about having him wear a spool of thread on his back, or maybe a pin cushion with a lot of different little pins in it. Although...
I'm not sure yet. I also need to find a way to attach arms to him in a way that they don't mess with the silhouette too much, as i'm going for a more sleek look.

Also, i'm thinking about working with clay stuff, maybe stop motion animation (used to mess with it a lot as a kid with bionicles) So i'd like to know what you'd reccomend for materials, such as types of clay, etc.

Thanks in advance

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

Wanting to give up and die is part of the whole learning process, right?
Right now i'm feeling completely sick of drawing, because no matter how much I try, it doesn't improve. I'd love to illustrate what I mean but I can't fucking scan anything because my scanner is possessed with some fucking demon shit

[Slingshot]

Yup sure is. I feel the same way about my art too. You just have to keep going. Take a different learning approach than what you are now, that may help. My scanner leaves lines in the photo that I have to edit out. On the bright side it improves my photoshop skills.

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

Your words have helped me a lot.
It's true; You keep making yourself draw, and you just get used to it, and then It suddenly doesn't matter if all you manage to draw is steaming lumps of digital shit;
It's entertaining, and a helluva way to keep yourself busy.
Hell, when I get drawing all my real problems with it go away. (omgstyle)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/stickinthedark.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/birdsamurai.jpg

I've found that drawing this way is a good way to get going, for some reason or another.
It gets my head working better with drawing in mind.

[conte]

that's ms paint, isn't it?

[bitmap]

yeah.
you should get used to photoshop. slrsy

[Slingshot]

Just let'em draw sheesh.
All that matters is that something is learned from the process.

Although your learning process might not be as slow with a better program Jimmies. Fighting a program to get it to do what you want should not be part of the creative process.

If you decide to use Adobe Photoshop I will be glade to help you out and set you up with some tutorials if you need them.

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

Hell, if I can get a brush set up like mspaint in photoshop, i'd be using it.
It shipped with my computer, I just haven't touched the thing.(Much)

Also, i'm a bit more interested on your thoughts about the actual drawings, not so much the program I use. Any tips?

[SupRore]

Hell, if I can get a brush set up like mspaint in photoshop, i'd be using it.

Pencil tool. any brush.

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/oldguiy.jpg

In an absent minded after school stupor, I yet again forget that photoshop is good for drawing.

I think this took me all of 10 minutes

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

Alright, photoshop has some personal vendetta against my computer lately, and i will no longer be using it until this problem sorts itself out.
Also, less bitching, more drawing. Yessir.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/frigespaceguy.png

a thing

[curry23]

yeah, you should be learning from life not from other artists.
Learning from other artists is limiting, as they only know so much themselves.
The best way to improve is to draw from life.

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

Okay, so I sat down with my brothers anatomy book all through school, drew stuff, kept in mind underlaying things, and tried to draw things I saw about me.
So far, it's been doing things that make me happy with my drawing, but I can't show you really.

Umm, all I want to know is if I can get some input on something...

http://media.gameworldnetwork.com/news_shots/1774775374469bfa2fd8b47.jpg
Okay, do you think that my little pointy eared dude (few posts up) looks too similar to those pointy eared guys in the in this post?>
Because I like the pointy ears but I have no intention of ripping capcom off entirely, and I have worked a lot to deviate from their design because originally the character was pretty much identical but more poorly drawn.
If it does, please help me with pulling it away from that, but keeping the general sillouhette/ feel.
It's meant to be kind of an isolated character, whom doesn't deal much with other people, so I guess he smells kinda bad.

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

Well, not to mention I just need to make the design more interesting in general, it's just too bland right now.

[Sectaurs]

yours has more in common with batman than anything in that picture.

i think you're safe

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

Yeah, i started noticing more of a batman resemblance, thanks for reinforcing it so I don't have to worry about ripping off capcom.
Still need a bit of input on the design, thinking about making that hole his mouth or something.
Dunno.

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

If you guys tell me where my tablet stuff is hidden, I promise I'll produce stuff more worth looking at! Please, you have to stop hiding these things from me!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/Nazistallioncrushingthepenisofthewo.jpg?t=12245660 13
:( I hate myself some days

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

disregard this

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

I found my tablet, so now I can provide you with pictures that resemble something similar to quality. Not to mention i'm trying SAI and like it.
MInus that I can't seem to save pictures...

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

sorry for quality, SAI+prntscrn+mspaint
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/littleguy.png
(though i painted it small to begin with)

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

Making an elf;
Next up dwarves, humans, cats, various others...(Guess what game i've been playing)
I need to work on shading yet.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/Newcanvas.png

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

shaded, not done but considering it alright for now, and moving onto other things while they are still fresh in my mind, and before my mood spoils. Coming back to do more detailing later (maybe do more class specific things, generic elf, elf swordsman, elf hunter etc etc)
Also i should probably give them arms that can be broken
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/shadedelf.png

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/dwarves.png
Dwarves, will go back and redo each one (with orthos) and go from there.
not happy with miner or fisherdwarf

[Sectaurs]

cook dwarf FTW!

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/salamander2.png

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/ohmygodhorrible.png
A failed attempt at a background.
Was going to paint a cloudy sky but meh
Crits, please?
I seem to be on a salamander kick right now
(i call him solomon, and he is a racecar driver...not really but he has a scarf)

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

Ermm, have an issue here.
As of now, I prefer my dwarfy and elfy things without arms, however it's kinda hard for them to hold things without them, but I think they look a lot better without them.
Maybe it's just cause I suck at drawing arms sorta, but input please?

[wizo]

That last one is great!! I like that lil cigarette with the curvy smoke line.

Try to keep the "3D" perspective feel like you did on the last sketch, it really made your character pop compared to your other sketches.

Try killing parallel lines, e.g. top and bottom lines of the scarf.....it should add to the perspective

Keep it up, I wanna see more :)

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/divar.png


Diver.
I stole the stick legs and stuff from that sarc guy
: D
(side note if you're reading, draw more stuff like that I have an idea)

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/link2_001.png
Voxel Link :o
He is suprised I got anywhere on him!

Time to learn programming and make a voxel based zelda game tricked out with all kinds of gimmicky voxel related situations.

(I'm pretending to be Nintendo today)

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/soooloooman.png

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/ckg.png

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/hooman.png

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/wheelfisk.png
Not very happy with this one, probably because I started with an idea and it didnt turn out quite like in my head.
Cuttlefish on wheels...
Blah.

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/guy.png

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

I'm happy-
My drawings don't feel forced anymore and flow much better (plus color)
Anyway, here's this guy (Gib=Generic Irish Bad-ass)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/gib.png

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/dorfort.png
Dorf fort fan-art!
(about to attack a goblin fort)

Umm, I think this is a considerable update (all these drawings were completed within the last 2-3 hours)
Lessons-
Layers are important
Color is fun
So is the binary tool in SAI

[Jimmies_the_squirrel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/PieSpelunker/divar-1.png
More lessons-character design can be a real bitch, but it can be a hella lot fun coming up with one.
(It is a diver, for a game I intend to make, I already had a really crappy game running so I figure with effort i can make something.)
I made his helmet (gas-mask diving helmet combo) reddish, like a lobster, and the tube was kinda supposed to be like a lobster feeler. Umm, yeah. I guess he's supposed to be some kind of fantasy garbageman revolutionary