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Good books to learn more about drawing/art?
Topic Started: Feb 12 2011, 04:58 PM (668 Views)
Jonny Justice
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Long ago, from about when I was 4 to 13, I was convinced I wanted to be an artist. I got really good for a while, then I stopped when I picked up a guitar. Recently, I decided that I really need to get back into art. I am happy to say I haven't lost ALL of my skill. I can still draw nice comic style, 2D art, but I have lost all of my skills in shading/3 dimension arts, polygons, stuff like that. I'm terrible at it now. I can't do poses for human bodies very well either, that's always been a weakness of mine.

Any tips are appreciated. I need to start working on my skills over the next 2 years, as I hope to transfer over to Full Sail in about 2 years to begin courses on the way to become a concept artist for games.

Thanks for the help!
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Ponch
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Vidya Games
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Tips on shading: Always start from left to right if you are right handed and left to right if you are right handed. This will avoid smearing. You may always want to use gum wad paper to place over the areas you have already shaded to avoid smearing.

Start with a harder lead pencil as they are lighter-marking and work your way down to a softer lead pencil as they are a darker-marking pencil. Here is a chart:Posted Image

When you decide what you want to be shaded, use a harder lead pencil for every spot you want shaded. Then gradually work your way towards a softer lead pencil. (Almost like your putting on different coats as you get darker) ** Hope this part makes sense.

Avoid using an eraser as it will darken the pencil lead when you try to shade over it. The eraser damages the fibers in the paper and wont be the same. Also, I never shade with my finger because our skin has oils in them which looks sloppy IMO and effects the overall outcome.

Try not lifting up your pencil when shading as well. You have created a tip on the pencil that will give you a consistent look throughout the shade.

I know that some communities offer drawing classes which would be a great start. I've picked up these tips from several drawing classes throughout high school and in college. Hope this helps!
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eSkilliam
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Gamer. Graphic Designer. Geek.

I'm not huge into manga/anime style art, but this guy was so good at drawing in general that I subbed him. Lots of tips for drawing, shading, manga, and the likes. I recommend you sub to him. He doesn't put out a lot of videos, but the ones he does and already has up are amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/user/markcrilley


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matt456p
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I'm in a Fine Art class at my High School, and I BELEIVE my teacher reccommends Learn to Draw: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. Could be an absolute peice of garbage, I don't know, I haven't read it, but he seems to enjoy it.
Edited by matt456p, Feb 17 2011, 08:55 PM.
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Travis
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Hey Johnny Justice,

The best book I've found for art and drawing is "The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to be the Artist You Truly Are" By Danny Gregory. It has an insane title and seems a bit soft but the book really teaches you to be an artist. It seems like you've already done the basics and really just need a boost to your artistic influence. I've checked out a lot of art books and this one isn't a tutorial or an how-to about drawing like a super hero or manga books. What it does is really start to break down your artistic eye and motivations. From being an artist myself the first quarter of the book wasn't ground breaking and there should almost be two versions of the book. One for new comers and one for people needing a new direction.

I wouldn't recommend you buying unless you really have nothing to do with 12 bucks just because it seems you already have art skills, but if you could find it at your library like I did you should check it out.

The best tip I have for you from the book that has helped me is to draw at least 20 minutes a day. Keep a sketch journal and draw for 20 minutes each day. You'll be surprised about how much your skills have improved just over a few weeks of sketching and practice.
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