Hey thanks! I try to update on my art instagram daily so I'm fairly active with drawing. I'll try not to be spammy here though and only post when I have like 3-5 art pieces done that I want to share. And thank you! Yes that's Seishieon, a ghost type eeveelution I designed when I was like 13. It supposedly summons and consumes souls filled with regret to increase its own power.
Right, I always use references especially for humans since I'm still learning their basic anatomy. But what I don't understand (and I'm hoping you'll explain) is the thinner brush. Do you mean, on Photoshop, I draw it initially with a 7 pixel brush and then go back over with a 10 pixel brush?
and of course I missed this reply rip (also sorry for the double notifs had to edit bleh)
So yes, what I mean is in Photoshop or whatever digital drawing software you use. Try using a thinner brush and making a more loose sketch of your design. Then add a new layer, use a slightly thicker brush width, and define those features that you think came out well in the sketching phase. From there you can keep refining and adding with new layers so you have a much smoother transition when it comes to the linework in your pieces. Remember to use opacity to your advantage too!
Take
this piece, for example. There's areas where the lines overlap and break the visual continuity. I hope you don't mind, but I red-lined that piece to help demonstrate what I'm talking about.
Those red circles are denoting areas where your lines are either too thick, cross over one another, or don't conform to the body - making for a messier overall image. I hope that doesn't come across as too harsh! Because really, it's a simple mistake that can be overlooked by even the most seasoned artists and something that can be easily fixed by making sure you work in layers with gradually increase size and opacity as you reach the end of the linework phase. I don't know what kind of tablet you're using, but if it had pressure sensitivity than definitely make sure you set your brushes to taper at the end - that will make your linework look much less blunt! Sharp lines naturally look cleaner to the eye.
But if that's not possible, than remember to go slow and make sure that all of your lines are in sequence with one another. Keep your pen to the tablet as often as possible when finalizing your lines. If you need to stop and raise your stylist, be careful to begin drawing again at the same position you ended, otherwise the drawing becomes distorted with distracting overlaps that takes away from the visual appeal, does that make sense? You're definitely talented, so I think with just a little more patience you can see some significant improvement in your linework. :)
Lastly, I hope to see you start shading your drawings! I hope I explained this all adequately!