[Showcase] Sketches

[Lotus the Cat]

2015 resolution: get back into drawing. The title of the thread is sketches because that's mostly what I do and what you will see. I don't often create polished images.

I posted this in the discussion thread about what makes us artists, but to repeat, I stopped drawing on a regular basis when I was 17 (over 10 years ago now) due to study. I have been trying to get back into it with little success but I'm determined to do so this year.

I used to draw anime style when I was a teenager but have since decided I rather a more western look and have been trying to develop a different style. I'm still trying to hammer it out.

Please provide any and all constructive criticisms. There are a lot of areas I need improvement on. :-)

Pokemon Fan Art​

Spoiler:

This is what I figure staraptor would look like if a real bird. As it has "raptor" in its name and has a flared tail I based the design strongly on a wedge tailed eagle. As feathers cannot lie in the opposite direction of the bulk, I have made the comb more like the crest on a cockatoo, which it would flare up as it feels like and possibly curl over.

Other Fan Art​

Spoiler:

Varric from Dragon Age. I didn't draw his head or body square enough, but by the time I realised it was too late to correct so I just went with it. He is not pleased, not at all.

Original Characters or Studies​

Spoiler:

Two characters I made up for the sake of drawing. These are head shots at two different ages. I tend to have difficulty drawing the same face twice, so this was some practice in that as well as developing a more realistic look for my style. I've been slowing getting the hang of drawing actual noses and mouths.

An attempt to draw some different expressions. I note that the shock/horror one is laughably exaggerated. I also tried to then draw him in profile and you can see that the years spent drawing anime got the better of me because he turned out looking very weird...

A quick sketch I did last night as practice. I used a model in a bridal photo shoot to draw from.

 

[The ???]

I really really like your style.. its somewhere between anime and realistic, and simple yet professional. ^^
Overall, what's your aim? It seems like you want to make some comic/cartoon/manga things since you're paying more attention to the same characters in different poses / moods..
Since you are kinda developing your own style, I really can't say much about proportions and ratios, but still I think the nose needs a little more work on it, those have to look very much the same in all drawings unless there's a drastic pose change.
That's about it, you should try to create a full complete drawing though, possibly a scenario with 2-3 characters from a rather unique camera angle, there I will be able to notice more of what you're lacking..
You should also watch Mark Crilley on YouTube, he explains exactly what you're doing :)

 

[Lotus the Cat]

I really really like your style.. its somewhere between anime and realistic, and simple yet professional. ^^
Overall, what's your aim? It seems like you want to make some comic/cartoon/manga things since you're paying more attention to the same characters in different poses / moods..
Since you are kinda developing your own style, I really can't say much about proportions and ratios, but still I think the nose needs a little more work on it, those have to look very much the same in all drawings unless there's a drastic pose change.
That's about it, you should try to create a full complete drawing though, possibly a scenario with 2-3 characters from a rather unique camera angle, there I will be able to notice more of what you're lacking..
You should also watch Mark Crilley on YouTube, he explains exactly what you're doing :)

Thanks for the feedback. :-)

I was thinking about making a comic to force me out of my comfort zone when drawing but I'm not a writer so that makes it difficult. I tend to focus on faces when I draw and don't often draw much else. I do need to branch out a bit more and when I do I'll post it.

 

[Ice1]

These have a great comicy feel to it. I especially like the Rupert and Marie characters you've drawn. They seem so clean and nice. You should totally try a comic! It's probably great practice and you have the character basis already. I can't wait to see more of your work!

 

[Lotus the Cat]

This is what I figure staraptor would look like if a real bird. As it has "raptor" in its name and has a flared tail I based the design strongly on a wedge tailed eagle. As feathers cannot lie in the opposite direction of the bulk, I have made the comb more like the crest on a cockatoo, which it would flare up as it feels like and possibly curl over.

Spoiler:

 

[Crady]

I really REALLY like your original character of studies sketch :) It's awesome IMHO