I'd like to draw better!
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As you can see, I actually can draw objects and body contours pretty well. I do a good bit of 3D modeling, so I can think about how things should be positioned in perspective and usually draw them pretty well. Thinking in axes is no problem, and I can usually apply mesh topology knowledge when adding wrinkles to clothing, etc.
However, this is pretty much my limit right now. No real shading. Coincidentally, when working in 3D programs, shadows are done for me. I set up lights I guess, but that's about it. So my question at the moment is... mentally, how do you approach shading? How do you compute it? I can work with the surfaces of the objects in my images well; curvy body, curvy shadow, so to speak, but sometimes when I make shadows it'll look more like I've put black body paint on my character instead of shading. Am I overthinking this? Could someone give me some helpful tips or a good explanation, or should I just go "practice makes perfect" and keep throwing things at the wall till I see what sticks?
However, this is pretty much my limit right now. No real shading. Coincidentally, when working in 3D programs, shadows are done for me. I set up lights I guess, but that's about it. So my question at the moment is... mentally, how do you approach shading? How do you compute it? I can work with the surfaces of the objects in my images well; curvy body, curvy shadow, so to speak, but sometimes when I make shadows it'll look more like I've put black body paint on my character instead of shading. Am I overthinking this? Could someone give me some helpful tips or a good explanation, or should I just go "practice makes perfect" and keep throwing things at the wall till I see what sticks?
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You sound like you're serious about this so I'm going to give you a serious answer.
First of all I have to say, that what you need to do is learn anatomy. By that I mean basic construction of the body (what muscles and what bones show, proportions, all that jazz). And this you have to do with EVERYTHING you draw. Artist has to know how everything is built to be able to build it on paper. Just like you probably did with your motorcycle there.
Now secondly to your shading problem. First thing is to determine where light is coming from. You can draw a 3D arrow on canvas to help remind you. The key is to think of object surfaces as planes; which plane is in full shadow, which is the mid tone, which is highlighted and which is in shadow but has reflective light on it. This last one is always darker than midtone but lighter than full shadow.
You do seem to have a pretty good sense of perspective, which is a very nice starting point to building art-skills :) It's usually the part where everyone struggles.
First of all I have to say, that what you need to do is learn anatomy. By that I mean basic construction of the body (what muscles and what bones show, proportions, all that jazz). And this you have to do with EVERYTHING you draw. Artist has to know how everything is built to be able to build it on paper. Just like you probably did with your motorcycle there.
Now secondly to your shading problem. First thing is to determine where light is coming from. You can draw a 3D arrow on canvas to help remind you. The key is to think of object surfaces as planes; which plane is in full shadow, which is the mid tone, which is highlighted and which is in shadow but has reflective light on it. This last one is always darker than midtone but lighter than full shadow.
You do seem to have a pretty good sense of perspective, which is a very nice starting point to building art-skills :) It's usually the part where everyone struggles.
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Raked wrote...
You sound like you're serious about this so I'm going to give you a serious answer.First of all I have to say, that what you need to do is learn anatomy. By that I mean basic construction of the body (what muscles and what bones show, proportions, all that jazz). And this you have to do with EVERYTHING you draw. Artist has to know how everything is built to be able to build it on paper. Just like you probably did with your motorcycle there.
Now secondly to your shading problem. First thing is to determine where light is coming from. You can draw a 3D arrow on canvas to help remind you. The key is to think of object surfaces as planes; which plane is in full shadow, which is the mid tone, which is highlighted and which is in shadow but has reflective light on it. This last one is always darker than midtone but lighter than full shadow.
You do seem to have a pretty good sense of perspective, which is a very nice starting point to building art-skills :) It's usually the part where everyone struggles.
Anatomy? I guess when I look at it, I did a better job on the bike then the rider, but I think shading is at least a more pressing problem. Either way, anatomy is something I can learn with time. Any area in particular where the anatomy is off? Personally I feel like she isn't planted on the middle of the seat exactly, but I let it slide since the bike is leaned onto a kickstand.
So the light should simply be coming from a direction, as opposed to a point? Not entirely sure what you're saying.
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Now I'd like to say that you need to know anatomy and structure before you can lit things correctly, but I understand you're eager to start bringing your works to life.
The light source is entirely up to you; if it's a sun, a lamp or a moon and whether there are multiple sources or not. I'd suggest you start with a basic sun coming from ~45°, so that your character is well lit and looks three dimensional. Since sun is so high up, it indeed is light coming from just one direction.
About the anatomy, it's a good start. The pose you are illustrating her in is a very difficult one since the body is twisting. Main thing that I notice is the elongated torso, big head (even if we count in the helmet factor) and wide neck. There are some other minor things too (e.g. narrow hips) but you can learn those from the millions of anatomy tutorials out there.
Overall she looks quite simplified compared to the bike and the helmet. I'd add some detail like curves to her body, seams and foldings to her clothes and shoes. Even if it's a skin tight suit, every cloth folds here and there.
I'm sorry for the wall of text! I have a tendency to get carried away. I hope I don't come off as offending, I just want to offer a helping hand like other artists have done to me :)
The light source is entirely up to you; if it's a sun, a lamp or a moon and whether there are multiple sources or not. I'd suggest you start with a basic sun coming from ~45°, so that your character is well lit and looks three dimensional. Since sun is so high up, it indeed is light coming from just one direction.
About the anatomy, it's a good start. The pose you are illustrating her in is a very difficult one since the body is twisting. Main thing that I notice is the elongated torso, big head (even if we count in the helmet factor) and wide neck. There are some other minor things too (e.g. narrow hips) but you can learn those from the millions of anatomy tutorials out there.
Overall she looks quite simplified compared to the bike and the helmet. I'd add some detail like curves to her body, seams and foldings to her clothes and shoes. Even if it's a skin tight suit, every cloth folds here and there.
I'm sorry for the wall of text! I have a tendency to get carried away. I hope I don't come off as offending, I just want to offer a helping hand like other artists have done to me :)
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It's not a wall of text, your post is wider than it is long. Even if it was a wall, I don't mind either way.
But dang, the longer I look at it, the more I realize how thick I made the neck. However the legs being too short might be what's causing the torso to look long. That said, most of my anatomy problems are proportions then? I was wondering if I had any incorrect folds or contours as opposed to just poor spacing.
Anyway, I know I could work on that and add more clothing wrinkles, but for now I think I'll draw a mech or two so I can avoid thinking about anatomy or fabric and work on shading flat surfaces.
But dang, the longer I look at it, the more I realize how thick I made the neck. However the legs being too short might be what's causing the torso to look long. That said, most of my anatomy problems are proportions then? I was wondering if I had any incorrect folds or contours as opposed to just poor spacing.
Anyway, I know I could work on that and add more clothing wrinkles, but for now I think I'll draw a mech or two so I can avoid thinking about anatomy or fabric and work on shading flat surfaces.