With a little help from me on RC Debug, of course. ^^

I continue to work on improving myself by looking at the artwork of other people and trying to work certain aspects of things into my own work. For example, I might be drawing a device of some sort, and then sift through some art of landscapes. I then try to put them together, and if it works, I run with it. Usually I start out with something basic, and then add more elements of detail to it, like lighting, glowing or reflective spots, small machinery details like bolts, screws, and so on, and details for the landscape as well.

The same goes for character art. A lot of the time, I will try making clothing for a character drawing from one or more cultures. If I can find a way to make them fit together, I can then go in and add details. And by details on characters, I mean that I usually look at patterning on things, or on unusual shapes in the human body. I'm sort of wierd when it comes to drawing bodies, though, because I like them better when they look imperfect. I like for things to look like they've been previously broken or like the person has weak muscles or whatever. It's just a preference of style. If I can recommend anything, it would be to observe everything you can when you look at anything in life, whether it be people, objects, landscapes, or whatever, and to practice, practice, practice. You will not get better if you don't practice. You get rusty, and you won't progress that way. Also, when you do practice, don't throw stuff away, and get critiques on your work. Pay attention to people who point out specific things, and either correct or take note of them. People who just say "I don't like it" are usually not worth your time to listen to, but if they take the time to show you what needs work, pay attention.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to do excercises in order to challenge yourself. Either make some up for yourself, or have someone else do so. (Art teachers are wonderful for this.) This will give you parameters to work in, and compel you to work more as well.

A good trick is to take 5 minutes a day to try and draw something. Which means each day try to think of something and draw it within 5 minutes. Doing these quick drawings/graphics will help to keep you sharp and creative.

In fact, some professional artists do this more than once per day. Except they usually sketch it out on paper and throw it away afterwards. You're not supposed to keep that artwork because it makes you stay in that same style and doesn't allow you to grow as an artist.

You should go out of your way to try and do different styles of art just to get experience in different things. If you're always drawing a certain way then all of your work will look the same. You want to be able to work in such a way that you could make two different graphics and nobody could tell they were by the same person. :)

Do you really think I can only pixel? ^^

Of the drawings I've seen, they're not very impressive.

I've never seen otherwise. But then I don't think I've ever shown off my artwork, such as my Oil paintings on these forums. And I don't intend to until I make something I truly like.

Who cares about Elk. Not me.

This thread is for my little buddy Killerogue. Love you man, keep up the good stuff. You'll get better at GFX when the time is right.

Why do you use oil rather than... acrylic, for example?

Cause acrylic blows.

I disagree entirely, although I also don't have any experience with oil paint and happen to hate painting in general.

Acrylics colors are too unrealistic. You can't get a good color thats more realistic, and good looking. Acrylic paints are also a ***** to..."remove." You'd have to spend forever using water to take out the paint if you messed up. Because lord knows it would take longer to do the layers of paint it would take to cover it up. Another downside to Acrylics! You have to layer many times! Once or twice will do it with oils. Sure you have to give oil paint a week to dry. The feel of them is more natural, resulting in better brush strokes. Oil paint is very versatile, you can use them for almost any style of painting. Oil Paints where the choice of the masters, and rightly so.

Anyways, back on topic. Although not entirely. I found that learning to paint helped me improve on my graphics skills, surprisingly enough.

You havent seen a drawing, you have seen sketches ;)

So would his godliness like to post a drawing?

xD

Hmm maybe I should post my Jimi Hendrix drawing. =)