ext_38173 ([identity profile] thistlefinch.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] themostepotente 2004-04-17 04:39 pm (UTC)

This may be more than you wanted...

Hrm, a whole lot of "what they said" coming your way:

1. Photo references are good. You can find pose books at some art stores, these are (from what I've seen) generally Japanese Manga reference books showing people doing anything and everything. 'Cept sex, those jerks. Getting someone you know and trusts you (if there's nakedness involved) to pose for you is good too.

2. Start with a rough sketch, work lightly with pencil. Go back over the lines you want to keep, erasing the ones you don't.

3. If you're really serious, you might want to try a life drawing class at your local community college. Generally not too expensive, and tons of fun. Plus? Nudity.

4. Lots of practice, and lots of looking at other people's work. Not just other fanart, either. Go to the library and research interesting artists, and develop your style from there. Keep an actual sketchbook, not just pieces of paper lying around so your work doesn't get screwed up (or looked at by unwanted people).

5. If you work with pencils, buy a set of good drawing pencils. They don't generally cost more than 8 bucks a set, and they're completely worth it. I reccomend the Derwent brand. Or buy a small range of whatever medium you want to work with.

6. Keep at it. Most people think they suck when they start out, and quit just as they're beginning to make progress (or really *are* doing well). Your I REFUSE TO THROW IN THE TOWEL, DAMMIT! is a *very* good attitude to have.

Damn, I feel really pretentious. Hope it helps, anyways.

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