MissVengence In reply to edwardjmoran [2014-03-12 19:30:29 +0000 UTC]

Your welcome, your work is awesome

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edwardjmoran In reply to MissVengence [2014-03-12 19:32:24 +0000 UTC]

If there is a poster you'd like done, i'll see what i can do and i can make it available for you to buy as a print

check out my store!: society6.com/EdwardJMoranII

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MissVengence In reply to LaserDatsun [2014-01-14 19:39:13 +0000 UTC]

Your welcome your art is amazing

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MissVengence In reply to squonkhunter [2013-12-15 10:27:41 +0000 UTC]

Your welcome, I love your art may I ask you a question? I was wondering how you construct the faces of your characters, do you use any references for them? I really struggle with getting the right shapes and proportions :/ 

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squonkhunter In reply to MissVengence [2013-12-15 23:06:35 +0000 UTC]

Ah! When I was younger I used to use my own face as reference (which may be why they all look like me lol) but in general I draw straight from my head nowadays. In all honesty, I should get back into using reference, because you never become good enough to go without it, really. It works wonders and it's not the sign of a "better" artist, one who can go without reference. Rather, if ever you feel you're "above" using references, you've become an arrogant artist, and your work will fall stagnant.
But that's just my opinion. Perhaps I know nothing.

Anyway, what really helps is using 3D reference, like your own face in a mirror or your own hand. For a while I used to use my left hand as reference for left hands, and then use my left hand's reflection in a mirror as reference for right hands.
Used to? I STILL do that! I should, in fact, do it more often.

What really helps is picturing your characters as 3D objects. When drawing the shape of the head, picture it fully as a spherical object with a certain amount of space within it. Then when you apply the lines indicating where the eyes are and the vertical line indicating the middle of the face (along which you'd place the nose), keep in mind that these lines will curve according to the surface of the spherical head you've constructed.
This goes for all shapes, to include legs and arms and the torso. The best advice I can give you is to practice using yourself as reference or a friend modeling for you, but FIND A 3D MODEL. That's how you get dimensionality in your work. Working off of 2D reference will make your work look 2D. Surprise.

And always remember you are never above using reference. There is, in my opinion, no artist who can safely go without it.

I hope that helped! Any other questions you have, never be afraid to ask. I'm always happy to help a fellow artist/writer/whatever out. XD

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MissVengence In reply to squonkhunter [2013-12-16 19:06:25 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much for your advice  

I have trouble getting cartoon eyes somewhat symmetrical, are there any ways that make it easier? 

Do you ever have days where your drawing flows great and other days where no matter what you do it doesn't go right? 

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squonkhunter In reply to MissVengence [2013-12-16 22:47:17 +0000 UTC]

Ach, everyone has those days. Yes. Sometimes what you need to do is try drawing something you've never drawn before, or look from reference and sketch passersby.
Usually I set to paper with an image already in mind and I have but to draw it out. In that case I keep altering the eyes until they seem "right" to me. It helps to put out guidelines like an eye line and lightly sketching the size of the eyeballs themselves, then placing the lids on top of them in their shape. Then you know the shape of the balls curving the shape of the lids as well.

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MissVengence In reply to squonkhunter [2013-12-17 20:30:57 +0000 UTC]

When I have days where it doesn't flow I find that it really knocks my confidence. Did it take you a while to perfect your characters?

Thanks again for you advise

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squonkhunter In reply to MissVengence [2013-12-17 22:16:19 +0000 UTC]

Whoa! Lol...I should say my characters are far from perfect, but they suit me for the time being. Constant alterations and little tweaks are always being made, but I'm flattered by your remark.
Yeah, I agree, some days I lament that I've lost my ability to draw. Sometimes that just means you need to go outside and take a walk or that you didn't get enough sleep the night before. Usually when that happens I either divert myself by reading or socializing or I direct my talents elsewhere, like writing. When I then try to imagine what I'm writing visually, that sometimes brings back my ability to draw. Sometimes.
And it took years to develop my style to the point it is now, and I'm still developing it, so perhaps a year from now I'll look back at what I'm drawing and be disgusted, but hey, that's a good sign, because it just means you've improved that much. I've been drawing since I could hold a crayon and I used to do mostly realism. Only about five years ago did I attempt cartooning, and then had to find this weird balance between stylistic exaggeration and realistic anatomy.
So yes, it takes years, and these characters are still not entirely perfected, but I'm beginning to get a better and better grasp of their functionality in 3D space and their emotions as I continue to draw them.
The biggest piece of advice I can give you is draw EVERY DAY. Once you start letting yourself go out of practice, you will fall back. It's not like riding a bicycle, but more like speaking a language. If you don't constantly engage it, you will lose it. If you're really serious about drawing, do it every day, even if it's something small, like a stupid little sketch.

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MissVengence In reply to squonkhunter [2013-12-18 20:55:07 +0000 UTC]

I know exactly what you mean about finding it difficult to switch from realism to cartoon, I've had the same problem. I've been trying to do a bit of drawing every day and I've felt myself getting more confident. I'm so used to doing portraits it's quite a change but I like the challenge though. I appreciate your advise so much, so thank you I love your art, your work gives me inspiration  

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squonkhunter In reply to MissVengence [2013-12-20 00:03:42 +0000 UTC]

Ah yes, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. However, I'm sure you're finding that you actually have been stylizing your realistic portraits, whether you've noticed or not. All "realism" is essentially stylized, even in candid photography. It's your artistic eye and what you pick up on, what you accentuate, and the more you jot down quick sketches, the more you sketch figures in motion, the more you'll find your own voice coming out.
I'm glad you're growing more and more confident the more you draw. I'm also glad you've found value in my advice, and that you find my work inspiring. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors, and again, if you have any questions or need a pep talk, I'm here.
Cheers!

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MissVengence In reply to squonkhunter [2013-12-28 17:40:45 +0000 UTC]

Thanks again for your help, you are extremely kind

I hope you've had a lovely Christmas

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squonkhunter In reply to MissVengence [2013-12-29 06:10:40 +0000 UTC]

I hope you have as well!

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MissVengence In reply to Valleyquail [2013-09-08 14:44:02 +0000 UTC]

Hi

your welcome, your art is amazing

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MissVengence In reply to CR-MediaGal [2013-08-19 19:10:02 +0000 UTC]

Your welcome  

I'm just reading your SS/HG fan fiction, it's brilliant! 

Keep up the good work

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CR-MediaGal In reply to MissVengence [2013-08-20 00:25:12 +0000 UTC]

Oh, thank you. I'm happy to hear you're enjoying them, whichever one it is, haha. Thanks!

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MissVengence In reply to Jafean [2013-08-18 16:44:31 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

Your welcome, I love your artwork I especially love your art based on Hannibal Lector and Clarice Starling in the 2001 movie Hannibal and your artwork of V and Evey!

It would be amazing to see more of your art based on these characters

Kind Regards

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