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Description
Really trying to make sure I do something every day that moves the needle forward. So often I’ll start sketching aimlessly and not finish things to completion because they don’t work out right first time, rather than resolve to persevere and correct it ‘til it’s right. I’ve seen a lot of people doing these ‘Draw 365’ art challenges this year. I can’t commit to that but I think the idea itself has a very positive vibe about it. The practice of drawing every day is a sure fire way of helping you get your eye in, spotting things you wouldn’t have previously and making them better for next time. So in that spirit, I’m trying to draw something as ‘complete’ as possible as much as possible.

The other day I drew Red Monika from Battlechasers and today’s effort is Shulkie. I managed to do this completely from scratch, without any reference. This is not boastful. I see and read a lot of artists on dA and IG saying that you shouldn’t use reference, which I disagree with wholeheartedly. I see absolutely no shame in using an image to make your drawing look more like what it’s supposed to be representing. I guess if you’re drawing a comic page then it’s good to rough a layout out without any reference as it will likely appear more dynamic. Reference can kinda kill that initial dynamism and action that helps sell a scene or tell the story. But once you hit the pencils and it NEEDS to look right, reference is your friend!
The reason I didn’t use any reference for this one is that my daughter is currently ‘borrowing’ my Mac for her home-schooling! 😄 So I thought this would be a ‘test.’

I also thought I’d have a go at colouring too. It is definitely a weak point of mine and as I don’t do it enough, I haven’t settled on a process. However, I’m gradually stepping up my digital colour game with the use of Procreate on the iPad Pro. I do have a Wacom Intuos 2 tablet which I use when working on my Mac but the Apple Pencil and Procreate are just so much more intuitive for me. I’ve been a traditional artist for so long that the transition to digital has not been quick! It also seems silly to me to not have at least a little bit of knowledge about digital colouring, since I can pencil and ink, I might as well be able to do all 3 aspects of the comic art trade!

Anyway, hope you like the pic. Enjoy!

Description
Really trying to make sure I do something every day that moves the needle forward. So often I’ll start sketching aimlessly and not finish things to completion because they don’t work out right first time, rather than resolve to persevere and correct it ‘til it’s right. I’ve seen a lot of people doing these ‘Draw 365’ art challenges this year. I can’t commit to that but I think the idea itself has a very positive vibe about it. The practice of drawing every day is a sure fire way of helping you get your eye in, spotting things you wouldn’t have previously and making them better for next time. So in that spirit, I’m trying to draw something as ‘complete’ as possible as much as possible.

The other day I drew Red Monika from Battlechasers and today’s effort is Shulkie. I managed to do this completely from scratch, without any reference. This is not boastful. I see and read a lot of artists on dA and IG saying that you shouldn’t use reference, which I disagree with wholeheartedly. I see absolutely no shame in using an image to make your drawing look more like what it’s supposed to be representing. I guess if you’re drawing a comic page then it’s good to rough a layout out without any reference as it will likely appear more dynamic. Reference can kinda kill that initial dynamism and action that helps sell a scene or tell the story. But once you hit the pencils and it NEEDS to look right, reference is your friend!
The reason I didn’t use any reference for this one is that my daughter is currently ‘borrowing’ my Mac for her home-schooling! 😄 So I thought this would be a ‘test.’

I also thought I’d have a go at colouring too. It is definitely a weak point of mine and as I don’t do it enough, I haven’t settled on a process. However, I’m gradually stepping up my digital colour game with the use of Procreate on the iPad Pro. I do have a Wacom Intuos 2 tablet which I use when working on my Mac but the Apple Pencil and Procreate are just so much more intuitive for me. I’ve been a traditional artist for so long that the transition to digital has not been quick! It also seems silly to me to not have at least a little bit of knowledge about digital colouring, since I can pencil and ink, I might as well be able to do all 3 aspects of the comic art trade!

Anyway, hope you like the pic. Enjoy!