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MikeManser In reply to startdreaming [2012-10-11 14:18:43 +0000 UTC]

That's really nice of you to say, thanks Made my day. I'm by no means a professional illustrator but maybe I could share a trick or two?

I've found the secret to getting clean, precise lines is to use a very large canvas, a very long ruler and a very fine pencil. I've recently been working on A2 paper, using a builder's metre-rule to reach the perspective points. I like to start a picture by measuring out and drawing a square grid, then using one or two perspective points to plan out the cube-shaped outlines of the buildings, before refining their shape and adding detail.

It can be kind of frustrating to erase large chunks of what you've already drawn in order to improve upon it, but that is pretty much 75% of what I do For every finished drawing, there should be about 1 and a half erased drawings underneath it... actually that is maybe not the best advice but it's what works for me.

Anyway, I don't know why I'm offering you advice. You can draw people. How do you draw people? I haven't a clue. There are too many wobbly lines and sticking-out bits. That kind of drawing takes real talent.

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startdreaming In reply to MikeManser [2012-10-11 22:07:44 +0000 UTC]

Haha, wow, that seems like a lot of work. I will definitely remember your tips. Do you go very light on your lines too? So they're easier to erase??
I find that I press much too hard sometimes.. and So I end up being unable to erase some things.
I am actually taking life drawing classes, so I draw people very often. People are like buildings though, but instead of hard edges and squares, they're soft and made of various circles!
To be honest, I prefer to draw things that are more technical though, people are boring, and there isn't much to them, whereas you can be creative with architecture and such.
And plus, the people I have to draw in class are naked, yeck
Sorry, another question, how big are the drawings you do normally? In inches, feet?

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MikeManser In reply to startdreaming [2012-10-14 10:25:12 +0000 UTC]

I have that same problem with pressing down too hard. It's a tough habit to break. You might find that using a softer pencil or smoother paper makes it less noticeable, but I usually just go over the rough lines in black pen and mess with the brightness/contrast after I've scanned it in.

My drawings vary a whole lot in size - a lot are on plain A4 printer paper (11.7 x 8.3 in) but most of the more complicated ones are on A2 (23.4 x 16.5 in) or A3 (16.5 x 11.7 in). If you have the desk space, bigger paper is always better. There's so much more room to make mistakes!

Life drawing classes are something I've always wanted to do, even if it would sometimes mean having to look at awkward naked people. Most of my architectural drawings are built up step-by-step out of cubes and lines, but life drawing will teach you to apply that same methodology to organic shapes - that's a hell of a talent to have. If you can draw a person, there isn't much else you won't be able to draw. I've added you to my watch list because I'm curious to see how your pics develop as you apply what you're learning - they're already awesome and they're only going to get better

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startdreaming In reply to MikeManser [2012-10-14 20:19:53 +0000 UTC]

Wah~ That paper is so big. The biggest paper I have is bond paper.. it's 18 by something, but that's for school ;-; and it's rather expensive.
How do you scan something so large? And I figure with bigger paper, the two point perspectives can be better? My teacher's trying to teach us to just imagine the two dots, but I always end up drawing them on my desk because it's too hard for me haha
Organic shapes are hard, but the detail in your drawings are insane. That must take a lot of time ;-; I am impatient haha.
And I noticed that you watched me, my heart stopped for a second, thank you so much ;-; /notworthy!

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MikeManser In reply to startdreaming [2012-10-17 15:24:42 +0000 UTC]

I used to draw the perspective points on my desk as well I like to use large paper because it means the perspective points can be fixed in relation to the picture, which is very important if you want to be precise with your lines, but sticking/clipping the paper to the desk works well too. When absolute precision isn't that important, I recommend you trust your teacher's advice and just imagine the points - that's probably a skill that improves with practice (I wouldn't really know, though, I never learned how to do that ).

Bond paper sure is expensive, but if you're planning on scanning your pictures and tidying them up on a computer, maybe consider buying flip chart paper? It's thin and flimsy, so you'll need to be careful with it, but it's huge (A2?)and very cheap - great for practicing with. And when the picture is scanned and up on a screen, nobody can tell what kind of paper you used.

I scan my drawings one corner at a time and stitch them together on the computer (I'm using a free program called GIMP 2, which is kind like a lightweight version of photoshop/illustrator). But you might be able to save yourself a lot of time if you can find a large scanner to use - maybe ask around at your school or life drawing classes, or search for local printing companies who might be willing to help out.

And thanks again for the kind words. I'm flattered that you're flattered

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startdreaming In reply to MikeManser [2012-10-17 18:01:24 +0000 UTC]

Oh my gosh all the scanning. That seems like it would take forever kjfnrdkjfn.
I suppose I should learn, but It's just so hard to imagine the points and remember where they would be :I've heard of GIMP, I think I tried to use it once, but it was strange. I have Sai, so I think I could piece them together using that. But I don't plan on doing any HUGE scale drawings anytime soon. My skill isn't that great yet, and I am a bit busy with school haha.
And no problem (:
Is your occupation an artist? Like.. do you do the illustrations for companies or things like that? Or is it simply a hobby?

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MikeManser In reply to startdreaming [2012-10-20 10:25:58 +0000 UTC]

Haha, scanning and stitching is just one of those things that becomes part of the routine once you've done it enough times. It does take a while, but it's kind of a nice way to wind down after a few hours of intense scribbling. If you do decide to have a go at a large-scale drawing any time soon, and you need a hand stitching it together, just ask.

Keep working on imagining the perspective points - nobody learns a skill like that overnight, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it pretty quickly. And congrats on making your teacher's "favourite students list"! Just don't go thinking that means you can relax

I'm not a professional artist, just your average office monkey, but I wish I'd started pursuing an art career when I was younger. By the looks of things you're well on your way to doing just that, so well done What are you looking to do with your art skills?

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startdreaming In reply to MikeManser [2012-10-20 14:02:42 +0000 UTC]

Nonono, don't worry haha. It's given me motivation to work even harder to stay on top.
And actually.. I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing with my life just yet haha. The course I'm taking now is just s broadbased course, to take a look at all areas of art. After this year, some people are headed to illustration, graphic design, animation.. But, none of those things are really calling to me. The illustration sounds fun. But, I don't know haha.
So after this school year is over, I'm taking a year off from education and getting a full time job to pay off the bit of debt that I have, and I'm saving up to be an exchange student in Korea.
I haven't decided how long I will be there for, but maybe it will help me with my career path, because I honestly just don't know what I want to do haha.

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MikeManser In reply to DamienHirstHater [2008-12-31 00:09:31 +0000 UTC]

Thanks very much

And yes, originals are available. Email me at michael_manser (at) hotmail (dot) com if you're interested.

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