Doodles & Stuff

Just wanted to blog some random doodle and drawings I've done in the last few days (actually some were from awhile ago). Yeah, im probably the laziest "artist" ever...but im trying hard to keep myself drawing daily now (by now, i mean around two days ago). I decided not to waste my last week of spring break lazing around, so I actually dedicated the last few days studying anatomy (kind of), sketching a little, saving a crapload of character design art (mainly koei warriors and final fantasy style stuff) so now I have this massive collection of inspiration.

Right now im really obsessed with game art character designs, but obviously I will be working with animation character designs in a variety of styles eventually. All the instructors here put emphasis into variety and flexibility. You can't get far in the industry if you can't work in other styles. The best way to tackle this is to not even bother having a style. I personally think style is something you just naturally develop as you keep working, there's no point in trying to develop one from the start.

This is a pretty old doodle. I've abandoned my moleskine watercolor sketchbook because I was having a difficult time drawing on such a tiny book. I had to go to Blicks (my new favorite art store) to get myself a new 5.5x8.5 in sketchbook. Perfect size!

Childhood memories... my dad giving me a haircut =( ...it was like this for my sister and I every single time.



As you noticed in the haircut doodle above, I realized I've forgotten how to draw hands so I had to practice. Good thing I have bony fingers so I can see and study the form.

Sad attempt at a character design (uhh or lack of design). Anatomy and contrapposto is slightly off...*facepalm*



Trying something different. I seriously need to work on creating more dynamic characters...

Random practices. Bottom right was referenced from a picture of Liu Shi Shi for Strange Hero (awesome wuxia series btw). Shes definitely my favorite mainland actress! I just noticed the character on the top left should have a longer nose...she actually (coincidentally) kind of looks like Yang Mi. Maybe I've been too into mainland dramas lately.

After around 3-4 days of struggling, I finally finished this drawing ...which I am not proud of at all, BUT its a start. Its kind of funny because I haven't struggled with a drawing this much in years. I felt like I was 14 years old all over again, struggling with portrait drawings. Good thing I learned from experience that practice and hard work always pay off in the long run. Hopefully, in a year or so I can look back at this drawing and laugh at how bad this drawing is (actually, im already laughing at how noob it looks). I left the cape/scarf and hair slightly unfinished because I was afraid I'd overdo it...and also because I need serious practice with shading folds.



I was messing around with a watercolor texture shared by a DA artist ...I actually prefer this one over the one I finished above.

Some face details...I need to learn how to blend brush strokes. I also need to work on painting skin tones digitally. I do think im getting the hang of it, so hopefully my next piece will turn out more successful.

Just wanted to show a few edits with photoshop filters and adjustment layers. The first one was done using contrast and brightness, it pretty much blew out most of the imperfections on the skin. The second one was done with a screen filter with some gaussain blur..turned out looking slightly final fantasy-like (or maybe im just delusional).



Couldn't resist making a meme to compliment this drawing. Yeah its supposed to be a portrait of myself as hyperboleandahalf's 'ALL' meme



My character design instructor recommended this book and I've got to say, its probably the best character design book out there. If I saw this in a book store, I probably wouldn't buy it because of its unappealing cover, but its got extremely helpful and valuable tips on character designing. Cannot recommend this enough.

This book is my soon-to-be bible. I actually had this since a few terms ago because it was required for my anatomy class...but I didn't fully dedicate myself into studying the muscles and now I realize how important it is for an artist to really know and understand the human anatomy. I've recently started to look into this book again on my own time and it is ridiculously detailed and helpful. Its a must-have for all artists.

AHH I don't know why my font changes back and forth...