I can give it a shot, but the best answer to that is also the long answer, and it’s also going to be the one that plugs the course ;) as you build up your fundamentals, your “worst” gets better, and consistency becomes more manageable- there’s not really a quick fix for it, it’s about having the mistakes you make become less and less frequent!
I've been trying to draw characters making up my own story with their own personalities, your content really helped and I wanna let you know you're honestly a god send, your tips have been helpful
Been working on a visual library a lot basically this year! Improved a lot at drawing though I still have lots of work to get really good! Mainly draw furry characters headshot style, I wish to and shall work to actually do full bodies well! And I start vocational school for my 2nd half of high school in August! I picked art as my career path!
You can also "test" your library by making from imagination human faces, bodies, etc exclusively with 3d shapes and seeing what "feels wrong" or is straight up missing. This usually involves sculpting with shading but can be done with lineart as well. Whatever gets you out of that 2d/symbol mindset is what does the job.
Could you make a video on ways to implement symmetry and asymmetry in a character design? I noticed the only video on TH-cam about it really just refers to the way a character acts. I'd like to see how I can reflect it through the character's appearance.
So if I want to draw people, the visual library I need is human anatomy, which is like one of the most dense and difficult subjects to learn? Sorry, just had a pretty bad drawing session where I realized I havent learned much in the past year or so....
Thats definitely frustrating! Shaking the rust off after not drawing for awhile is a difficult mental hurdle, not drawing well makes you not want to draw, viscous cycle- the best thing is to push past, but easier said than done!
I think unless you're looking to become professional at still life, realism etc. then you don't need to know the skeletal structure of the human body and muscle groups off by heart, you just need to know how to suggest that muscles and the skeleton are present. (For example, elbows and ankles have little bumps where our bones protrude enough to be seen.) and anything else is more situational. So if I wanted a character with a skeletal arm, then I'd look at how the skeleton of the body looks, focusing on the arm. If I wanted a muscular character, then I'd start researching the muscle groups. Breaking it down like that, allows me to absorb that information at a comfortable pace and then apply it to future works, where I can naturally improve upon it. Advice that I followed and noticed an immediate improvement was Ethan Becker's suggestion to break down photographs and scenes from movies. Breaking down the poses those characters make into basic shapes and then try to replicate that same pose based on the breakdown. Once I've done that I compare where I went wrong and fix it. By doing this over and over again it becomes muscle memory and I begin to naturally use the right shapes and understand how to convey direction, when doing my own work. If you've not seen Ethan Becker's stuff I highly recommend it. Theartrics aside, he's giving solid advice to those who understand the basics and want to learn more. Also sorry for the huge paragraphs. I just wanted to be helpful because I can understand how frustrating and unmotivating it can be to feel like your art skills aren't getting any better. Sometimes all you need is a fresh perspective and a new way of learning. ^-^
Do you think you can make a video talking about "closed-species?" It's mostly a deviantart thing, but I think it would be cool to hear your take on commonalities in character design? People simply like them, or like they're from popular artists, or they just look cool. Its kinda weird that they say you cannot draw your own design unless you get permission or pay them.
Could you possibly do a video on how to create architecture and landscapes? Because I love creating characters and have gotten pretty proficient at it but I always hit a wall once I get to landscape design.
I am in limited capacity, it’s been an incredibly busy few months and i dont like taking a commission and making someone wait. If you dont mind, email again and we can pick things up!
I don't think deliberately building a visual library is quite as necessary, especially if you are a beginner artist. Whatever you practice is a part of your visual library. Besides, the visual library you build now will be redundant in less than a month. I experienced this when I drew faces in 30 different angles. It wasn't a waste of time, but I grew during the process that I really didn't need the drawings as reference.
I’m not sure what part of the video advised you to use the drawings you did as reference, this is all about building up mental understanding. Im confused what part of the video you take issue with as youre basically saying the same thing as it.
Really nice video. I hope some day I can take your learn character design course. Not possible right now 'cause in my country everything you pay in USD costs twice, but hopefully some day things will get a little bit better and I certainly will!
hi Brookes, im new on your helpful channel, and i have a question: how to start posting on social media, if i cannot afford digital art? i mean i could scan that what i draw in the traditional way... but it is a usual thing, if i scan a colorless drawing, and give them colors with a program? because if i gonna color the traditional way, it will mess up the lines, and i have to redraw them, but that lines will never going be good as the ones before the coloring. i just want to accept one of your advices, and start something somehow :D not just worldbuilding infinitely and getting out nothing, because i did it for 5 years!
If traditional is what you have, start with that! Id also try using different layer modes and opacities when adding color to a photo of a sketch, it doesn’t have to be a solid 100% opacity Normal layer- try something like Overlay or Color!
to be honest, i never used programs, just rarely Paint, but that also wasnt serious :) im gonna try something, thanks for the answer, and keep up the good work! :D
If you make clear enough lines before scanning you should be able to change the layer property to 'Multiply' on most art programs (including free ones out there!) and this will let you put colour underneath your lineart, without needing to erase anything. I'd suggest inking with a black pen and then erasing the pencil so your scanner has the best chances of producing a clean picture for you to work from. I started out with my school's scanner, a USB stick and a laptop pad mouse when I first started drawing and I relied my art program's line tools a lot starting out. But if you're willing to take the time, it's possible to make lovely artwork without the need for a graphics tablet. But I won't lie, I much prefer my tablet over my mouse, haha!
You should try using drawing apps in your phone. Right now I don't have my PC setup and for my IG account (ham_comics) I'm drawing everything right there in the phone, using apps like ibis paint X and then coloring it right there. It even let's you load a photo from your gallery (like a drawing) and use it as a base or even improve the way the lineart looks right when you import it. You can then use layers like he said to color your drawing without even modifying it. And if it's hard for you to draw with your fingers, you can even make homemade stylus with just a pen, cotton and some copper wiring to use with any phone (you won't have pressure sentistivity but it's really useful to draw and paint). There are plenty of cheap and free ways to improve your artwork to make it more interesting.
There are so many options out there. I bought a screen display tablet 2 months ago because I have been paying for PS. But then I was given a brand new iPad, bought Procreate for $10. I haven't touched PS or my computer since then.
Can you make a vid about drawing characters consistently because your vids are really a great help. Keep up the work man!
I can give it a shot, but the best answer to that is also the long answer, and it’s also going to be the one that plugs the course ;) as you build up your fundamentals, your “worst” gets better, and consistency becomes more manageable- there’s not really a quick fix for it, it’s about having the mistakes you make become less and less frequent!
@@CharacterDesignForge thx man!
Yeah!
That would be so helpful.
(Love your videos)
There’s a video on how to do that on a channel called lavendertown if you still need it!
I've been trying to draw characters making up my own story with their own personalities, your content really helped and I wanna let you know you're honestly a god send, your tips have been helpful
Bro i swear on everything in the first 5 seconds of watching a video on how to get better at drawing, i get this notification.
Me: Looks at my unused notebooks.
Also Me: Now you all have drawing purposes.
Really? You guys are gonna me say it?
2:01 Hello Kitty
Haha
Hehe, abstracted cat mascot
Been working on a visual library a lot basically this year! Improved a lot at drawing though I still have lots of work to get really good! Mainly draw furry characters headshot style, I wish to and shall work to actually do full bodies well! And I start vocational school for my 2nd half of high school in August! I picked art as my career path!
You can also "test" your library by making from imagination human faces, bodies, etc exclusively with 3d shapes and seeing what "feels wrong" or is straight up missing. This usually involves sculpting with shading but can be done with lineart as well. Whatever gets you out of that 2d/symbol mindset is what does the job.
Excellent video!! I'm definitely still building my visual library and working on fleshing out some bare shelves 💪
Could you make a video on ways to implement symmetry and asymmetry in a character design? I noticed the only video on TH-cam about it really just refers to the way a character acts. I'd like to see how I can reflect it through the character's appearance.
Awesome vid dude! I’m always excited for your content! Really appreciate the topics you cover too.
😁👍🏼
So if I want to draw people, the visual library I need is human anatomy, which is like one of the most dense and difficult subjects to learn? Sorry, just had a pretty bad drawing session where I realized I havent learned much in the past year or so....
Thats definitely frustrating! Shaking the rust off after not drawing for awhile is a difficult mental hurdle, not drawing well makes you not want to draw, viscous cycle- the best thing is to push past, but easier said than done!
Also, its my belief that human anatomy is a great touchstone for all drawing
Don't worry about it, there's still time to study the anatomy.
I think unless you're looking to become professional at still life, realism etc. then you don't need to know the skeletal structure of the human body and muscle groups off by heart, you just need to know how to suggest that muscles and the skeleton are present. (For example, elbows and ankles have little bumps where our bones protrude enough to be seen.) and anything else is more situational. So if I wanted a character with a skeletal arm, then I'd look at how the skeleton of the body looks, focusing on the arm. If I wanted a muscular character, then I'd start researching the muscle groups. Breaking it down like that, allows me to absorb that information at a comfortable pace and then apply it to future works, where I can naturally improve upon it.
Advice that I followed and noticed an immediate improvement was Ethan Becker's suggestion to break down photographs and scenes from movies. Breaking down the poses those characters make into basic shapes and then try to replicate that same pose based on the breakdown. Once I've done that I compare where I went wrong and fix it. By doing this over and over again it becomes muscle memory and I begin to naturally use the right shapes and understand how to convey direction, when doing my own work. If you've not seen Ethan Becker's stuff I highly recommend it. Theartrics aside, he's giving solid advice to those who understand the basics and want to learn more.
Also sorry for the huge paragraphs. I just wanted to be helpful because I can understand how frustrating and unmotivating it can be to feel like your art skills aren't getting any better. Sometimes all you need is a fresh perspective and a new way of learning. ^-^
@@ArtzyZero Seriously, Ethan Becker? The "star thang" guy? jk I've been following him since last year and boy is he amazing!
I must add the Red Lizard Shopkeeper from Stormfellers to my visual library...
10/10 video as always, Brookes! I’ll admit it makes me excited for my own critique from you 😅
I should work more on my visual library
Do you think you can make a video talking about "closed-species?" It's mostly a deviantart thing, but I think it would be cool to hear your take on commonalities in character design? People simply like them, or like they're from popular artists, or they just look cool.
Its kinda weird that they say you cannot draw your own design unless you get permission or pay them.
Last time I was this early to something I was waiting for the end of a previous showtime to end before entering an auditorium at the theatre.
Could you possibly do a video on how to create architecture and landscapes? Because I love creating characters and have gotten pretty proficient at it but I always hit a wall once I get to landscape design.
Bruh, stop reading my mind. Just stop. It’s scary. D:
Watermelancholy is still the best thing Brookes has ever said, but 10:16 though.
Hey Brookes! Can you give tell us how you record/ make these videos? It would be really helpful to have your insight. Thanks ✨
Hey Brookes!
Are you still doing commissions?
I’ve talked to you about doing one but never got anything back.
I am in limited capacity, it’s been an incredibly busy few months and i dont like taking a commission and making someone wait. If you dont mind, email again and we can pick things up!
Great video as usual. BTW, where can I find the full version of that outro song? It's a bop!
Your videos are always so helpful💖
I don't think deliberately building a visual library is quite as necessary, especially if you are a beginner artist. Whatever you practice is a part of your visual library. Besides, the visual library you build now will be redundant in less than a month. I experienced this when I drew faces in 30 different angles. It wasn't a waste of time, but I grew during the process that I really didn't need the drawings as reference.
I’m not sure what part of the video advised you to use the drawings you did as reference, this is all about building up mental understanding. Im confused what part of the video you take issue with as youre basically saying the same thing as it.
Really nice video. I hope some day I can take your learn character design course. Not possible right now 'cause in my country everything you pay in USD costs twice, but hopefully some day things will get a little bit better and I certainly will!
hi Brookes, im new on your helpful channel, and i have a question: how to start posting on social media, if i cannot afford digital art? i mean i could scan that what i draw in the traditional way... but it is a usual thing, if i scan a colorless drawing, and give them colors with a program? because if i gonna color the traditional way, it will mess up the lines, and i have to redraw them, but that lines will never going be good as the ones before the coloring.
i just want to accept one of your advices, and start something somehow :D not just worldbuilding infinitely and getting out nothing, because i did it for 5 years!
If traditional is what you have, start with that! Id also try using different layer modes and opacities when adding color to a photo of a sketch, it doesn’t have to be a solid 100% opacity Normal layer- try something like Overlay or Color!
to be honest, i never used programs, just rarely Paint, but that also wasnt serious :) im gonna try something, thanks for the answer, and keep up the good work! :D
If you make clear enough lines before scanning you should be able to change the layer property to 'Multiply' on most art programs (including free ones out there!) and this will let you put colour underneath your lineart, without needing to erase anything. I'd suggest inking with a black pen and then erasing the pencil so your scanner has the best chances of producing a clean picture for you to work from.
I started out with my school's scanner, a USB stick and a laptop pad mouse when I first started drawing and I relied my art program's line tools a lot starting out. But if you're willing to take the time, it's possible to make lovely artwork without the need for a graphics tablet. But I won't lie, I much prefer my tablet over my mouse, haha!
You should try using drawing apps in your phone. Right now I don't have my PC setup and for my IG account (ham_comics) I'm drawing everything right there in the phone, using apps like ibis paint X and then coloring it right there. It even let's you load a photo from your gallery (like a drawing) and use it as a base or even improve the way the lineart looks right when you import it. You can then use layers like he said to color your drawing without even modifying it. And if it's hard for you to draw with your fingers, you can even make homemade stylus with just a pen, cotton and some copper wiring to use with any phone (you won't have pressure sentistivity but it's really useful to draw and paint). There are plenty of cheap and free ways to improve your artwork to make it more interesting.
Hey brookes hope ur doing good ur videos are a great help🐶🐱🦊🐼🐨
I’m doing great, thank you! Same hope for you!
Happy Tuesday y’all❤️🤗
Happy Tuesday!
Thanks for the video
What kind of drawing tablet do you use? My birthday is coming up and a drawing tablet is what I need to bring my project to fruition.
There are so many options out there.
I bought a screen display tablet 2 months ago because I have been paying for PS. But then I was given a brand new iPad, bought Procreate for $10. I haven't touched PS or my computer since then.
going to need more GPU and Ram for my brain. also a better file swap system couldn't hurt.
R.
R.
you have to be r reading my mind i swear
R.
R.
R.
R.
R.