Most of the things I mentioned came from that book and is where someone should start. Do the exercises in the book and practice. The reason a person might start off better at drawing then someone else most likely is because the person is more right brain oriented. Betty Edwards talks about how the left side of the brain is more logically oriented it processes information analytically, its where speech is and this is the side of the brain you learn to use in school when you do math or if you ever took an IQ test. People tend to favor one side, and if you favor your left side you probably enjoy solving problems and like things to be structured. The left side of the brain is also responsible for your comprehension of time. On the other hand, the right side of the brain is the more visual side of the brain and processes information differently. The right side of the brain tends to be better able to do a variety of things simultaneously while the left side focuses in more on one thing. Another thing that happens when you are using the right side of the brain is the loss of time. Betty Edwards talks using the different sides and refers to them as the R mode and the L mode to describe the side that is currently being used; when you draw or read a good story the visual side of your brain is being used more so time could feel like its pasting faster. I have experience more self and is why I think I drew so much in High School. This theory was developed by Robert W Sperry. This is great when drawing a person, and landscape, whatever it is your reference but what happens when you are without a reference, for example when you want to draw from your imagination.
There are a lot of articles online about this theory; also there is a test to see if you are more left brain or right brain dominant.
Betty Edwards teaches you to measure negative space, the empty space outside the image you’re drawing, and calculate points. You measure points for instance if you are drawing a face and you find that on the reference if you draw a line directly under the pupil you reach a point where the mouth ends.
Betty Edwards teaches you to measure negative space, the empty space outside the image you’re so you keep that in mind when drawing the mouth. It is hard to explain but there some videos on youtube that illustrate this pretty well. The point of looking at points and measuring is to draw the image the way it actually is and not how you think it looks. There is an exercise where she actually makes you draw and image upside down because you’re left side of your brain can’t process the pattern so your right side takes over. The more you plot out points the better you will get at recognizing them and the more you will fall into the “the zone” or R mode where you are totally focus on your drawing and time seems to past by quickly.
This is where I think people should start. Another important thing is many people attack the paper like it’s a stone and they are chiseling there work into it. The paper has rids that catches the lead as you draw, if you dig into the paper that mark is permanent.; pressing down hard leaves little room for error. When you beginning a drawing you should sketch out everything lightly and build the shapes. You draw lightly so you can leave the lines that aren’t what you want and continue to sketch until you are happy with it then gradually build making the lines darker. You should use a page before you start an actually drawing to warm up, make sure you hold the pencil a little further back then you normally do when you write. You hold it further back because it is easier to draw lightly that way, and then sketch out basic shapes, a bunch of them. Draw a bunch of circles. Draw a bunch of squares make sure each side is parallel. Practice drawing cubes too, and draw a bunch of ellipses as well. Practice drawing straight lines without a ruler, draw a bunch of points and connect them. This what you should do to warm up , when you draw the shapes like a circle or even a straight line you don’t drew using your wrist you keep your wrist straight and move your entire arm. You can move your hand in the motion before you actually draw on the paper ghost it out.
Something I do to practice drawing light is I like using a cheap pen, like those bic pens the ones that come in a pack with a bunch. I like the way they write and I think you can really get a sense of the pressure you are putting on the paper. If after you are done drawing you flip it over and it feels like braille then you are pushing too hard. It should be light!
Another thing is the pencils you use. If you are using a number two pencil you are using a HB lead. You should use a few different leads it gives you image some value. The pencils range from hard to soft, which means the softer the lead, the more lead gets on to the paper which means it is darker. The hard lead draws a light line so there good to start a drawing but remember the harder you get the easier it is to destroy the rids in the paper leaving a permanent line. I tend to use a 2h pencil you sketch its light and the lead is not too hard that you will imprint the paper if you are sure to draw light; then I use a HB pencil to outline and a 2b pencil for my shadows.
The lead varies from really hard lead (light) to really soft (darker).
Lightest 8H 5H 3H 2H F HB 2B 3B 5B Darkest.
The goal for me was to be able to draw without reference though so if that’s the case we need to learn more technique to help us; this is why you see sketches where the artist as all these light lines and circles drawn into their illustration to help guide them. Guidelines help you plot out where everything. In my next few posts I’ll talk about guidelines and drawing without a reference a bit more; only because I am going on a rant with this post. I think the very next post will be about my approach and some advice on your journey to becoming a better comic artist.
Check out some other of the links in blue.
Betty Edwards seminar this is an awesome find for beginners watch the whole thing and do the exercises. Youtube is awesome.
Check this kids videos one and two about drawing on the right side of the brain.
Another guy who is awesome. This guy is Eclectric Asylum on youtube who became youtube famous by doing crazy drawings using things like ketchup! He's instructionals learn to draw portraits video series.
-Guy
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