We all have tips and tricks that we have picked up in our endeavors, I figured it would be cool to share some of your drawing secrets. Some of us may already know them, some of us won't. Here's a few of mine: Image Mode>Greyscale - You shade with value, regardless of color. Things in the shade reflect less light and are therefore darker. If you put your artwork in greyscale mode in Photoshop you can see only the values. You should be able to accurately understand the light source(s), understand what items are in the foreground and background, and white items are the most important in the illustration based solely one Value. Definitely helps. Flip Horizontal - So, apparently I don't see the actual thing that I'm drawing when I draw it. If I take the image and flip it horizontally I get a much more accurate depiction of it, which is almost never what I thought it was. I totally draw everything slanted to one side. If you're working on paper, just look at it in a mirror. Line Weight - I think I really started thinking about this when Frenden posted one of his threads a while back on lineart. The width of your line is an expression of its own. It can display tension, the relative darkness of a part of an object, the closeness of an object to the viewer, can assist in displaying mass, and more. If you check out some of the stronger illustrators here, you will definitely notice that they vary line weight to control different aspects of what they're drawing. Sometimes it's hard to see and you only really notice that a specific drawing just seems to have more depth to it. Basic Anatomy - You need to understand the figure from the inside-out. The reason people rave about the book "Dynamic Anatomy" is that Hogarth explains in detail how to proportion, position, and generally understand the human figure. If you don't understand how to draw the face in a specific position, or how to represent lips on a face, or how to place eyes on the head, it shows. Even you dudes that trace pictures of faces, or your own face, your lack of understanding of the subject material shows. The basics are the foundation for the advanced techniques you love from your favorite artist. Have to start at the beginning. Tell me some of the things you've learned, tips, tricks, knowledge, whatever. 2009-05-26T13:04:15-04:00 39 2009-05-23T10:53:57-04:00 31861 false false 25581 997 1 2009-11-08T09:06:16-05:00 987 Design in B&W and greyscale. If I design is kicking ass without regards to color, when you start adding color it will get even better. Too many designers focus on colors as they're designing and that sometimes masks the fact that it isn't a strong design, layout, etc... 31861 Post 2009-05-23T10:56:11-04:00 894281 1661 2009-05-23T10:56:11-04:00 Photoshop Filters to use when designing Lens Flare Twirl Cutout Colored Pencil 31861 Post 2009-05-23T11:11:28-04:00 894411 2865 2009-05-23T11:11:28-04:00 lol 31861 Post 2009-05-23T11:31:46-04:00 894541 997 2009-05-23T11:31:46-04:00 Drink lots of beer then you have an excuse if it turns out shit! 31861 Post 2009-05-23T12:12:29-04:00 894881 2879 2009-05-23T12:12:29-04:00 Don't rush your work in hope that you'll be recognized faster. Taking time to fix up little mistakes and errors does alot for your work. eg. colour outside line work, lines not connecting, extra detail. meh wanted to contribute. 31861 Post 2009-05-23T12:32:19-04:00 894991 5143 2009-05-23T12:32:19-04:00 everything is secret. 31861 Post 2009-05-23T12:39:10-04:00 895031 1106 2009-05-23T12:39:10-04:00 If you shade with cool colors and highlight with warm colors it helps in being more dramatic, or shade with warm and highlight with cool. 31861 Post 2009-05-23T12:44:21-04:00 895051 997 2009-05-23T12:44:21-04:00 <blockquote><cite>Heavyprints said:</cite> Flip Horizontal - So, apparently I don’t see the actual thing that I’m drawing when I draw it. If I take the image and flip it horizontally I get a much more accurate depiction of it, which is almost never what I thought it was. I totally draw everything slanted to one side. If you’re working on paper, just look at it in a mirror.</blockquote> Dude, I do that same thing! (I draw stuff slanted) It's a real bitch 31861 Post 2009-05-23T12:44:33-04:00 895061 7945 2009-05-23T12:44:33-04:00 As dumb as this one seems, a lot of times people forget to define their light source before going in and deciding value and shading/highlights. It's basic and I know I forget this frequently and it shows :( My input, thanks for the great advice everyone 31861 Post 2009-05-23T12:50:06-04:00 895091 13026 2009-05-23T12:50:06-04:00 I know this isn't exactly an "Illustration" tip, but I find it very helpful. Getting textures to pop for web based content in Photoshop: Once everything is all ready for slicing and coding (and on one layer of course), duplicate the layer. Put a High Pass filter on the duplicate layer and set it "1.1". Then, desaturate that layer to get rid of any nasty specs of color it leaves behind. Change the blend mode of that layer from "Normal" to "Overlay", and there you go...more detailed and clearer texture will appear. This doesn't work so well on text though, so just erase around the areas where you have any. 31861 Post 2009-05-23T16:24:17-04:00 896621 12825 2009-05-23T16:28:34-04:00 I think the biggest thing I ever learned in art is ALWAYS be yourself and never try to be someone else. 31861 Post 2009-05-23T16:31:28-04:00 896651 3021 2009-05-23T16:31:28-04:00 True. Being truly original is worth a fortune sometimes. 31861 Post 2009-05-23T16:38:16-04:00 896681 997 2009-05-23T16:38:16-04:00 don't get discouraged if what you just did sucks...there are good days when you can do 3 perfectly fine drawings, and bad days when everything is shit. At least, that's me. stupid advice is stupid 31861 Post 2009-05-23T19:55:15-04:00 897711 3643 2009-05-23T19:55:15-04:00 try not ! Do, or do not ! there is no try ! 31861 Post 2009-05-23T20:41:14-04:00 897951 7210 2009-05-23T20:41:34-04:00 I think this is one of the best discussions I have seen in a quite a while. Artists are supposed to be a community, afterall. I have a question: How can I paste a .png or .gif into a comment box below my design? Can anyone help? I feel old! 31861 Post 2009-05-23T21:02:03-04:00 898001 23381 2009-05-23T21:02:03-04:00 <blockquote><cite>rcaldwell said:</cite> I think this is one of the best discussions I have seen in a quite a while. Artists are supposed to be a community, afterall. I have a question: How can I paste a .png or .gif into a comment box below my design? Can anyone help? I feel old!</blockquote> you upload it somewhere, than copy the full address in the image box that opens if you click the image tab above the comments box. Also, visit http://www.jingproject.com/ and http://grabup.com/ 31861 Post 2009-05-23T21:12:56-04:00 898041 3643 2009-05-23T21:12:56-04:00 The Shift+Option+Command+"E" (That i saw at one Jimiyo tutorial) has helped me a lot with my layers. Also i discover that it only merge the visible layers, so if you got a lot of layers for the lines or colors, you can simplify it and mix it up together. 31861 Post 2009-05-23T21:45:39-04:00 898221 6279 2009-05-23T21:45:39-04:00 eZ-kun, thanks. You are awesome. The jing project thing was more than helpful and very cool. I suppose now I will have to pay it forward. 31861 Post 2009-05-23T21:59:40-04:00 898291 23381 2009-05-23T21:59:40-04:00 always have a pen/pencil and pocket-sized pad on hand, some of your best ideas can come to you when you simply drive by a building or tree you thought looked awesome. You think you can keep that in your head all the way until you get home and get to work, but things will always get in the way of that to a point that, when you're ready to start, that inspiration is already long gone. Don't be afraid to use a reference image, some of the best comic book artists still use magazine clippings or images from Google to get the image they are drawing just right. Even Boris Valejo & Julie Bell will take photos of models in the poses they plan to put into a piece to have all of the lighting and color reference they need. 31861 Post 2009-05-23T22:42:59-04:00 898361 1939 2009-05-23T22:42:59-04:00 <blockquote><cite>justgeoff said:</cite> Design in B&W and greyscale. If I design is kicking ass without regards to color, when you start adding color it will get even better. Too many designers focus on colors as they're designing and that sometimes masks the fact that it isn't a strong design, layout, etc...</blockquote> I do indeed do this with everything I design. 31861 Post 2009-05-23T22:45:17-04:00 898371 3005 2009-05-23T22:45:17-04:00 Kind of a "duh" tip, most of you who've been at it for a while know this, but for those who may be new to digital; learning your hotkeys can significantly increase your production speed. The less you're clicking the better. http://www.vexentricity.com/?p=86 http://www.spoono.com/photoshop/tutorials/tutorial.php?url=shortcut 31861 Post 2009-05-23T22:55:01-04:00 898391 12432 2009-05-23T22:55:29-04:00 I'm still trying to understand the digital world and I'm always up for picking up new tips, but as far as paper goes I totally love experimenting! Thats the best way to come up with original stuff in my opinion. I started using paints and colored pencils, then moved on to using pens and inks, brushes and inks, there are NO rules to art what so ever, mix and match whatever you can I say, I've even used old toothbrushes for hardcore shading, even splatter effects, nothing is better than a toothbrush. Just go mad! Even if your into digital stuff get some ink lines down splatter some paint, get the toothbrushes and fingers out make some photoshop brushes from whatever you create.. go for it!! Why use a free splatter vector from the interwebs when you can make your own original ones? I have no designs up on here so I admit I may not (definitely not) be the best person to listen to but I honestly feel a lot of people rely on sources of instructions how to do stuff way too much rather than trying to come up with their own way, a lot of you guys need to stop looking at people you want your work to look like (otherwise you will be like them, and nothing is original about that)and look back at the history of art and see how those guys worked. Rememeber these artists had no interwebs or library's they would experiment to the max, if they needed info on light sources and shadows they would get live models, get someone to pose, thats the best way to learn! If you can't get a model get some fruit or veg or something it's all light sources. I studied at art college and did a lot of life drawing, I totally feel since I have left the college I have started to struggle more and my drawing has slowed right down, The life drawing was a big pluss to me. So now any time I get the chance to do it I go for it!! Anyways, this is just my opinion, don't be too harsh on me haha! There's a lot of extremely good artists on here that I really do admire a lot!, I'm just saying my view... 31861 Post 2009-05-23T23:24:17-04:00 898491 10058 2009-05-23T23:24:17-04:00 <blockquote><cite>atomicchild said:</cite> I think the biggest thing I ever learned in art is ALWAYS be yourself and never try to be someone else.</blockquote> And this!! 31861 Post 2009-05-23T23:40:23-04:00 898591 10058 2009-05-23T23:40:23-04:00 This is another one of those basic things, but it's something that if you're conscious of while choosing a palette it can make a big difference. When choosing colors keep in mind that complimentary colors really do compliment each other. Even when working with tones and more muted palettes. For example, when looking for a highlight tint for purple monster fur, rather than light purple or plain white try an off-white yellow. Push the compliments when you have the choice, and the colors will come together more. Another tip to make colors pop more is to eliminate blacks in some areas. Experiment with darker cool colors, violets and blues, or even dark reds and browns in place of blacks in the shadows can create a much more vibrant, dynamic design. Great thread, heavyprints. 31861 Post 2009-05-24T01:06:16-04:00 899131 6468 2009-05-24T01:06:16-04:00 nice thread heavy! This is probably something that any artists designing for print should know. one color = one layer yea, you might end up with a ton of layers, but when you go to color separate (just short of four color process separation) it will make things run super smoothly. or if you don't do separations yourself, it will make your client's printer much happier that he doesn't have to weed through all your colors on one layer. as far as drawing goes. I've found fishing has been my biggest help for art .. just find something that removes all stress or even thought from your brain, relax, don't think about anything, that's when your best ideas will almost always happen. 31861 Post 2009-05-24T02:12:19-04:00 899301 1087 2009-05-24T02:12:19-04:00 thanks guys! 31861 Post 2009-05-24T04:06:26-04:00 899861 9543 2009-05-24T04:06:26-04:00 So many great tips. I'm definitely going to start working in greyscale from now on. 31861 Post 2009-05-24T06:00:59-04:00 900261 7093 2009-05-24T06:00:59-04:00 I also look at the finished piece on two different comps to check the colours as different screens affect the colours. 31861 Post 2009-05-24T06:46:58-04:00 900421 2879 2009-05-24T06:46:58-04:00 <blockquote><cite>sittingduck said:</cite> nice thread heavy! This is probably something that any artists designing for print should know. one color = one layer yea, you might end up with a ton of layers, but when you go to color separate (just short of four color process separation) it will make things run super smoothly. or if you don't do separations yourself, it will make your client's printer much happier that he doesn't have to weed through all your colors on one layer. as far as drawing goes. I've found fishing has been my biggest help for art .. just find something that removes all stress or even thought from your brain, relax, don't think about anything, that's when your best ideas will almost always happen.</blockquote> i agree :) 31861 Post 2009-05-24T07:03:20-04:00 900521 11516 2009-05-24T07:03:20-04:00 A couple of things I could suggest is: - like heavy said Line weight is very important (Frenden was the one who influenced me as well). Side note: warm up before doing linework, do some doodling, warm up the hand muscles and your hand eye coordination. - work in grayscale after your line work and build up your shadows and highlights. - do a ample amount of research on your subject before you even begin. - take little 10 min. breaks, when you come back you will notice stuff you didn't before. - Most important, spend the time, don't half ass anything. It will make the difference in the end. 31861 Post 2009-05-24T11:03:14-04:00 901931 3764 2009-05-24T11:03:40-04:00 <blockquote><cite>Kevvbo said:</cite>warm up before doing linework, do some doodling, warm up the hand muscles and your hand eye coordination. </blockquote> Good point and it reminds me of something I learned... A good exercise is drawing straight lines and trying to keep the same lineweight, the same distance between lines and the same length. Try it with vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines. This may sound dumb but it really helps the hand eye coordination. 31861 Post 2009-05-24T11:34:49-04:00 902071 6199 2009-05-24T11:34:49-04:00 <blockquote><cite>Kevvbo said:</cite> A couple of things I could suggest is: - like heavy said Line weight is very important (Frenden was the one who influenced me as well). Side note: warm up before doing linework, do some doodling, warm up the hand muscles and your hand eye coordination. - work in grayscale after your line work and build up your shadows and highlights. - do a ample amount of research on your subject before you even begin. - take little 10 min. breaks, when you come back you will notice stuff you didn't before. - Most important, spend the time, don't half ass anything. It will make the difference in the end.</blockquote> oo, warmups, i'll have to try that. anyone know any good hand/wrist movements to get the blood flowing and avoid thumb cramps? 31861 Post 2009-05-24T11:58:46-04:00 902181 1087 2009-05-24T11:58:46-04:00 <blockquote><cite>sittingduck said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>Kevvbo said:</cite> A couple of things I could suggest is: - like heavy said Line weight is very important (Frenden was the one who influenced me as well). Side note: warm up before doing linework, do some doodling, warm up the hand muscles and your hand eye coordination. - work in grayscale after your line work and build up your shadows and highlights. - do a ample amount of research on your subject before you even begin. - take little 10 min. breaks, when you come back you will notice stuff you didn't before. - Most important, spend the time, don't half ass anything. It will make the difference in the end.</blockquote> oo, warmups, i'll have to try that. anyone know any good hand/wrist movements to get the blood flowing and avoid thumb cramps?</blockquote> too easy 31861 Post 2009-05-24T12:03:46-04:00 902211 11020 2009-05-24T12:03:46-04:00 <blockquote><cite>Ameeee said:</cite> <blockquote><cite>justgeoff said:</cite> Design in B&W and greyscale. If I design is kicking ass without regards to color, when you start adding color it will get even better. Too many designers focus on colors as they're designing and that sometimes masks the fact that it isn't a strong design, layout, etc...</blockquote> I do indeed do this with everything I design.</blockquote> When designing grayscale do you use seperate layers for each shade then when coloring comes around simply make them each color, or do you work on one layer and build up shading with a low opacity gray as if you were using a pencil or w.e? 31861 Post 2009-05-24T12:42:04-04:00 902451 13026 2009-05-24T12:42:04-04:00 Layers. You have to be able to color separate this stuff later for screen printing and not have it look like complete bunghole. Put each color you use on its own layer. You can build shades of a specific color using opacity, and then halftone it later. 31861 Post 2009-05-24T12:44:44-04:00 902491 997 2009-05-24T12:44:44-04:00 Color is important. Choosing a palette with colors that complement each other sounds easier than it is. I found, though, that once I got a bit of practice selecting palettes, it became second nature and I am now it seems like everyone's favorite aspect of my work is the color selection. I owe a lot of it to a book of color combos I picked up at the local bookstore, which taught me two great things: 1. Try using a main color + accent colors. Like 3 shades of green, plus purple for accents. Or 2 shades of blue plus orange and purple. It sounds "duh" but this strategy makes picking a great color combo a breeze. 2. Hue can be played with- value can not. Let's say you drew a 3 color fruit- highlights are the lightest color, then comes the fruit, then the stem is the darkest. As people have have mentioned before, these do not all need to be one hue. You can have a yellow highlight, red fruit, and blue stem and it will look fine, as long as the colors' values (darkness) are what they're supposed to be relative to each other. It works for a single object or a whole scene- this is why people are recommending making your image in greyscale before coloring (excellent advice btw). Determine values first, then select your hues from there. 31861 Post 2009-05-24T14:53:36-04:00 903191 13282 2009-05-24T14:53:36-04:00 Designing completely in Greyscale sounds cool in theory, but it gets pretty confusing when you're working with multiple light sources. Jm2c. 31861 Post 2009-05-24T16:01:20-04:00 903691 997 2009-05-24T16:01:20-04:00 <blockquote><cite>heavyprints said:</cite> Layers. You have to be able to color separate this stuff later for screen printing and not have it look like complete bunghole. Put each color you use on its own layer. You can build shades of a specific color using opacity, and then halftone it later.</blockquote> Thanks Heavy! 31861 Post 2009-05-24T17:02:49-04:00 904171 13026 2009-05-24T17:02:49-04:00 how the hell do you make good slime?!?!?!?! someone help please 31861 Post 2009-05-26T13:04:15-04:00 925531 25581 2009-05-26T13:04:15-04:00