Common Questions and Answers
-How long have you been drawing?
-It's a cliche answer I know, but I've been drawing as long as I can remember. As kid I was fiercely fascinated by animals, which later led to a desire to master monsters, and an overall fixation with art and animation as a whole.
What mediums do you use to sketch?
I'm pretty dry when it comes to mediums. I use basic printer paper which I kife on the regular from random locations.
Much to the duress of many professors I do the majority of my work with mechanical pencils with 0.5 led.
This is a finer led then the standard 7.0, and is available online or at most craft stores.
I currently use a Zebra brand M-301 if that helps as well.
What program do you use for your digital work?
I do most everything in Paint Tool Sai.
This program is generally softer with superior line control and a more user friendly interface then Photoshop.
I would definitely recommend starting here if this is your first attempt at working digitally.
It does not offer text, shape, or gradient tools, so I would always advise still becoming proficient in Photoshop sometime later down the line.
Sai can be purchased online for $50- which is nothing compared to the various members of the Adobe Suite.
I got my start working in Photoshop as a kid, but quickly transitioned to Paint Tool Sai so that I could work faster with better line-work and a softer shading variety. It's all a matter of what you are aesthetically trying to do.
What tablet do you use?
I own and will always love my Wacom Intuos 3. Shy if it dying, it will remain my go to for everything.
This tablet is fairly dated and a bit rare on the market, but its pressure sensitivy and overall simplicity cannot be beat.
I am familiar with and would recommend looking into Cintiqs if possible, as they allow the user to draw directly on the screen so that your computer and your tablet are essentially one. These babies will cost ya though.
If you are registered at any major universities I would recommend taking the time to try one out for yourself should the animation or art departments own one. It's fun and awkward and definitely worth a try!
Beyond that if you are a first timer looking into your first tablet, just make sure it has pressure sensitivity-this will control how thin or thick your lines are while working digitally. A tablet without pressure sensitivity-is simply not worth buying.
I like the way you draw monsters-Any advice?
-Become a monster enthusiast! Meaning anytime you see a monster design you like, try and get to the core of why.
What it is about THAT monster that speaks to you aesthetically, instinctually, or emotionally.
Build a mental catalog of things you like! Save images for mental consumption and exploration.
-Look at the animals all around you in a new light.
You need to begin cultivating an appreciation for WHY creatures are the way they are.
It is only then that you can start to see the believably of monsters.
-Animals evolve certain traits to survive in certain environments for certain reasons.
Form follows function-
Meaning if the prey is fast, the predator must be faster. Be aware of where your creature fits in the food chain.
-Study and draw from nature.
Your end-goal may BE dragons, but even the most draconic of things evolved from observations in nature and life.
A bats wings, a serpents tail, a lizards hide, and a carnivores fangs all culminated into the basic visual language for dragons!
Try combining like minded attributes from various creatures-that's where many mythological creatures stemmed from.
-Become aware of basic 'laws' and principles in the animal kingdom.
Predatory creatures have forward facing eyes for sharper focus and heightened accuracy.
Prey animals have eyes at the sides of their skull for a wider range of vision.
Predatory animals are often solitary, and require claws/fangs/talons to hunt.
Prey are often lithe or large and hang out in large groups to create safety in numbers and confusion should they have to flee.
Noticing nuances that are generally applicable across the board can help jumpstart your creature designs credibility.
-Learn how/why things move the way they do.
Cheetahs are the fastest land mammal.
But did you know they are the only big cat that lack retractable claws, and cannot rotate their paws?
Unlike Lions and Tigers, they cannot physically GRASP their prey when hunting, and thus they are reliant on their jaws much like dogs.. Additionally, a Cheetahs feet are largely structured like a canines, which is what makes their insane speeds possible.
Quick narrow feet, as opposed to large heavy paws.
Their tails are long and thick and act as a rudder when banking abruptly, and their spines are long and flexible to facilitate their speed.
Facts like this are extremely helpful when crafting the -why- behind the reasons your creature looks the way that it does!
It's also so fascinating to learn, and fun to ease into random unrelated conversations haha.
I hope some or any of this helps!
Books worth investigating
I would recommend this book for beginners, young art enthusiasts,
and anyone suffering from an extended case of Art Block.
and anyone suffering from an extended case of Art Block.
-2018-