Drawing tips for the artistically challenged

[King of Wei]

I've finally got the time - and disposable income - to get into game design. Bought the RPG Maker VX program and getting the basics of what I want done. Unfortunately I ran into a little snag - I can't draw people worth a damn.

So I have some questions for the artists out there.

-Are there any general tricks for drawing facial features? My main problem - aside from getting the general shape to look remotely human - is scaling the features properly. I'm thinking of drawing the equipment first (bandanna, glasses, etc)and basing the features around that, would that be a good idea?

-Would it be better to create the character using software or would it be better to draw on paper and scan onto the PC? Better as in convenience vs quality.

-Lastly, are there any general tips or rules for shading? I've never been able to figure out how to shade equipment, structures properly.

I know this takes practice and am not expecting to create my perfect 2D model tomorrow but any tips to get me off the ground would be appreciated.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

As rule, you should never draw clothing before you actually draw the person, it doesn't help you draw things proportionally.

The space between the eyes is the same width as the eyes you've just drawn.

Spoiler: Some of my pieces

Never try and draw the finished product straight away, always draw a very rough stick figure of your character, if anything, it helps you get the proportions correct and then you flesh it out. It all really depends on your style. The manga style allows a little leeway with proportions, while other styles are very strict.

 

[A Weakgeek]

I've finally got the time - and disposable income - to get into game design. Bought the RPG Maker VX program and getting the basics of what I want done. Unfortunately I ran into a little snag - I can't draw people worth a damn.

So I have some questions for the artists out there.

-Are there any general tricks for drawing facial features? My main problem - aside from getting the general shape to look remotely human - is scaling the features properly. I'm thinking of drawing the equipment first (bandanna, glasses, etc)and basing the features around that, would that be a good idea?

-Would it be better to create the character using software or would it be better to draw on paper and scan onto the PC? Better as in convenience vs quality.



-Lastly, are there any general tips or rules for shading? I've never been able to figure out how to shade equipment, structures properly.

I know this takes practice and am not expecting to create my perfect 2D model tomorrow but any tips to get me off the ground would be appreciated.

Are you aiming for a realistic look? Or anime/cartoony?

 

[King of Wei]

Preferably anime/cartoon. Aiming for the style of the old ps1 RPG games.

 

[A Weakgeek]

Well first you should draw a stick figure with the right propotions of the human body. (as shown here [link] http://chestofbooks.com/home-improvement/woodworking/Handicraft-For-Boys/images/The-Proportions-of-the-Human-Figure-127.png where the unit used is the head) After that just draw the "naked" body, and once that is done draw the clothes on. As for face, well... uhh there isin't much variety in anime just imitate. For the shape of the head uhh [link]http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/351242 this could help you out a bit.

 

[DonMartin]

Well, if you wanna create your own style,
1) draw a person
2) look at him
3) draw that person a few more times, improve what you think needs improving
4) done.


Alright, that might not sound like good advice, but I actually had a revelation while doing this. I was assigned to illustrate a pamphlet, and after an hour or two of drawing "realistic" people, I just wasnt happy with my results. So I started doodling, and after a while I had a paper full of tiny little men, knocking about doing all sorts.

The little man stuck, and instead of "proper" drawings of an actual human being, I decided to do the whole thing with the little man, who was basically a circle with three spots: eyes and mouth. The little man was far more expressive than any realistic person I'd draw. He ended up on a three-page pamphlet informing youths about psychiatry available to people their age.


And what has this got to do with you? Well, just draw for fun, and use whatever you like. It will be a lot more personal, that's for sure.