#art tricks

Your art is SO GOOD!!!

I wish I could draw as good as you.

When it comes to drawing a singular character in a simple pose, I can manage that.

But when I try to draw something a bit complex or draw comics of my own, I struggle a lot. Especially when there are multiple characters interacting.

I have so much going on in my head but I'm unable to put it on paper.

Can you please share some tips or resources to get better at art?

Again, your art is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS and I LOVE how you draw the movements of the characters!!!

YES I CAN!

Here’s a Gleafer Quicky cheat sheet!

so like? I'm an artist right, even if I don't share my work here much (I'm almost done with my current sketchbook which fills me with dread and grief but I might share some pics/art later) but here are some tips that actually help lol (I'm also just an anatomy nerd in the scientific sense, and I LOVE looking at both anatomy for artists and anatomy for scientists/doctors and comparing them, BOTH have so much to offer for art :)

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1: TAKE NOTES. I know it sounds like exaggeration when I say note taking changed my life, but its TRUE. often I'll look at my recent art and make specific notes on what I can improve and what I want out of my style, and also take notes on things that I've observed irl regarding perspective, anatomy, color, etc.. IMO its important to build up an internal library of observations so you can come to your own conclusions for things and describe them in ways that make sense to you. OBSERVEEEEEE and be intentional too

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2: sticking to the same old breakdowns of shapes in art will almost NEVER come close to drawing poses using your own anatomical breakdowns, but it IS a great starting point. the Loomis method? NOPE. I am NOT doing that, though its often pushed. to me my art turns out better if I draw the head using squares instead, because I used to accidentally yoink the foreheads of every person I drew. using squares probably sounds freaky and weird if y'all don't, but it helps ME.

-----(other examples of this: artists using boxes vs rounder shapes, drawing in joints for elbows/knees vs just having thighs+calves, artists drawing the torso in 3 parts vs 2, etc etc etc once you start noticing it you cant stop mwahhahahshahhahahahaa)

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3: reference irl photos, drawn poses, and actual art pieces when trying to improve. looking at irl photos helps build a library of what the pose is supposed to look like in actual context, while drawn poses already break the pose down to simple shapes + are easier to copy. looking at art for the pose can help you translate the pose into a specific style, and seeing that translation from photo to pose to piece can INFINETLY help with anatomy (BTW I'm not telling y'all to trace, steal, or copy someones art (tho copying/redrawing art into YOUR style is actually great for this type of translation and is also super beneficial, just CREDIT ARTISTS if you post it *looks directly at pinterest*))

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4: anatomy isn't just understanding how something is supposed to look, its understanding how the thing is supposed to work. understanding anatomy takes a lot of actual thinking, like for example if this guy has some kind of skeletal problem or nerve damage and cant use his arm a certain way, how would that affect his entire posture/positioning? and if this person is this height, how would their weight be distributed vs someone who is a whole head taller? and even, if this girl raises her arm and tilts her head, how does that reflect in her lower body, and how are her legs set to distribute her weight? its a 3D understanding of how structures interact with each other

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IF YOURE LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT MANNEQUIN BOY DO I HAVE NEWS FOR YOU!

INTRODUCING

LUCKY 13 BY SOOZAFONE

Lucky 13 is a completely FREE 3d print file available on Printables by Soozafone! If you have access to a 3d printer or can get someone ro print it for you, I 1000% recommend it!

Lucky has the same amount if not more articulation than most artist mannequins and is SO MUCH CHEAPER. While filament is expensive, I was able to print mine at my university’s print lab for 13$. 13!$!!!

This figure is comparable to the Armature 9 models, and in my opinion, BETTER just because of the customizability and free print use! Im currently working on making dragon wings for mine.

Lucky comes with the armature, skin, a stand, 8 different hand poses, and several accessories, but the community has HUNDREDS of remixes and new additions custom made for this little guy.

And the best part is, is that the creator, Soozafone, is ALREADY working on a version 2!! Check him out on reddit at r/Soozafone!

I am so in love with my own figure and am so excited to see all the new updates. If you’re looking for pose reference but dont want to fork over hundreds on a figure, PLEASE! Check out Lucky 13!

Here’s the link to the Printables page:

I literally cant recommend this figure enough, Im already planning on printing a few more because I love it so much.

I hope this gives all the other artists a fun little project, because I certainly had a blast putting mine together!