Lesson 4: Using a Reference

[pepokish]

Let's get started with lesson 4!

One key to success as an artist is to learn how to use references.  It's a common misconception that all artists -- good or bad -- draw using nothing more than their vivid imaginations.  While I'm sure that there are certainly some exceptions, the vast majority of excelling artists utilize the world around them in order to learn how to draw things.

A lot of people also swear by the fact that you cannot learn from photographs, and can only learn to draw by drawing from live models of your subject.  This, I believe, is just plainly not true.  The key to drawing from photographs is to have a lot of different angles of the same subject in order to gather a sense of how that subject is, rather than copying one single photo like a living xerox machine.

For this lesson, we will be working on learning to draw with references.  Later, we'll learn how to apply this knowledge to making creations from your imagination.  (:

• Today, our subject will be: Nile Crocodile (as seen here (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,12289.0.html)).

Your Task: 1. Gather reference images of Crocodiles.  Make sure to gather a variety of angles and poses. 2. Quickly draw out 3-4 small sketches (5 minutes or less per each sketch), and post them here.  3. After you have received feedback from vrt or myself, choose the mini-sketch you like best, and continue refining that sketch into a fully-completed image!

Don't forget -- vrt and I would really appreciate it if you could hold off on posting any updates or moving on in the assignment before we have come around to give you feedback.  This makes it a lot easier on us, and it makes it easier for you to correct mistakes early on, before it's too late.

Good luck, everyone!  :3

[pepokish]

Below, you can see an example I made up very quickly, along with the references I used.  This is my typical way of making artwork -- first, a quick and messy lineart sketch, followed by speed painting.  Of course, in this lesson, you're free to work in whatever way you're comfortable doing so.  C:



My references: One - Two - Three
1. Basic Shapes: As covered in the last two lessons, the first step was to define the basic shapes of the skeleton.  This was done, for the most part, off the top of my head after looking through so many images of crocodiles.  You will make 3-4 of these.  (:

2. Sketch Details: After laying down the basic shapes I went back to look over my references and started outlining a few of the details I noticed in the photographs -- the large bumps on the back of the crocodile, the snout shape, etc.

3. Tones: With a new layer set to multiply, I set down some basic shading.  This can be done in colour or black and white.  Starting immediately from colour is very difficult, but it's also not easy to add colour in later on down the way.  Personally, I choose to use greyscale until I feel comfortable enough with the form to start introducing colour -- but that's merely personal preference.

4. Blending: After that, another new layer (normal) where I used a med-high opacity brush to begin working the rough shading together and forming details.

5. Details:  As you can tell, I didn't finish the image -- we end as I just begin adding in details and refining everything.  The secret is to use fairly large brushes as you start out with shading, and use progressively smaller brushes as you get into detailing.


Now, I'd like once again to wish everyone luck with this assignment!  Looking forward to seeing everyone's sketches and drawings!  C:

[Krahhl]

[ArtCrusade]

ref1 - ref2 - ref3





EDIT: Damn it. everyone's posting fully developed sketches and I only made some doodles. Am I supposed to do the same or what?

[wizelsnarf]

References:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NileCrocodile.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crocodylus_acutus_mexico_01.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marsh_Crocodiles_basking_in_the_sun.JPG
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CROCO840.JPG

Sketch 1:

Sketch 2:

Sketch 3:


#1 came out really lame and cartooney. # 2 is my favorite.

[Krava]

ok let's see...
croc skull reference:
http://www.google.hr/imgres?imgurl=http://www.azdrybones.com/images/Nile-Crocodile.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.azdrybones.com/crocodylia.htm&usg=__52HVC56hsKXPxC7WVN0ATMT2Ijg=&h=375&w=500&sz=26&hl=hr&start=24&zoom=1&tbnid=9189jd30jyiZDM:&tbnh=138&tbnw=240&ei=pIpKTb-1OsLogQep2b04&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnile%2Bcrocodile%26hl%3Dhr%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DR4c%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D604%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C798&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=565&oei=kYpKTfCxEoyD4QaiwZ3NCw&esq=3&page=3&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:24&tx=210&ty=88&biw=1024&bih=604

croc posing with an arm:
http://www.google.hr/imgres?imgurl=http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20070413_05.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20070413_1.htm&usg=__j46KdfzlXoeyOPJYPtfvJoF7cW4=&h=360&w=650&sz=71&hl=hr&start=36&zoom=1&tbnid=7LuzzcNryGlVdM:&tbnh=119&tbnw=214&ei=LotKTbDhNojLgQe6o8DsDw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnile%2Bcrocodile%26hl%3Dhr%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D604%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C1482&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=124&vpy=261&dur=5781&hovh=167&hovw=302&tx=200&ty=89&oei=kYpKTfCxEoyD4QaiwZ3NCw&esq=3&page=4&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:36&biw=1024&bih=604
And baby nile croc, love the detail of an eye
http://www.google.hr/imgres?imgurl=http://www.crocodilefotos.com/images/CF_final.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.crocodilefotos.com/home1.htm&usg=__pWSIWaGMHujhF2Khr_Li3aHEO0w=&h=384&w=588&sz=102&hl=hr&start=48&zoom=1&tbnid=09BbSWoSE8jwQM:&tbnh=139&tbnw=187&ei=bItKTa7jB9PdgQe_vbwN&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnile%2Bcrocodile%26hl%3Dhr%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D604%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C1729&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=315&vpy=332&dur=2712&hovh=181&hovw=278&tx=143&ty=101&oei=kYpKTfCxEoyD4QaiwZ3NCw&esq=4&page=5&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:48&biw=1024&bih=604
And some other, too much to mention

Sketch

[SunnyGreens]

Sketch #2:
Sketch #3:
Sketch #4:

[pepokish]

Krahhl - Very nice sketches!  These turned out very nicely.  The first two are definitely my favourites -- nice work experimenting with a unique angle on the first sketch.  Feel free to continue on with whichever sketch you like best.

--

ArtCrusade - Very interesting sketches you've got, here.  (:  They are just fine for step 1, no worries.

In the first image, it seems like the humanoid-being is placing his head in the Crocodile's mouth, but the Crocodle is on a separate plane, making it a rather confusing layout.  I suggest either making sure the crocodile's body is on the same level as the human's, or introducing some sort of perspective, as if the crocodile's body is moving directly away from the viewer.  Here's a rough example of what I mean:


You have some lovely curves going on with your Croc's noses, but notice how the top of a Crocodiles snout is actually very straight and rigid, and doesn't bend.

Aside from those little things, I think you're ready to move on.  (:  Feel free to pick the sketch you like best, and start refining it into a fully-fledged illustration.

--

Wizelsnarf - I think these are the happiest Crocodiles I've seen, yet!   

You've done very well, so far.  The only thing that I can really pick at, is that in the first sketch there seems to be a bit of perspective confusion -- most of the Croc's body is seen from directly above, but the head is turned entirely sideways. 

Other than that, very nicely done!  Feel free to continue on as you see fit.  (:

--

Krava - Very impressive!  These are great sketches.  Ideally, I would like to see more definition with the understructure -- but the purpose of that is generally to help with anatomy, and you're anatomy looks lovely, anyway.

The only mistake I can spot here, is that the top-most Croc's eye seems a bit too high; it looks a bit like his eye is more in the center of his forehead rather than at the top-side of his head, where it should be.  Other than that, great job.  C:  I look forward to seeing what you come up with, further!

--

SunnyGreens - Ah, lovely sketches!  I love the perspective in the second sketch -- very daring.  c: 

I think the first sketch could be improved if the Croc's head was more towards the center, looking more toward the viewer (slightly or fully -- either way).  As it is, I have the feeling that the figure is off-balance and tilting to the left.

Anyway, nicely done, feel free to move on if you'd like!

--

Thanks for your patience, everyone!  Everyone did an excellent job of following the guidelines and doing the assignment correctly.  C:  I can't wait to see more!

[Malduk]

Heh, this was a pain for pen and paper. Photo of a sketch is meh, as I tried to draw it very lightly as we'll have to finish up those sketches later. Some lines are barely visible if at all...
Anatomy of a crocodile is a bit boring, but drawing their heads is fun  Hopefully we can start working on details and finish the sketch?

[vrt]

Malduk: Top right sketch is wonderful, but seems to be almost traced. Try using the references you're using as a base to 'enhance' the skeleton a bit more; fantasy art works best when you slightly exaggerate things. As far as I'm concerned though; feel free to finish this one up when you're satisfied with how the sketch looks!

[bored_ninja777]

i plan on doing this just need some more time.. havent had much for extra time to spend on here or anything. ill try to have something up by end of the week. maybe on 27th or if i have time during day.. ill just edit this spot for when i post mine.

[Krava]

Ok, i dont know if this apply but i did use a crocodile references to draw this two headed wyvern.