Random Self-Critique

[the_gneech]

Dear Gneech:

When you revamp your art style for the new version of SJ, you need to keep the following in mind:

• Cut back on those huge, horizontal muzzles. They get in the way of characters' eyes!


• Speaking of eyes, make them a tad bigger generally. Not anime-huge, but bigger than the little beads you tend to do now. (With the exception of Stretch Ferret, of course!)


• Use more photo reference. It always improves your art by 200%.


• Thumbnail first. Don't compose on the page.


• When possible, put at least a week between the draft and the final product.


• More shadows in the inks. Practice this muchly!


• Rulers are your friend. You know you can't draw a decent straight line without one. Don't be lazy!


• Ditto model sheets. Particularly since you're redoing all of the character designs anyway.


• Speaking of models, work out new marking/mask sheets and stick to 'em. Try to keep the markings on the hands/feet very simple, to avoid clutter around what are already difficult areas to draw.


• Study Sue, Vince, Herbie, iktis muchly, particularly the character designs. Look for underlying structures.


• Your perspective sucks, except when it's great. Tighten this up.


• Don't be afraid to get more expressionist. Make Dover skinnier, Katie chunkier, Tiffany curvier, etc. Not to the point of total distortion, but more than you do now.


• Try to be looking at good art when you're getting ready to draw. Think about what makes it good and incorporate that!


• Finally, don't get discouraged. Look how far you've come!

Your pal and second-harshest critic,
The Gneech

PS: Other critiques welcome. :) I'm mostly posting this here so I'll remember it.

Comments

[frostdemn.livejournal.com]

Those are all some very good critiques to follow, but must I say there needs to be more Leona??

Hm, have you considered branching into other art styles as well? Aside from drawing the way I've seen you draw, maybe draw your characters *coughLEONAcough* in styles you see in magazines and newspapers! For some reason, I'm thinking of the art style from Rhapsody in Blue in Fantasia. Lots more smooth curves for the characters and not always conforming to your regular proportions (i.e. the arms and legs can be drawn as fluid curves instead of showing the distinct angles the bones form).

I'm not sure where else you can find some inspirations for branching out into new styles, but there IS also the option for branching out in new mediums! I'm suddenly visualizing a Gneech wearing a paint-spattered smock with a brush clutched firmly in paw, a beret atop his head in the place of the trademark fedora!

Ooh, and animation. That's another idea!

Wait, these aren't critiques any more rather than ideas to branch out and uh...
More Leona, please?

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

So, if I understand you right, you want more ... Leona? Is that it?

-The Gneech

[leona-lioness.livejournal.com]

Hey, the boy has good taste, you got to give him that!

LEONA

[frostdemn.livejournal.com]

I like to think I've got good taste. Leona makes for an excellent subject of art!

But I was also emphasizing the exercises for trying new art styles while you're working on your own! I think I've seen you parody some famous works of art with your characters before? I like that idea as well, y'know! Ooh, or more movie posters!

But yes, mainly Leona. Can't go wrong with such a winning subject!

if it was anyone else besides Frosty or Loxley

[mammallamadevil.livejournal.com]

I'd say you paid 'em.....

MLD

Re: if it was anyone else besides Frosty or Loxley

[frostdemn.livejournal.com]

Pft. Leona doesn't need to pay anyone to have people sing of her greatness! She's the real deal!

I wasn't paid for this, either...

[torakiyoshi.livejournal.com]

I'd pay for a watercolor or oil painting of Leona.

Have the best

-=Kiyoshi

Re: if it was anyone else besides Frosty or Loxley

[lowen-kind.livejournal.com]

Hey! I like Leona also. :=3

Though not quite as mach as Ti.... Watch the claws Leona!!!!!!

[hossblacksilver.livejournal.com]

A beret? What you trying to do, turn him into Jamie Hyneman? "Today on Furbusters, are tiggers tops made out of rubber and bottoms made out of springs?"

I will concur on more Leona though.