Tips to Really Get Better

[carynord]

After reading the discussion in those 'tips on breaking in' threads it was apparent that several people were turned off by the 'reality check' offered by a lot of industry professionals out there these days. I had a hard time understanding the adverse reaction to that advice because, to me, they are giving you a very valuable piece of the puzzle on how to break in. However, it occurred to me that, while very true, to a lot of people that kind of advice isn't very applicable unless you're at a certain stage in your development. In any case, it's certainly not inspiring.

There are a lot of good artists on here that I think show a lot of potential, but most of them just draw the same thing over and over again, making the same mistakes over and over again, never improving in a significant way.

One of the biggest things I see in amateur artists is their unwillingness to scrap something that isn't working. Instead, because they've drawn a good head, or arm, even though everything else isn't working in the picture, they keep beating a dead horse rather than doing what they should do -tossing it out, and starting over from scratch.

Also, nobody wants to start at the beginning; everybody wants to begin by drawing Wolverine fighting Venom. While I agree, it's much more fun, it's back-asswards and ultimately a huge waste of time. Honestly, I'm sure most of you, like me, when you first saw 'How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way' you skipped right to Chapter 7 (or whatever it was) where the action was. All that other info was there for a reason, because you can't get to step 7 without completing the first 6 chapters.

There's a process to everything -a system of learning- and comics are no different. I think too many aspiring artists ignore the basics, and then wonder why no one is hiring them. So what I'm proposing, for those interested, is a tutorial thread, kind of like the weekly draw-offs where everyone has to complete specific tasks concentrating on specific principles of art.

The first week could be something simple like a one-point perspective lesson. Then once everyone gets it, we move on to two-point perspective and so on, all the way down the line until we get to 'how to draw brains splattered on the pavement'.

Part of the process would be to impart on the artist what it's like to have to see something to completion, even though it's not necessarily fun or going particularily well... in fact, especially if it's not fun or going well. I think it'd be really good to get people out of their comfort zones.

What 'chu guys think about that? Any interest out there?

[j giar]

I've purposely stepped away from my online book, choosing not to go back, until I get better. So...hells yeah I'd do it.

[carynord]

Well, there's two of us now! Good!

[j giar]

Well, there's two of us now! Good!

There's more...just give them time to find this post.

[Steven Forbes]

Cary, when I first started Bolts & Nuts, I did the very same thing. I started out talking about character and story before I started talking about scripting and how to incorporate the lessons therein.

And I think you're right. I think it takes a certain level development in order to really get and understand the fact that "you're not as good as you think." I look back on some of my scripts and shudder with what I did and was asking for. And I thought I was ready then!

It takes a while to understand the need for the basics. It takes a while to understand the rules, so you know when they can be broken, and the reason why they're being broken.

I also think that when the naysayers to the basic tenet that "creating comics is hard" come around, they're going to feel very sheepish. Very sheepish indeed.

Even though I'm no artist, I'd be EXTREMELY interested to sit on the sidelines, watch, and ask questions.

Thanks for taking the initiative for doing this. I hope they take you up on it.

[zcotty]

Sounds very cool. And, as lame as it sounds, doing things in a group is always a motivator.

I'm in!

[carynord]

Cary, when I first started Bolts & Nuts, I did the very same thing. I started out talking about character and story before I started talking about scripting and how to incorporate the lessons therein.

And I think you're right. I think it takes a certain level development in order to really get and understand the fact that "you're not as good as you think." I look back on some of my scripts and shudder with what I did and was asking for. And I thought I was ready then!

It takes a while to understand the need for the basics. It takes a while to understand the rules, so you know when they can be broken, and the reason why they're being broken.

I also think that when the naysayers to the basic tenet that "creating comics is hard" come around, they're going to feel very sheepish. Very sheepish indeed.

Even though I'm no artist, I'd be EXTREMELY interested to sit on the sidelines, watch, and ask questions.

Thanks for taking the initiative for doing this. I hope they take you up on it.

You couldn't do this job if you didn't have some type of ego. There's the unwavering belief deep inside every artist, writer, actor, etc. that we're better than every one else... or at least have the potential to be better.
Unfortunately, that ego that drives us on, often gets in the way of being objective and learning. It makes us believe we're better than we are which is a blessing and a curse.

I think everyone can be a capable draftsman... even you writers ;) Why not give it a shot?

[carynord]

Sounds very cool. And, as lame as it sounds, doing things in a group is always a motivator.

I'm in!


We could all use a little brush up. Who knows, might even learn something new in the process!

[Biofungus]

We did have something like this a few years ago, run (ironically enough) by Steve Musgrave. I recall one of the first things was to create a rhino-man (complete with showing the roughs/build up) and then a turnaround sheet. I enjoyed it. Not sure how often I'd participate now though, but I'm definitely not against this idea.

[Steven Forbes]

I think everyone can be a capable draftsman... even you writers ;) Why not give it a shot?

I recently wrote (or will write...I write pretty far ahead, so I don't know if I posted that column yet) that very often, we writers are incapable of drawing a straight line with a ruler, a laser guide, and a few other things...but if I can find the time (and a way to show the art), then I'm in.

So, that's me with my toe in the water.

-Steven

[Newt]

I think it's an awesome idea, Cary! I know I could use the help.

It sounds like you're suggesting that everyone 'enrolled' in the thread has to complete an assignment before the next one is given, which I think will unnecessarily stall the program.

How about, instead, each participant has his own thread where he posts his attempts at each activity- in order. Those who skip ahead could receive gentle reminders that they will receive no crits on their attempt until they have completed the earlier assignments.

This would also open up the program to late entrants.

This might need a new subforum.

[Mike225]

I'd like to give it a shot.

[carynord]

I think it's an awesome idea, Cary! I know I could use the help.

It sounds like you're suggesting that everyone 'enrolled' in the thread has to complete an assignment before the next one is given, which I think will unnecessarily stall the program.

How about, instead, each participant has his own thread where he posts his attempts at each activity- in order. Those who skip ahead could receive gentle reminders that they will receive no crits on their attempt until they have completed the earlier assignments.

This would also open up the program to late entrants.

This might need a new subforum.


Hmm. I'd rather keep it all in one thread so it we can measure each others progress... plus it'd be more fun and hopefully, we'll all develop a little friendly one-upmanship. I was initially thinking that it would be set up like the weekly draw-offs with a deadline that everyone has to meet. The deadline would certainly help to culture a professional attitude which is kind of the point of these lessons. I think we should all make a commitment to each other and honor it. If you don't show up, there's no real penalty except that you might miss out on some valuable info. I'm not suggesting we do anything really labor intensive, like a double-page spread... at the most, something about a third of a page in size.

New people can jump in at any point and get a crit, it would just serve them better to start from the beginning.

[Pencils_Tom]

Count me in :D

[Newt]

Hitting those deadlines is going to be really hard for me as I have no reliable scanner access. But that's a personal problem, I'm just bitching.

So, when's the first assignment due?

[secondrater]

I'd be interested in partaking in this.

[carynord]

Hitting those deadlines is going to be really hard for me as I have no reliable scanner access. But that's a personal problem, I'm just bitching.

So, when's the first assignment due?


Well, basically, if you miss the deadline, oh well. Maybe you don't get a crit or maybe you do, I dunno... but we will move on after that deadline to the next lesson. If you hit the deadline, you will definitely get a crit.

The biggest commitment here is to yourself! I'm just going to show you guys, from my own perspective and my own experience and in my own opinion, what it takes to be a pro.

And I don't have a scanner either... but I do have a digital camera ;)

I guess we'll start next wednesday and have it due a week after that? I'll think about it a bit and figure out a good starting assignment and post it soon.

[JLillustrator]

I can't pass up the opportunity to have my work reviewed by others who know comic book art and have no qualms about telling me how and where I need to improve.

Count me in.

[Newt]

All right, I'm in. No more excuses.

[carynord]

All right, I'm in. No more excuses.

Good man.

[T.J. May]

Well, basically, if you miss the deadline, oh well. Maybe you don't get a crit or maybe you do, I dunno... but we will move on after that deadline to the next lesson. If you hit the deadline, you will definitely get a crit.

The biggest commitment here is to yourself! I'm just going to show you guys, from my own perspective and my own experience and in my own opinion, what it takes to be a pro.

And I don't have a scanner either... but I do have a digital camera ;)

I guess we'll start next wednesday and have it due a week after that? I'll think about it a bit and figure out a good starting assignment and post it soon.

I'm not an artist, but I like that approach. Cause it mimics the heavily, deadline driven field, which takes a level of self-motivation, speed AND talent most don't possess.

You miss a deadline, you're out. But come back for the next one and try again.

Nice touch.

[j giar]

Right now I sit at being happy with about 50% of what I produce. If I could bolster that to 75%...hell even 65% I'd be pretty damn happy. I think it's pretty decent of you to offer your time to do this. Have to be a fool not to take you up on it...I'll be here next Weds.

[carynord]

Right now I sit at being happy with about 50% of what I produce. If I could bolster that to 75%...hell even 65% I'd be pretty damn happy. I think it's pretty decent of you to offer your time to do this. Have to be a fool not to take you up on it...I'll be here next Weds.

Cool, man. Good to hear it... it's not like I won't be getting something out of it too. I'm going to target some weak areas of my own.

[mattchee]

This sounds good! I'm ready to learn!

[carynord]

I'm not an artist, but I like that approach. Cause it mimics the heavily, deadline driven field, which takes a level of self-motivation, speed AND talent most don't possess.

You miss a deadline, you're out. But come back for the next one and try again.

Nice touch.

Exactly. Deadlines are the biggest obstacle to a comic book artist... may as well get used to it early.

...and if you can't find time in a week to do one drawing, you might want to ask yourself how badly you really want this.

[carynord]

This sounds good! I'm ready to learn!

Good, good! We'll make it happen then.

[Justice41]

Sounds like fun. Don't count me in though as I hate making promises I then have to back out of. It bugs me to know end so i don't do it anymore. I'll be watching, ready to pounce on anyone though.

[carynord]

Sounds like fun. Don't count me in though as I hate making promises I then have to back out of. It bugs me to know end so i don't do it anymore. I'll be watching, ready to pounce on anyone though.

Well, from what I've seen of your work, you don't need much help anyway. ;)

[Justice41]

Well, from what I've seen of your work, you don't need much help anyway. ;)
Wait just a second there,.... This is a trick isn't it? Reverse psychology ? Hmmm methinks I'm being had. :har: :laugh:

[carynord]

Wait just a second there,.... This is a trick isn't it? Reverse psychology ? Hmmm methinks I'm being had. :har: :laugh:

Haha. If there was money involved I'd say yes, it was a trick and that you should pay me $29.95 a month. But, since there's no fee, believe me when I tell you you seem to have a pretty good grasp of what you're doing.

[Justice41]

Haha. If there was money involved I'd say yes, it was a trick and that you should pay me $29.95 a month. But, since there's no fee, believe me when I tell you you seem to have a pretty good grasp of what you're doing.
More skullduggery I just know it Spider senses tingling. Oh i need help all right Just look at this mess i just posted. http://www.digitalwebbing.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1554585#post1554585

[Nick Pitarra]

I'd be interested, and will play along whenever I have time. :carrot: :bounce: :banana:

~nick

[carynord]

More skullduggery I just know it Spider senses tingling. Oh i need help all right Just look at this mess i just posted. http://www.digitalwebbing.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1554585#post1554585

Whoa! I take it back!! You need all the help you can get! lol.

Get outta here, man. That's awesome work!

[carynord]

I'd be interested, and will play along whenever I have time. :carrot: :bounce: :banana:

~nick

Play along? You can probably help more than I can!

[ponyrl]

Hey Cary, read my thread in the Art Critique area. The last post concerns the very idea of beginnings.

I learned to draw Bass-Akwards!

And am trying to correct that.

[carynord]

Hey Cary, read my thread in the Art Critique area. The last post concerns the very idea of beginnings.

I learned to draw Bass-Akwards!

And am trying to correct that.

Yeah, nice stuff in there, 'old guy'! ;)

I also learned to draw bass- akwards and I can't imagine the years of frustration and suckiness I could have been saved if only someone emphasized how important, enjoyable and ultimately how easy it will make your life to simply learn the rules and principles of art first. You're on the right track, and who knows, it may lead you back to the comic world before you're done. What's important is to never stop learning!

Most of us have an ugly addiction to this site... I figure we may as well put in a couple hours a week at getting better and actually learning something while we're here.

[JamieRoberts]

I am, without a doubt, one of those people who skipped the first few chapters first time out. I'm in.

[zcotty]

Hey Cary, read my thread in the Art Critique area. The last post concerns the very idea of beginnings.

I learned to draw Bass-Akwards!

And am trying to correct that.

I think a lot of artists start out ass-backwards (or is it back asswords?) Then after about ten years of drawing and you finally start to get happy with your skills you suddenly realize that "crap... if only someone had given me some pointers along the way, I could have been at this skill level five years ago!"

Plus the fact that my whole artistic network is pretty much here on the internet (sad I know) it will be fun to do something like this.

Really excited about this. :banana:

[Wasabe]

Sounds like just the kind of Musgravian straight talk I like.

Thanks for doing this.

[William Blankenship]

I'll definitely be looking over and chiming in. Maybe I'll try some of the experiments. I could use going over some of of my fundamentals again,

3!LL

[Nic]

I would certainly love to do this too.
MY fundamentals suck.
Its like they dont even exist =D
Cant wait until this takes off

[DJ Keawekane]

Oh yeah I'm definitely in. I'm glad you proposed this Cary. I mentioned an excercise like this somewhere, don't know if it was here or PencilJack. But since it's you doing it, I don't think anyones gonna object.

What's the assignment?

[D.J. Coffman]

I was just thinking about something earlier today when replying to one of the those "how to break in" emails I get. UGH. I was thinking, why ask me? I suck! I'll totally try to partake in exercises here just because, and if I remember! I'm getting old.

When do we and where do we start?

[The DarkMind]

There's more...just give them time to find this post.

Found it. I'm in :thumbs:

[jimmybott]

Great idea Cary. I'll do my best to fit it around the rest of my work :har:

[MARS]

I'd be interested. It's funny because i am debating going back to school in the fall to take some classes to tighten up my skillset. Back in the day Shane Glines use to do something similiar with his old site i do believe. It was a good thing.

If i'm able i will contribute when i can.

Good stuff Cary.

M.

[xombey]

can a rank amateur partcipate? if, so, i'm down. when's 1st assignment/deadline?

[L Jamal]

I pulled out the old drawing pad last night and created a page full of mess. I'm definitely very rusty and look forward to participating.

[Phatman]

After reading the discussion in those 'tips on breaking in' threads it was apparent that several people were turned off by the 'reality check' offered by a lot of industry professionals out there these days. I had a hard time understanding the adverse reaction to that advice because, to me, they are giving you a very valuable piece of the puzzle on how to break in. However, it occurred to me that, while very true, to a lot of people that kind of advice isn't very applicable unless you're at a certain stage in your development. In any case, it's certainly not inspiring.

There are a lot of good artists on here that I think show a lot of potential, but most of them just draw the same thing over and over again, making the same mistakes over and over again, never improving in a significant way.

One of the biggest things I see in amateur artists is their unwillingness to scrap something that isn't working. Instead, because they've drawn a good head, or arm, even though everything else isn't working in the picture, they keep beating a dead horse rather than doing what they should do -tossing it out, and starting over from scratch.

Also, nobody wants to start at the beginning; everybody wants to begin by drawing Wolverine fighting Venom. While I agree, it's much more fun, it's back-asswards and ultimately a huge waste of time. Honestly, I'm sure most of you, like me, when you first saw 'How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way' you skipped right to Chapter 7 (or whatever it was) where the action was. All that other info was there for a reason, because you can't get to step 7 without completing the first 6 chapters.

There's a process to everything -a system of learning- and comics are no different. I think too many aspiring artists ignore the basics, and then wonder why no one is hiring them. So what I'm proposing, for those interested, is a tutorial thread, kind of like the weekly draw-offs where everyone has to complete specific tasks concentrating on specific principles of art.

The first week could be something simple like a one-point perspective lesson. Then once everyone gets it, we move on to two-point perspective and so on, all the way down the line until we get to 'how to draw brains splattered on the pavement'.

Part of the process would be to impart on the artist what it's like to have to see something to completion, even though it's not necessarily fun or going particularily well... in fact, especially if it's not fun or going well. I think it'd be really good to get people out of their comfort zones.

What 'chu guys think about that? Any interest out there?

I'd be up for this as well---especially is some of you pros will be handing out advice and critiques.

[jakebilbao]

yahhhhooooo!!!!!!!!! i was hoping the drawoffs here would come back, i just didn't dream cary nord would have a big hand in it!!!!!

i am in!!!! bring on the crits!!!! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Scribbly]

Very nice idea!
Very interesting indeed.
Thanks.

[Justice41]

We had something Similar over at PencilJack called critical mass and Professional artist Loston Wallace would create assignments and people could participate. I believe his failing was going for broke too quickly. Sometimes one just needs to concentrate, for awhile, on just drawing eyeballs and eye shapes. I remember as a yout drawing eyeballs and then wrapping a face around it. Man I must have wasted stacks of timber drawing eyeballs of ever type and shape and size. Then I would just draw a finger and fingernails then create a figure from the finger.

[carynord]

We had something Similar over at PencilJack called critical mass and Professional artist Loston Wallace would create assignments and people could participate. I believe his failing was going for broke too quickly. Sometimes one just needs to concentrate, for awhile, on just drawing eyeballs and eye shapes. I remember as a yout drawing eyeballs and then wrapping a face around it. Man I must have wasted stacks of timber drawing eyeballs of ever type and shape and size. Then I would just draw a finger and fingernails then create a figure from the finger.

What's a yoot? Heh.

Yeah, I really want to start at the beginning... wherever that is. I'm thinking proper placement of a horizon line. :D Maybe we can develop the principles of perspective and composition simultaneously as we go.

I'd really like to delve deep into the realm of perspective. A lot of people seem to think it ends at 3-point, but that's just the beginning! Perspective is a really powerful tool and if you can master that, you can literally draw anything.

And yeah, I really want to emphasize the use of reference, even if you have a real cartoony style. There's details out there that you just can't make up.

[carynord]

yahhhhooooo!!!!!!!!! i was hoping the drawoffs here would come back, i just didn't dream cary nord would have a big hand in it!!!!!

i am in!!!! bring on the crits!!!! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Well, if you're in, I'm in buddy!

[marcom]

i'm in.
-m

[j giar]

Dude, let's cover drapery too...please. I suck at it.

[carynord]

I'd be interested. It's funny because i am debating going back to school in the fall to take some classes to tighten up my skillset. Back in the day Shane Glines use to do something similiar with his old site i do believe. It was a good thing.

If i'm able i will contribute when i can.

Good stuff Cary.

M.

Thank you for saying this! To everyone else, this is kind of what it's all about right here. Here you have a working pro that still recognizes the need to learn to the point of going back to school! ..and the dude can draw! This is a good example of 'what it takes' to be professional. There is no point when you're good enough. It's like swimming, once you stop moving your arms, you sink. Unless you... learn to float... then... uh... I guess it's not like swimming at all. Whatever. :man:

[carynord]

Dude, let's cover drapery too...please. I suck at it.

Yeah, drapery is a tricky one. We'll call that chapter 9. Stay tuned!

[Justice41]

Drapery is fun once you understand tension and give and how specific materials react to movement. Too many people draw all fabrics as if it was silk.

[Wayne Drake]

i also want to learn. and be disciplined. ;)

[colt45]

I would like to join in as well, I think it's a fantastic idea what you're suggesting.

[MrGranger]

I wouldn't mind giving it a try. If Jamal can dust off his pencils then damn it, so can I.

(Speaking of I just found a pencil that I bought in college and lost. It's almost brand new except the end seemed to have hardened. But after a good sharpening it's back good as new. And I got my art degree in 92...so it's been lost for a while.)

[j giar]

I wouldn't mind giving it a try. If Jamal can dust off his pencils then damn it, so can I.

(Speaking of I just found a pencil that I bought in college and lost. It's almost brand new except the end seemed to have hardened. But after a good sharpening it's back good as new. And I got my art degree in 92...so it's been lost for a while.)

They had pencils back then? :nyah:

[Dragonmun]

I subscribed to this just cause... :B


I always feels like I could stand to improve my artwork, but the publishers that were kind enough to send me critiques said that I was fine with the characters I draw, but that I need to work on my panel layout (truth!) and my background persepectives (also truth!).

Would it be possible to have diversify what is draw weekly so that more than just character drawings are improved upon?

[kamikaze]

count me in.

[zcotty]

I wouldn't mind giving it a try. If Jamal can dust off his pencils then damn it, so can I.

(Speaking of I just found a pencil that I bought in college and lost. It's almost brand new except the end seemed to have hardened. But after a good sharpening it's back good as new. And I got my art degree in 92...so it's been lost for a while.)

Ummmmm... what's this thing called a pencil? :eek:

[L Jamal]

I wouldn't mind giving it a try. If Jamal can dust off his pencils then damn it, so can I.

Hey! My pencils aren't dusty... my kids keep them nice and dust free :P

[Nick Pitarra]

Dude, let's cover drapery too...please. I suck at it.

Now there is something I need to learn!

[grendel]

im down lets start ....cmon now!

[armornsilverstreak]

I'm not even an artist but the opportunity to learn from a guy like CARY Frickin' Nord is too good to pass up I'll be there and who knows? Maybe I'll learn I am a better artist than I thought. There room for a Writer in this group?
:bounce:

[The Art Keeper]

Thanks for doing this, Cary. I respect your art very much. I look forward to focusing on the fundamentals...

[JamieRoberts]

Yeah, actually I'd like to say thanks for getting this together, Cary. Just look at how many people were just waiting for someone to take the initiative!

[zcotty]

Dude, let's cover drapery too...please. I suck at it.


Here (http://www.interiormall.com/cat/drapery_tips.htm) you go... :p

[newbold]

sweet!! I'm in, I need all the help I can get!

[DJ Keawekane]

Here (http://www.interiormall.com/cat/drapery_tips.htm) you go... :p

LOL. Ah that's too funny.

[xombey]

boy, you learn something new every day--subscribe--i had no idea. do you know how many draw-off deadlines i've missed, because i didn't check the hread often enough, and all this time i could have updates sent to my email?

sheeesh

[Dragonmun]

boy, you learn something new every day--subscribe--i had no idea. do you know how many draw-off deadlines i've missed, because i didn't check the hread often enough, and all this time i could have updates sent to my email?

sheeesh


It's okay. That feature hides itself from everyone at some point.
;)

I'm having the odd problem of the emails not coming through currently, so I've just been checking the "subscribed thread" section of my control panel.
:whistlin:

[carynord]

I'm glad to see all the interest here... glad and a little nervous! Any suggestions as to which forum we can post this in? I wonder if we could use the draw-off section...

[j giar]

Here (http://www.interiormall.com/cat/drapery_tips.htm) you go... :p

Who says you can't get a straight answer here on DW?

[DJ Keawekane]

I'm glad to see all the interest here... glad and a little nervous! Any suggestions as to which forum we can post this in? I wonder if we could use the draw-off section...

Yeah I say let's go for it. If it's in the wrong section they'll put it where it needs to be and let everyone know where it went.

[L Jamal]

I'm glad to see all the interest here... glad and a little nervous! Any suggestions as to which forum we can post this in? I wonder if we could use the draw-off section...
The draw-off only allow posts to be started by the Mod, but I'm a mod so that shouldn't be no problem.

[cbgiles]

Cary, this sounds good. When and where?

[j giar]

Cary, this sounds good. When and where?

I believe we're starting this weds....and I think you'll need to keep an eye on the draw off threads.

[Sleepbringer]

Wed seems so far away. I've had a great time lately picking brains on perspective, actually improved quite a bit with some help from the guys around here, this should be awesome! Books can help sometimes, but hearing it from peoples' mouths makes it that much simpler and clear. Can't wait. How about a "warm up" exercise...

[Dragonmun]

Wed seems so far away. I've had a great time lately picking brains on perspective, actually improved quite a bit with some help from the guys around here, this should be awesome! Books can help sometimes, but hearing it from peoples' mouths makes it that much simpler and clear. Can't wait. How about a "warm up" exercise...

I hear ya on that. I would love some red-lines and draw-overs for my perspective issues.
^_^;

[Justice41]

Here's a suggestion guys. There are sites online that you can do live video casting Like Vimeo. Maybe once in awhile one of youse can do a live or taped session on whatever the topic is for everyone to see. I believe 3"LL did a few of himself inking or pencilling. Heck I may be able to do one on simple perspectives. Just a thought. I suggest Vimeo because the video is a high quality video instead of the crap that is the encodings on youtube.

[carynord]

I hear ya on that. I would love some red-lines and draw-overs for my perspective issues.
^_^;

lol. Don't count on draw-overs --at least not from me... I don't have PS or even a scanner so this is going to be about as low-tech as it gets.

My goal is to show anyone who's interested what I think it takes to turn in professional quality pencils/art.

I'm thinking on Wednesday we're going to start with 'how to place a horizon line' followed by a one-point perspective exercise.

[William Blankenship]

If there's something you'd like to see me cover in a vid let me know and I can mock one up in an afternoon as long as I have a heads up ahead of time. I can record it and speed it up later and add voice over and music so it's not so boring and to help explain stuff.

3!LL

[ethanWright]

I'm in too!

[Tayman227]

Count me in on this.

[zcotty]

There's quite a movement going on... cool.

[luesang]

Wonderful stuff! I can't wait for this to start!

[Funfetus]

This is an awesome service to the community -- thanks a lot for doing it, Cary.

I doubt I'll have the time to do the activities, but I'll definitely be keeping an eye on it and trying to glean whatever I can.

[Phatman]

I just thought I'd point out that Cary and a lot of the other artists here will give you advice and critique your art in the forums, regardless of this project.

Just sayin'

[jmedors]

This is a fantastic idea! I am glad I stumbled on to this thread in time to be here from the beginning. Cary you touched on one of my strongest beliefs as a comic book artist. One can never learn enough. If you think that you know everything and are as good as you are going to get, why bother doing it anymore? what satisfaction could you get from the artwork you produce?
I constantly look at all of the different styles of comic art out there from past to present, and pick up as many how to books as I can. i drop by the local life drawing class when possible, and read as many tutorials by my fellow artist, as I can find.

With each cover, page and panel I work on, I strive to get better. I work my hardest to surprise myself each time I put pencil to paper. I will be the first to say that doesn't always happen. Shit it happens a lot less than I would like. I think that a chance like this to learn from each other, industry professionals, and those working their butts off to get there, is an amazing opportunity for us all to grow as artist. Thanks Cary for coming up with this idea. I can't wait to get started. As far as deadlines I think we are hardest on ourselves. We will know if we miss a deadline, and we can't talk our way out of, or come up with excuses to tell ourselves. I know I feel pretty damned crappy if I miss a deadline, and I am sure most of you will feel the same way. If not, you probably just aren't that serious about working in an industry where the deadline is priority one, or should be.

[jakebilbao]

:w00t: :w00t: :w00t: cary having his own department is sooooo cooollll!
when does the bloodshed start?!!!

i'm throwing my nephew in, might smarten him up and scare him out of doing this for a living. :har:

[carynord]

:w00t: :w00t: :w00t: cary having his own department is sooooo cooollll!
when does the bloodshed start?!!!

i'm throwing my nephew in, might smarten him up and scare him out of doing this for a living. :har:

ha! Is it too late to back out of this? I have to say, I wasn't expecting this.

[jakebilbao]

i'll try and help out man, it's a bit terrifying in the first time. but i think it will come easier as assignments roll on. :)

[L Jamal]

Welcome to Drawing with Cary Nord

[mikeexner3]

Well, this is pretty cool. If Cary is willing to stick with this I'll give it a shot too.

[sebzero11]

I haven't drawn, I mean REALLY drawn in years. I've been throwing myself into the writing, but I'd love to improve on what meager drawing skills I once had.

My schedule won't let me hit every deadline, but I'll post what I can. Either way, I'm willing to do each assignment so I can keep up, so that when I CAN post, it isn't missing important skills.

So, yeah, I'm in.

[eDuke]

ha! Is it too late to back out of this? I have to say, I wasn't expecting this.
Cary -- if it gets too much, I'm sure there are other pros we can get involved so it doesn't seem like you're in the spotlight so much. I know I could get Kody to start up some threads. He's friends with Josh, and so on and on. Then I'd just rename the forum "Drawing with..." or something like that.

Thanks for doing this. You're a brave man. ;)

[carynord]

Cary -- if it gets too much, I'm sure there are other pros we can get involved so it doesn't seem like you're in the spotlight so much. I know I could get Kody to start up some threads. He's friends with Josh, and so on and on. Then I'd just rename the forum "Drawing with..." or something like that.

Thanks for doing this. You're a brave man. ;)

That's a cool idea anyway, Ed, I was thinking it'd be great to introduce other artists into this.

I've got a pretty decent game plan for the first little while.

I'm not too scared ;)

[raya]

I'm thought Cary's name seemed familiar, lol:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cary_Nord

Love your work! When I have time I will probably start posting, at least in this subforum, again. Thanks for doing this! :banana:

[j giar]

Cary -- if it gets too much, I'm sure there are other pros we can get involved so it doesn't seem like you're in the spotlight so much. I know I could get Kody to start up some threads. He's friends with Josh, and so on and on. Then I'd just rename the forum "Drawing with..." or something like that.

Thanks for doing this. You're a brave man. ;)

I dig Kody's work. That'd be pretty sweet.

Cary...told you there'd be more once they found the thread. :D

[Justice41]

Keep it simple, keep the pace slow and steady and you'll be here forever Cary. Muhhahahahahahahahahahahahahcough cough hack hackhahahhahahahahaaha :p By the way what size manacle is your leg? :huh:
Never know Cary you may and i mean may, be able to take the lessons and even some samples and turn it into a sellable how to do book coming soon to a con and LCS near you. ;)

[carynord]

Keep it simple, keep the pace slow and steady and you'll be here forever Cary. Muhhahahahahahahahahahahahahcough cough hack hackhahahhahahahahaaha :p By the way what size manacle is your leg? :huh:
Never know Cary you may and i mean may, be able to take the lessons and even some samples and turn it into a sellable how to do book coming soon to a con and LCS near you. ;)

oh... hang on, hang on... i can feel it coming... it's almost here... it's almost......muhahahahahahahahaha!

Whew. I haven't had an evil laugh in a while. Thanks, Justice.

[Ray Dillon]

This is an awesome new forum. It would have been invaluable to me when I was starting out. I read every book, took the Kubert School courses, filled dozens of pads with basics before (and after) moving on to pages, finally found the forums where artists could critique. But, getting a real professional to critique my work back then and give me weekly exercises. That would have been insane! You would have had a drooling pupil on your hands. :laugh:

I'm very excited about this and hope I can make the time to participate. Some of the most fun Renae and I have is when we get to (rarely) sit and sketch and talk about how to draw and how to improve things. I know I still have a lot to learn and polish. And it will be really fun to go back over all the basics, and see the process through to the advance techniques.

I'm especially looking forward to razzafrazzin' FORESHORTENING!!! ;)

And if you covered loosening up and de-stiff-a-fying the figure, that would be awesome. I'm so book learned and left-brained that I struggled to keep my figures from being stiff.

Great, now I'm looking through my stuff and picking it apart. I don't like the way I draw faces, I struggle with women, clothing, hair ... okay, I'm just going to start over!! :laugh:

So, yeah, I'll be paying close attention. I think you might have a drooling pupil afterall. :slap:

Great idea, Cary!! Very cool of you to take the time to do this.

[carynord]

This is an awesome new forum. It would have been invaluable to me when I was starting out. I read every book, took the Kubert School courses, filled dozens of pads with basics before (and after) moving on to pages, finally found the forums where artists could critique. But, getting a real professional to critique my work back then and give me weekly exercises. That would have been insane! You would have had a drooling pupil on your hands. :laugh:

I'm very excited about this and hope I can make the time to participate. Some of the most fun Renae and I have is when we get to (rarely) sit and sketch and talk about how to draw and how to improve things. I know I still have a lot to learn and polish. And it will be really fun to go back over all the basics, and see the process through to the advance techniques.

I'm especially looking forward to razzafrazzin' FORESHORTENING!!! ;)

And if you covered loosening up and de-stiff-a-fying the figure, that would be awesome. I'm so book learned and left-brained that I struggled to keep my figures from being stiff.

Great, now I'm looking through my stuff and picking it apart. I don't like the way I draw faces, I struggle with women, clothing, hair ... okay, I'm just going to start over!! :laugh:

So, yeah, I'll be paying close attention. I think you might have a drooling pupil afterall. :slap:

Great idea, Cary!! Very cool of you to take the time to do this.


Ah, see, Ray, perspective covers almost all of this. It doesn't particularly help with dynamic figures, but faces, foreshortening and drooling it does help with!

[j giar]

Is it Wednesday yet?















What about now?

[JamieRoberts]

Is it Wednesday yet?















What about now?
Only for Jake.

[Gav Heryng]

I'm really liking the idea of this forum.

Gav

[antalas]

Sounds cool. Let's roll. :)

[zcotty]

Is it Wednesday yet?

What about now?


Only for Jake.


Here too... :p

[crazy8]

I would love the opportunity to perfect my craft...Thanks

[joshm]

I'll be stopping in when I can. One should never stop learning or relearning the basics. :)

[galmando]

Can't wait to get started after going throguh this thread

not only do we all learn something and develop, it'll help those of us (i'm talking about me here) make sure we hit a deadline and have a goal.

i wish i could post my work for y'all to see but i'm not allowed! :cry:

i do miss critiques!

[WSmith]

So I started reading the thread today 3-10.

Too many pages.
Big headache
I'm in for whatever.

Let her rip!

[Rob Norton]

GAH. how did i miss this. glad i caught it. im totally going to be part of this. tho my scanner isnt up and running yet. i might have to do the digital camera thing. but i will be thrilled to share my art with everyone, especially Cary, so i can see just how much i suck. :)

sounds like fun though...

rob
12013

[RAMolinelli]

Cary, after reading this I may actually come back to posting here and particpate. Thank you to you, and my hates off

[Justice41]

This is an awesome new forum. It would have been invaluable to me when I was starting out. I read every book, took the Kubert School courses, filled dozens of pads with basics before (and after) moving on to pages, finally found the forums where artists could critique. But, getting a real professional to critique my work back then and give me weekly exercises. That would have been insane! You would have had a drooling pupil on your hands. :laugh:

I'm very excited about this and hope I can make the time to participate. Some of the most fun Renae and I have is when we get to (rarely) sit and sketch and talk about how to draw and how to improve things. I know I still have a lot to learn and polish. And it will be really fun to go back over all the basics, and see the process through to the advance techniques.

I'm especially looking forward to razzafrazzin' FORESHORTENING!!! ;)

And if you covered loosening up and de-stiff-a-fying the figure, that would be awesome. I'm so book learned and left-brained that I struggled to keep my figures from being stiff.

Great, now I'm looking through my stuff and picking it apart. I don't like the way I draw faces, I struggle with women, clothing, hair ... okay, I'm just going to start over!! :laugh:

So, yeah, I'll be paying close attention. I think you might have a drooling pupil afterall. :slap:

Great idea, Cary!! Very cool of you to take the time to do this.
Ha! Don't we all.... badoomsha! Beuhller?

[JeffW.]

Why is this thread on page 9 before I saw it? I'll defiantly be keeping tabs on this one.

[zooch_reubens]

Hey this is great! It's just what I need because I'm horrible at drawing perspective, and I feel as though I've become stagnant in my drawing life.

I'm in!

[Decaying_art]

I just thought I'd point out that Cary and a lot of the other artists here will give you advice and critique your art in the forums, regardless of this project.

Just sayin'

It's funny you should say that, because I rarely get any crits when I post anything, probably because I'm such a newb who posts so infrequently. But I'm convinced that it's because my art is so bad no one wants to say anything. That whole "if you can't say anything nice..." bit. So, if it's not too late, count me in! :happy:

[Phatman]

It's funny you should say that, because I rarely get any crits when I post anything, probably because I'm such a newb who posts so infrequently. But I'm convinced that it's because my art is so bad no one wants to say anything. That whole "if you can't say anything nice..." bit. So, if it's not too late, count me in! :happy:

I think the more you post---in the showcase and the other forums---the better chance you have of getting views and comments. Participating in this and the other Draw-offs is a good idea too.

[friendofe]

i'd like to take part in this too...even though it's been a good 3 or 4 years since I've posted anything, i've gravitated back to this site over the last few weeks and feel like a fresh start would help me quite a bit. Cary, thanks for your time!

[raya]

Cary is really nice for doing this for free, most pro artists do seem to charge for this, or teach it in art class. I was lucky and learned it in art college (though not the college I wanted to go to, but that was in NY and the other was in NJ :rolleyes: ).

[JimmyJones]

My dad always said that you can neer learn too much fundumental

but originally that was for baseball but it applys here in comics too.
:w00t:

I'm SO game

Stay Strong
AA


Sidenote: will we post what we did as we go along to do C&C because that is also one of the best forms of help you can get too.

[zcotty]

PAGE 9!!!! Enough talk, lets DRAW! :bounce:

[Bluepencil]

Sounds great idea and I'm in.

BP

[drewerd]

I'm in :D

[NickGuy]

Im watching and participating on my own...when is this starting?

[carynord]

i think I'm going to have to do this on Thursdays. I have a regular commitment on Tuesday nights and it's turning out to be a lot more work to prepare this than I originally thought!

So, Thursday? You guys can wait another day, ya? If I can get something together for tonight, I'll post it. Otherwise, tune in tomorrow!

[Biofungus]

Oh Cary, you tease!


:p

[Bluepencil]

i think I'm going to have to do this on Thursdays. I have a regular commitment on Tuesday nights and it's turning out to be a lot more work to prepare this than I originally thought!

So, Thursday? You guys can wait another day, ya? If I can get something together for tonight, I'll post it. Otherwise, tune in tomorrow!

Tomorrow works for and I will be ready, lol. :w00t:

[Ray Dillon]

How DARE you!!

How about this, for everyone chomping at the bit, let's have a free draw before our first assignment. Draw anything and post in artist showcase (or here if Cary says it's okay; maybe a "Free Draw" thread that everyone can post in rather than a bunch of different threads). And everyone can give critiques or it can just be for fun before the critiques begin.

I'm about to do a warm-up sketch anyway.

[j giar]

i think I'm going to have to do this on Thursdays. I have a regular commitment on Tuesday nights and it's turning out to be a lot more work to prepare this than I originally thought!

So, Thursday? You guys can wait another day, ya? If I can get something together for tonight, I'll post it. Otherwise, tune in tomorrow!

I feel so jilted....so used.....so cheap. But yeah I'll be here tomorrow.

[Shawn Richter]

I'm kind of glad about the Thursday thing, since I JUST found this thread. Alright, I'm in. And Subscribing, as well.

[LDahl]

Is there room for an old woman who's almost late for the party? (I just found this thread) It's the first thing that's really rung a bell for me in ages... sounds like a real doldrum breaker. :laugh:
Scares me to death so of course I want to try it.

[carynord]

Is there room for an old woman who's almost late for the party? (I just found this thread) It's the first thing that's really rung a bell for me in ages... sounds like a real doldrum breaker. :laugh:
Scares me to death so of course I want to try it.

Excellent, excellent! Of course there's room! I just got to get my $#iT together quick!

Thanks for being patient, gang. Somebody go make sure Ray is okay, he looks like he might be suffering some trauma.

[Ray Dillon]

You've ruined my whole life, Cary.

http://raydillon.com/Images/Sketches/DrawingWithCaryNord/DrawingWithCaryNord.jpg

[raya]

Thanks for being patient, gang. Somebody go make sure Ray is okay, he looks like he might be suffering some trauma.

:laugh:

[zcotty]

i think I'm going to have to do this on Thursdays. I have a regular commitment on Tuesday nights and it's turning out to be a lot more work to prepare this than I originally thought!

So, Thursday? You guys can wait another day, ya? If I can get something together for tonight, I'll post it. Otherwise, tune in tomorrow!


No worries, mate.


But if post in asking to move it to Friday... I'm calling the cops. :p

[JamieRoberts]

Kewl pics, Ray!

[outlawmojo]

I always wanted to be an artist, before I figured out that writers get all the chicks. And now that I'm getting married I might as well see if I can still draw.

I'm in.

[Starfire]

Hi, Cary Nord. I need this too, so I'll be here tomorrow. Thanks for starting this up.

I guess it means I should subscribe to the website, although I really didn't know about the subscription until recently. Anyway, now seems to be a good time since I've been posting a lot more here recently.

[secret-identity]

I'm in.
Always love to draw with others.

[Lord Fejj]

ooh ooh! I want to play too! :bounce:

[Scaleyinx]

This sounds fun! :happy:


Oh, and Ray - what happened to your hair in that drawing? :eek: Is the stress causing it to fall out!?

[stuey]

Been quite some time since I visited DW.
Could I join in to?
Also, it's fantastic to see Cary doing this.

[ChrisMcJunkin]

I'm totally down with whatever is going on in here. This sounds pretty informative and awesome at the same time.

[Thunder Rat]

I'd love to get in on this.

[shinlyle]

I'm in. So, when do we start? Are there intitiations? We don't have to kill anyone, do we?

[rpace]

I'm certainly looking forward to seeing how this goes!

~Richard Pace

[twistercomics]

When I was assisting Bob Layton he would tell me the best thing an inker can do is draw more! IF you know how to draw and the fundamentals behind it you will be a better inker yes but a better ARTIST! so I am definately in!

Austin
http://austinjanowsky.deviantart.com

[pashburn25]

i'm in! :carrot:

[STILLBORNSAVAGE]

OK so everybodies in where does this go from here. O and yeah i'm in this sounds great.

[Ray Dillon]

Cary, are you ruining my life again? Where you at?

[Justice41]

Calm down you rabble, Calm down i say back! back!! back!!! :laugh:

[carynord]

Cary, are you ruining my life again? Where you at?

Hey, I got a day job too, ya know. :sure:

lol. It IS coming. It starts tonight.

[twistercomics]

tonight? all i can say to that is... SPOON!

[alexcat321]

I'd like to get in on this action as well. I'm still learning right now and I could use something like this. Great idea.

[Ray Dillon]

Hey, I got a day job too, ya know. :sure:

lol. It IS coming. It starts tonight.
Yeah, right, Cary. We all know this forum and tending to me is your only commitment in LIFE! Day job ... PFFFT!!

;)

[jedipencil]

Can we participate when it is possible for us? Or is that frowned on? :)

[carynord]

Can we participate when it is possible for us? Or is that frowned on? :)

Hells yah. :) So long as you do it.

[Jasongwinn28]

tonight? all i can say to that is... SPOON!


I truly hope I'm not the only one who found that hilarious! Can I be The Evil Midnight Bomber What Bombs at Midnight? :p Yeah, baby, Yeah!

[sampson77]

Is it too late to get in on this? Please tell me it's not, I need the practice/instruction!

[L Jamal]

It's never too late, just look at the other threads in this area and jump in feet first