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william · junior member Member # Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 26

hi
I did a quick sketch of a furry angry creature:

http://www.geocities.com/psychommunity0/index.htm

sorry for the link...i'm in the process of getting a domain soon.
I don't know why, but the picture just looks kinda funny...like it's something a 10 yr old would draw...my thoughts are probably the arms. They don't seem to have any muscles under the fur. Does anyone know any tutorials or something that shows how to draw fur? I couldn't find any solid examples. Thanks!!!!

Drew · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2003 11:22 am

I think that a problem that many newbies have is that they expect to be taught everything by tutorials. Although tutorials are good at giving a different view of how to do something, they are not instructions on how to draw. Tutorials may give you a new technique to work with, but in general they will not significantly improve your art.

What you need for this picture is reference. Either go to the zoo, find a book, or find pics on the net of creatures with fur similar to what you want to draw. Those creatures will have muscles under there, so you should be able to better understand what's happening underneath all that fur.

And on a more general note, you need to do more life drawing to gain a better understanding of anatomy.

You have a cool idea, keep working on it.

acidcrys · member Member # Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 53 Location: Fl

You just need a more defined shape.. his arm for example - is just mainly two lines parallel to each other - give a little curve for the huge bicep he should have.. Even animals and monsters are like humans.. their muscle outline should show a bit.. so really the difference.. is just a bit of curving in the outline of the limbs..
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Drew · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 4:35 pm

Perhaps I'm just not understanding you acid, but if you're suggesting that he just add some curves for the arms then I *strongly* disagree. Reference is absolutely vital for all artists, and even more important for beginners. The reason the body doesn't look right is because the it isn't shaped correctly, and the fur does not look like fur. Reference would solve both of these problems.

William, I'm not saying your work is crap or anything like that. I'm saying that if you draw from life, your drawings will improve an incredible amount. Everyone say it with me. "I will draw from life and use reference for my work." Repeat until you no longer wish to draw or are dead.

acidcrys · member Member # Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 53 Location: Fl

I didn't mean just ANY curve.. I was just stating how simple it is - that even a slight difference in the straightness of his arms/lines.. would make a huge difference in the overall affect. I didn't mean just to throw some curvy line without any reference in there..

I figured with the mention of "bicep" that he wouldnt just throw in any curve. Mainly I said it that way to make him realize that his monster isnt horribly wrong .. that it just needs the shape of the body.

here.. how about instead of throwing him a bone and saying "Draw from life" lets give him a general ref..

http://www.fineart.sk/anat.htm
humans, but it still gives the idea of what its like.. if you can find an anatomy imagery for gorillas or similar large animals.. that'd probably help a lot too.
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Drew · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 5:12 pm

Google is your friend.

william · junior member Member # Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 26

I think the problem is more on the side of how to define muscle under a thick fur. I think I have a not-too-bad grasp on normal anatomy. If you look down a few posts, I drew an ogre which I thought wasn't too bad. The type of fur I was kinda hoping for was like a grizzly or polar bear type. Notice how they don't actually have any muscle definition. That's the type I want...not like gorilla fur...or hair...whatever it's called. I guess I should've said this earlier
but thanks for the advice guys

Drew · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2003 7:01 pm

I checked out your ogre post, and to refresh my memory took a look at this one again. I stand by my original critique. It looks like you've worked on anatomy a bit, but you have a long way to go. In my opinion, that's the biggest problem with this sketch. In some areas I can see mass, but in others, especially the face, there is a definite flatness.

In addition, if the veiwer has to refer to another sketch to see that you understand a concept, then you haven't shown that you know it well enough in the original. Keep working, I'm eager to see you improve.

william · junior member Member # Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 26

hmm...good points drew
i'll keep working on it
thanks for everyone that commented
awsome forum

Mr.Kh · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2003 2:44 am

Basically some good points about using ref. have been made. On a more specific note with your sketch there is not alot of dark light areas, if you can hammer out some dark and lights with the more 'active' curves mentioned earlier the beast will come to life a bit. Also the references will help you figure out how to depict the 'texture' or material of the fur in the lights and darks. There are lotsa great image archives out there.

Good work so far - post up a revision asap, dying to see it!

PS: Wow - can't believe I still remembered my username/pass - been so long
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