[ImageOmega]

I was just wondering if most, some, or even any of you draw by starting out w/ the basics... For example, when starting a semi serious work that you really want to come out well, (and lets say you're doing a figure) do you start drawing that oval for a head and do a stick figure or do you go even further and make some guidelines and start there? Or maybe you dive right in and do a whole contour drawing then fill in details? Just asking cause I'd like to know how some of you guys do your art cause most of you guys on this board are amazing =/

I've got a lot to learn and I'm tryin... (not as hard as I should =/ , but gettin somewhere I hope...) Anyways, so how about it.. do you always start w/ the basics or have you done the basics enough that you feel you can go ahead and dive right in to the main course... Basically...where do you start when you start to draw (especially figures)?

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ImageOmega
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[Totally]

I stress to so many people how important the "basics" are to artwork. (The basics being the shapes and lines) It allows you to adjust proportions and stuff before you dive right in. If you are trying to do an action shot and you dont start with shapes, sometimes you might come out with some really funky body parts...

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Dave Myers http://members.home.com/totally

[samdragon]

that's why you learn the basics. They don't teach basics so you can throw them out the window.
when doing figure drawing, it's very important to start with basic shapes, this will help with proportions and proper muscle structure when times comes for that to be put in.

Most begining figure drawing courses have you do tones of gestural drawing, this helps you become familiar with the form of the body and also helps you losen up. Single line contour drawing also helps(drawing the entire figure with one line, never lifting up the pencil or pen)
If you start drawing with out laying some sort of basic shape, things will be missplaced and out of proportion, and your composition will suffer greatly for this. You will find yourself saying" well, what can I add to the background, or forground" all of that should have been layed out in rough form before hand, either in a thumbnail sketch or lightly on the working image.
Beginers are bad for this, we all have done this at one time or another...Start drawing and get caught up in the details and before you know it, your stuck with one element that is very nice but doesn't fit anywhere else on the "canvas/screen." Work everything together, forground, background, figure etc. This will help with continuity (to some extent). The list could go on and on, but I think you get the point.
Basics are simple and complex at the same time, so don't be fooled by the word "basics." Once you get past the easy stuff, things become more complex to master, but well worth the time.

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VISIT SAMDRAGON'S HOME

[AliasMoze]

ImageOmega,
What Samdragon says is absolutely true. Thing big to little (not a rule). The position of every part is relative to the parts connected to it and --ultimately-- the whole body.

Also, just give yourself time. The human body is extremely difficult to learn to draw because:
a) it is super complex, with many moving parts.
b) we humans are so familiar with the human form and instantly spot mistakes.

If you're really serious about learning this, then you'll take many classes on the subject and practice allot.

P.S.: Nobody is every good enough at drawing people. It never gets perfected. Even the greatest of the great artists have to practice this.

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AliasMoze
:) :) :) :)
"That activates my hilarity unit."

[Kebab]

It�s absolutely true what "samdragon" and "aliasmoose" sais, i have some times started with the details right away, working my way from the center and out to the edges, then after while i discover that the whole thing is totally fucked up, the proportions and not least the perspective is all wrong etc.
Nowdays i always starts with some simple lines, first marking out the shoulders and spine of the figure, then adding supportlines for the arms, waist, legs and the head, and then adjusting all the joints like the elbows. Then i starts adding a simple contour to the figure, cleaning it up more and more. At this point i can judge if the picture is worth going on with.

Regards, Kebab
Located at: http://hem.passagen.se/kebab