Just another WordPress site
I got several asks before asking if I can do a livestream because they want to see how I draw but I can never do that while I’m living here because our internet connection sucks (I actually have no idea what I sacrificed in order to stream TAB; it must have been a bit of my soul). So this is just a low quality video of me doodling my gay son for those who want to see how I draw Sherlock.
having to use your own art as reference cause you forgot how to draw
having to go back to reread previous chapters of your own story as a reference because you forgot how to write
Being a better Robin Hood because, unlike some other Robin Hoods, you can speak with an English accent.
IM THE WORST ART TEACHER DONT WATCH THIS
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT YOU ARE THE BEST ART TEACHER EVER OMFG THANK YOU
- I have five or six drawings going at any given time so I can switch around if one of them starts to feel toxic.
- I draw all the time. I draw so often that no individual drawing is “precious.” If I spill chocolate milk on something, who the fuck cares because I can draw it again.
- I like the process of drawing more than I like the product of drawing. It’s totally okay to want to end up with a pretty picture at the end, but you still have to draw it. Drawing is actually 100% drawing and 0% not drawing. You have to want to draw to draw.
- I don’t think of drawings as finished. To me, it’s all one neverending drawing. If I mess up along the way, I can fix it in something else later. It’s okay to have bad drawings. You’re supposed to.
- I draw stuff I like. Not stuff I think other people will like.
*does search & replace “drawing” with “writing”*
all of this
People have written a lot of touchy-feely pieces on this subject but I thought I’d get right to the heart of the matter
(I hope you don’t mind me publishing this because I figure it may be useful for other peeps too)
Firstly, thank you 🙂
As for programs, I use Paint Tool SAI. I would say it’s quite a good program for those just getting into digital drawing. It can be a little confusing to navigate at first and is definitely not as comprehensive as photoshop, but I like it and it gets the job done. My advice would be to download the trial versions of programs such as SAI and PS to see which one works best for you. Photoshop is undoubtedly the superior program in that it can just do more stuff, but that doesn’t mean that it will work for you. There are free online programs that you could use just to get used to using your tablet. That’s how I started out. For example, this piece was done on pixlr editor. It was a bitch to do because online programs tend not to have sensitivity settings for your pen, so you will have to manually alter the opacity of your brush instead. But it’s a way of familiarising yourself with the way things work.
As for drawing the boys. My main piece of advice would be to draw copies of photos or screenshots of Martin and Ben (such as the piece I just linked). It’ll get you used to the structure of their faces and bodies. Try to pay attention to the things that make them unique. For Ben, it’s the shape of his eyes, the fullness and curves of his lips, his high cheekbones, his long neck and face, his rounded chin but sharp jaw, the shape of his eyebrows etc. For Martin, it’s the shape of his nose, his thin lips, his wide rounded jaw blah blah blah.
Draw them from lots of different angles too. And when you watch them in something, look at how their facial expressions are formed.
Remember that just because Martin’s shorter doesn’t mean he’s smaller all around (that wasn’t meant to sound dirty but it did). What I mean is yes his hands and feet are smaller and his legs are shorter, but he’s got quite a long torso, broad shoulders and chest, he’s a pretty solid shape. Ben also has broad shoulders and chest, but his waist is narrower, his hips are curvier, he’s got very long thighs, and yes his hands are fucking huge. (It’s a very good excuse to go and look for pictures of them naked and claim it’s ‘research’).
I’m not saying you have to get these things 100% accurate every time you draw them. If you look at other people’s fanart, a lot of the time you’ll find that certain features are always there and the characters are recognisable, but what is represented is more of an approximation. You’ll find that as your style develops, as will the look of the characters. You’re allowed to take liberties. I always draw John with more muscle than Martin has. I probably make him a bit skinnier too. But I’m using Martin as a basis for how I view John as a character. If that makes sense.
Basically, what it all boils down to is practise. And I don’t know if the porn route is the way you’re wanting to go, but it is brilliant for understanding anatomy and trying to figure out how John and Sherlock’s bodies work. If you don’t want to draw that, look up fighting poses or yoga poses and try to draw them in those positions. Something that will exercise that 3D orientation part of your brain.
Here are screencaps of series one and two you can work from.
Here is the Paint Tool Sai trial download
Here is the photoshop trial download
Here is another free online program
Have fun! And don’t give up. It’s going to be frustrating at times, you’ll probably shout ‘HOW THE FECK DOES MARTIN FREEMAN’S FACE WORK?!’ more than once, but it’ll be worth it 🙂
I can’t draw, but here’s some great tips for anyone who does or wants to get started!
