Shadows and lighting!

[Edcrab]

I feel the need to cause everyone in here artistic pain- my original plan was a "what can't you draw?" thread, whereby I could force the resident experts to bring out their shameful attempts at creativity :D

...but then I realised people would hate me so instead I decided to coax everyone into posting images they've created regarding my weakspot- lighting. I can never produce anything truly convincing :sleep:

This is one of my better attempts (chalk on black paper with a weak "watercolour" filter to smooth it off) but even then I screwed up the torch- why isn't it casting light?! Aarghhh...

Anyway, I've taken up drawing again so feel free to post your pictures and methods, ripe for me to shamelessly rip them off.

[The Dark Elf]

I feel the need to cause everyone in here artistic pain- my original plan was a "what can't you draw?" thread, whereby I could force the resident experts to bring out their shameful attempts at creativity :D

...but then I realised people would hate me so instead I decided to coax everyone into posting images they've created regarding my weakspot- lighting. I can never produce anything truly convincing :sleep:

This is one of my better attempts (chalk on black paper with a weak "watercolour" filter to smooth it off) but even then I screwed up the torch- why isn't it casting light?! Aarghhh...

Anyway, I've taken up drawing again so feel free to post your pictures and methods, ripe for me to shamelessly rip them off.
build a 3D model to get the lighting placement correct. and use it as reference.

[Edcrab]

Oh, placement isn't so big an issue (regardless of that torch, but it's cleary infrared... *ahem*) but more trying to realise the image convincingly- I just have difficulty with "realistic" drawings of people, for example- I get the glint on skin too bright/too dull and, on the opposite end, shade a face too heavily.

It's why I stick to cartoonish... stuff. That and whenever I use a mirror for a facial shadowing reference, I get the feeling my nose is some sort of space-time distorter that's way darker than it should be.

[The Dark Elf]

Oh, placement isn't so big an issue (regardless of that torch, but it's cleary infrared... *ahem*) but more trying to realise the image convincingly- I just have difficulty with "realistic" drawings of people, for example- I get the glint on skin too bright/too dull and, on the opposite end, shade a face too heavily.

It's why I stick to cartoonish... stuff. That and whenever I use a mirror for a facial shadowing reference, I get the feeling my nose is some sort of space-time distorter that's way darker than it should be.
practice more is all. draw from pictures in magazines or from photo albums of your family. Try force yourself to draw what you see not what you think you should see and you'll soon pick up how to draw faces and shade them properly.

[Edcrab]

Considering how long I've been trying I think it's something a bit more deeply ingrained than a lack of practice- but danke either way. Maybe I'd best stick to sprite images.

"OMG LOOK MEGAMAN FARTED"

[The Dark Elf]

Considering how long I've been trying I think it's something a bit more deeply ingrained than a lack of practice- but danke either way. Maybe I'd best stick to sprite images.

"OMG LOOK MEGAMAN FARTED"
Naa I'm sure you could easily learn. Start posting on conceptart.org and getting to know the regulars, you'll start picking up all kinds of tips that'll improve your work instantly.

Oh I find too that its easier to paint a face if you turn it upside down and forget its a face, its just the same lines, shades and shapes as anything else, its the fact you know its a face that your brain says its too difficult. Once it doesn't look familiar its easier to do. Try it :)

[Edcrab]

Hmm, despite drawing (properly) for a decade, it really had never occured to me to turn it upside down and treat 'em like any other object. I'll definitely give that a try :D

[The Dark Elf]

Hmm, despite drawing (properly) for a decade, it really had never occured to me to turn it upside down and treat 'em like any other object. I'll definitely give that a try :D
It does help.

Also another trick you can do, which is perfectly acceptable, is using a grid on your original image and the image your working on, to match proportions up correctly. I don't use a grid but tbh I should cause it will help to improve the final image. Works fine for most things too.

[CREMATOR666]

Who's the guy in that pic? :O

[Edcrab]

Generic shadowy man in sunglasses. I don't draw everything from life... thank god :D

[Garfield_]

One thing i love with this pic is that your first watch doesnt tell what the whole thing is about, you dont see its a man with a flashlight first, not until you watch alittle clooser then you see what it is.