On Lines

I don't usually like to post stuff like these, cause know i got so much stuff to learn too, but i thought it might be helpful to some people who might be reading this. If anything, this is just a note to myself.

(note: originally when i wrote this i planned on writing about lines, values & texture, but then i realised that i really don't know anything about texture, and i only know little about values, so all i'll write about for now is Lines, just so i don't have to pretend about anything.)

Lines are the most basic element of drawing. To me, lines represent the most basic "information" about an illustration. Lines are like the words you need to formulate a message*. You build the right words around each other so that you can deliver a thought.

A really good draftsman knows exactly where to put which lines where, so that they can get the complete thought with only a few strokes of their pens. The less lines you need to deliver a message, the more understanding you have of what you're drawing. And this has nothing to do with style. Study how the old masters used to draw, like picasso, matisse.. or the more recent ones like al hirschfield, walt stanchfield.. or even the living masters that we have now, like ollie johnston, richard williams, glen keane.. they all know exactly where they need to put ther lines because of the overflowing understanding they have of what they're drawing.

Just like really good writers, illustrators only need a few lines (words) to be able to deliver whatever they need to say. Although of course, a complete illustration doesn't stop there. I'll get to that in a bit.

If i find myself drawing too many "unnecessary lines," i try to re-do the drawing all over again, because it means i don't know that thing i'm drawing well enough. Just like when you catch yourself saying the same stuff over and over again, but still not delivering a clear message, chances are, you don't really know what you're talking about.

So how do you learn how to get good strong lines? Learn your anatomy.

(*Note: Notice that i didn't use the word sentence, instead i used message. I think a line drawing is not always like a sentence where you have rules and grammar and all that, the most important thing is you convey a message, as clearly as possible. )

so in a nutshell,

LINES = BASIC INFORMATION 

Laptop Life Drawings

 

So i had to borrow my friend's laptop for a couple of nights cause my computer's no good for work anymore and i got deadlines to catch. These are some real quick life drawings i did while on it. I really really need to learn how to get my values more accurately.



and i really really really want a laptop now.

EDIT*

Because the next few drawings also fit the same description, i decided to just add these to the same post.

I randomly bumped into one of my bestest best friends in high school earlier today! we hung out at starbucks after. This is her and her older sister.

 

 

=)

Drawings From Today

Today i spent the whole day at starbucks, atc. I think i spent about 4 hours in there reading my book and doodling stuff. A great way to spend the day when there's nothing to do and nobody to talk to. Also, I just found out today that my favorite fancy blank notebook can actually work pretty well with watercolors. I think i'll be working with watercolors again for the next few posts.

professor slughorn.. i swear it was the cheap brushes' fault..

a safety scan of the initial inks before i painted them, in case i mess up with the watercolours later, which i did.

By the way, i also have tons of drawings and artworks that i didn't get to upload the past couple of weeks, maybe i'll upload some of them when i get the chance. My computer's starting to break apart and i really really need a new one to work with.