While keeping the sketchbook seems to help a bit, I'm also getting a little confused and frustrated. I'm one of those people who learns better in a more structured environment. As a result, I'm thinking about coming up with a series of lesson plans for learning various art concepts. Nothing major, just picking out some core books, focusing on a chapter a week or so, and doing work related to what's being discussed in that chapter. I've a few books on my Amazon wish list that are more like textbooks, complete with exercises to follow, which may be helpful eventually. (I can't pick them up just yet.)
I'm not sure how interesting this would be for you all to read about, but hopefully it won't prove too boring. I'll try to share key points in what I'm reading as well as the sketchbook work I'm doing. The hope is that the structure will help keep me focused. Right now I'm bouncing around trying to take in everything at once.
If anyone has any books and training aid recommendations, I'd really appreciate it. The areas I'm planning on focusing on are...
anatomy (human and animal)
color theory
perspective
composition
working with markers (Copics specifically)
The other thing that's rattling around in my head is how to attract more attention in the furry fandom. Matt had an idea last night... start a sketchbook of clean sketches within a theme, say belly dancers, and post those on FA. Which, might work. The only trouble I can see is while my color work attracts some views, my sketches and ink work does not. Which means, they'd have to be colored somehow. Marker doesn't work too well in these sketchbooks that I have. Hmm... I guess I could break out the colored pencils.
Still, 108 pages of belly dancers? That's a lot of shimmy! I need to find a smaller sketchbook for this plan, I think. I'd like to keep the books hardbound if I could - they hold up better. I know Moleskine makes a sketchbook with less pages, but they're pricey. It's something to think about. I could always try auctioning off the sketchbook once it's complete, I suppose. And it does mean I get to play with my colored pencils again.
I know if I can get my brain set on a path and started, it'll kick into gear. It's just getting started that's the hard part.
"The challenge for the artist is to persevere whether or not recognition is forthcoming."
-- Alice Rich
2 comments:
Hey Darc,
You might want to post a few sketches for auction on FurBid. That's where a lot of people go to check out artists as well as FA.
Also smaller sketchbooks are a good idea. While there are people who would pay for 108 pages, there aren't very many who can afford the price of such a book.
Vixen
Hey Vixen! Thanks for the tip! I've been inactive in the fandom for a while now due to focusing on the comic, I'm not sure where to go now. I'll have to give that a try. Thank you! :D
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