• I just use a regular old number 2 pencil. lol. I've been thinking about buying a real sketch pad, and some good pencils. Maybe some spiffy erasers. I hate going over things in pen, because I feel like.. I always mess up something, and I can't fix it. lol.
  
  Usually, if I have too many eraser marks to make the lines smooth and neat when I darken the lines, I'll hold the paper up to a window, and trace it on a new sheet. lol. Then go back and remark the details. I'm so ghetto. =)
  
  Alecto, sure sure. I'll scan and send it to ya.

Hello Secret and how is your thread going?

• Hey! You're around! It's going pretty well, as you can see. I'm surprised it made so many pages so fast. =)
  
  How are you doing?

going over it in pen then tracing the pen means you don't have to find a window type light source :P I work nights so finding a light source like a window is pretty hard for me :P

I like my set of proper sketching pencils from 6h-6b it makes drawing so much easier! They're a good investment if you enjoy it, it boosts the pleasure not having to worry about lines.

Fallen - Oh, lucky you. (the early winter bit)
I ink almost everything anyway. Over time pencil smudges wears off but ink last longer and doesnt smudge after dry so the image looks better for longer.
I use mechanical pencils unless Im shading.

Secret - I know what you mean, thats the bad thing about pen is you have to be extremely careful but its worth it in the end.

xD That works!

Alrighty. :3

• I don't know what h6 means, but I guess if I go to an art store, the guy there will know? lol. 'I NEED AN HSIX PENCIL DUDE STAT!" <3
  
  I would love to have a real sketch table. Those neat, slanted white ones. I've been thinking about getting one, since I have to sketch landscapes and such for work. But meh. I hate spending money, especially since I'm trying to save for several different things. A house, a car, my girl's 15k engagement ring.
  
  Alecto, sometimes, if all I have is a pen, I can make it look great. But if I use a pencil, then go over in pen, I fuck up. Fate is against me.

6h is a very very light pencil, 6b is a veryv ery dark one. Really theyre just labels for the darkness of the pencil.

I want one too, be impossible to find one here though.
Aww! x3

Haha, its the same with me. I cant trace worth a shit though which is why I mess up so much. ^^;

Good luck with saving for all that expensive stuff. o_o; I'm too young to be thinking about houses and marriage, so I ought to be fine until I get older. A lot older, if my love life keeps the pace its been going at!

It refers to the softness of a pencil 6h is very hard giving you very very light lines, 6b is ver very soft giving you very dark lines.

I was thinking of getting a writing table -wants the one in the antiques shop across the road- and using the slanted cover as an art board. But I don't have room till I move out.

I have no idea what you people are talking about. Is everyone here an artist besides me? xD

We're talking pencils :P

I'd hardly call me an artist :P Secrets doing me avatar art and is running into problems so we helping out :P

• You know what though? I never get overly frustrated with it, when I do my own art. Like if I'm just sketching something I want to see. I feel like all the imperfections make it.. more my own style. When I do art for people on Gaia or Menewsha, I try to stick to the typical anime style. Which can get tedious, since I have no training in it, or any kind of books to show me how to place things properly.
  
  Haha, thanks Anna. I'm only 21, and too young for marriage, but I plan to have a long engagement. Atleast three years. Settle into the house, make it our own.. Then spend those three years working like a dog to pay for the wedding. Life is expensive, but worth all the grand memories. <3

I agree. Sometimes, I feel like its best to just leave stuff sketchy because it makes it mine, not complete but still perfect. And I know what you mean.

I can't draw cartoon styles very well, take a look at my freeby thread. I tied realism with mene eyes this time, the time before I tried manga style but it's lost on me, and the time before I did western styles. I only experiment. I'd get sick of a style if I was forced to do it. I guess that's why I do a freebies shop, no pressure to do a certain style.

• BLOODY HELL!!!! This is just not Secret's day at all. LoL. For some reason, the inside of my scanner was wet. Haha, sorry if the picture looks weird. I promise to resketch and all that yummy stuff. The face isn't done yet either, still working on the eyes. It will look better by the time I finish. *firm nod* This was my first attempt.
  
  I'm uploading it to photobucket right now.
  
  Alecto, I really prefer sketches to lineart, and sometimes even colored art. I have art hanging in my house, some drawn by my girl, some I've bought at art shows. I like those eh.. charcoal drawings too. Gives it a very unique look.

@ Secret - When I do my art, any small imperfection drives me up and down the wall with absolute frustration and anger. I constantly compare my work to the professionals and by then and stabbing myself with the pencil and giving up. I draw a bit above average, but compared to the other people I know, I'm an amatur. Its in writing I overflow with vainty.
I wish you the best luck in your love life, and pray that it doesn't turn out like how mine is going right now. =D Though, I guess it has time to improve. I'm only thirteen right now, too young to worry about relationships anyways.
o_o; And how did water get into your scanner?

Water in the scanner :shock: ? That's never good!

Water in anything that runs on electricity isn't good. o_O

• My ceiling leaks when it rains. Must have gotten wet yesterday. I gotta remember to move my scanner when it rains lol.
  
  Anna, I'm not where close to any of the professional artists I look up to, but I also try to not be too hard on myself. Makes me feel weird when my friends are like WOW DUDE THAT LOOKS GREAT and all I can see are the messed up parts. Maybe after a few years, I'll get the anime style down. I'm more into edgy comic drawing. Stuff like Michael Turner.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...attemptone.jpg

• Again, please keep in mind this is my first attempt, and I have to smooth every thing out. Darken things. Fix the shoes. I layered the shoes and clothes over the nude form, so sometimes it can take a few tried to get it right. But yeah, the dragon. He won't come out right. The entire front half looks off, but I don't know why.

Stick some duck tape in the holes. That's what my dad did when I shot a hole in the garage door. I actually think I shot two holes, but I'm not really sure. xD My mom and I got a huge kick out of that one!

I'm so completely addicted to the anime style of art. People can tell me time and time again that my art is nice, but all I can see are things that I can't get right. Take hands and eyes for an example. And coloring. o_O

• I have huge issues with eye placement, and hands. Sometimes I have a little trouble with hips on guys, because I always make them look sorta.. girly. lol.

I have issues with eye placement and eye shape and eye... Well, actually. I'll just keep it simple and say I have a problem with anything and everything that's related to drawing the eye. D<

I'm the same, I hate all my art after I've scanned it and if not then, by the day after. But my latest is ok.

Oooh I like it :) -looks eager- Can't help you out with the dragon though. I'm terrible with dragons!

• If it's a straight forward sketch, I can get the eyes just fine. But most poses require the head to be an angle, then I get all fucked up. I'd like to get some anime books that would give me some tips on how to do that correctly, rather than doing trial and error 50 times, or having to cover one of the eyes with hair. lol