Quote: Original post by slowpid
There are alot of books on this, most of which I will be taking exercises right out of.

When the "class" finally does start could you list the books you used to make the assignments or gotten ideas from?

I'm interested in participating as well, I'm at a point where I'm not making much progress on my own and this sounds like it'll be a good learning experience.

Quote: Original post by D Shankar

Quote: Original post by Trapper Zoid
...I'm not sure I want to formally compete for a prize since I'm more interested in improving my own skill...

I second that; I would most likely do it for no formal prize...

I third this; for all the reasons stated above, and then one more. Not only is judging art very objective all by itself, you'll also have to judge improvement, which would be even harder to fairly judge.

No tangible reward. I know I'd still participate.

Two questions:

1) I take it that the "Improve Your Art" forum will have each participant create a thread where they show various sketches and drawing and allow critiques. At the same time, it will have a main thread where we all learn and share discoveries, mistakes, and things of that nature. Correct?

2) What exactly will we be drawing? People? Shapes? Shading? Comics? Manga? Objects from different perspectives (or angles)? Word balloons? Or all of the above?

Although Slowpid should probably answer this, @#1, I believe slowpid is talking this over with other GD.Net Staff; it will either become its own forum (a la C++ Workshop), or a separate "Sticky" Thread on the Visual Arts Forum. I'm hoping to have our own forum.

As for #2, I'm not sure, but I believe slowpid will be putting up some examples/exercises. I think we could also have our own threads where we post daily/weekly drawings to show our improvement. As for what exactly we're drawing, it's probably going to be up to you, but may focus on People (Poses, Perspective/Angles etc.).

I sure hope this starts soon ;), and I hope I'll be able to post at least twice a week.

Regards,

Hey guys, I've just signed upto the forums today and my main focus was for looking to do something creative. Having studied computer arts at university and enjoy 3D modelling, this idea of completing different drawings excercies weekly sounds excellent. I really do need to improve on my drawing especially familiarising myself with different parts of the human anatomy. So yea I think what you guys are planning would be a great oppertunity and I would enjoy taking part.

Has anything been set in stone or is there another discussion going on elsewhere I should know about?

Nothing is in stone yet, I have been going over my art books and trying to come up with a solid plan for the first 2 weeks, and a general plan for the month.

This is expected to start within the next two weeks, probably on a saturday to make it easier on people to start.

Now here is another question, while most lessons are general, they are going to need particular objects to study and draw. Would people here rather that these objects be human or not. Generally, if you can draw the human form, you can draw anything. However, it might discourage people. Let me know.

Well seeing that most of us are programmers I guess we can do shapes and branch out from there. I mean most of us have books, computers, monitors, speakers, TVs, and lamps. We could draw those things to start out with. They seem easy basic* enough.


*I hope no one asks me to stand on my head and draw those things as a lesson[grin]

Quote: Original post by slowpid
Now here is another question, while most lessons are general, they are going to need particular objects to study and draw. Would people here rather that these objects be human or not. Generally, if you can draw the human form, you can draw anything. However, it might discourage people. Let me know.

In my opinion, drawing humans and drawing objects are a bit different, but drawing humans and drawing environments/landscapes are near opposites. I believe this workshop is more human & object oriented, so either one will improve both categories. (humans can be drawn in shapes of lamps, vases; objects can be drawing in simple boxes and complex shapes. Basically, they all work from shapes.)

I'm not sure how many drawings people want to do a weekly but may I suggest two a week. One that is a human pose and the other that is an object? Or vary it from one week to the next. But if we had to choose one then my vote would go towards human poses :)