So with these character studies, what I tend to do before I begin is to gather a few random reference images based on my week's theme [normally I do a quick google image search the night before]... from there I'll pick out a few interesting pieces [3 - 4] that somehow spark off my imagination towards defining a character... The images will range from portraits to full body, & in varied compositional situations. What I'm looking for at this stage are simply elements in each that my imagination connects with... rarely [if ever] will use a single image alone as ref- it's more a mental collage of several...
I've also learnt it's really best to stay loose & keep an open mind about the information you take in through refs; observe & then let your imagination work it's magic. More often than not, I find [when I'm doing it right] my finished design looks absolutely nothing like my refs; even to a point you could argue why th'heck I had them up I the first place... There does of course come a point where it's best to now remove them; for me it's normally once I've laid down a strong framework of gestural stokes... from there on I'm pretty much good to go!
Hope this little explanation was helpful to a few out there?
Here's today's Sketch-ercise...
Oh, Also I recommend picking up a copy of Mike Mattesi's "Force" -fantastic book!
-M-
I've also learnt it's really best to stay loose & keep an open mind about the information you take in through refs; observe & then let your imagination work it's magic. More often than not, I find [when I'm doing it right] my finished design looks absolutely nothing like my refs; even to a point you could argue why th'heck I had them up I the first place... There does of course come a point where it's best to now remove them; for me it's normally once I've laid down a strong framework of gestural stokes... from there on I'm pretty much good to go!
Hope this little explanation was helpful to a few out there?
Here's today's Sketch-ercise...
Oh, Also I recommend picking up a copy of Mike Mattesi's "Force" -fantastic book!
-M-
2 comments:
A little bit of Rutger Hauer from Blade Runner going on there, this guy looks a little bit fierce but also a little bit camp too!
That's exactly what Ant said! Didn't see it at first... but now, that's all I see! I'd keep both eyes on this guy at all times...
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