Some Advice from Jenny Frison

I went to HeroesCon in Charlotte, North Carolina Sunday and chatted with several artists. Not knowing what to say to a boat load of great artists, I asked a few of them to share a piece of drawing advice. Jenny Frison (a great cover artist) said to draw all the time, because the only way to get to the good stuff is to slog through the bad (my own paraphrase).

Good advice if I've ever heard it.

Don't Use Your Rough Drafts

The first version of a story is the rough draft. Once the ideas are down on paper, the writer then rearranges, rewords, and reworks the text until it's efficient and effective.

Artists are often guilty of using rough drafts.

Something I Learned from Seth Godin

Post number 100!

By the way, I update this blog every Tuesday and Thursday.

I've been preparing for Heroescon in Charlotte this Sunday. I also drew up 4 new comic pages while putting some time in on a logo for a veterans transition program. Busy week!

I will post some drawings tomorrow.

Until then, remember this one piece of advice I learned from Seth Godin. Push towards the edges.

Don't Try to Solve 2 Problems at Once

The number 1 tip I can offer to help you in your art projects:
Don't try to solve 2 problems at once.

You're creating something and notice that it's too busy, the lines are boring, and the composition could be better. Don't work on all 3 issues at the same time. Fix the composition, then adjust the business, then improve the lines.

Fix something, then move on to the next thing. Then, do it again. Then, again until you run out of time or things to fix.

Are You Afraid to be Critiqued?

You need more critique, not less.

If you're not out there, you're not making a dent.

The Real Secret of Drawing

I've been on vacation this week, which is always glorious simply because I do exactly what I want. No responsibilities and no worries.

I didn't touch a pencil for 5 days.

When I picked it back up yesterday I was reminded of one of the greatest drawing lessons you can learn.

To draw well you have to think well.

Your mental approach to drawing is more important than the way you move the pencil. Good art is mainly a series of good decisions. How do you set up the compositions? Where do you put the shadows? How do you most effectively depict a scene or action?

Beyond that, intelligently naming your problems is the key to solving them. Too busy? Awkward posing? Flat drawing?

If your drawings are suffering, begin to explicitly name the problems and apply your best logic to every artistic decision. Begin to make sound artistic choices.

And now, back to the beach.

I'll Tell You What's Stupid

I just want to know that there are people out there who can relate to this.

I drew a picture yesterday and hated it.
I woke up this morning and like it.

sigh

At least I like it now! Better than the alternative.