markedoutforthewin - Tumblr blog

[markedoutforthewin]

Attempt #7 - Spent a lot more time getting the line-art how I wanted it, although some of it definitely didn’t survive the entire process.  

Used @vegebulocracy‘s summer prompts as a jumping off point, not sure that I’ll do any of the other ones--I really enjoy these two, I’m just not super-involved in fandom right now, haha!  Still, something’s better than nothing, right?  

So I started with the prompt of “sunbathe” and went in this direction before I realized that one of the later week’s prompts was “tanlines.”  Oh well!  

Turns out I didn’t have the right markers to get the sunburn effect I was going for, so this is a combination of illustration markers and colored pencils.  Crayolas.  Also, please forgive the poor picture quality, my scanner is in boxes with the rest of my life right now.

There’s a lot I could have done better at *cough*vegeta*cough* but it’s a start.

[markedoutforthewin]

Attempt #6

Ok so I said I’d share everything, right? Successes AND failures?

Seeing these side by side...really wants me to put this in the latter category so far as “art that makes me feel good” goes, but at least I’m identifying a trend: I keep rushing my line art.

I should know better, I know I should, and I do! They say you can’t polish shit and they’re totally right.

First of all, the photo’s too washed out to offer much good practice in shading.

Secondly, I should have spent some actual effort in getting the proportions right.

Third: I gave up on the coat as too complicated.

Fourths: she looks like a beedy-eyed fish! 😫

But over all, not completely terrible. It looks like she has cheeks and she’s smiling! Whooohoo! She looks humanoid!

Would I have wanted to turn this in in any of my art classes? NAH BRUH.

[markedoutforthewin]

Since I hit on a couple of variations that I liked with my practice attempts I thought, “hey what a great idea it would be to do a few skin palettes so you can refer to what works instead of guessing all the time!” You’re right, Self, that is a great idea!! Only...

Y’all this is rough!

Haaaaalp!

(I will most likely take some time this weekend to watch some tutorials. I shall be quite grateful for anyone who can suggest some good ones!)

[markedoutforthewin]

Attempt #5: hay thar Zuko!

Look! Proof that I don’t suck! I mean, I at least like it—which is the whole point! I’m happy with this!

So yeah.

I did freak out just a tiny bit while doing his hair but I think it did what I wanted it to do.

If you are a person who knows about these sorts of art things and you have some advice that you think could help me get better, please share it.

[markedoutforthewin]

Attempt #4

I got so excited about doing a fair job with Inuyasha that I got a little too excited with Kagome. TOTAL rush job. Why does she have so much hair?? It’s like I started and just couldn’t stop.

BUT! I’m...somewhat pleased? Honestly her cheeks don’t look half bad. Her hair? I’m putting together that I think I need to do shadows FIRST and then overlay with the base color.

Any thoughts? Suggestions? I know I’m putting this out onto the increasingly dense ether and it’s possible no one sees any of this at all, that’s what I’m doing this for, right? Not for validation or recognition, but to improve.

TLDR: sloppy lineart, forget the hair, the contours aren’t that bad

[markedoutforthewin]

WHEW! Finally, something resembling competence!!

Attempt #3: getting back to basics.

I’ma be honest, it feels pretty good to have done a not-too-horrible job at a modern Inuyasha.

Basic pencil sketch inked over and erased and then I went to town on his skin tones. Admittedly sloppy but I’m pleased.

[markedoutforthewin]

Attempt #2: Hey! Since pencils sucked so hard in my last attempt, what if I just don’t do any?

...

Ha. Haha. Hahahahahahaha yeah fricken right! I am NOT a good enough artist to pull that off. All I can think is that she looks like an alien from an early episode of Star Trek.

Also, do you like my horrid attempt at shading? CLEARLY I am just mucking about here, she looks like she’s wearing a neck brace.

[markedoutforthewin]

Attempt #1 of actual marker use on line art.

TBH I put very little effort into the line art and discovered something: pencils do not erase under these things!! Nope!

Also please note that at this time I have watched absolutely ZERO tutorials and am trying to survive on shading memories from Figure Drawing 101.

Some items learned:

1) Erase pencils first

2) “Blending” pen must be some sort of nome-de-plume.

3) Curly hair is a lot harder when you have to color it!

[markedoutforthewin]

First thing I did, Fam, was test my brand new markers out in layers.

I bought a set of 24 Art Alternatives illustration markers and added a few colors it didn’t have. Thank the Lord for a 60% off coupon!!

[markedoutforthewin]

Let’s Get It

This is my first post on my new blog for my new thing.

What is this new thing, you ask?  This new thing is ME learning how to color with markers.  I’ve been drawing since my wee little fingers could grasp a jumbo crayon, yet never have I really taken the step past line art, colored pencils and half-successful attempts at photoshop aside.  I love the look and control of markers used for illustration and I want to make art that I can feel good about.

Why do I want to make art I can feel good about?  Because I’ve basically spent the last six years of my life putting things on hold and waiting for the other shoe to drop.  Well last month the shoe dropped with a pretty solid thud, and I was put on probation for a degree I’ve shaped my life around for the past twelve years.  I realized that the reason I’ve put things off is because I’ve been scared of failure.  I’ve been scared of judgement.  All those fears that kept me from doing all those little things came up and bit me in the ass when it came to doing the big things, too.  So I’ve decided to stop putting off doing what I love, and I’m starting with markers.

I’ll be posting this marker-illustration journey.  Every success, every failure.  Along the way I will get better at making art that I feel good about but more importantly, I will stop being afraid of judgement.  I will stop being afraid of failure.  I will stop being afraid of disappointing others.  And when I get back to my degree I’m going to crush it.