
Stephanie Bradley
added comment inProject - Simplify from Observation
2d
I started with level 1, but decided to go ahead and try the level 2 reference as well. I found it especially challenging to lay down tone evenly.

Struggler
2d
Ugh, that is challenging man.
Finally had time to attempt the first pear. Think I need to do more shading squares exercises as I don't feel my shading is very consistent for each tone. But that is just a part of learning after all.
2d
Yes, that is what it is. It's all part of learning. Last night I was so frustrated with myself that I am afraid of painting but I love it too. Everything that I love makes me nervous, and for me it's a whole another process to just do what I actually want and actually love.
BTW your pear shape looks good.
2d
Here's my assignment for simplified portrait. I struggle with structure more than I guess with values. I try to simplify it as much as I could. It's frustrating, confusing and if it comes close to a bit of what I was expecting then I guess some what enjoyable too. Well, it's a process nonetheless and I'll keep going.
And all the best to everyone 😊
17d
Hello everyone, I feel like I am an intruder here because I didn't purchase this class, because I am not able to afford it right now. In India this class cost me 11,436 rupees which I don't have. But I do want to build my fundamentals muscles too. So I am following the discussion and you tube videos to get the assignment. And maybe I will not get critiques and hope that I don't get kick out from here😅.
So fingers crossed and here is my assignment.🤞
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28d
Hi sir, I am sorry for posting on the wrong thread because I had little idea about how the thread discussion works.
Actually yes I like to simplify it more and i do want to have great shape design. I love simple yet interesting shape designing but the problem is when I try to make it simple I think that it's not working and I am loosing all the information here, then it started to looking boring and dull and that just doesn't work at all.
And whenever I try to keep it simple I just can't stop myself from making it more complicated and I just keep drawing keep drawing it until I ruined it.
Maybe I overworked my work because I don't think that looked good enough when I have simplified the drawing, i keep adding the details to make it work.
28d
And when I draw from reference it just look like a copy of refrence, i don't feel like I've created my own work, all i felt is copying the photo. I do struggle with this a lot. I want to exaggerate the reality, i want my art to feel more, to live more, to express more.
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Hey, @knightdroid!
@Jon Neimeister is making a course on Digital Painting Fundamentals here at Proko, I’d suggest checking it out. If you’re not ready to take the paid course yet, you can find some of Jon’s lessons on Proko’s YouTube channel for free: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtG4P3lq8RHHBiU_VqcY_L9T2iFDeCUJH
Alternatively, I also really like the “Digital Painting 101” free mini series at http://www.CtrlPaint.com
About where to stop the drawing before starting to shade… it depends, there’s no general rule. Some people have a more painterly approach and draw very few lines before starting to add tone (in a way, you could say that they sketch with tones). But other people, such as myself, for example, are more comfortable with lines. Since you have some mileage with drawing, but are a beginner on shading/painting, I’d recommend developing the sketch as much as you can before shading - at least in the beginning. Try not to skip stages of the line drawing, develop it until you feel that’s as far as you’ll go with the lines. You don’t need to ink necessarily, just make sure to have a drawing that’s fully developed in terms of construction and design. For instance, in your “Spider-Man X Venom” drawing here, I’d say the first one (image 4) would definitely be too early to start shading, but the second (image 5) is pretty close - I think I’d just design the forms of Venom’s tongue a little more (which is looking a bit flat), and perhaps add some elements of an environment to complement the composition - and then I’d say it could be ready to shade.
Aside from that, @Steve Lenze’s considerations on posing, gesture, perspective and construction certainly apply too!
Over time, as you gain more experience with shading and painting, you might start to feel more confident with painting an undeveloped sketch or with the process of sketching with tones rather than with lines - if that happens, you can simply adjust your process to your more advanced preferences.
Hope this helps!
1mo
Hi sir,
I need your help to improve my work. I want to do cartoon style work but i am unable to simplify it, and that's exhausting. I am not able to making those gorgeous shapes that speaks of life. When I exaggerate something it feels to me that I am doing it wrong. So I want you to give me a honest review of my work so that I can know what I am doing wrong.
Thank you
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1mo
Wow I love your artwork! I would start with social media, such as instagram or TikTok (if you can produce videos of your art making process), and say you're open for commission.
Hey! I think there are online places that let you offer your skills for freelance work, such as Fiverr, and Upwork. Those places will charge you a percentage of your earnings though, for the maintenance of the site and as a fee for facilitating your interaction with clients. Have a search and there might be more online in your area. Otherwise, if we're taking it off the web, it never hurts to get to network with artists near you. Look for local art groups to join and ask around there. Let your intentions for employement be known. Selling your art at conventions and local art events is also a way to get your name out and earn some money, maybe even team up with another artist and run a stall together? I think if you build a strong network around your local area, that can really help. They can also notify you when jobs or opportunities come up.
Hope that helps :)
1mo
Thank you so much for your suggestions.. I am thinking about joining Fiverr but it seems daunting. There's so much competition out there and everyone have great bio and how am I going to set the price for my work, i literally don't have any idea about pricing.
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Art job for beginner to intermediate artist.1mo
Hi guys, i was wondering where I can get paid for my work. I am doing art for a long time now I am thinking maybe it's time for to earn li'l bit of money from here and there while improving my skill set.
I am maybe not that good but I am not that bad either i guess😬.
So plz guys help me. I am really in need of money.
2mo
Wow, your shadows and edges are well designed. Great work
Hi knightdroid,
Beleive me, i completely understand you, as I was reading your post I thought this is exactly what I face as well. I do struggle with blending colours and values and they turn out to be messy and i always get the sphere right somehow but can't do blending that well on any other forms. And that sucks, and i am also practicing my skill for few years and i am no where near my goal and it's heartbreaking. But the one thing that help me is blending with opacity brush and stroking it only in one direction i guess, and allowing myself few strokes to do blending.
I guess that will help you too. Best of luck
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3mo
Hey Anthony,
They are looking good. I guess your darks are good enough.
3mo
Hi guys, I am learning fundamentals of portrait and lighting as well. I do struggle with values, they are not clear, so I need your opinion. Thank you.🙂
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3mo
Asked for help
Hi everyone, I am doing portrait study and I am struggling with values🥲. So help me by giving critics. Thank you🙂
Some shoulder muscles! Video coming soooon.
DAY ONE: JOINTS! I got like three hours of sleep last night, but these look okay! I think!
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Hi everyone, I know I am late but this is my first ever post for any challenge and I needed that. I am a very shy person, this is a huge step for me toward showing what I am learning. And every feedback is welcome 😸
Thank you
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Hi Marco! My name is madiha and i have a question about visual development and illustrations. What is the difference between story driven illustrations and visual development?
Thank you
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