/ic/ - Artwork/Critique

The book could be condensed to just a few pages. The majority of the text is about the pscyhology of seeing/drawing, I guess? It's not that interesting and it doesn't really help you, unless you're teaching or trying to source/formulate an argument.

Here's the main points:

1.) Draw what you see. This is easier said than done, but it's the hard truth. The head isn't a circle, so don't draw it that way. We're not doing smiley faces unless we're illustrators and deliberately want that.

2.) Reset your eyes. Your brain and eyes are constantly trying to deceive you. So don't let them. Flip the page, take a break, whatever.

3.) You can learn to draw. It's an acquired skill. HOWEVER, interest and ability seem to be strongly correlated. Interest is likely innate/nature -- therefore making talent seem like a God-given trait. The longer you work, the more progress you will see. Just like lifting weights or doing math. If you can persevere, you can learn art. But you may not have an inherent interest in shapes and color, just as I have no interest in moving iron and dating.

4.) No rules, only tools. Just draw.

>>3198501
How do I study effectively anon? The shitty thing is I can draw realistic stuff alright, even from imagination, but I just can't manage animu no matter how much I study

>>3109988
You need a healthy balance. Ofcourse you run the risk of becoming too dependent on reference.

This is probably the best advice I ever got: Use the 60 40 ratio at all times. When painting or drawing or whatever 60% of what you make should be subject matter you are unfamilliar with or lack confidence in and 40% should be subject matter you feel comfortable with.

If you focus too much on stuff you think you can draw well, you become a one trick pony, if you focus too much on stuff you are not good at, you burn out and get too reliant on references.

You simply must train both your imagination (your ability to internalize and reproduce what you've learned) and your ability to gain more information (through observation/references)

At the very VERY beginning of learning to draw, obviously you have to focus on drawing from what's right in front of you, but that phase shouldn't last long. It's best to break habits the second they begin to form.

Here we go again.

How long until OP starts going "hello kyle" to everyone?