My October Sketchbook (Part 1)

 Every month, I go through a sketchbook. It is important to practice and I take it to an extreme. Normally, I don't post my sketches, but I think it might be fun to go through the pages and give you guys some information on composition, references I like to use, etc. Paying it forward, that is what it is. So, for this month I am using this a generic paper pad by Maybe It's Time brand. It is an acid free paper (9in. x 12in.) and it is actually not too bad. It is a thicker paper and about the same quality as my Carson sketch pads. Click Read More for Sketches and Information~
Talking about paper, when you get a sketchpad you want to be careful about the type of paper you are using. I say this from experience, I have gotten some TERRIBLE paper pads in my time. You especially want to watch out for paper that hasn't been processed well. You know what I mean if you ever did a pencil sketch and try to erase it on this kind of paper. The tooth of the paper just curls up and rubs off like eraser bits. It is pretty terrible. So, quality of paper is #1. This doesn't mean you have to go out and get fancy artist paper. But, just get something that works with your art tools.

Alright, so this is page one in my sketch book. These are two original characters from a game called Heroes of Ivalice. I always had a lot of trouble drawing couples together because I couldn't quite figure out how to place them. Well, if you run into this problem you should try out the box method.  There is a How-To video Here: Mark Crilley/ How to Draw Couples Kissing

It is an AWESOME reference and I will forever use to box method to figure out how couples should be properly aligned to smooch.

There is a further away look at the image. I think I am most proud of the weapon. That turned out really nice and typically I am terrible at weapons. This is supposed to be a Final Fantasy based world, so all the swirly fancy weapons get a little crazy.

Page 2 of my Sketchbook. This is just a cat girl I drew in a small window/box.The thing with sketchbooks that I find interesting is when people look at it, they expect finished work. I don't think any of my sketchbooks have finished pieces in them. That really isn't the point of a sketchbook. They are exercises for finished work, ideas jotted down, and just whatever comes to mind. With most of my sketches I copy them onto better paper and color/finish them from there. So, no pressure! Sketch what you want. No ones judging.

Page 3! Figure Drawing. When I was in school I had a teacher who was absolutely fanatical about this. I enjoy working on them, but I honestly never find model images I like and I think too much on it. I did find a good solution for this. On youtube you can get free "Daily Life Drawing Sessions"  This is awesome because it times you and moves onto the next model. If you want to spend more time on a model you can, but it really helps out that they pick these things for me. I HATE searching the internet for model references. 

So, that is about it. I am pretty burned out and I have only filled 3 pages. ^ That is a little picture of me being burned out. Weh. More updates on the way. I actually have a video game review I want to put up tomorrow. I am 90% done with Final Fantasy XIII, and I am pretty disgruntled about it.