Artist Army {old thread}

[Atomic Blue]

I was wondering if any of you have any tips for working with charcoal? I've tried a couple of times, but I always seem to get it everywhere, and I find it harder to draw with charcoal because of how thick it is. Is that just because I'm used to pencils, or do any of you feel the same?

I find it a lot harder too, so I don't do it often at all. It's too messy for my likings although getting it right would probably be awesome. I like changing up what media I work with every now and again.
I don't know, basic tips: keep your hands off the paper and I guess have a decent idea of what you want to do with your work first before getting into it with the charcoal. I've read online before that if you tape it to a wall and work vertically, the dust and what not just falls. Work in a ventilated room.. breathing in charcoal for a long period isn't too great, yeah?
go for a kneaded eraser, by the way, if you don't already know.
I just think working with pencils is a lot easier. I don't feel like anything else is really worth all the trouble. Charcoal is nice for gesture drawing and such but it seems so much more convenient to grab a pencil and do that. however good luck! c:

[Susiron]

I didn't see any art that hasn't been commented on or that I can help with in the past few pages, so I'm just gonna put my little sketch here.
But, if anyone needs my help with canine art, I'm glad to help.
Please excuse the quality of the photo.
I'd love some anatomy tips, even though this is only a quick 15-minute sketch.
Also, could anyone help me price my art?

I'll try to do a redline in a little while. Just need to finish up on something first.

--

Koiyote, I just want to say for a second though, that with your redline, your running position is just as inaccurate. I'll make some notes in my redline concerning how the run cycle works.

[mawsoleum]

Actually, it isn't.

I used photo references from my book of wolf pictures to assist me with the anatomy.
So it's completely possible.

[Susiron]

Actually, it isn't.

I used photo references from my book of wolf picture to assist me with the anatomy.
So it's completely possible.

I don't know what picture you were looking at, but a canine's front leg should not bend that far back with a hind leg planted far back on the ground. If the leg is going to be that far back with a hind leg planted, then the hind leg needs to come up in front of where the forelimb's paw is. This would be a very intense run with that leg planted, and the dog's body would almost be completely hunched before it gives a kick into the next sprint.
I went through an extensive period of being obsessed with animation, have several books I've poured into, and references saved up in my files of correct run and walk cycles that canines follow.
Your wolf is going on a certain crash course with the ground, and its legs are out of pace. You have its hind legs running ahead of schedule.

I'll work on the redline shortly.

EDIT: sorry for double posting fiasco. Trying to fix typos, but I keep accidentally clicking quote instead of edit.

[Notichimtoki]

@moonstar:

if it's your picture, you can do whatever you want with it .

What if it's not? What if its a random picture like from a movie or something?

[mistywren]

@moonstar - Then you don't own it, thus meaning its infringing on copywrite.

[Yunyi]

If you're practicing yourself then it's perfectly fine. I do that myself. But those are just my personal practice pieces - I don't share them with others or distribute them in any way or anything.

[mawsoleum]

Actually, it isn't.

I used photo references from my book of wolf picture to assist me with the anatomy.
So it's completely possible.

I don't know what picture you were looking at, but a canine's front leg should not bend that far back with a hind leg planted far back on the ground. If the leg is going to be that far back with a hind leg planted, then the hind leg needs to come up in front of where the forelimb's paw is. This would be a very intense run with that leg planted, and the dog's body would almost be completely hunched before it gives a kick into the next sprint.
I went through an extensive period of being obsessed with animation, have several books I've poured into, and references saved up in my files of correct run and walk cycles that canines follow.
Your wolf is going on a certain crash course with the ground, and its legs are out of pace. You have its hind legs running ahead of schedule.

I'll work on the redline shortly.

EDIT: sorry for double posting fiasco. Trying to fix typos, but I keep accidentally clicking quote instead of edit.

I was looking at multiple photos of wolf running cycles.
I don't really know how to further this, I used actual pictures from a book on wolves to help me.

[Bast]

Actually, it isn't.

I used photo references from my book of wolf picture to assist me with the anatomy.
So it's completely possible.

I don't know what picture you were looking at, but a canine's front leg should not bend that far back with a hind leg planted far back on the ground. If the leg is going to be that far back with a hind leg planted, then the hind leg needs to come up in front of where the forelimb's paw is. This would be a very intense run with that leg planted, and the dog's body would almost be completely hunched before it gives a kick into the next sprint.
I went through an extensive period of being obsessed with animation, have several books I've poured into, and references saved up in my files of correct run and walk cycles that canines follow.
Your wolf is going on a certain crash course with the ground, and its legs are out of pace. You have its hind legs running ahead of schedule.

I'll work on the redline shortly.

EDIT: sorry for double posting fiasco. Trying to fix typos, but I keep accidentally clicking quote instead of edit.

Actually Koo is quite right. It is possible for a limb to be that far. It just depends on the movement you perceive it is acting.

[mistywren]

I'm just going to say that I found this on google. link

The redlines in question with the front right leg working with the shoulder shown, is just a bit of a stretch. I fully agree with Susiron on this, and overall the position change was rather awkward looking.