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Meadowknight In reply to sparculs [2010-04-16 08:45:34 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

Well, it took ALLOT of practice and determination...and WILL XD. And much frustration at times trying to get the results I wanted. What I did to help me is I studied anatomy, and some action figures (ones with realistic proportions). A combination of that and good old fashioned practice.I've also heard the same thing from professionals...I'm self taught, and found they are too! I've been practicing sculpting people since I was about 14 maybe? and I'm 27 now. Before I started sculpting people, I sculpted animals and creatures as a kid. It took me a while to get to the level I'm at now, but it finally clicked..and I get a little better with each piece .

I also have a philosophy on art in general, that I feel has helped me. I NEVER look at someone who's better than me and get discouraged, EVER. Even when i sucked at sculpting. Instead I try to think "Hmm...what's the next step for ME to improve". If you're open to my advice as an artist, never try to top someone else, try to top your own work. That way you learn at your own pace ..and before you know it, you DO top them or reach the same level of skill. Growing up I had some other artists/kids/people jealous of my artistic abilities...all they had to do is have a positive attitude and work HARD at it like I did! I never understood the discouraged and negative attitudes some had, it's like shooting yourself in the foot. If you want something bad enough and already have even a little natural born talent for it, you can accomplish just about anything. There are many artists out there better than me, but I'm happy with what I CAN do, and how I may improve if I keep at it .

If you have any questions you think I may be able to help with, please ask . If it's something you enjoy doing, it's worth doing whether you pursue it as a job or not!

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sparculs In reply to Meadowknight [2010-04-16 14:10:46 +0000 UTC]

well jesus first of all thanks for the great biography and i honestly enjoyed reading that, to be honest i know exactly what you meen and i can relate to school friends never having anything better to say than "woow why are you so good?" , ive been looking at anatomy alot, i looove comic art but hate comics, i wanted to know how long and time consuming the proses is to make the sculpture, what the most dificult parts are and if you think the work in my galleri could be aplied to it, thanks x

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Meadowknight In reply to DizzyLizzy101 [2009-02-19 09:48:02 +0000 UTC]

Okay, thank you for the compliments but I'm gonna have to take a few moments to give ya a little slap for that low confidence ! I know we don't really know one another, so please don't take me harshly here okay? I mean well, I do.

1- For one, I checked your page and it says you're 17? I'm 26 and I've been working my a$$ off my whole life pushing my art...pushing and pushing, and always trying harder and harder to make my work better...and there are STILL many artists my age and younger who are better than I am. Sure, I have a gift/talent, but I have to continually work hard and not give up so it will grow. It's not all "fun", it's a LOT of hard work, and all nighters at my art table, ALONE. So much of my life has been spent doing art, so much time, and allot of sacrifice.

2- Never let someone else's art discourage your own, EVER. Accept the fact there will ALWAYS be an artists who's better than you, but in contrast you will always be better than someone else. I've seen some great artists undermine their ability and confidence by being competitive with other artists. Instead of trying to "top" someone else, try to top yourself...that way you will catch up at your own pace and naturally improve without forming any bitter attitude towards other artists. I'm not saying YOU are bitter towards others artists...just that I've felt that in me when I was younger and seen it in other artists. I don't know you, so I can't say for sure .

3- No matter what character style you like, take life drawing classes. Yes, the ones with the nude models, lol. This is the best advice I can give any artist. You can usually find these courses at your local college. This type of class will teach you movement, depth, anatomy and realism...which you can apply to ANY style of art. You need to learn realism and posture, etc. so you have a solid foundation to work from. Taking this course a couple times has drastically helped both my drawing and sculpting.

4- GET ANATOMY BOOKS! These help solidify everything you learn in life drawing, and if you can't take life drawing get them to help prepare you for it. These aren't as great as life drawing, but they're the next best thing and you should have them on hand anyway. I owned a couple anatomy books before I ever set foot in a drawing class. If you can't afford a book or two, you can find anatomy on Google images.

5- Never give up or psyche yourself into thinking you can't do something. I'll never forget when I was around 14 I wanted to sculpt a werewolf guy I'd been drawing...but thought to myself "How can I possibly sculpt a human when I can barely draw them? should I even try?". I decided to try, and my people don't look so bad do they? It took years of practice though, and allot of frustrating failures...but I kept trying. Your only limits are the ones you set for yourself.

So, that's enough un-asked for advice for now I guess XD! I hope it helps though. If you DIDN'T have talent you wouldn't be able to draw anything. Always remember that no matter how good you get there will always be someone better, and you will always be better than someone. It's not about being the best, it's about "How far can I push MY gift?". Jealousy and discouragement shouldn't be in an artist's heart, those emotions will undermine any creative person. I sorta unloaded this on you because each one of your comments had a negative undertone behind the compliments. Don't do that to yourself okay?

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DizzyLizzy101 In reply to Meadowknight [2009-02-19 19:59:19 +0000 UTC]

Thanks. I wasn't meaning to have any kind of attitude.... By the way, I guess I the page didn't put it there, but I turned 18 just two months ago. I'm just only a bit jealous, but it's totally my fault. I tried out for art class four years ago, and they wouldn't let me in because I couldn't draw. I've been teaching myself these past four years, and I guess I didn't realize that I am afraid of getting put down. So I would constantly put myself down to push me forward. You're advice has changed my attitude. Thanks.

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Meadowknight In reply to DizzyLizzy101 [2009-02-19 20:21:29 +0000 UTC]

It's okay...I didn't feel like you were having an attitude directed at me...just kinda a bad one in general about art. I've seen allot of other artists with that attitude end up quitting entirely.

Yeah don't let them turning you down discourage you . Being self taught is one of the best ways to go. Life drawing classes shouldn't be allowed to turn you down though, so I'd look into it if I were you, and get those anatomy books.If you feel weird about being around naked models, TRUST ME...it is not bad at all, and any awkwardness wears off fast! I was freaked out at first, but then it turned out being the best learning experience I've ever had as an artist. Plus, paying a local college fee is less than going to an art school. For what it's worth I've never gone to an art school, I've just taken a few life drawing classes. I'm completely self taught with my sculpting, and allot of the most talented artists I've met are self taught. One anatomy book that I have that's been great is this big hardcover book called "Anatomy For The Artist" by Jeno Barcsay...I got it as a bargain book at Barnes & Noble years ago. You may also want to try sculpting, I've found that sculpting helps my drawing, and drawing helps my sculpting if that makes sense.

That's great you've been pushing yourself, just don't don't in such a negative way! Who gives a sh!t if anyone "turns you down", lol...do art for your own enjoyment, not to please other people. Glad I could help , if there's anything else I can help ya out with feel free to note me whenever k? Take care!

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DizzyLizzy101 In reply to Meadowknight [2009-02-20 01:29:27 +0000 UTC]

Mmmmm....... I actually enjoy working with clay, but I'm not exactly sure what others use to sculpt with... I've seen so many videos and read so many articles on the process of molding and casting, etc, and I still have no idea what's going on. T-T

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Meadowknight In reply to neoanimegirl [2009-02-11 13:43:47 +0000 UTC]

Such...compliments...shucks...thanks!

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neoanimegirl In reply to Meadowknight [2009-02-12 01:17:41 +0000 UTC]

No prob!

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Meadowknight In reply to Yiyo--Chan [2009-02-11 13:46:34 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Yiyo! ^_^

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