Posting for Critique

[Zito]

Would it be ok if I posted drawings/engravings here for you all to critique? I am hoping that I can get some tips Again, I am beyond terrible, and I mainly just want to make better-looking doodles. Please let me know if this is appropriate or not. kevin

 

[allan621]

Will not be a problem. BTW... beyond terrible is beyond appropriate. Don't criticize your work. Thats our job.

 

[Zito]

Will not be a problem. BTW... beyond terrible is beyond appropriate. Don't criticize your work. Thats our job.

We shall see lol. Anyway, I normally start with something like this. The scroll on the left is currently 7 ins tall by 4 ins wide. EDIT: I drew a little harder than normal so it would be more visible.

 

[Zito]

I should mention that I am posting this to also force myself to "finish" something to the best of my ability. I always just doodle/practice and throw it away.

 

[T.G.III]

I should mention that I am posting this to also force myself to "finish" something to the best of my ability. I always just doodle/practice and throw it away.

Personally I would not throw practice work away, it helps to reinforce progress, date it and put it into a cheap three ring binder, hole punch and binder can be purchased inexpensively and someday that art work might mean something to someone.

Looks like you're on the right track, clean up the excess pencil lines at your backbone so that the group can see your actual intent.

 

[Zito]

Personally I would not throw practice work away, it helps to reinforce progress, date it and put it into a cheap three ring binder, hole punch and binder can be purchased inexpensively and someday that art work might mean something to someone.

Looks like you're on the right track, clean up the excess pencil lines at your backbone so that the group can see your actual intent.

I say "throw away", but I really I just add it to a gigantic stack of old doodles an such. I will take your advice and keep better records.

I will clean it up some and post update pics. Thank you so much!

 

[Zito]

Update pic. Lol

 

[JJ Roberts]

Zito, By the looks of your drawings your of to a good start. J.J.

 

[Leland Davis]

Zito, I like what you are doing. The part that stands out to my eye is the backbone of the center scroll does not line up with the backbone of the leaf element coming up. That small misalignment is jarring to the flow you have going. You can just continue the backbone through outer leaf element until smoothly meets the leaf backbone. you also have a kink in the the backbone. All are easy fixes you are doing great. Keep posting and asking.
Leland

 

[Zito]

Zito, I like what you are doing. The part that stands out to my eye is the backbone of the center scroll does not line up with the backbone of the leaf element coming up. That small misalignment is jarring to the flow you have going. You can just continue the backbone through outer leaf element until smoothly meets the leaf backbone. you also have a kink in the the backbone. All are easy fixes you are doing great. Keep posting and asking.
Leland

Thank you VERY much! I will attempt to address those issues and post again. Kevin

 

[Zito]

Question: I’m assuming that spines should be drawn without French curves? Is that correct? I figured that the leaves and other elements would flow better if it was all done by hand.

 

[Zito]

Also, I think i should maybe do something very simple first to make sure i have the simple things figured out first.

 

[Zito]

Of course, this is horribly copied from something that Sam did at one time. Everything I do is copied from Sam Alfano or Ken Hunt. I will play with this one a bit more before I shade, because I do not like the leaves. Please bash this, critique it, give tips, whatever you think and please be honest. I can handle any and everything. 0 feelings

 

[Zito]

Here are a couple others for critique as well. Thanks for looking. Kevin

 

[Zito]

Another question.... are there any professional engravers out there whose drawing skills were once as poor as mine? As with all my my questions, 100% honesty is what i seek.... and I'm never, ever fishing for compliments. Kevin

 

[DKanger]

In posting #7, at first glance I see a gnome like creature with a fat lower lip at the top; and, a bird of prey in the left middle scroll. Hidden creatures. "grin"

 

[Zito]

In posting #7, at first glance I see a gnome like creature with a fat lower lip at the top; and, a bird of prey in the left middle scroll. Hidden creatures. "grin"

I wish i saw that lol. I think I may actually need to spend more time visualizing what I draw, before letting the pencil run.