I'm trying to teach myself to draw anime... not doing very well. My drawings are very beginner. I'm generally a portrait artist - nothing great, but I have some nice drawings of Eddie Izzard and such. I just can't get this anime stuff right. It looks kind of like a child did my drawings. I'll post my art anyway - after all, I did spend a fair amount of time on the pictures. I just wondered if I am the only one who has such a hard time drawing in this style. Anyone?

If you need any pointers don't be afraid to ask. I haven't been drawing for very long, but my style is coming along and I could show you a few tips on certain areas you need help on. ^-^ I like lending a hand in anime. =^.^= -throws hand at you-

*catches hand, fumbling* Ew! Human hand! hehe.
One of my biggest problems is proportions. I downloaded a whole mess of tutorials but I just can't seem to keep the technique working throughout my original works. My oc's head is always huge compared to her body - I'm working on this illustration for Windcry and it took me like seven tries to get Kagura's face and head shape right... and I still don't think I'm quite there. Anime comes easy to a lot of people, I know, but I find it super tough. Thanks for any and all advice! :glomp:

My advice is short and simple:

Practice, practice, and more practice.

To be good at anything, sometimes it requires a bit of practice. I know there always those who can immediately do stuff and do it well, but sometimes you just gotta practice. Keep at it, no matter how frustrated or hard it is. Learn from what you're doing wrong, and discipline yourself to do it better. That's all the advice you'll ever need.

Yeah, I'm keepin at it. Thanks for the pep talk, man!

I might be able to post some anime I drew with my hand (Not computer work I mean) . I use some lines to help keep the proportion right, and I sometimes use a ruler and put it under the eyes to see if it's right. :P I haven't drawn Kagura for ages though

You'll get better eventually!
As everyone else has already pointed out; PRACTICE!

I still remember my first manga/anime drawing.
I was practicing with this guide book on how to draw manga.
My drawings were just stupid. The legs were too damn thin, the head was just "BLAHBGEOANSBRB", everything was fucked.

I gave up.
Then few months later, I started drawing again, but this time, with my own style. And it improved in time.

But I have to say, without that guide book, I probably never would've started.

All I've ever drawn has been anime style. And though it's not the best, and sometimes it is really frustrating, it's definitely something I feel proud of.

Keep trying. With time, you'll improve. Oh, and drawing books do help. They've helped me. ^___^

I used to suck at drawing too xD
Um, all you have to do is check out more drawing styles and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.
if you stop practicing you will FAIL.
(like me)
but don't stop trying, I'm sure you'll be ok. :]

practice is vital. if you don't practice you will never suceed -takes hand back and put it on- so first step of advice, draw several heads. then after you get the shape right, work on the neck and shoulders. remember, male necks are usually thicker than females unless it's a very feminine or slender boy. The shoulders are wider than the head. Don't make them too wide. The torso should be shorter than the legs. now with the arms down, they should be about the same length. The waist for girls is curvy of course, but not too thin or else they'll look anorexic. the hips are wider than the boobs and as wide as the shoulders so be. the thighs are long, but not too long, the calves are slightly [actually really] short. The ankles shouldn't be too thin or too wide, also depends on the body type of your character. Now, then, i can't draw toes so i have no advice on that. hands aren't that hard once you get used to it. first draw your hand is a few positions and after than, practice them on anime characters... Also another tip to help you, is copy other art, but don't publish it as your own. It helps, really. I know it may seem like stealing, but everyone does it to help them get better at drawing. ^-^ This all the advice i have for today. If you need any critique, send me some drawing and i'll give you advice in a message, not on the boards. ^-^ <<3 skittlez Keep up drawing and never give up!

Just practice.

I am currently out growing anime style and trying out new ones. Its not exactly coming out so well but I know in time I'll have my own style.

get some trials off of DArt....

ZOMG!1!

Eddie Izzard is the shiit.

<3

I was able to fix the drawing I'm working on now up nicely. I was having major issues with head-shape and minor issues with just forgetting little things, like Kagura's lipstick. I do have some nice tutorials I got from a torrent site *lawbreaker* and they've been somewhat helpful. The techniques are kinda tough, but I'm formulating my own way to use them. I will continue to practice, I think I'm getting better. One of the lucky things with the InuYasha characters is that most of them wear such flowing garments. When in doubt, you can cheat, hehe. Thanks again, all, for the comments.

Oh yeah, and Eddie Izzard izz the shiit, hee. Rock on \m/

http://neon-drane.deviantart.com/art/Deida...mation-63520140
WATCH IT! IT WILL PWN YOU ALL! =D

Anime is a hard style to get a hold of. Especially since there are so many things to do with it and types. Not to brag, but I'm an excellent anime artist, but I've been doing it for almost six years. Watch and visually study a lot of anime. You'll get it in time.

I've been drawing since the end of '04. I was doing DBZ stuff, doodles and such. Then I slowly drew over (literally) to Inuyasha. Inu was all I ever drew when I seriously began to get into drawing. (If you could, you should see my portfolio of old stuff! It's FILLED with Inuyasha and Kagome) I broke away from Inuyasha when I started to draw Chibi. (which is my specialty) Chibi is so simple and easy to draw. Maybe thats what your should do is chibi. Yes, their bodies are supposed to be smaller than their head because a real human child's head is larger than his/her body. Anime style animals is a good way to go.

I'm currently working on an Ink sketch book. (70 pages) I only have about 5-6 pictures in it right now...I haven't done any freehand(aka your own drawings) in a while becuase I've got requests from people to re-draw their work so thats what my Ink book is. I also have 6 other projects going right now:
1. Father's Day Poster
2. Father's Day Card
3. Tattoo Design
4. Fairie (11X 8 1/2 inches)
5. My Aunt's Cockatoo made into and Anthro.
6. Personalized drawing for my friend.
Here is some of my work that I have up on DA. I have much more I want to upload.

Gawd, my summer is going to be busy!>.< But hey, It's good practice for me considering I plan on going to college for cartooning.

But enough about me, I think all you need to do is keep refrence at hand. Drawing your own characters right away is BAD BAD BAD! When your a beginner you want refrence so you can get proportions right. Then once you've got the basics down, you can work over onto your own style of anime! ^.^ Just practice, but remember that your pictures don't have to be perfect. Leave some faults in them. Thats what maked them unique!

Thanks. I finished my Windcry illustration and it looks AWESOME. Can't wait to post...

I can't wait to see it! XD

I posted what I was able to scan today in Fanarts. Yay.

Ryoko! Your art is really good for being a beginner! So much better than what I was when I started for sure! You were putting yourself out to be so horrible, but truthfully you're not my dear. I really like your portrait of Sessy! It's really good and the proportions are slightly off, but it's good! I was never able to color when I started. You lucky hun, you have a gift now run with it! I betcha in about a year your art will look as good as something out of a manga book! ^__^

Wow, thanks! I dunno about being as good as the manga, though - that's a stretch even in a year. :hehe:
EDIT: I should note that I am not beginner artist, just a beginner at anime. I've taken some art classes and whatnot in my time... and it doesn't hurt that I'm starting this at likely an older age than a lot of you did.
:D

I can argue with that actually.

A lot of professional manga artists started out by drawing their own characters. It is better to start out with drawing your own characters so that you'd be able to know what designing a character is all about.

I used to always draw my mermaid OCs all the time before I focused on antonomy, which I started to focus on when I was thirteen.

Well, you do prove a point. But, I've seen so many artists out there that CANNOT draw their own pictures for crap. But then when they use refrence they're amazing. I know, people have their own way of going about things but I've always found it easier to being with using refrence.

oh **** >_> I better start drawing my own characters then. I always need ot copy a bit of something. -.-

Yeah...I'm feeling frustrated with my piano lessons...

¬¬

I BET BUBSY MAKES BEAUTIFUL MUSIC JUST LIKE SHE MAKES BEAUTIFUL BANNERS.

I try to...but it's harder with the music than with the banners.

Ya. Always the case.

OMG, it just clicked! I can draw without checking the tutorials a hundred times - I think I finally found my (anime) style! YAY!!!
EDIT: Damn... I might have spoken too soon. I messed up the drawing I was working on and I can't seem to get my mojo back.
:cryriver: