Bored Illustrators

[Verno]

I can't draw. It saddens me when I see the exquisite TF Fan-Art that comes out of BotCon each year and appears on the board from time to time, as I can't contribute. I am in awe of the artists that produce them.

However, my imagination is quite vivid, and I find myself haunted by pictures and images I would love to see drawn, but am unable to produce them myself.

Unicron, in Planet-Mode, digging his horns into Cybertron.

G1 Megatron, slumped in a throne, with one hand covering his eyes in dispair.

G1 Megatron, seen through a gapping hole in the chest of whoever he's just shot.

Unicron, powering up, as he devours the remains of The Hub, after it was destroyed by the Autobots/Decepticons.

And that's just for starters.

So if any of you very talented artists are bored, I'd love to see those fleshed out, or any new work you're doing really. I've got more ideas if you want them

[UltraMarginal]

You could always grab a cheap How to Draw book, a small sketch pad and a pencil and start yourself. It will take a while to get good, I know I have a loooong way to go, but every now and then I have a bit of time and I sit down and draw something.

I have a lot of work to do to develop my perspective and scale in pictures yet. but it is definitely an enjoyable side hobby, eventually I'll draw something that I'm happy to share.

I'd also recommend you try to pick up the "transformers: You can Draw" book that was released a few years ago, it's hard to find but it is totally awesome on the inside.

not as hard to find or as expensive as it used to be!

I also found this, which I'm going to have to get hold of for myself now.

[liegeprime]

you know those are brilliant ideas Verno, see the thing is with drawing though... some people who can draw at times can't just draw. Confusing? Well for me, and I can only speak for myself ( and prolly my grandfather who is a professional painter back in Phil.) I have to be "inspired", I have to get enough good vibes so my mojo is set on "go" otherwise the result might end up sloppy, or worse I dont finish it at all.... which is why I havent drawn Tfs for a long time now... but when I was "inspired" to do so I finish the project even if my hand hurts like heck already - e.g my chibi TF art

Do I hate this , yeah, but it is just the way I draw which is now as time goes by I have come to terms with - I need a good muse for the talent to be used time and again also I need to learn Photoshop so I can color my works properly instead of old school coloring pencils hehehe

As Ultramarginal pointed out... you never know , you might have a knack for it once you've found your "style" and keep on trying ... try out sketching stuff first then refining it later as it is quite doubly rewarding if you are able to produce your own ideas yourself... but keep the ideas coming I'm liking them so far and who knows I might take upon an idea or two to start sketching it.....Ill be certain to post it here hehehh

[Sam]

I can't draw. It saddens me when I see the exquisite TF Fan-Art that comes out of BotCon each year and appears on the board from time to time, as I can't contribute. I am in awe of the artists that produce them.

However, my imagination is quite vivid, and I find myself haunted by pictures and images I would love to see drawn, but am unable to produce them myself.

I can definitely relate to that. Time and again I think about these cool shots that appear in my mind, but when it comes to putting pen on paper, the results looks less than stellar. I had also wanted to do a TF:Mosaic, but that looks to be in a perpetually planning (daydreaming) phase.

Also, I've realised that I am really lazy. I'd much rather do something far easier (e.g. look at awesome pictures that other people draw).

[jena]

I can draw and create digital art (I have a Bachelor of Visual Arts, Graphic Design) but I've never attempted to draw any Transformers. I'd love to give it a go, I've just got absolutely no spare time. Those ideas sound amazing though! But sometimes, even someone who can draw can't get what they see in their imagination to appear on paper. Many pieces of paper have found their way in the bin because I'm far too critical of my own work.

[liegeprime]

Me too jena , sometimes Id start on a drawing and if really dont like it halfway, I bin it which frustrates me and ends up not doing the drawing at all...

Sometimes an awesome drawing can be even more with the new digital coloring and all which is why I wanted to ( but never got around to it) learn photoshop so I can "create" something more than what plain pencils and paper drawing can do..

[kurdt_the_goat]

Maybe you can start by posing your toys, taking a photo and attempting to draw it from there? Or even tracing might initially help improve your skills.
Adjusting proportions as you go and expressions to give it a bit more life.

[UltraMarginal]

that's good advice kurdt.

[Verno]

So far my drawing have consisted of terrible pen-drawn scribbles next to the comic ideas in lined exercise books. I did get some coloured pencils and a sketch book, but I feel guilty for wasting them in drawing such terrible pictures

The posing of the toys in a good idea. Apart from when I want to draw anything G1 But I've stumbled through up until this point.

I marvel at the creativity of someone like Don Figueroa, to design pre-BW forms in Gathering and Ascending, as well as all the Earth forms as well, adapting the unused toys. I don't have a lot of experience with comics, but his work is incredible!

[UltraMarginal]

You are totally right there, the official artists that are employed by IDW are visionaries. I'd love to be able to draw like that but I doubt it will ever happen, just have to keep plugging away.

Don't forget either that these masters of the form probably "wasted" hundreds of pencils and books on the way to the quality of work they create now.