Bored Illustrators

[liegeprime]

Don't sweat it Verno, practice makes perfect as the saying goes... think of it as each "awful drawing you make as a step towards improving what you got wrong there into something better next time oh it's also better if you use a #2 pencil instead of a pen, makes it easier for you to erase the mistakes and re do it - use a soft eraser as well non smudging unlike the coarse hard types. I used to not follow the stick skeleton first to set up a pose for what Im trying to draw, but now in my later years in drawing I find it useful especially if I dont have the particular toy to reference immediately (pose in front of me). I also have one of those blank poseable wooden doll you often see in hobby shops, it helps picture out the action pose you want them to be in IF it's possible and not awkward looking even before you start putting pencil to paer- saves you the hassle of drawing , drawing then in the middle of it... nah that wouldnt work, looks awkward kinda situations. Keep on drawing

[GoktimusPrime]

Also, professional artists have been professionally trained, so I don't think it's fair to compare them with amateurs like ourselves who just scribble as a hobby. Try copying some of your favourite comic art first -- that way you can pick up some techniques from professionals. After you've done that then you can experiment drawing Transformers in original poses. Designing your own Transformer from scratch is pretty hard because it requires some clever creative engineering in terms of drawing a Transformer that looks like it could actually transform into its alt mode (as opposed to a robot with random alt mode kibble hanging off it).

Check out SofaMan's profile/sig pic - it was drawn by a Japanese Transfan known as Tiger Convoy who actually studied at a manga school in Tokyo (he was an understudy of Yuu Watase).

[Geminii]

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

No-one's born an artist. Becoming one as an adult is quite feasible. The major hurdle is often the thought that it will be horribly embarrassing for the first thousand drawings because the results won't be perfect. If you can get over that and just draw, awesomeness will come in time.

As an example, I took up drawing for about three months once, when I went on long service leave from my employer at the time. I did it mainly because it was a complete break from my very left-brain-focused life and work - it's the same reason I picked up a guitar for the first time ever and learned to play just enough to make a couple of tunes recognisable.

On the art front, I drew everything from animals to robot toys to caricatures. In those months, I went from stick figures to this:

If I'd stuck with it in the years since, and researched techniques from multiple art boards, I'd probably be not half bad at all.

[Verno]

Thanks for the good avice everyone.

Here's my take on a Cybertronian Empire Scout Ship. I think it references what we've previously seen of CE ships, and forshadows Predacon design when the Tripredacus Brotherhood take over the reigns of the Preds when they assassinate Razorclaw (Vernoverse).

[UltraMarginal]

I like it, you're already including a sense of 3D depth and it might be me but it seems you have squeezed a little perspective in as well.

nice work.

[Verno]

Cheers UM.

The pic that's been doing my head in all weekend is a partially constructed Unicron. The challange is to make it not look like a partially constructed Death Star

[liegeprime]

Cheers UM.

The pic that's been doing my head in all weekend is a partially constructed Unicron. The challange is to make it not look like a partially constructed Death Star

ooooh, that I can see. NIce imagination there Verno... start with a big round ball and add bits of detailing then erase chunks of it that'll give you some "parts under costruction , then draw in the minute details from there as youve seen prolly in construction sites, like scaffolds jutting out, plates misaligned and what not, some dangling wiring, add a couple of drones welding sparks and viola you can also put in some floating debris around for added "boken still" effect.

Do it and post it here, yeah?

[UltraMarginal]

Also consider that the death star had decks for people to run around in, Unicron doesn't necessarily have that so you have a fair bit of freedom with what the insides look like, and perhaps unicron wasn't built by someone rather something ...?

[Verno]

Also consider that the death star had decks for people to run around in, Unicron doesn't necessarily have that so you have a fair bit of freedom with what the insides look like, and perhaps unicron wasn't built by someone rather something ...?

In my intended story, Unicron was built (unknowingly) by an alien whose race was destroyed by the Cybertronian Empire, so he sets out to build a huge weapon (in the form of a planetoid) to destroy the Hub with. Unicron's essence takes over control of the weapon and crafts a new body from it.

You'll be able to read about it in Spotlight: Tarantulas

[liegeprime]

In my intended story, Unicron was built (unknowingly) by an alien whose race was destroyed by the Cybertronian Empire, so he sets out to build a huge weapon (in the form of a planetoid) to destroy the Hub with. Unicron's essence takes over control of the weapon and crafts a new body from it.

You'll be able to read about it in Spotlight: Tarantulas

Gobots?? their planet WAS something like an all eaten up Apple Core so i guess they're used to "damaged planets" heheheh