Hi everyone, I was referred to this website by a post at the Online Manga University. I started learning to draw (with help from the good folks at the OMU) about two years ago, with no prior art experience since junior high school (which would be over 25 years ago). I quickly became hooked, though I had no idea what I was getting into, that it would require learning anatomy, shading, perspective, and on and on.... But I also had no idea how much fun could be had with a pencil and a sheet of paper.

Though I did cut my drawing teeth on "the anime style," I soon got bored with the standard big-eyes-small-mouth-pointy-chin-spiky-hair-checkmark-nose features. So by reading books such as Jack Hamm's Drawing the Head and Figure, as well as studying and drawing from photos of real people whenever possible, I've tried to develop my own style. I would describe what I'm aiming for as a mix of the Japanese and American comics styles, somewhat cartoony but still with an emphasis on trying to get the anatomy correct and natural looking -- which is an area I still have a long way to go in. I mostly like to draw comics, or drawings of comics characters in various poses and clothing/gear.

Since I have been largely unsuccessful in making up my own comics characters and stories, what I've resorted to is adapting established anime characters by "redesigning" them in my own style. This generally requires anything from moderate to extensive "surgery" and reproportioning. Right now I'm almost done with the first chapter of a fancomic based on the characters in my favorite anime, which I will say no more about until I learn the ropes around here concerning copyright law and how it is dealt with. It has taken me about a year to draw this chapter from the script, and I'm thinking I want to take everything to the next level as I start chapter 2, particularly in terms of shading and backgrounds. Hence my interest in this forum, with its emphasis on the basics.

My favorite tools are my trusty 0.5 mm mechanical pencil and my sketchbook, though I have experimented with colored pencils and like them a lot. Someday I will enter the 21st 20th century and learn how to CG. I even bought a reasonably priced tablet about two years ago, but it sits in the drawer.

Anyway, looking forward to getting to know you all, and hopefully setting up an album, if it's OK to do so with my derivative characters. I find it kind of refreshing to note that I seem to be at about the median age around here, whereas I'm an old fossil at the OMU.

Jack be our guest set up a gallery for us to admire your work .. everyone here is friendly and helpful .. if you have any questions please just ask .. we hope you enjoy your stay here .

Welcome Jack, can't wait to see your album. Please join us in the forums and make yourself at home.

Welcome to Drawspace! Your album is marked private, if you want to share you will have to change that.
Paulette

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone! I just finished uploading some fairly recent things and have made the album public. I addressed the copyright issue by adding "Original character ©xxxx" for each one.

I'll probably get started on some of the exercises here pretty soon. In the meantime, hope you enjoy!

Hi Jack!! Welcome to Drawspace. If you look in the General Discussion area under Forums we have a cartoon challenge as well as another thread for just putting cartoons you create and wish to show off. There is also a regular Draw Challenge for anyone to participate in. Feel free to come and join in with the rest of us.

Hi, Jack. I'm a newbie here, too. I can tell you in the short time that I have been a member of this drawing community, everyone is so friendly and fun and helpful. Welcome!