Snape WIP arts

[tripperfunster]

Okay, kids are in bed, so a drawing I will go!

The original sketch is here.

Just tonight, in the last hour or so, I've done the eyes:


That wonderful, fantastic Rickman schnauz:



And then teh lipz:


In case you were wondering, and even if you're not; I used a 2h pencil for the light sketch, mostly because IT WAS THE FIRST ONE I GRABBED. I actually have a lot of trouble remembering which pencils are lighter/darker than others. I don't know what 'h' even stands for.

For the rest, so far, I've used a woodless 4b. Lyra titan 307/4b, to be exact. I'm sure it's no better or worse than any other brand, but I really like how the woodless feel when I'm using them, and they don't smell funny like wooden pencils, when you sharpen them. I know that 4b is pretty dark to do my main drawing with, but I'm really lazy and hate to go over and over and over the same spot with a 2b, when I can do it once with a 4b. When I feel like the whole pic is 'done', I'll take a 6b (same brand, and also woodless) and make my darks really dark.

As for blending, so far I've just used a SPAresource sponge tip applicator (sold in a two pack at Walmart for under two bucks, in the makeup section). I buy them by the truck-load because I really like them, and I'm always afraid that they'll stop making them, and then I'll have to give up drawing. ;D

For really big areas (like the upcoming cheeks and forehead) I use papertowel, wrapped around my finger. I've heard that it's BAD BAD BAD to use your greasy, unworthy fingers to blend graphite, so I try to avoid it. I do, however, use ONLY my fingers, when it comes to blending chalk pastels. (among *cough* other things...)

I find that the very best thing I can do, to improve my art, is STOP! Take a break, the longer the better, then go back to it (like the next day) and see what I've done, and then, the mistakes are obvious. Of course, I'm much too impatient for that, and I will probably finish most of this tonight. When I wake up tomorrow, I'll think SHIT! Snape doesn't have freckles and a chin-mole! grrrr

Comments

[twindowlicker.livejournal.com]

I always remembered the h vs B by thinking "b" is for blacker leads, and "h" is for harder leads.
Not exactly rocket science, but then again, my brain is fulla holes like a good swiss cheese!

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Yes! That actually makes sense! (the Harder/Blacker thing, not the swiss cheese thing). I don't have a bunch of holes in my brain, just one big one at the back, where all the info leaks out! :D

[antisocial-nerd.livejournal.com]

You've gotten SO great ^.^

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Its easy, when you have nowhere to go but up! I remember, after drawing that first 'Snape' thinking; Oh, for fuck's sake! THAT'S NOT HOW IT LOOKS IN MY HEAD! Thank God I enjoy the process of drawing, because I'd never spend this much time doing something that isn't lots of fun!

And really, it convinces me that ANYONE can learn to draw well, if they just practice.

[antisocial-nerd.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it totally aggrivates me, I can see beautiful things in my head but can't get them onto paper >.<

Yep, thank god!

[gestaltrose.livejournal.com]

Tripp, wonderful as usual. *fangirls*

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Hee! *beams*

Hopefully I don't completely fuck it up now! *g*

[eryslash.livejournal.com]

Wow, this is going to be great. I love it already. The nose! Guuuh, the nose!

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

I think that's why I'm in love with him! Oh, and the eyes. And lips. And nose. Oh, did we already say the nose??? :D yeah....teh noze...

[elicia8.livejournal.com]

H stands for hardness. B stands for blackness. :)

This is totally fascinating--have you ever posted this kind of information with a drawing before? Because I've always wondered what some of the tools were that you used to get your soft, illustrative look.

I like that you use the first pencil you grabbed--I do that, too.

Also, Titans are PRETTY. You mean the black lacquered ones, right? I love those pencils--no wonder you get so much coverage in your drawings.

ALSO (omg, this is so neat!) I loooooove that you use a sponge tip applicator to blend. That is just great! What an idea; I never would've thought of that. I usually use a rubbing stick if I need it. And instead of a paper towel, have you ever tried using a chamois leather? They work GREAT for blending large areas, and they don't scrape nearly as much as paper towels do. Plus you can rinse them out and reuse them.

Okay, I am babbling. And I haven't even commented on your drawing yet!

Very striking, dear. And quite beautiful. Can't wait to see it done. :)

I find that the very best thing I can do, to improve my art, is STOP! Take a break, the longer the better, then go back to it (like the next day) and see what I've done, and then, the mistakes are obvious. Of course, I'm much too impatient for that, and I will probably finish most of this tonight

Lmao. *copy paste*

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

I did a WIP of House a while back: http://tripperfunster.livejournal.com/25611.html#cutid1

I don't know if the information is much different, but it might be worth a look!

And yes, I LURVE how the Titan pencils FEEL. I really could give a crap about how they DRAW, but if I have to hold something for a few hours, it damn well'd better feel good!

I've never tried a chamois.. Does it really clean out well? Like, just in the sink? Or would you put them in a washing machine? Sounds cool! do you buy them at an art store? Or at like...Home Depot?