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[Juan2.0]

I'm looking for some advice:

1. Perspective - just that word alone scares me...I just do not understand perspective and how you use it to create depth in your backgrounds and figures? I have read many perspective guides, but I still do not comprehend it. I mean, yeah, I can follow along their excercises and copy what they do, but I want to know how to apply it to my comic book pages and when I am supposed to use it. I don't know, this is probably my weakest area when it comes to drawing because I just do not understand any of it...I wish they made a simple or guide somewhere that talks about perspective in English to where I can actually understand what the hell it means and how to use it when drawing.

2. Forced Perspective - again, what is it and when do I use it? I don't have a clue but I hear about/see it mentioned often.

3. Motion - this one I have a very hard time on too...most of my poses feel stiff and rigid. Any advice on how to make the images feel more realistic and that the figures are in motion? Any good books on it?

4. 3D Model - does anyone have any advice on where I can find a good 3D model to use for posing? I hate those wooden mannequins and have really been thinking about the 12" Cool/Cy Girl Action Figures...I think they have like 38 points of articulation...although I have seen some Sideshow figures that have upwards of 65+ points of articulation. Anyone have a favorite...something that has really helped them with their art and can be posed in virtually any pose imaginable?

5. Pencils - I have asked this before, but what kinds of pencils are you guys using? I have been using a 5mm Pentel mechanical pencil for years now, but my lines always look so clean and rigid...they have no life to them...I don't know how else to say it...and when I shrink my pages down on the comp and print them out at actual comic book page size, all my fine little details become either muddy or you can't even see them at all. I don't know what to do with that either. I like the mechanical because it is lightweight and I'm used to using it, but I'm finding that a regular wooden pencil with 5H lead is almost becoming preferable...the only downside is that I have to sharpen that bitch like every other minute.

Anyway, that's all I can think of for now. I know there are more questions I wanted to ask, but my brain isn't fully awake yet.

[Justice41]

Buy a copy of Poser and use the default male and female models for your poses. just use the different camera views to get that foreshortening thing. Perspective is just how you view things. Your vanishing points are created by where your eyes look. You look down the VP is down, up, the same, etc.
It's really not very hard, but people have convinced themselves that it is so they have a mental block about it.
As for pencils I wouldn't sweat it HB or F lead is best for finishes and a soft lead like no. 2 will do for layouts.check out the thread about reinvigorating PJ for my suggestion for a comic artists pack.

[Juan2.0]

Anyone else?

[Justice41]

But my advice was gold Jerry Gold!

[Juan2.0]

I know but I like to get different opinions because everyone has a different view on things and how they are done. Variety IS the spice of life.

[Saturn Lad]

1. People have different methods of learning. If reading books on perspective doesn't help, try combining it with an analysis of photographs, trying to apply what you've read in the book to things you see.

2. Forced perspective is creating the illusion of depth on a 2-D surface. It's not really any different than studying perspective, except perhaps that you are combining it with a compositional understanding to emphasize the relative distance between objects.

3. You might try an animation guide, such as the Animators Survival Kit. It may help you understand how a character's balance, or lack thereof creates the feeling of movement.

4. I picked up the two Spider-Man models that had been talked about in an old PJ thread. The small figure with 46 articulation points is on ebay, item 6003437260.
The 18" model has 67 points of articulation. I've found them helpful. I've also used Poser on occasion, to help with a pose I had difficulty working out in my head.

5. For comic-style art, I've heard of artists using every lead imagineable. Personally, I've been using a Staedtler Mars lead holder with 4H lead. It's really not the tool though, just keep experimenting. How do your lines look when they're shrunk down after inking? Before inking I would expect them to muddy down, but if they do it after inking then you'll need to take that into consideration. Work with the end in mind.

Just keep drawing Juan, and try drawing from life when you can.

[Juan2.0]

My main concern with the pencil (and I probably should have mentioned this in my original post) is that the Pentel lead I am using is too dark and when I draw with it, it crumbles into a dust/powder like substance on my paper and then I end up smearing it. I have purchased quite a bit of David Finch's original artwork throughout the years and whatever lead he uses appears to be lighter in color and more defined in character when it's used on paper. I wish I could find the equivalent of that because I really hate this stuff I am using. I wish Pentel actually made a 5H lead for for 5mm pencils because I think that would be perfect for what I'm looking for.

[Juan2.0]

5. For comic-style art, I've heard of artists using every lead imagineable. Personally, I've been using a Staedtler Mars lead holder with 4H lead. It's really not the tool though, just keep experimenting. How do your lines look when their shrunk down after inking? Before inking I would expect them to muddy down, but if they do it after inking then you'll need to take that into consideration. Work with the end in mind.

What do you use to sharpen the lead holders with? I have asked that question countless times on here and nobody can link me to what kind of sharpener to actually use for them. I keep wanting to try them out, but I need to know what you get to sharpen the leads with.

[Justice41]

Lead pencil sharpener of course. You can pick one up at your local office Depot or Office max in the Drafting section. Here's what it looks like and here's another place you can shop or at least browse for stuff which you can then search for at the local Office depot.
I'd also reco a parallel rule it really comes in handy for doing straight lines.
http://www.dataprint.com/

[Justice41]

What specifically do you want to learn about perspectives? Give me some real examples of what your attempting and I'll help fom that point otherwise your question is too general.
Here's what the parallel rule looks like.Maybe pick up a large triangle and an adjustable triangle as well.