Art Discussion

[Aierdome]

I used Italian colours, so any art shop in Italy?

And if when you try, will you share the result? )

Definitely! Although it may take a few weeks, as this one I'll be working on the tutorial and then there's the Star Force (it's an annual Star Wars con some hour from my place), so.

ahaha I've had a figure tutorial in the works for months; don't worry about it

It wouldn't worry me if it was 8 pages of me figuring out how to draw it; it's 8 pages of clear notes, as in "how this will look like when put in computer". And that's just natural environment, I still have like four pages on putting there cities and canals and national borders and stuff, and 1 page on setting name tags and I think inking will take me 1 page too. Oh, and some 1 page on decorating this all. 

A friend who beta-reads those notes for me says I should write a book rather than make an online tutorial.

[Olga Veresk]

Definitely! Although it may take a few weeks, as this one I'll be working on the tutorial and then there's the Star Force (it's an annual Star Wars con some hour from my place), so.

OK, I'll be waiting ))

[AuthorOfLight]

So I've started drawing/arting in general quite a lot more than I ever had before recently, and I'm trying to get some more supplies than I currently have. This thread has been super helpful in a ton of ways, so I know mostly what to get, but I need some help in the area of... erasers. I have a bunch of erasers. I only actually like one. I got it like eight years ago so I have no idea what it was.  I was wondering if any of y'all could help me find something similar. It's your basic white rectangle eraser, but when you erase with it there isn't tons of dust, but rather rubbery rolls? It's hard to explain but it works really well and it doesn't smear or anything.
If anyone could help I'd really appreciate it!

[starfallz]

So I've started drawing/arting in general quite a lot more than I ever had before recently, and I'm trying to get some more supplies than I currently have. This thread has been super helpful in a ton of ways, so I know mostly what to get, but I need some help in the area of... erasers. I have a bunch of erasers. I only actually like one. I got it like eight years ago so I have no idea what it was.  I was wondering if any of y'all could help me find something similar. It's your basic white rectangle eraser, but when you erase with it there isn't tons of dust, but rather rubbery rolls? It's hard to explain but it works really well and it doesn't smear or anything.
If anyone could help I'd really appreciate it!

Um, look for the white erasers. I have one that says "MOO" on it. I also have one of the click erasers that is a similar materials and behaves similarly.

[Trinka]

I was wondering if any of y'all could help me find something similar. It's your basic white rectangle eraser, but when you erase with it there isn't tons of dust, but rather rubbery rolls?

Hmmm, your description sounds an awful lot like this eraser:



This is a standard eraser you can find in any art store, or many office supply stores. It erases VERY well (I can count on one hand  the number of times it has randomly smudged me: and that's after owning one for 3 years), and yeah, the eraser dust tends to roll into long tube thingies.

Hope this was helpful!

[Curry]

So I've started drawing/arting in general quite a lot more than I ever had before recently, and I'm trying to get some more supplies than I currently have. This thread has been super helpful in a ton of ways, so I know mostly what to get, but I need some help in the area of... erasers. I have a bunch of erasers. I only actually like one. I got it like eight years ago so I have no idea what it was.  I was wondering if any of y'all could help me find something similar. It's your basic white rectangle eraser, but when you erase with it there isn't tons of dust, but rather rubbery rolls? It's hard to explain but it works really well and it doesn't smear or anything.
If anyone could help I'd really appreciate it!

Basically, what Trinka said! It sounds like a vinyl eraser and those are often very soft and white. They're fantastic and any art store should carry them. Have fun!

[JoB]

but when you erase with it there isn't tons of dust, but rather rubbery rolls? It's hard to explain

I haven't done much drawing (and not the artistic kind to boot), but isn't that pretty much the hallmark of a "soft eraser"?

[AuthorOfLight]

Hmmm, your description sounds an awful lot like this eraser:



This is a standard eraser you can find in any art store, or many office supply stores. It erases VERY well (I can count on one hand  the number of times it has randomly smudged me: and that's after owning one for 3 years), and yeah, the eraser dust tends to roll into long tube thingies.

Hope this was helpful!

OKAY thank you that sounds like what I've got. *scurries to find good deals on Amazon*

[Krisse Kovacs]

Not a valid vimeo URL

THIS IS WHAT I KEEP TRYING TO TELL PEOPLE WHO SAYS THAT "but you are drawing better then I do" because that sentence makes me angry, because I am their "exception" and their art is not even close, they are about to give up because I AM BETTER THEN THEY ARE and it actually makes me sad too. I keep saying, to not compare my art to their, try to help them or something, and say to not give up because they are good in their way. and when they finally improve I am happy I told them to not give up and they start to feel better and stop saying that I am still better.

especially on tumblr, when I run art askblogs, many blogs has a lower skill level and shy to interact with me because of the skill difference, but I got some people who actually ended up interacting ignoring the difference, because I encouraged them and they just become better and better some even got way better then I am. some people improves faster some slower (I am a super slow type)

also this is almost how I live, but my exception is not an empty canvas... mine is just a "random doodle art for an askblog of mine" which I do, if I don't do at least one art in a day, I might not do any for days.

SO WATCH THIS AND BE AN ARTIST LIKE THIS

[Aierdome]

So, map tutorial! In the end I've decided to divide it in two parts, because those are some huge image files I've made for it and I'm not sure if one post can carry them all (both text and pictures are in single file, because layout is fun). Part 2 will arrive... either tomorrow evening or late Monday. Also, if you fear for your computer's well-being, here's everything in handy links (they're also of better quality, I think):
Page 1|Page2|Page 3|Page 4|Page 5|Page 6|Page 7|Page 8|Map so far

And without further ado...

Spoiler: Step 1: Coastline • show

Spoiler: Anchors (?) • show

Spoiler: Step 2: Mountains • show

Spoiler: Step 3: Forests • show

I'm not kidding when I say that you have to be really dedicated to do forests the "tiny trees" method. This little patch took me ten minutes to draw. On the other hand, I'm still not sure how to make it clear that the forest drawn the easy way is coniferous one.

Spoiler: Step 4: Rivers • show

Spoiler: Lakes • show

I hate interconnected lakes, with fierce, burning passion. They're boring, tedious and never come out as nicely as I want them to. (to be honest, though, counting this tutorial, I've drawn like four of them in my life, so maybe it's a matter of practice)

Spoiler: Step 5: Other stuff • show

I love inland cliffs as much as I hate lake complexes. Tapuias look really great both on map and in real life, and make the image look more "deep" or 3d than it would be without them.

Spoiler: Other stuff, p2 • show

The sudden change in image brightness and quality in the end is because this one is photographed while the previous were scanned, because otherwise you wouldn't be able to see anything I've added. Also, those two "steppes" in the bottom are actually bogs - you can see a bigger image of the map so far here.

I forgot to mention that, but if you're drawing on computer (I did by hand), then the advice is - spam layers, or else you're going to work yourself into oblivion when trying to erase just as much as you want to.

So yeah, this is it. Let me know if something's wrong or missing.

[Curry]

So, map tutorial! In the end I've decided to divide it in two parts, because those are some huge image files I've made for it and I'm not sure if one post can carry them all (both text and pictures are in single file, because layout is fun). Part 2 will arrive... either tomorrow evening or late Monday. Also, if you fear for your computer's well-being, here's everything in handy links (they're also of better quality, I think):
Page 1|Page2|Page 3|Page 4|Page 5|Page 6|Page 7|Page 8|Map so far

And without further ado...

Spoiler: Step 1: Coastline • show

Spoiler: Anchors (?) • show

Spoiler: Step 2: Mountains • show

Spoiler: Step 3: Forests • show

I'm not kidding when I say that you have to be really dedicated to do forests the "tiny trees" method. This little patch took me ten minutes to draw. On the other hand, I'm still not sure how to make it clear that the forest drawn the easy way is coniferous one.

Spoiler: Step 4: Rivers • show

Spoiler: Lakes • show

I hate interconnected lakes, with fierce, burning passion. They're boring, tedious and never come out as nicely as I want them to. (to be honest, though, counting this tutorial, I've drawn like four of them in my life, so maybe it's a matter of practice)

Spoiler: Step 5: Other stuff • show

I love inland cliffs as much as I hate lake complexes. Tapuias look really great both on map and in real life, and make the image look more "deep" or 3d than it would be without them.

Spoiler: Other stuff, p2 • show

The sudden change in image brightness and quality in the end is because this one is photographed while the previous were scanned, because otherwise you wouldn't be able to see anything I've added. Also, those two "steppes" in the bottom are actually bogs - you can see a bigger image of the map so far here.

I forgot to mention that, but if you're drawing on computer (I did by hand), then the advice is - spam layers, or else you're going to work yourself into oblivion when trying to erase just as much as you want to.

So yeah, this is it. Let me know if something's wrong or missing.

Ohhhhh my gosh this is SO COOL!!! The BLACK VOID OF DARKNESS cracked me up and this tutorial was really informative!!

[Unlos]

Snip

Wow, that is a lovely tutorial, it makes me want to start making maps, and I have never ever even thought of the possibility before! Step number 4, never ever try to paint Finland...

Spoiler: show

[Aierdome]

Ohhhhh my gosh this is SO COOL!!! The BLACK VOID OF DARKNESS cracked me up and this tutorial was really informative!!

Wow, that is a lovely tutorial, it makes me want to start making maps, and I have never ever even thought of the possibility before! Step number 4, never ever try to paint Finland...

Spoiler: show

Thanks! Unlos, way to do Finnish lakes:
1. download the map
2. crank the contrast to the max
3. erase the space between lakes
4. save and pretend to your friends that it's totally effect of your hard work 

[Noodles]

Yes, thank you, this is good.

[Aierdome]

And alas! Part two was postponed somewhat, as I had a family outing to the cinema that I didn't expect. (The Man From UNCLE, if you're curious, and you should be, because it's a most awesome film and you should all see it (: )

Anyways, the tutorial part two, yes. I'm pretty sure my map does not follow my own advice, but let's just politely not notice this, alright?
Page 1|Page 2|Page 3|Page 4|Page 5|Page 6|Part 7|Final Map (...oof)

Spoiler: Step 1: Cities • show

Dude-O is a perfect way to cut my fauxlosophic rants. I mean, that's why I've created him, to stop me from talking too much. I still rant too much on those pages, I think. Too much text, too little actual content, that's the motto of my life...

Spoiler: Cities, p2 • show

Spoiler: Step 2: Infrastructure • show

Funnily enough, canals are super-underused in fantasy. Really, I've seen them in perhaps two, three book series out of dozens I've read in my life. River transport generally gets a short shrift, I think - I even recall reading once (I don't remember the book now, this was when I was... uhm, 12?) about characters travelling through dozens of towns and cities along a ginormous river and not thinking about simply taking a barge. Maybe it's because horse-riding people are more heroic.

See what I said about ranting?

Spoiler: Step 3: Borders • show

Spoiler: Step 4: Naming • show

Spoiler: Step 5: Decorations • show

Decorating is fun, only I never leave myself enough place to fit much in when I get to it. And if you're curious, this thing on descriptions is in Polish, something about saviour coming to rescue the world, you know, classic high fantasy stuff. It's also a fine example of how I fail to write elegant.

Spoiler: Step 6: All the little things • show

Fun fact: turns out my 0,4 fineliner is erasable. Who would've thought?

Spoiler: Final result • show

Fact no 1: I forgot to draw the deserts and steppes back before scanning it  . Maybe I'll reupload the image tomorrow. Also, more proofs that I can't write elegant.



Fun fact 2: There's an accidental Doctor Who reference hiding here. I dare you to find it 

Well, anyway, that's one of the better maps I've made. I hope the tutorial is of any help and wasn't boring or useless. Let me know if I forgot something besides those frakkin' steppes and deserts.