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BEFORE YOU BEGIN !
‘Uncle, draw me something!’ in my few years of interactions
with children, I often hear this eager expression from those that I come in
contact with. And honestly at times, this can be a cause of dilemma. I mean, how
do I know what to draw to would arouse the interest of a particular child? So what
I sometimes do is to throw back another question at them by asking: “okay, what
you want me to draw?” Then this question
will
then lead to specific answers. A man, an airplane, a car, a soldier, superman, a dog, and the lists are endless.
then lead to specific answers. A man, an airplane, a car, a soldier, superman, a dog, and the lists are endless.
Although this chapter is not about children’s conversations
with adults, talking about them would help in buttressing a vital point for a
cartoonist. Unlike other artists, good cartoonists draw from memory and not
live models. So it cannot be over emphasized to say that observation and
continuous practice are the keys to honing one’s potentials. Having said this,
it does not necessarily mean that they shouldn’t be guided by something.
Something that would set their brain-cells into motion, it is no other thing other
than a story or a script. Cartoonists are guided by this, and they can be very simple,
or very complex all depending on the settings of a particular story and the writers.
So in order for me to sometimes minimize starring too long
on my drawing papers and thinking of what to draw, I make the kids to do some
of my thinking for me by encouraging them to be specific in what they would like
me to draw and I kindly obliged because they are my greatest source of
installation. The satisfaction on their faces alone brings me joy. And it is
that same satisfaction that would be subconsciously transferred to one’s client
too when he becomes a professional.
Do you think it is that easy to draw something you are not
prepared for under a few minutes? The truth is, NO! Because it can sometimes be
very challenging, however it is possible if you have mastered some few basic
techniques. At a point in time a boy asked
me to draw a man, and I did. But I observed that he wasn’t very happy as he continuously
starred at his drawing book, so I asked him why? He then explained that he would
like to see the picture of a running man and not someone just standing. Now the
point I want to bring out is that getting the specific information right the
first time would save you a lot of unnecessary repetitions and arguments. I have
seen very good cartoonists, illustrators and animators engaging in needless
arguments with their clients because of this, they felt they had done some
incredibly good works, and honestly in some of my assessment they are right,
but yet their efforts weren’t appreciated.
According to Samuel Palmer, A picture is said to be something
between a thing and a thought. And except you are a psychic, how do you know exactly
what is on the writer’s mind while writing the script. So except if it is a
self made project, always communicate very well with the writer, team members,
directors, and so on. Use story boards and sketches extensively, let your script
writers, directors, clients and team members see what you are about to do. If possible
let the persons in charge sign or endorse them at each of the stages. As earlier
explained, that would save you a lot of unnecessary hassles.
Below, I have illustrated the steps taken to draw the
runners for the little boy below. The left side uses the oval style while the right side uses the stick figure style. These are classic styles and I hope you will practice using
both styles. Once one is able to get the basic structure of any object then the
remaining is simple.
STEP 1:
Use pencils to draw out the shapes that will form
the basic structures.
Oval Style Stick figure Style
STEP 2:
If you are satisfied with the structure formed, use pencils
to draw connecting outlines around it.
STEP 3:
Once the figure begins to take shape, add more details like
the clothes, eyes, nose, hands, fingers, shoes etc to enhance the drawings.
STEP 4:
Use pens and inks to trace the final outlines of the runners,
leave out all unwanted pencils lines or strokes.
STEP 5:
Neatly clean out all the pencils with a soft eraser, leaving
only the black pen tracings.
STEP 6:
Add colours if you wish. You can also put any background of
your choice. Remember to be creative and don’t just copy. You can even give it
more depth by adding tones or shadings.
Lessons learnt:
1.
Always work with a blue print.
2.
Communicate effectively with team mates
3.
Make rough sketches
4.
Seek approvals with the persons in charge
5.
Begin based on what has been approved.
This are just guiding principles, the writer here is not
saying that having followed all these highlighted steps then no other problems
might occur; remember there are some unforeseen problems that might emanate as
the project goes on. But I am sure they will be reduced with proper planning
and documentation.
Assignment 1:
Draw the picture of a young girl dancing, with one hand
above her head and the other on her waistline. Show the steps taken one after
the other using either the oval or stick method. Colours or only shading can be
applied.
I would like to see what you have done. Please mail your
finished works to me at goguyone@gmail.com I will be expecting to see it because that is
where we are taking off from. The next
lesson that focuses on the differences and similarities between drawing the
male and female figures, but it may no longer be continued on this thread. So it is only those that sent me a mail based
on what they have done that would be given attention; and should be able to continuously follow on the lessons through their E-mail boxes. Everyone is
invited.
Thanks:
GO GUY 1
goguyone@gmail.com
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