morna learning to draw Usagi

Chris Coke · Post by **Chris Coke** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 23:16 -0700

I am quite enjoying seeing each new one.

I think I have a new addiction.

morna-san · Post by **morna-san** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:52 -0700

wheee! glad I can contribute to your delinquency!

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:06 -0700

Thank you for posting these, Morna. It is very interesting to see your progression.

morna-san · Post by **morna-san** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 10:30 -0700

you're welcome Stan-sensei. Thank you for being interested. I hope that people are getting some learning out of this - I know I am. I seem to have hit the mentoring phase of my life so it seems natural to try to give back some of the stuff I've learned... and I have always held the belief that educating the public is one of the best ways of promoting an art form (in my case glass) - this is a natural outgrowth of this attitude.

Stan; Gary and I have a theory about your straight lines (you can just ignore me if it would be giving away trade secrets or anything

)
We suspect that you do use a ruler in the pencils stage and ink freehand. This now seems like a bit of a no-brainer but hey! I don't have a clue about the technical side of this medium. This really is entirely different from any drawing I've done in the past - for example: ( http://forums.comicbookresources.com/sh ... ostcount=1 )

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:41 -0700

morna-san wrote:
Stan; Gary and I have a theory about your straight lines (you can just ignore me if it would be giving away trade secrets or anything )
We suspect that you do use a ruler in the pencils stage and ink freehand. This now seems like a bit of a no-brainer but hey! I don't have a clue about the technical side of this medium. This really is entirely different from any drawing I've done in the past - for example: ( http://forums.comicbookresources.com/sh ... ostcount=1 )

Yes, I do use straight-edges when penciling. Well, first I layout the panel very roughly, then tighten up the pencils (this is when I use the straight-edge). I ink it freehand. It gives a roughness and spontaneity that I like. I used to use a French curve when inking swords, because I wanted to blades to look perfect especially compared to the rest of the inks. However, even the swords are hand inked nowadays.

Very nice charcoals. I used to do a lot of charcoal and pastel drawing in college. I really enjoyed the medium, but haven't used them in quite awhile. I still have those pastels in my art closet.

morna-san · Post by **morna-san** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 15:49 -0700

Ah! makes sense, we speculated on the french curve too. I think I could get it if I'm careful (not my strong suit!) and practice a lot using my arm as a pivot. I looked at some early stuff and I can tell now that I scrutinize that you had used a curve - all the swords are perfect - I can understand the reasoning too - they do stand out.

Stan Sakai wrote: Very nice charcoals. I used to do a lot of charcoal and pastel drawing in college. I really enjoyed the medium, but haven't used them in quite awhile. I still have those pastels in my art closet.

Thank-you. I really like that piece too... it's one of my favorite things I've ever done. I'd love to see you do some loose and gooey charcoal stuff. Haul 'em out - I dare ya!

anyway, I have another piece on the go - another non referenced one. Tricky kneeling pose. here are the first pencils:

morna-san · Post by **morna-san** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 16:40 -0700

ooookay... head too big, feet too small, something a bit wrong with the hips, and those arms need resolving... phew

head: better...feet: better... hips very wrong... arms: arrrrgh! ...

oo! I see what's wrong with the hips I have to move that (his) left foot off the plane that the other foot's on .... and I think the arms are going to work too I just have to make the elbow lower

... NOT!

actually the whole thing turns out to be implausible... one look in the mirror and out the window it went. I mean sure Usagi's more flexible than I am but he still has a butt... and feet that are not screwed on backwards.... and, you know a spine that is basically straight. yeesh! This looks a whole lot more comfortable - and unfortunately a whole lot less dynamic - sigh I hope I'm not as off with the arms, I'm wearin' out the paper.

ooo look how much fun I'm having... AGONY... TORTURE!!!

nice foot, too bad it's on backwards - again yeesh! (plus it looks suspiciously like my foot - not good)... head shrinking... must make decision on sword position... or have a nap... It's starting to get discouraging. The most disconcerting thing is, I 'm afraid the proportions are getting way too human. I may have to start over

gaaah

ok one more try

well I think I've finally beat that pose into submission... just about killed me.

so now, of course I can't seen to get a head that works - never had trouble with heads before. I also notice that it's lost all its tension. How does Stan do it... speed! is my guess. I've spent so long at it that Usagi's gotten tired of posing... by the time I get to inking it he'll be lying down having a snooze.
I will say this, though, for someone who's done absolutely NO life drawing since well, highschool really (1970s) I'm actually figuring it out. yaay me

ok I got a head on him

man what a slog
I don't think I can look at this guy any more today. I might sleep on it and go to ink tomorrow.

morna-san · Post by **morna-san** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:35 -0700

dang! I was hoping this thing was going to look better this morning. I'd be tempted to beat myself up a bit for trying such a complicated pose but I realize that this is my first attempt at a whole body completely invented pose. Plus I was there that pivotal moment when Sergio told David Petersen that once the artist/writer modifies the story to make it easier on the artist then it's time to get a new artist. David wasn't the only one who took those words to heart.

here's what I did to rinse out my poor brain before bed last night:

a quick 10 or 15 minute sketch that went overtime cause the head was too big and the legs too short. At least I'm not afraid to erase and re draw stuff anymore! I see now that I've got an extra half inch in the neck area that the legs sure could've used. It's not too bad from the shoulders down tho'... nice sword - definitely the best part of that drawing!

morna-san · Post by **morna-san** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 11:47 -0700

ok done

... not too bad, a couple of mistakes the most embarrassing of which is I got the sword's point on backwards - guh... missed some spots under his elbow - easily fixed. It's a bit less feminine looking than I was dreading it would be and it seems to have regained a bit of dynamicism. Probably thanks to the face and the ears. right index finger weird... left foot probably still too small... upper waistband - WTF. Mostly minor stuff.

Post by **Steve Hubbell** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 13:12 -0700

Hey Morna-San,
Very nice work! And a very cool step by step progression report.

I have another forum you might like,

which is for artists of all skill levels to post work and share tips, commentary, and opinions with each other. http://www.penciljack.com/forum/

I don't know for sure, but I believe your posts are sufficiently interesting and some of the members of that forum will be sure to offer more constructive comments than us un-artistically talented fans can.

Here are a couple Usagi related threads started by Usagi fan and Dojo member "Inkthinker" as example.....

http://www.penciljack.com/forum/showthr ... ight=usagi
http://www.penciljack.com/forum/showthr ... ight=usagi
http://www.penciljack.com/forum/showthr ... ight=usagi
http://www.penciljack.com/forum/showthr ... ight=usagi

There is also a lot of other comic related artwork featuring other characters as well. (Saw a fantastic looking piece featuring David Petersen's Mouse Guard characters)

morna-san · Post by **morna-san** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 13:25 -0700

thanks Steve. I'm not going to look at inkthinker's stuff (I think I've seen them anyway) 'cause I was looking around the other day and came across his thread and I almost stopped right there. Nice work - tons of personal style... I'm still in the copying phase.

I also feel comfortable in this community - I would feel very weird going into a new place with this stuff.... maybe some day

but thanks - maybe I'll go look around

edit: ok I joined! It's really kool in there - I already learned how to use photoshop to make borders - easily! see!:

Thanks again Steve!!

Winslow · Post by **Winslow** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 14:07 -0700

awesome fan art morna.

And you are getting better with each sketch!

Winslow · Post by **Winslow** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 14:08 -0700

Chris Coke wrote:I am quite enjoying seeing each new one.

I think I have a new addiction.

You're such a newb!

What's up Chris?

morna-san · Post by **morna-san** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 18:24 -0700

thanks Winslow! nice to see some CBR pals over here - although you're obviously a much more venerable dojo member than I am!
Have you posted your usagi stuff here?

Winslow · Post by **Winslow** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 11:36 -0700

No, I haven't posted my fan art. I may clean it up a bit and start a fan mini-comic thread.

I have a few creative jobs in front of it though, including an entry in the Summer contest on the NeverEnding Board.

If I recall, I registered back in 2005 to let Stan know how much his work helped my son to learn to read and develop a love for reading. It was a real joy to come home from work and have my son excitedly tell me he read a while Usagi Yojimbo trade.