Q: ok, my drawing skills suck @$$. i mean im so bad at shading and everything, i need to go back to the basics. i am a DIY type of person and just about everything i know is self-taught. i want to be able to draw life-like things as well as stylized things. like in the links below: http://ayamefataru.deviantart.com/gallery/#_featured--2 http://shimoda7.deviantart.com/gallery/ i know it will take a long time and a lot of work and dedication. im willing to put forth the effort. i cant afford art lessons and will be teaching myself. i just need someone to link me to some good free online tutorials. i need ones for drawing and shading
A: Since it seems like you're already familiar with Deviantart, I'll supply links to tutorials on there. Line art http://akemi-shuu.deviantart.com/art/Tutorial-Pt-1-Lineart-32528255 --If you sketch on paper before uploading, this is step-by-step instructions on how to clean up your line art on Photoshop. Similar steps can also be used if you have GIMP. http://naughty-kittykitty.deviantart.com/art/TUTORIAL-how-to-draw-breasts-30717072 --I notice a lot of people are terrible when it comes to this portion of the female anatomy. http://tracyjb.deviantart.com/art/Lackadaisy-How-to-Draw-34701897 --Not a method I personally use when it comes to drawing, but you may find it useful. http://cataclysm-x.deviantart.com/art/Tutorial-How-to-draw-hair-50774338 --This is a really good tutorial and is worth checking out no matter what your level of skill. Poses http://pandabaka.deviantart.com/art/How-I-draw-char-pose-32796586 --The dialogue from the artist is annoying, but you can learn just from looking at the pictures. Colouring Characters http://akemi-shuu.deviantart.com/art/Tutorial-Pt-2-Coloring-Skin-32533965 --Colouring skin in Photoshop. http://yumix.deviantart.com/art/Realism-Tutorial-51879250 --Colouring skin and hair in Photoshop Colouring Backgrounds http://celleri-kun.deviantart.com/art/How-To-Draw-Photoshop-Water-92448724 --Despite its roughness, this tutorial is one of the best I've come across. For use in Photoshop. http://shadowumbre.deviantart.com/art/Various-elements-tutorial-69997749 --How to draw lightning, snow , and fire. http://kaykaykit.deviantart.com/art/Water-Background-Tutorial-22359969 --Background water for underwater scenes These are general tutorials and useful for anyone, no matter what their style. I haven't seen your artwork so I don't know what level you're at, but some things to keep in mind when drawing: -Hips and shoulders are slanted in opposite directions, or the character is off balanced. -Noses and ears are important! Learn to draw them properly. They probably won't be noticed too much if you do them well(especially ears) but they will be if you do them poorly. -Attempt both loose and tight clothing. One style on all your characters looks amateurish. -Draw people of all ages, in many styles. This spans from babies to eighty-year-olds. -Draw different styles of shoes, properly. Dress shoes, runners, heels, and sandals both with and without straps are a must. Your characters have feet, they should have something to wear on them. -Don't be afraid of hands or feet. Once you get the hang of them they're fun and essential for highlighting the emotion of the character. This is long but I hope it was useful.