I decided that since my other thread had really served its purpose, it was best for me to start a new one for a new purpose. I still disagree with a lot of people's ideas, it hasn't changed, but since I do need the practice, I decided to give it a go. I will be practicing manga style as I go, but this thread is for my other art, since "you" deem it of such importance. I do this not because I want to, or see benefit in it. I know in the end, I will have to learn to draw manga and that's why as I learn to draw one way, I will be learning manga at the same time. Please forgive my picture as I do not have a scanner, only my web-cam.

So you gave in and did realism instead of doing what you wanted to do and follow manga. To be honest with you it's not that bad, looks great. Dunno what you need help with. I think you need help with buying a scanner, that's what XD But since your goals is to really pursue anime I'd like to see what you make out of that. As far as the proportions, I'd say you're right on the money. I wish I could see it better tho, scanner, scanner, scanner!!!

Okay, look. Don't draw realism and study this kind of stuff if you don't care for it. If you put no effort into trying to better yourself, you're not going to get any better. You'll only improve as much as you want to, and you don't sound like you want to at all. That's fine. If you're content just drawing mediocre manga, then by all means, do it.

Don't practice anatomy and realism and whatnot just because we tell you. You should only be doing it because you truly want to improve in this area. Do it because you want to.

That being said, I think we'd all be happier for you if you decided to pursue drawing realism and proportions and junk. But again, do what you want.

You see, Devy, it's comments like that which make it look like you're just saying things like draw realism cause you want him too. Hating anime shouldn't be a profession, you should love all art. This is coming from someone who CAN draw. ;P

Drawing realism is a brilliant way to learn proportions. I think most anime people who can't draw tend to do chibi like things to make themselves seem better and cute. Anime can do things right (Most of the time) when drawing proportions minus the head and eye size. If that's what you're going for, by all means, do it. I like both sides of art, I enjoy realism and anime. I think you can definitely improve if you want too, just make sure your heart is in it.

Be merry :D

we're not sayin' all manga is mediocre man, we're saying without proper fundamentals your manga will be mediocre. that's what you guys don't seem to get. we're not hating on anime or whatever. i'm speaking from personal experience here.

but w/e have fun with that bad attitude OP, i'm done trying to help.

I meant that without a solid basis in anatomy and proportions, your manga will be mediocre or average at best. I wasn't trying to diss manga or anything :p

argh computer you made moe beat me you jerk >:(

Trust me, I've had my fair share of bruises when it comes to drawing some mediocre manga, I'm sorry if I seemed hostile because you guys are right in your own way. It's hard to be great when there are so many people that are better than you. It's either talent, skill or luck that will win you the success you need. At the end of the day, if you're happy with what you draw, I guess that's all that really matters. But most people draw to please others, and I learned the hard way that some where none too pleased.

Cait, calm down and actually listen to what every one is saying. It's not all manga hate and forced realism, what they are trying to tell you is to learn realistic proportions and posing. Simply drawing whatever floats your boat without knowledge of these essentials is like trying to write in the Shakespearean form without knowing what the iambic pentameter is or how it relates.

That said, don't draw realism if that is not what you are interested in, but also don't limit yourself to one specific style. Do some research and you will learn that manga is simply the term for Japanese comics. Like American comics, there are all sorts of art styles, not just what you might see on a daily basis. What we are trying to say is don't copy someone else before you know the basics or you will just end up with cheap knock-offs of their work rather than your own unique artwork regardless of what tradition you choose to follow.

(-_-) I'm actually sick of all these phrases people use to give advice from "Show, don't tell", realism, but it's the same old not enough information to actually do the person any good. They're just phrases that people use to make it look like they are helping, but in reality, it makes the person more confused than when they first started out. I am not saying that is your intentions, but I am not interested in learning to draw photo realistic picture, but I am willing to learn the basis. For me, the basics mean to learn shadowing, lines and shape. Objects are easy to learn, most of the time they are just lines and lines connect to lines to form a picture, but people are different they are curved, round. The logic isn't as easy as a laptop computer, which I can practically see in my head from any angle.

I don't care what anyone else says, but I do want to learn the right way; creating my own characters. I have some many ideas I'd like to do, but my lack of ability limits what I can do. I want to change that by practice, learning and seeing all forms of manga styles. How hair is done, various of ways and eyes so I can see deciding for myself which way I'd like to do it. I am always a very original person, I am like my mom when it comes to I don't want to be like everyone else for the sake of being like everyone else. I created a new thread so I could get advice about my drawing, how I can make it better.

What am I working on now? Shape. I want to improve my shapes, from the eyes to the head, because curved lines are my worst enemy. Now, if someone you have some advice I'd love to hear it. Because I am not expecting that I am going to get better over night, no matter what style I do it is going to take practice and I'm willing to do that. What can I do to insure that my shapes are consistent, because that's the worst enemy of art or anything else for that matter.

Then, I want to improve my shading! I know lighter is closest to the light, and the darker it is, shadows. Then, I want to learn to draw the body, much better than I am now, in correct proportions. What will I work on past that? Too far ahead in the future to see, since that is going to take me a little while, but how long is a little while? It depends on how fast I get better, something that no one is able to tell. So please what can I do with concerning my picture to improve my shading or my lines, so everything doesn't blend in together, into a giant mess.