Keep It Simple Stupid

Because of my love for drawing realism, I have a hard time keeping the line work simple and translating what I see in the real world into a cartoon one. My brain is not original. I don't create much art without looking at references either from photos or real life. I've been told by many artists that you should never draw/paint from a photograph or your work will be flat, but so far photos have worked pretty well for me.

With cartoon drawings, you have to simplify things, take out some details, show movement with just a few lines. What I am realizing as I draw, however, is that the fewer lines you have, the more important they are. Just one little wiggle can send a whole new meaning to an eye, or the shape of the head. Make the eye slightly bigger than intended, and suddenly your cute little boy looks like he's just seen a monster. Obviously, these can be used to your advantage, but only if they are intentional, or at least happen at the right moment.

Trying to get head shape and body proportions.

I compensate for this by drawing very carefully trying to get the lines just right, however, this has a tenancy to make my drawings flat and lifeless. The more I think about the drawing, the less spontaneity it has. I'm working on finding the balance between a well-planned, consistent character and and one that is full of life and movement.

I should probably do some reading on how to develop a character. I actually did read one article, that said you should know what your character looks like from different angles. I attempted to do what I learned today is called a "character turn-around", but when I got home and looked at my original drawing, I saw that I had gotten my head-to-body proportion all wrong. 

The body here is too short and chubby. I think I got the head fairly accurate though.
Also, you may notice me trying out some different styles of eyes at the bottom. 

I think the next thing I am going to try, especially after watching several Youtube videos today on character design, is to make an accurate grid of facial and body proportions so that when I have free time to draw, but no access to my original or any reference photo, I can still replicate the character. 

I have also been working on developing some of the other characters in the story, so look out for concept art of them coming soon!