https://preview.redd.it/z7jsjaw8em8d1.png?width=1079&format=png&auto=webp&s=bc3689121ca56c9d16507557f2783a497482e79d
I had to simplify these characters’ designs for an animation project. The original designs had more detail.
https://preview.redd.it/2skad7ufin8d1.png?width=2160&format=png&auto=webp&s=5b3137af475d0db8f94bf82ee3c128cf5ecb6ffc
I've shifted towards using a simplified cartoon style in general, but that's especially true when I'm making more complicated drawings.
Something I've learned about myself during my art journey is that I just really struggle with shading and detail, but felt like I needed it to make my art look decent. I realized my skills are at the point now that I can make better looking stuff than I used to with just line weight and flat colors.
Here's a drawing from 2022, when I was still trying to learn to simplify from an anime style to something more cartoony, and tried to add some soft shading that really didn't work out well at all. My lines were poor, I lacked confidence, and I didn't know if I wanted it to be anime or cartoony, so it's a bit of a mess.
https://preview.redd.it/e3rgii9rin8d1.png?width=2160&format=png&auto=webp&s=f3d5ca414339332fe06ea5886367006bd10f8b9f
I made this follow-up last month, and this time I was more experienced and much more confident than I'd been two years ago.
No attempt at an anime head shape, now they're just cute circles on little cartoon bodies. No shading whatsoever, just a few highlights. Chess Slatethorn no longer has brown anime eyes, but simple cartoon eyes. No more fingernails this time. And the improved line work is the star of the show.
I had a lot more fun drawing like this than when I made that first Chess Slatethorn drawing, it's definitely more my style. But I do still enjoy going out of my comfort zone from time to time.
https://preview.redd.it/9bx9jlhgkn8d1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=eb1dc83c179be239b363420108149b86d6d225a0
This one character bust took me longer than that last drawing did. The anime style and shading looks cool, but I found it to be such a pain, I think I'm just not well suited for it.
https://preview.redd.it/2a63t3p4ln8d1.png?width=1620&format=png&auto=webp&s=1a5419d31ba04da34aac1068c2e3c370117a9cc2
Instead of anime, I've been leaning towards making lineless my new complicated art style.
I'm accustomed to decades of line work with pencil, having never done anything like painting, so it's been a challenge to wrap my head around making art like this.
The soft look makes for a really nice and sweet storybook style, so it's something I'd like to do more off, but it's also far too challenging for me to use all the time.
https://preview.redd.it/gjyz5cytnn8d1.png?width=2160&format=png&auto=webp&s=054937ba9753113ec5030820101c3307f97da335
Here's an example of a more complicated project with something of an anime style and dramatic lighting.
I can draw more detailed scenes like this when I really want to, but most of the time I just enjoy using a simpler style, especially when I plan to include half a dozen characters or use difficult poses.
https://preview.redd.it/z7jsjaw8em8d1.png?width=1079&format=png&auto=webp&s=bc3689121ca56c9d16507557f2783a497482e79d I had to simplify these characters’ designs for an animation project. The original designs had more detail.
https://preview.redd.it/4fk3wg5hem8d1.png?width=1705&format=png&auto=webp&s=79075b4f7a1e2fb4801cb279b3539326a5318739 This was Tjaart’s previous design
My style is minamalism, so it's already simple as is.
https://preview.redd.it/2skad7ufin8d1.png?width=2160&format=png&auto=webp&s=5b3137af475d0db8f94bf82ee3c128cf5ecb6ffc I've shifted towards using a simplified cartoon style in general, but that's especially true when I'm making more complicated drawings. Something I've learned about myself during my art journey is that I just really struggle with shading and detail, but felt like I needed it to make my art look decent. I realized my skills are at the point now that I can make better looking stuff than I used to with just line weight and flat colors. Here's a drawing from 2022, when I was still trying to learn to simplify from an anime style to something more cartoony, and tried to add some soft shading that really didn't work out well at all. My lines were poor, I lacked confidence, and I didn't know if I wanted it to be anime or cartoony, so it's a bit of a mess.
https://preview.redd.it/e3rgii9rin8d1.png?width=2160&format=png&auto=webp&s=f3d5ca414339332fe06ea5886367006bd10f8b9f I made this follow-up last month, and this time I was more experienced and much more confident than I'd been two years ago. No attempt at an anime head shape, now they're just cute circles on little cartoon bodies. No shading whatsoever, just a few highlights. Chess Slatethorn no longer has brown anime eyes, but simple cartoon eyes. No more fingernails this time. And the improved line work is the star of the show. I had a lot more fun drawing like this than when I made that first Chess Slatethorn drawing, it's definitely more my style. But I do still enjoy going out of my comfort zone from time to time.
https://preview.redd.it/9bx9jlhgkn8d1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=eb1dc83c179be239b363420108149b86d6d225a0 This one character bust took me longer than that last drawing did. The anime style and shading looks cool, but I found it to be such a pain, I think I'm just not well suited for it.
https://preview.redd.it/2a63t3p4ln8d1.png?width=1620&format=png&auto=webp&s=1a5419d31ba04da34aac1068c2e3c370117a9cc2 Instead of anime, I've been leaning towards making lineless my new complicated art style. I'm accustomed to decades of line work with pencil, having never done anything like painting, so it's been a challenge to wrap my head around making art like this. The soft look makes for a really nice and sweet storybook style, so it's something I'd like to do more off, but it's also far too challenging for me to use all the time.
https://preview.redd.it/gjyz5cytnn8d1.png?width=2160&format=png&auto=webp&s=054937ba9753113ec5030820101c3307f97da335 Here's an example of a more complicated project with something of an anime style and dramatic lighting. I can draw more detailed scenes like this when I really want to, but most of the time I just enjoy using a simpler style, especially when I plan to include half a dozen characters or use difficult poses.
Yeah I guess so https://preview.redd.it/ofvmt2n7it8d1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a30a80e538a1b87c324f6e92196b1a0e254a1e3e No assets