Help...

[express]

I've been getting back into drawing lately, and I've realize that something really wierd happens to all my drawings (it really is just my fault I know:shady: ). But if I look at my drawing inverted...like look at the back of the paper while shining a light through it...the picture looks all wierd and unproportional, even when I draw on the computer and try to really get proportions correct. Does anybody else have this problem? Please, artist out there, help me!!!:shake:

[inkhana]

That's an interesting question. I've noticed this in my own stuff. A big portion of it is you have a preconception in your mind of what it SHOULD look like, first in your mind, then on paper. When I flip my stuff in the computer, it looks odd no matter how proportionate the drawing was. I don't know if this would be an efficient method for figuring correct proportions or not, but my guess is, if it looks all right from the front side, don't worry about it. (I mean, what kind of weirdo is going to go around flipping your pics around with a computer, right? )

[andyroo]

I have had the same problem with my drawings. I have this Muto Anime book that teaches you how to draw anime, but it can probably be worked in other art styles... maybe. The head is used as the base ratio 1:1 The neck will be a third the length of the head. The torsou will be twice the length of the head and the rest of the body will be 4.5 time the length of the head. You are on your own with the feet and hands. The arms should be 1.75 time the length of the head. The shoulder width (left to right) should be some where around 1.25-1.5 times the width of the head. This may be a bit too maticulous for you, but it does help you learn proportions well.

Here's a link to the book http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0968966314/qid=1056781924/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-5685126-2430300?v=glance&s=books .

Oh yeah ink about flipping peoples art. I know some people that do that *cough viz cough cough*. man I've got a cold it seems.

[inkhana]

Told ya only weirdoes would do it...

[WhiteÃ…ngel]

This can depend on your style.....

If you have an American style influence the proportions will be fairly even ( head lengths) ... if you have a Japanese style, then the characters will still be judged on head lengths, but chest will be exajerated larger and waiste and legs will be more thin and elongated. These items also depend on your base style... do you use circular motions, stick figure or boxed of areas with circle joints to create the body parts. these factors can all create different methods and looks to the drawing before you darken it.

[Shinja]

i think alot of it has to do with the angle that you view the paper. i notice somtimes when im drawing at an angle things will be skewd to the angle im drawing to. try positioning the paper at a different angle next time and see if the problem changes.

[express]

Thanks for all the advice you guys. I always thought that it had to do with the angle of the paper, too, Shinja. But, after drawing on the computer and then seeing that the same thing happend, I suspected it had to be something else.

As for how I plan out my proportions, WhiteÃ…ngel, I use the "How to Draw Manga" book method: oval for the head, basic chest shape for the chest, circles for the joints, elongated ovals for leg and arm sections. I guess most of it is elongated ovals.

I always check my drawings by looking at the other side through a light because when I check professional drawings (like manga and suff), I notice it doesn't happen to those. I was just curious of what other people thought about it. Oh well, this problem will be fixed!...someday.

And...

I'm not a weirdo!!!:bang: (Just playing)