Hari's Corner

14 comment(s)

1. Make the arms thinner, and don't make the hair overlap the forehead, what you've got there connotes sideburns, of which females don't have
   
   Other than that, good job!
   
   Comment by Dion Moult (visitor) on Wed, Apr 7, 2010 @ 19:15 IST #
2. Thanks Dion. Points taken. I'll update the picture with your suggestions.
   
   As for the arms, I guess they're a bit thick, aren't they? I think when I re-proportioned the head size, the arms should have got thinner.
   
   Comment by Hari (blog owner) on Wed, Apr 7, 2010 @ 19:36 IST #
3. Updated, let me know whether it's better now.
   
   Comment by Hari (blog owner) on Wed, Apr 7, 2010 @ 19:54 IST #
4. I've been looking at the picture and, from my extensive researches in to the female form (for science, obviously), she seems a little flat. With the bust line you have drawn in, her breasts need to come out under the arm more - and I think that is badly described.
   
   http://yirmumah.com/2009/12/30/feel-whats-coming/ has a good example of the female form in comic book format - kind of realistic but still cartoony.
   
   As well, her facial features make her look too much like your male characters - the shape needs to change to be less round and it may be good to accentuate the cheekbones or make the chin more pointed.
   
   Lest it look like I am only being negative - it's a good start and you are definitely developing in your cartooning!!
   
   Comment by ray (visitor) on Wed, Apr 7, 2010 @ 23:36 IST #
5. Thanks Ray. I get your points about the bust. That can be easily adjusted though by design Ms. Bamey is not TOO busty.
   
   Also regarding the facial features: that's a slightly more complex issue - I actually once tried to draw this character with a more pointed chin in an earlier comic and it looked even more masculine (see episode 11, panel 3). I *DO* think the face is a bit too broad in this particular front-on view so I think reducing the face width would help. The rounded facial features makes her look younger which is my intention. However, I will continue to experiment and figure out the character details. I guess some aspects of my characters will continue evolving over future episodes.
   
   I have a feeling that my overall approach to drawing will have to change to incorporate a more "classical" model of the human form though.
   
   Comment by Hari (blog owner) on Thu, Apr 8, 2010 @ 07:42 IST #
6. Ray I've updated the facial features and improved the bust slightly. Let me know what you think.
   
   Comment by Hari (blog owner) on Thu, Apr 8, 2010 @ 16:52 IST #
7. She's definitely getting there, though I think a more rounded bust would make the body less masculine. I think that because you have chosen not to accentuate the hips and bust, she seems more like a man in drag than a woman (hope that doesn't sound too rude!)
   
   I think it's that you are aiming for a more realistic look, that we're seeing these issues. In cartoons it is ok to go down a caricature like route and to emphasise some features more than others. Maybe you could experiment with that - I'm certainly not advocating anything that would break the 'PG' rating, of course!!
   
   Comment by ray (visitor) on Thu, Apr 8, 2010 @ 18:41 IST #
8. Hahahahaha... Man in drag
   
   I was definitely aiming for a realistic look and also because the original character design was quite generic. But I understand your basic points. The face still has issues though it's better of course. Mild tweaking isn't getting anywhere. I may have to do a character redesign for all of my characters to get a more comic drawing feel to it.
   
   Maybe I should buy a good book on comic drawing and re-learn a whole set of skills. Aiming for realism is certainly a stumbling block. I'll take your points into consideration definitely.
   
   So far as I noticed myself, I'm still having issues with proportions, which is a concern.
   
   Also the leg area still seem too short of course and I'm unable to reconcile that with the character's height. Using realistic art is not helping much. Drawing a human in comic form is quite tough and I think I've learned a bit here.
   
   Comment by Hari (blog owner) on Thu, Apr 8, 2010 @ 18:59 IST #
9. I would suggest either grabbing a book on anatomy or spend your days staring at women - in the name of art, of course! And the cartooning book(s), as they should have some good advice on drawing the human realistically while staying true to cartoonery.
   
   All that said, the stories are still good
   
   Comment by ray (visitor) on Thu, Apr 8, 2010 @ 23:10 IST #
10. Ray, I'm going to redesign all my comic characters. I think the tipping point was when you mentioned the part about Ms. Bamey looking like a man in drag. I think I've got a better idea now on how to approach drawing comic characters. I'll have to practise though.
    
    Comment by Hari (blog owner) on Fri, Apr 9, 2010 @ 16:24 IST #
11. Sexy Woman! he he..
    
    Comment by Logesh (visitor) on Sat, Apr 10, 2010 @ 00:18 IST #
12. I'm a girl, and not that I'm an expert, but her face is still looking a little mannish. Perhaps some eyelashes would help? The arms are good, but I think the top of the dress needs to be adjusted. Right now, it almost looks like a muscle shirt, one a body builder would wear to show off his bulging muscles. The fabric should cover more of the sides of her breasts.
    
    You're on the right track.
    
    Comment by skye (visitor) on Sun, Apr 18, 2010 @ 01:38 IST #
13. p.s.,
    Google "halter top" and you'll see what I mean.
    
    Comment by skye (visitor) on Sun, Apr 18, 2010 @ 01:40 IST #
14. Thanks Skye. Hehe... body builder... I've actually decided to take a look at art books and so on and practice the drawing of human figures. Right now, I think I need a break to re-charge my motivation.
    
    As for the face, that is proving to be the most tricky part. It appears that copying directly from real life doesn't translate well into comic form. I need to exaggerate certain facial features as well.
    
    Comment by Hari (blog owner) on Sun, Apr 18, 2010 @ 08:06 IST #