Do you use guidelines/basic shapes for drawing? (+poll)

[DokiDokiTsuna]

• No, never
• Yes, sometimes
• Yes, often
• YES. ALWAYS. FOR EVERYTHING

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I use just a few basic shapes, and I very rarely use guidelines. When I use aids at all, it's to help me with my comics: the work flows better when I put down something in the panels and come back later, rather than wait until I can draw the whole panel at once. Besides, comics are usually where I do the weird/tough poses that are easier when I map them out first.

Although, I don't think needing or not needing guidelines is really a measure of skill, at least at a certain point. If you have to map out every single feature of a person's face before you can draw them, then yeah, maybe you need to develop some muscle memory. But then, maybe you don't. =/ There's no law that says you have to be able to draw someone or something in x amount of time in order to be considered a good artist.

Really, I think it comes down to how your brain works. I've always been better at seeing shapes and proportions, so basic shapes are the better tools for me (action lines, too).
Guidelines actually make things worse, usually (when I was younger, I didn't even understand them). They tend to make my drawings look stiff and dead. Nowadays, I know enough to make them useful when I really need them, but I'd still rather not have to. ^^;

[inkycharland]

I'm going to say something in a broad sense, so yes, I am aware there are exceptions. (It's art, there are always exceptions.)

Everyone should always have some sort of basic shape/guides/sketch/under-drawing for what you're working on. It's fundamental. You will not improve if you try to "sketch it as you go."

AGAIN, I know that's a big generalization, but most everyone here is an amateur. No one is above laying ground work.

[Reign]

I use guidelines, and my father keeps telling me that I’m “good” enough not to use them. I don’t agree with that viewpoint. I mean, I’ve seen artists not use guidelines and their art looks incredible. For me, though, I feel like everything needs to start with a foundation, no matter how good you are. It all depends on the artist, too. There’s no set way to the foundation. Some may help you get better and improve your art, but all in all, how you make your art is up to you.

[ble]

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[qwerty]

Basically the only time I don't use guidelines / construction is if I'm drawing something very organic like trees or clouds where you have a lot of leeway as to the exact shape. Otherwise, even very simple things require some kind of basic shape layout for me.

For sure, someone who is able to draw without guidelines has a skill that someone who relies on them doesn't have. I wish I could do it since it'd be more efficient. But it can't be forced; IMO if you want to reach that level you just have to practice with guidelines long enough, until one day they maybe just start feeling redundant or unnecessary.

[punkarsenic]

for most of my drawings i kinda go gesture > shapes > details, although sometimes i skip shapes if it doesnt need to be a very firm drawing

that said, i do generally use some form of 'guidelines' - if drawing from observation i might not, but i find that without guidelines my drawing will either be stiff, or the proportions will be jacked. i care a lot more about the basic forms and gesture of a drawing than the detail itself, so i dont see the point of starting with a near-finished face and then look at the body.

[silverraven0]

I usually just use a circle, then a plus when making a head.

I actually didn't use much guidelines but I use some kind of stickman when making a body that I don't particularly follow most of the time. XD

[ZombieOwl]

I use them pretty much every time I want to do a final drawing. For sketches/thumbnails, I don't need them as MUCH; I just need to know where things will go on the page. Having construction guidelines helps me keep things in proportion; I can wing it, but the character will look warped the next time I see it.

Our brains have a tendency to convince us things look good when in reality something's off; that's why breaks are important XD

[Wumbl]

I actually tend to use them a little less now, since I've been drawing for long enough.
The reason is, I can basically picture them with my imagination and therefore don't feel the need to sketch them out. This is definitely the case for more zoomed panels like faces, middle-level shots etc.
I still have to do a lot of guidelines for more complex layouts, though. Tricky perspectives are especially helped by these.

[spadesart]

a lot of my early sundown art was completely freehanded with no guides because i designed my characters with animation in mind. more recent art uses a more detailed style, so ill draw very basic guides to let me know what direction the character faces and where i want limbs etc. but i never do full shape construction.

[Kelheor]

Nah, I don't. Maybe a circle sometimes to define a head, but that's it. I usually start with a big forehead or ears =)
But to become a better artist I probably should, as drawing full bodies can be hard sometimes. The same with guidelines, really need to do some practice.

[JRHoch]

I used to draw my figures first, ink, then block in the colors. Now I start with the color blocking first. I think it gives a clearer idea of the impact a panel will have before getting into all the fussy drawing details. Often if I don't like the color blocking, I'll start over.

[SynCypher]

I do both! There's a merit in learning how to freehand something and merit in using guidelines to make sure you get the best possible look from your work (and proportional, which is the bigger part with regards to guidelines). I also find that knowing how to do both is incredibly beneficial since it'll increase the speed with which you're able to accurtely protray a character/scene/etc. and your ability to recall correct proportions.

I find it's good to exercize trying both, as it only expands your skillset. There's no shame in guidelines or having to map out a scene; when making your art the best it can be any tool is a worthy one.The only time I don't use them is when I draw with ink, since, with ink, you can't erase so, having an idea as to what you want to make really helps. This is a picture I made without guidelines in ink a long time ago:

(It isn't perfect but, no piece ever really is, right? Hahah.) In contrast, I love making speed paints so I can share my process with my watchers/followers and I love the process of turning a hand full of sketchy lines into something that almost looks entirely different by the time you're done. This is my most recent speedpaint and, yeah there are LOTS of times I go back and forth on what I want to make with it so, you can see my process of deciding as I go and guidelining the hell out of it, hahah.

So you see? Nothing wrong with using guidelines or not using them. Knowing how to do both just sets you up with a broad skillset to draw from. (Haha and either way, you have to practice like a fiend!)

[Mari]

Yeah, all the balls and triangles for me!

[Cavechan]

Erm... I think everyone else has a different definition of guidelines, because guidelines are those things you pull out from the rulers at the edges of the page...? Do you mean a base/quick/rough sketch?

Usually when I'm in my sketchbook I draw without sketching, but for a comic page it's definitely needed. There are endless strange poses that would be difficult to draw otherwise.

For guides, I always use them both for comics and at my job. It's a ruler, just a basic tool to use.

And for basic shapes, I do use those too when necessary, but sometimes I just freehand them too. And I use the free transform tool to put them into perspective.

[Freemints30]

I simply can't draw free hand as I tend change my mind alot during the process and I need some sort of base to go off on. stick figs- - - - - - - >shapes(tubes,circles,squares)------------->skin over the shape. I have more fun with just and idea and slowly build upon the idea through the 3 stages mentioned above.

[VibrantFox]

I start with basic shapes but then add on details just so I can have placement of things clear in front of me rather than playing guessing games while doing the lineart

Sure I think it's impressive to reach a skill level where you can just draw something straight, no guidelines or whatever but I still think it benefits to have something to work from. I feel like it's something I'll always rely on because it helps keep a concept clear in my mind and gives a framework to go from. Others may feel comfortable leaving guidelines behind. Personally I think it's odd "to build a house with no foundation" but everyone has their methods 🤷‍♀️