Need help to improve art drastically!

[Zpreader]

It's good that you have an idea of what you want it to look like, but try not to restrict it to a single style. If you want your work to look more like Gracia's, then the best course would be to copy some of his artwork. I would suggest also finding a few other artists to learn from, as to give yourself a bit more variety.

However, I believe that even before you start to delve deep into studying their work, you should study anatomy and poses as others in this forum have stated.

This is actually a resource which I use to practice:

http://artists.pixelovely.com/

Just keep drawing. That's the best thing you can do for yourself.

[zoonland]

I use Wacom Intuos Manga, it's cheap and works great.
Marte Gracia coloring style is great but will require a lot of practice. I think this video tutorial can help you.

[whovianandwriting]

I've actually seen that video!!! How much is that Wacom?

[scythe]

Seriously, what style you want to eventually draw in should be the last thing on your mind. You are the definition of a beginner. You're just starting your artistic journey, all you should be worried about is drawing. Just keep drawing anything you can. Draw what you see in front of you, draw what's in your imagination. Also, you're at a point where I think it would benefit you to trace some artwork you admire. This will help you to familiarise yourself with different lines and shapes, and also prove that your current skill level is an issue of experience, not a mechanical one. On top of that, try to copy drawings you like, paying close attention to scale and form. It helps to overlay a grid and then draw on grid paper. Then, when you're feeling confident enough with a pencil in your hand, go on to youtube and watch 'how to' videos. There's a literal goldmine on there. I suggest Proko if you're feeling brave.

Also, realise that going off your current work, you're probably about 5-10 years of learning away from being considered a decent artist. This might sound like a lot of time, but believe me it will roll around quickly, and ask yourself, in 10 years time, would you rather look back and say, boy, I'm glad I put in all that work instead of getting discouraged. I mean, what else have you got on for the next ten years that's so important?

Good luck with your development.

[zoonland]

I think you can find it for around 100-150 dollars

[Moe]

Yeah, don't worry about style. It will come naturally through experience and exposing yourself to various styles. If you try to emulate a specific style then you'll come off as nothing but a copy.

Now, I'll also recommend studying your basics. This doesn't mean you have to stop doing comics, no keep doing your comic but make sure you dedicate some time every week to studying these things because it can mean the difference between getting "decent" in 2 years or in 10 years. You don't need to draw for 10 years to get good, Anthony Jones reached a professional level in a year, and so have many others including Sinix and Hotaruarc. However, in order to accomplish such a feat you'll really have to grind things out.

For now, I'll recommend starting with drawabox( just google it) and complete all the exercises. In addition to that, I'll recommend picking up Michael Hampton Figure drawing design and structure, Andrew Loomis how to draw the head and hands, and bridgeman complete guide to drawing from life. Doing gesture drawings either from life, or from YouTube channels like Croquis Cafe EVERY DAY is a good way to get better at drawing the figure. Supplement that with anatomical knowledge and you'll improve in no time.

[Starfestival]

Back in late 2014-early 2015 I found my art improved drastically when I started doing gesture drawings for getting ready to apply for art schools like Calarts.

[whovianandwriting]

Thanx for the advice and encouragement. I have been drawing for about 12 years but I've only recently improved. I'm better at drawing than digital art so my drawings look much better.

[whovianandwriting]

I read comics on my phone twice a weekday, 30 mins each.

[PurpleGround]

Look at real stuff and practice drawing. And practice a lot.

[whovianandwriting]

And don't forget to practise!

[whovianandwriting]

I hope the next page is better?

[dplandscape]

I'd recommend just sitting the comic aside for awhile, and just focus on drawing. There's a ton of great "How to Draw ____" books out there. I'd start there, and build up to making comics.

[chanalli]

One of the hardest parts is anatomy, try finding anatomy tutorials, there are so many good tutorials out there. Study them, also study real life.
But practice, practice, practice, this is very important.

After a while it will start getting easier and easier. And with the technique, from pencil to computer is a good start, after a while, you can just do it all in the computer with a pen tablet.

Don't give up!

[heterodont]

I don't think its entirely necessary to set aside the comic? It'll help with keeping a steady workflow - which is necessary if you want to improve quickly. it'll also enforce anything that @whovianandwriting studies, because they're applying their knowledge of whatever they learned anatomy/coloring/whatever-wise to something, which means it'll stick.

[Shanny8]

Yeah, that was my biggest knock on that particular panel on that page- the realistic gun against line art. Doesnt mesh well at all.

[Shanny8]

I think he could cut that time in half, but he'd have to be willing to put in a LOT of repetitive drawing- more than probably what he's doing now.

[scythe]

Indeed, you could draw for 30 years and never really improve if you're not actively trying to improve with every session. Likewise, you can become an excellent artist within a matter of years if you apply all your energies to it.

[Shanny8]

I agree with some of the others- concentrate on drawing first. Get better at doing anatomy first; there are other concepts such as drawing in perspective, learning light sources, drawing panels from different shots/angles, and effective storyflow.

As for coloring- youre doing okay starting out. You have a LOTTA work to do to get to Marte Gracia's level(I love the dude's work too). Get an affordable tablet and just practice the hell out of coloring- especialy making selections with the lasso and building color until you get the look/effect that youre going after.

If you commit to it and draw/color a lot(like EVERY DAY), you could start seeing results in a short amount of time. Dont worry about trying to "nail it" on the first try- doing webcomics is an evolution; your 25th page will not look like your 1st page. As you progress in skill, it will reflect in your work- so be willing to put forth the effort. The only way your art can improve drastically is if you put forth a ton of energy towards learning what you need to learn and practicing it repetitiously.

[thomasfallaeriksen]

Drawing is like playing the piano, singing, playing football, welding and every other thing you can think of. The best way to become good at drawing is to draw a lot. Draw everything. Draw from pictures, real life and imagination. For improving anatomy figure drawing can do wonders. When I've had trouble drawing anatomy I've often used a site called posespace. Or gotten someone who happen to be around to pose for me.

But a few weeks ago I discovered something that have been very helpful. There is a program called DesignDoll. There is both a free version and a version you have to pay for. It is a program where you have 3D models that you can pose, twist and turn every way you want. You can tweak individual body parts, and pose several models together. The free version has all the same features as the one you pay for, except you can not save and load figures in the free one. I use the free version myself.

You can find the program here: http://terawell.net/terawell/?lang=en