Some Resources

Some resources

Please keep in mind I’m not an expert, I don’t draw/paint professionally, there are way too many things I don’t know about, so I can only tell you what I do, what I use etc. 

One of the first things I did, and something that actually made me want to get better at drawing, was subscribing to Stan Prokopenko’s channel. He’s absolutely hilarious and he illustrates in a simple way Andrew Loomis’ techniques, general anatomy, gesture drawing etc (I’ve already written about this but seriously, he’s the best).

Since you have to train your eye as well as your hand, gather and produce as many references and resources as possible. What you should avoid doing is using them mindlessly. Force yourself to break down the world in simple shapes, and always ask yourself why a certain thing looks that particular way (“the elbow looks like that because they’re bending their arm, otherwise it would look like that”, or “there’s a whole set of muscles that protrudes when they lift their arm” etc).

Anyway the topic is huge, I’m definitely forgetting tons of stuff, but I hope this will be helpful in some way. Here’s the links! And if I can be useful in any other way, my askbox is always open. 

Stan Propokenko’s channel x

Andrew Loomis’ books x x

Useful ways of using references x x x x

3D models x

FunkyMonkey1945 notes x

Griz and Norm’s Tuesday tips  x

Anatoref x 

Some of my favourite tutorials:

Full body breakdown x

Body types x

Gesture drawing x

Head and neck x 

Arms and hands x x x x x

Torso and legs x x x

Legs and feet x x 

Backgrounds and perspective x x

and lastly

Character Design References (aka neatly organized tutorials for literally ANYTHING) x

Note: these boards can be a bit overwhelming, so you’ll want to dip into them once you know exactly what you’re looking for. Otherwise you’ll just end up scrolling through them aimlessly. 

some process. my first sketches are the best!

HELLO FELLOW SHORT COSPLAYER!!! Would it be too much trouble to ask what shoe lifts you use and/or expand on your hidden heel process? Thank you!

This is stuff I’ve posted to my FACEBOOK PAGE before, but I’ll share it on here for you!

1. Use polyfill fiber to fill in the giant gap for heels, and hand sew on a bias-stripe of fabric to your boot cover so you can hide just how much extra height you’re packing.

2. Buy shoe lifts! (Can be called ‘heightening inserts’ or ‘shoe lifts’ or ‘shoe inserts’) You can get them from Ebay for $10-$20. I LOVE THESE THINGS. I started using them in 2009 and they work wonders. Especially if you want the slimming and heightening effect of heels but you don’t want footwear with a spike or platform heel (i.e. for female->male cosplay). 

DreamWorks Storyboarding Tips by Rob Koo. 

Via Ben Caldwell. 

college AUs to consider

“you were passed out in the library clutching a monstrous pile of notebooks, i know it’s finals week and all but are you ok? also the library is closing, you gotta go home” AU

“we drunkenly hooked up at some party and you seemed vaguely familiar but now it’s monday and i’m realizing exactly how massively i fucked up because you are in fact my TA and I don’t think i’m going to be able to make eye contact with you for the rest of the semester” AU

“I got locked out at 3 am and you heard me banging on the front door of the res hall and let me in and turns out we’re wearing the same exact shirt, let’s stay down in the common room and discuss this until the sun comes up” AU

“I’m writing my thesis and somebody keeps leaving crumbs and shit on my carrel so the passive-aggressive sticky note war begins until one day i finally catch you in the act and it turns out you’re really attractive” AU

“I kinda want to try weed just once, just to see what it’s like, hello stoner acquaintance can you help me out” AU

“you always show up to our 8:30 immaculately dressed and your handwriting is so neat and you always have your shit together and today you look like you’ve been crying and you’re wearing a ratty old shirt and you’re not taking notes or participating at all and we’ve never talked but is everything all right” AU

“this week’s live model is extremely attractive and i don’t know what to do with myself” AU

“we always get into these extremely heated debates during lecture which usually culminate in heated shouting matches but i just want to let you know that I actually really love our discourse and i was wondering if you wanted to grab a bite to eat after class today” AU

“we always pass each other on our way to our respective classes and at first we would just nod but after a couple of weeks we’d nod and smile and eventually the nodding and smiling morphed into an elaborate secret handshake thing and now the semester’s almost over and I don’t even know your name??” AU

A helpful list of models for anatomy and other drawing references (x)

Key: (nsfw) Nudity | (£) Not Free

Female Models 

MariaAmanda - Fantasy and fairy themed stock, mostly full body

Faestock -  Expressions, portraits and poses, many with dresses

RobynRose - 360 angle lighting and pose sets, including expressions

Mirish - Futuristic and action inspired poses, all full body

MiraNox - Gothic inspired model including pin-up poses

ImperialStarlet - Poses with props including weapons 

PrincessRowena (£) - Various poses with a fuller figured model

Liancar-art - Fantasy and medieval inspired poses

Male Models

BODYSTOCKS (nsfw) - Basic semi-nude athletic torso references 

BirdsistersStock - Various everyday poses and portraits

Mousiestock - A small collection of back anatomy references 

Justmeina (nsfw) - Nude anatomy reference portraits

Null-Entity - Different poses based on scenarios 

Anyman82 - Military and vintage themed stock

Both/Other Models

SenshiStock - Huge collection of various action and everyday poses 

Pyjamacake - Standard poses good for character bases

PhelanDavison - Futuristic and high-tech gear with action poses 

Mjranum-stock (nsfw) - Classical nude portraits, and also action poses

Auroradreams - Many poses with dresses, and others such as children

MajesticStock - A large amount of poses with different body types

Animals

HOTNStock - Mammals including large felines and canines

LuDa-Stock - Equestrian and domestic animals 

FurLined - Large and domestic felines 

EternalOcean - Mostly wolves along with other various animals  

Landkeks - All kinds of animals from a zoo

EdgedFeather - Close-ups of a wide range of birds

Other

Burtn - Natural landscapes and scenery 

ProREF (£) - Urban and rural places such as abandoned buildings

Clz - Skulls and other bones

Please remember to follow the stock owners rules, happy drawing!