Techniques for beginner wanted.

[Soupdragon]

Hi Kiwi, what do you mean by layers?

I like your deer, it stands out nicely from the background. I also like the way that you have left the details around the legs for the observer's mind to fill in, that works well.

You asked about how to improve on proportions, a good way to do that is to study anatomy and how the muscles change shape. You might be best off practising on one type of animal you have access to for a while - either a pet, local farm animals/ horses or people, and if you can get hold of information about the anatomy that helps a lot. (Complete skeletons of different ages, different angles, and similar picture with muscles.)

As for plants, have a look around at botanical drawings and read about the history. There are certain rules - the plant should be a complete specimen (with roots) (so practice on weeds!) and have to have accurate colour, and show the identifying features, and so on. They don't have to be too rigid though, like some of the older ones, you can still put your own style. :-)

[Martin Wilson]

Hi ya Jordan.
What ever you do make sure that you do it in your own style.....when you have found what that is, then like most things just go ahead and practise and you will only improve. Good luck and lets see some of your work soon.

All the best and we will be watching for your work.

Martin

[Soupdragon]

Absolutely!

I didn't mean to scare you off, btw, just a few ideas...If that's not your thing, you could try other ways, whatever you think will help you the best.

[kiwi]

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

Hi Kiwi, what do you mean by layers?

I like your deer, it stands out nicely from the background. I also like the way that you have left the details around the legs for the observer's mind to fill in, that works well.

You asked about how to improve on proportions, a good way to do that is to study anatomy and how the muscles change shape. You might be best off practising on one type of animal you have access to for a while - either a pet, local farm animals/ horses or people, and if you can get hold of information about the anatomy that helps a lot. (Complete skeletons of different ages, different angles, and similar picture with muscles.)

As for plants, have a look around at botanical drawings and read about the history. There are certain rules - the plant should be a complete specimen (with roots) (so practice on weeds!) and have to have accurate colour, and show the identifying features, and so on. They don't have to be too rigid though, like some of the older ones, you can still put your own style. :-)

Opps sorry for the late reply!
I haven't been trying lately as ive gone off for a while but Ill probaly want to practice again soon . What i mean by layers is showing that things are underneath something rather than looking as though its coming out of the animal/plant.