Help for someone who can't draw

[BillyWizz]

I'm trying to get a short comic strip going (maybe half a dozen frames per 'episode'), but my drawing skills, or lack of them, more to the point, frustrate me no end and I soon lose enthusiasm and desire when I try to sketch the scenes myself.

I quite like the idea of taking photos from the net and manipulating them using photoshop, and have found plenty of 'how to' tutorials on this, but I soon hit a snag with this method, and it is here that I need help and advice.

I found an image that would suit my needs for the first frame of my story (two guys walking down the street) and played about with it in PS until I liked how it looked. The problem I have now is with the second, third, fourth and so on frames. In that the image I found was just a random image, using google image search, how am I meant to get around the problem of having the same two characters in the various different poses needed to complete my strip? I can't just use ANY two guys that happen to be striking the various poses, I need the two guys I used in my first frame, otherwise people will stop half way through and say, 'Hold on. That's not the same two characters...'

I hope I'm making sense here. How can I get around the problem, considering the chances of finding photographs of the same two people, striking the various poses I need are absolutley nil?

Thank you in adavnce.

[mercenary for hire]

try drawing. honestly im not trying to sound rude, but even if you don't have the traditional "good" drawing skills its all about style. check out the webcomic allan over at the rampage network, to see how someone who may not be able to draw spiderman makes a webcomic. oh yeah his comic is getting pretty popular right now. by the way check mine out too if you get the chance,

merc.comicgenesis.com

[BillyWizz]

Thanks, mercenary. I understand what you're saying, and I relaise this is really the only true way to get around the problem AND create a strip with my own unique style. I just fear for any nearby walls when my frustration gets the better of me... and it will.

Thanks again for the reply.

[Pro]

I hope I'm making sense here. How can I get around the problem, considering the chances of finding photographs of the same two people, striking the various poses I need are absolutley nil?

Take an artclass or two. There is not substitute for the real thing.

You could use basic photoreferences but instead of perfectly tracing it find the most important lines, the lines that define the shape and trace only those. Then use the basic form you have traced as the basis for your own drawing.

But really, if you're serious about drawing take a few artclasses. If you want to get good at it you need to understand the underlying principles of shape, shadow and perspective and you learn that a lot faster in class. And practice makes perfect.

Take a sketchbook and sit in a busy street or in the bus or train and jot down small sketches of people you see. You'll develop a feel for what lines are most important in a pose if you have only seconds to catch them.

Another practice that might give you more insight in shape is by first outlining the character you want to make. If you have a good mental image of what you want to draw draw its rough sillhouette and then refine from there.

Of course if you want to keep using photomaterial i suggest finding a couple of actors who you can direct into posing.

[BillyWizz]

Of course if you want to keep using photomaterial i suggest finding a couple of actors who you can direct into posing.


Who d'you think I am, Speilberg?

Seriously, though, Pro, thanks very much. My trouble is that I when I want something I want it there and then. If I want to create a comic strip, I expect to be able to draw it perfect, first time. But it don't work like that, do it?