Which style you prefer?

[EdwinLovato]

I debated with my friend today about shading and coloring. She told me that I shouldn't use too much hatching on my drawing, because it looks dirty.
She added, that hatching only work well for sketch or just with base color.

So what you guys think about this?

Shading with Hatching :

Shading without hatching :

Base color with Hatching :

 

[Florestes]

Doesn’t it depend on the overall themes/vibes of the setting? 40K would expect more rugged patches with smudges of dirty colours, while Starwars/treck favours sleek chrome monotones.

 

[DarkCrinkle]

I like both but it really depends on the story. Imo, action scenes do look better in hatching when they have gritty texture. It kinda defines the parts more than clean colors.

 

[Ararara]

The hatching makes it look more like older comic books. I like 2nd the most, yeah. The 1st is a bit inconsistant. The 3rd idk since it would need more hatching to substitute the (wonderful) shading work

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

I debated with my friend today about shading and coloring. She told me that I shouldn't use too much hatching on my drawing, because it looks dirty.
She added, that hatching only work well for sketch or just with base color.

So what you guys think about this?

Shading with Hatching :
View attachment 48334

Shading without hatching :
View attachment 48335

Base color with Hatching :
View attachment 48336

Know what? As an artist, you have the control to your artwork. We artists have different preferences. For example, if I feel like it, I draw my characters with a few crosshatch shading, or a full blackened part, then color it. It turned out fine. Let me show you an example...

This is a commissioned piece (by one of my former students), which I sent to him as proof that I'm 'halfway' done his commish. See the fully blacked hair? I used a broad-tip felt marker for that. White spaces (the shimmer) were parts I didn't put ink.

Then, here's the final result, which I scanned and colored in Photoshop.

Sometimes I would draw without anything in the lineart.

And this is the final result.

So, if anything, make your own routine and technique. While it is good to refer to other artists, you have your own path.

(I mean, I understand your dillema, for I've been there before as well. But as I gain more experience and confidence in doing commissions, I slowly learned that art is subjective and we can't please everyone.)

Edit: If you ask me? I find your artwork great.

 

[EdwinLovato]

Doesn’t it depend on the overall themes/vibes of the setting? 40K would expect more rugged patches with smudges of dirty colours, while Starwars/treck favours sleek chrome monotones.

I like both but it really depends on the story. Imo, action scenes do look better in hatching when they have gritty texture. It kinda defines the parts more than clean colors.

That's the idea, I like gritty texture for action pose. But her opinion kinda on point when she said, it made female character looks too masculine.

The hatching makes it look more like older comic books. I like 2nd the most, yeah. The 1st is a bit inconsistant. The 3rd idk since it would need more hatching to substitute the (wonderful) shading work

haha, yeah the hatching not done yet, because my friend was insisting to avoid hatch too much. my inspiration mostly comes from manga tbh.

Know what? As an artist, you have the control to your artwork. We artists have different preferences. For example, if I feel like it, I draw my characters with a few crosshatch shading, or a full blackened part, then color it. It turned out fine. Let me show you an example...

View attachment 48337
This is a commissioned piece (by one of my former students), which I sent to him as proof that I'm 'halfway' done his commish. See the fully blacked hair? I used a broad-tip felt marker for that. White spaces (the shimmer) were parts I didn't put ink.

Then, here's the final result, which I scanned and colored in Photoshop.
View attachment 48338

Sometimes I would draw without anything in the lineart.
View attachment 48339

And this is the final result.
View attachment 48340

So, if anything, make your own routine and technique. While it is good to refer to other artists, you have your own path.

(I mean, I understand your dillema, for I've been there before as well. But as I gain more experience and confidence in doing commissions, I slowly learned that art is subjective and we can't please everyone.)

Edit: If you ask me? I find your artwork great.

That's great advice. @Hans.Trondheim

I need your opinion about this. so my friend said that female character using too much hatching will ruin the whole vibe. Because the depth become more deeper, and it made it looks more masculine (even I use light hatch on it). As for metal piece, it only made the chromatic gone, and it only give rusty looks.

What do you think about it?

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

That's the idea, I like gritty texture for action pose. But her opinion kinda on point when she said, it made female character looks too masculine.


haha, yeah the hatching not done yet, because my friend was insisting to avoid hatch too much. my inspiration mostly comes from manga tbh.

That's great advice. @Hans.Trondheim

I need your opinion about this. so my friend said that female character using too much hatching will ruin the whole vibe. Because the depth become more deeper, and it made it looks more masculine (even I use light hatch on it). As for metal piece, it only made the chromatic gone, and it only give rusty looks.

What do you think about it?

Well, if you ask my opinion, crosshatched or not, all look good.

But, I advise you go back to your plan/goal for the artwork.

First, if you're going to ask me if the style worked, you have to define first what you are after in that illustration. You told me about the chromatic shimmer, so if that's what you're after, then you'd definitely want to avoid anything that might 'destroy' the shine...and that includes the hatching. It makes everything look beaten down, see?

But hey, as they say, a knight in shining armor is one that doesn't fight at all. Duwag, sabi nga ng iba.

Second, as for the 'masculine' female...hatching will really make her like that, though it would also depend on how you put it in the image. Is she a fighter? A veteran one? Then you might want to keep her 'masculine' looks; the only downside is if that's not your goal.

Third. Whose illustration is that? A commission perhaps? If your client (i.e. your friend) says he/she doesn't like it, then by all means, follow his/her suggestion. If not (and it's for your own), again, go back to your goal for drawing the character like that. Do you really intend her to appear like that? If so, then it is good.

My only issue is that crosshatching won't really ruin an illustration. And the over-all approval of the work would still depend on the person looking. Don't just base your artwork on someone else's opinion, unless they are paying you.

Take a look at this another example. This is from my novel, the Demon Saint is Missing. Noticed the shadings? Did that make her look masculine?

Also, I wanted to make her armor appear 'beaten up,' so I put the hatchings on the shoulder plates to make it appear as dents.

Another illustration of mine using hatching without making it masculine...

Spoiler

 

[EdwinLovato]

Well, if you ask my opinion, crosshatched or not, all look good.

But, I advise you go back to your plan/goal for the artwork.

First, if you're going to ask me if the style worked, you have to define first what you are after in that illustration. You told me about the chromatic shimmer, so if that's what you're after, then you'd definitely want to avoid anything that might 'destroy' the shine...and that includes the hatching. It makes everything look beaten down, see?

But hey, as they say, a knight in shining armor is one that doesn't fight at all. Duwag, sabi nga ng iba.

Second, as for the 'masculine' female...hatching will really make her like that, though it would also depend on how you put it in the image. Is she a fighter? A veteran one? Then you might want to keep her 'masculine' looks; the only downside is if that's not your goal.

Third. Whose illustration is that? A commission perhaps? If your client (i.e. your friend) says he/she doesn't like it, then by all means, follow his/her suggestion. If not (and it's for your own), again, go back to your goal for drawing the character like that. Do you really intend her to appear like that? If so, then it is good.

My only issue is that crosshatching won't really ruin an illustration. And the over-all approval of the work would still depend on the person looking. Don't just base your artwork on someone else's opinion, unless they are paying you.

Take a look at this another example. This is from my novel, the Demon Saint is Missing. Noticed the shadings? Did that make her look masculine?

View attachment 48347

Also, I wanted to make her armor appear 'beaten up,' so I put the hatchings on the shoulder plates to make it appear as dents.

I see, you use the hatching as the darker side area, to make the reader focus more on the face right?

Speaking of that piece, its just for training purpose, I want to workout my coloring, highlight and shading especially for cyberpunk theme. Since my drawing style still very limited, i think.

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

I see, you use the hatching as the darker side area, to make the reader focus more on the face right?

Speaking of that piece, its just for training purpose, I want to workout my coloring, highlight and shading especially for cyberpunk theme. Since my drawing style still very limited, i think.

You're still exploring your style, am I correct on this?

If you are, then here's my advice as a fellow artist. Look for another artist to emulate/study their style. No, you're not going to copy it all the way, just get the concepts on how they do things. This is much better than relying on the preferences of peeps around us because professional artists have already established themselves.

You'll be surprised at how big your improvement will be.

(Though at the present, your style is already good.)

 

[EdwinLovato]

You're still exploring your style, am I correct on this?

Yes, that's right, I did try cute-anime/chibi style, but It looks horrible and way more looks like horror character, hahaha

Edit : I just started draw a month ago, so I'm still exploring things

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

Yes, that's right, I did try cute-anime/chibi style, but It looks horrible and way more looks like horror character, hahaha

I think you missed this part of my reply, since I added it much later.

"If you are, then here's my advice as a fellow artist. Look for another artist to emulate/study their style. No, you're not going to copy it all the way, just get the concepts on how they do things. This is much better than relying on the preferences of peeps around us because professional artists have already established themselves.

You'll be surprised at how big your improvement will be.

(Though at the present, your style is already good.)"

Addendum: I also didn't like the cutesy anime-style prevalent nowadays. I find that my preferences leaned more on the sexy and buxom characters from the late 90s to mid-2000s (which was the time I started drawing).

 

[EdwinLovato]

I think you missed this part of my reply, since I added it much later.

"If you are, then here's my advice as a fellow artist. Look for another artist to emulate/study their style. No, you're not going to copy it all the way, just get the concepts on how they do things. This is much better than relying on the preferences of peeps around us because professional artists have already established themselves.

You'll be surprised at how big your improvement will be.

(Though at the present, your style is already good.)"

Addendum: I also didn't like the cutesy anime-style prevalent nowadays. I find that my preferences leaned more on the sexy and buxom characters from the late 90s to mid-2000s (which was the time I started drawing).

The style you refer here is their overall styles? or more like their stroke/lining work?

I admit, i feel like very good at lightning and perspective, since my background is photographer.

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

The style you refer here is their overall styles? or more like their stroke/lining work?

Overall, like the way they color, the way they draw lineart, create effects, etc. Basically, everything that appealed to you as an onlooker. You don't have to study everything in one artist.

I admit, i feel like very good at lightning and perspective, since my background is photographer.

I just learned lighting and perspective by looking at online tutorials. My background is that of a secretary; teaching is not even my college course.

 

[DarkCrinkle]

That's the idea, I like gritty texture for action pose. But her opinion kinda on point when she said, it made female character looks too masculine.

Your style your art ~ xd but if you want to emulate this type of style, I suggest Jojo Bizarre Adventure's female characters. The creator is reaaaally into hatching and imo, the girls still look like girls but just muscular, not too masculine. Yer friend needs to appreciate hatchin more.

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

Yer friend needs to appreciate hatchin more.

PREACH BROTHER!!!

 

[EdwinLovato]

Overall, like the way they color, the way they draw lineart, create effects, etc. Basically, everything that appealed to you as an onlooker. You don't have to study everything in one artist.

I see, I'll try to do it, especially for faces, haha

I just learned lighting and perspective by looking at online tutorials. My background is that of a secretary; teaching is not even my college course.

I just want to share about lightning based on my experience, (and I try to apply it on my drawing). Usually, I was working with double light at photography to refine my lightning work.

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

I see, I'll try to do it, especially for faces, haha

View attachment 48351

I just want to share about lightning based on my experience, (and I try to apply it on my drawing). Usually, I was working with double light at photography to refine my lightning work.

Heh, it'll be an exciting final result.

 

[EdwinLovato]

Your style your art ~ xd but if you want to emulate this type of style, I suggest Jojo Bizarre Adventure's female characters. The creator is reaaaally into hatching and imo, the girls still look like girls but just muscular, not too masculine. Yer friend needs to appreciate hatchin more.

You were right man, I didn't think about Jojo at all. Thanks for the input bro.

 

[Kalliel]

Hatching is a really good way to shade/express 3D forms. And there's really no wrong way to render something, but to my eyes, hatching works better in a grayscale piece. When you add color to the mix, the black really does stick out more than usual, which could be why your friend said it looks dirty.

This isn't really advice or anything, but I'd tone down the hatching or limit it to just occlusion areas for colored works.

 

[EdwinLovato]

Hatching is a really good way to shade/express 3D forms. And there's really no wrong way to render something, but to my eyes, hatching works better in a grayscale piece. When you add color to the mix, the black really does stick out more than usual, which could be why your friend said it looks dirty.

This isn't really advice or anything, but I'd tone down the hatching or limit it to just occlusion areas for colored works.

You're right, I'm still try to hold my urge to hatching too much, haha. I got inspiration from Hans' work before, I got an idea to hatch more subtle.