Tag Archives: Drawing

Sometimes, no matter how tight the deadline, you need to just stop and pick up a pencil

Posted on March 27, 2015 | 8 comments

I thought I was home free when I got a one month extension on my deadline.

I even used one day of my Writer’s Retreat weekend to start a new project. But now, with one more week to go on that deadline, I’m getting a little nervous.

It’s over-used words.

They are killing me.

It takes hours, sometimes days to remove a single word from the manuscript (I try not to repeat the same word within ten pages, but I’ve had to do every five pages on some of these)

But that’s not what this post is about.

Last night after dinner I settled in to my desk for a marathon editing session. My computer was just booting up when my eleven-year-old son came in and asked if I would teach him to draw a dragon.

Part of me wanted to say “No, Mommy has to work.”

But what good is life if you can’t spend a little time with your son?

So I broke out the drawing pencils, and we called up a YouTube video tutorial on drawing dragons.

We had a good laugh at how fast this lady could draw, and we had to stop it several times, but about an hour and a half later, we both had beautiful dragon pictures, and big smiles on our faces.

It was a wonderful time with my son (reminding me of when my oldest and I took Manga lessons together a few years ago)

So, I’m taking a few minutes before getting back to my editing to write this post and remind you that there are more important things in life than making your deadlines.

Of course, sleep is not one of them… so it’s going to be a very late night for me.

It’s okay. My son is worth it.

8 Comments

Posted in Artwork

Tagged author, Drawing, editing, jennifer eaton, jennifer M. Eaton, Manga, time with kids

Learning to Draw Manga #7 – Adult 3/4 view

Posted on July 20, 2013 | 4 comments

This one was the hardest yet for some reason.

Well, I know why… I put the eyes in the wrong place to start, and I had to erase them and start over. Oh, well. You can still see the outline of the misplaced eye and the nose if you look closely. The eraser didn’t take it all away.

I really don’t like this one. The inking here makes it look traced. I think my marker is too thin. I might see if I can get one slightly thinker.

Oh! Did you notice a little color? That was Dude’s idea. It made the eyes look MUCH better than when I’d first finished.

Little steps.

Has anyone else taken up a hobby with their kids? How did it go?

how i start being a manga drawer (allthingsallmyown.wordpress.com)
Let’ Know Manga : Japanese Comic Dos and Don’ts (kuonthejapanfreak.wordpress.com)
The Manga (seriesanimescali.wordpress.com)

4 Comments

Posted in Artwork

Tagged Anime, Drawing, hobby with kids, Japan, learning to draw, Manga, with kids

Learning to Draw Manga #6 – My first inked drawing

Posted on July 6, 2013 | 6 comments

Okay, I have succumbed to peer pressure!

This week I moved on to the older character lesson. When I looked at all the “odd” lines that I’d have to add, I was sure I’d mess this up. When I was done, it didn’t look much like the sample drawing, but I was still pretty pleased with it.

I decided to “take the plunge” and go for the inking.

Before I did ANY erasing of my guide lines and sketch marks, I inked over them with the artist pens I picked up for Dude a few weeks ago. Then, when it was all “permanent”, I erased the pencil marks.

What jumped out at me was the eyes. I wish now that I’d taken a picture before the inking and after, because looking at it now, I don’t even believe that I drew this.

It blows me away the “finished” look that the ink gives the drawing.

It almost makes me want to try color. I said almost. Someday.

Recent Color (billrussickart.com)
Ink people (outlandish.co.nz)
Dachshund Step by Step (dailydoodlechallenge.wordpress.com)
Interview at Mesa Gráfica (docinks.wordpress.com)
My Current Art Kit (concretemoomin.com)
Let’ Know Manga : Japanese Comic Dos and Don’ts (kuonthejapanfreak.wordpress.com)

6 Comments

Posted in Artwork

Tagged art, artwork, Drawing, Inker, jennifer eaton, jennifer M. Eaton, learning to draw, Manga, Office Products, Pencil, Shopping, Supplies, Visual Arts

Learning to Draw Manga #5 – Profile

Posted on June 29, 2013 | 15 comments

I cringed when Dude said the next pose was profile. I looked at that crazy single line of the nose and chin and thought “that’s never going to look right”

Again, following the directions, and taking one step at a time it was not that hard. Here it is darkened, but before I took out the guidelines

I am still an epic fail with the hair. I look over at my son and see these awesome elaborate hairdoos, and I have to stare at a picture and draw the lines exactly as the book tells me to place them. I just can’t fathom how the odd lines play out into the shape of hair.

Dude thinks it’s because he reads and watches manga, so he’ used to looking at it. Could be.

Here’s the finished product. Not to shabby. I’m actually pretty pleased with this one.

Dude wants me to start “inking” which means finishing a drawing, and then drawing over it with permanent artist’s markers.

Ummmmm. No. I’m not there yet. I’d be pretty ticked at myself if I drew something I liked, and then I screwed it up with a permanent marker.

“Believe in yourself, ” Dude says. Ummm, maybe next week.

My Old Manga Illustrations part 1 (izabelawoszek.wordpress.com)
Mastering manga with Mark Crilley (halfmythoughts.wordpress.com)
How To Remove Permanent Marker Efficiently (removemarker.wordpress.com)
My Old Manga Illustrations part 2 (izabelawoszek.wordpress.com)

15 Comments

Posted in Artwork

Tagged art, Drawing, Manga, Paint, Permanent marker, Sailor Moon, Shopping, Visual Arts

Learning to draw Manga #3 Front View Boy

Posted on June 15, 2013 | 19 comments

This week my son and I tackled the front view boy. I figured I’d show you the step by step process to show you how easy it is.

First, start with a circle. Cut it into four equal parts and then cut the lower half into four equally spaced sections. I go freehand. Dude likes to use a ruler.

Next, add a frame for the chin. Manga likes a pointy chin. I’ll probably start putting my own spin on this soon.

Next, add the eyes in the third lower section. Eyebrows on the line above, each slightly towards the outer circle. The nose line just to the left of the center line, right on the outer circle mark, and do your best on the ears. Dude and I agree ears are EVIL.

Next, the dreaded Manga Hair. I drew this directly from the diagram. I don’t get the flow of the hair yet. Dude does better than me on this aspect.

Next, darken and add a little clothing if desired. I decided to round the chin at this point as well. Also add a shade under the chin. Once your lines are nice and dark, erase the light lines of the “cheat” circle originally drawn.

That’s it. Break it down a step at a time, and it’s really not that hard.

Yes, Dude is still growling at me, but I’m glad I’m doing this with him. It’s giving him the competitive charge to try to get better than me. Nope, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. (He writes, too.) 🙂

JenniFer_EatonF

Latte artist creates manga-inspired caffeinated drinks (tokyotimes.com)
Mad About Manga (bosofal.wordpress.com)
Astro Boy Full Movie By Osamu Tezuka (free4alltech.info)
New WajiruNai page in progress (rikuayumu.wordpress.com)

19 Comments

Posted in Artwork

Tagged Animation, Anime, art lessons, art with kids, Arts, Comics, Drawing, Fandom, learning to draw, Manga, pencil drawing, Shōnen manga, United States

Reconnecting with Art – Manga Lessons #2 – The dreaded 3/4 face

Posted on June 8, 2013 | 13 comments

After last week’s fairly successful attempt after a 12 year hiatus from drawing, My son and I sat down for another round this week. He wanted to perfect his character from last week, so he continued with the first pose.

I moved on to a pose that was my nemesis when I drew realistic characters… the 3/4 face. BBbbrrrrrrr. Gives me the chills just thinking about it.

Not too shabby though. This style is really easy to draw in. (Okay, not completely easy, and my growling son would attest to… but certainly not hard if you have mastered how to make a pencil do what you command)

Anyway, here’s the 3/4 face pose (turned slightly to the side) Again, I’m pretty happy except for the stinking hair!

I will master you, Manga hair. Oh yes, I will!

Amarelo Manga on focus! (sylphshouse.wordpress.com)
Mastering manga with Mark Crilley (halfmythoughts.wordpress.com)
There’s a Sailor Moon in my Coffee! Photos and Tips From a Japanese Manga Latte Artist (en.rocketnews24.com)
Latte artist creates manga-inspired caffeinated drinks (tokyotimes.com)
Read Naruto 632 Manga – Naruto 632 Juubi (narutoxluffy.wordpress.com)
Naruto 632 Manga Sasuke (narutowind.wordpress.com)
Three expressive accessories to give your manga character from the book Drawing: Manga Learn the Art of Manga Step by Step (craftside.typepad.com)

13 Comments

Posted in Artwork

Tagged Anime, art, Drawing, drawing with kids, Education, Fandom, How to Draw Manga, lead pencil, learning to draw, List of artistic media, Manga, Manga girl, pad, paper, Pencil, pencil drawing, Recreation, Visual Arts

Rekindling your relationship with things you used to love

Posted on June 1, 2013 | 24 comments

My oldest son recently has been asking questions about art. He wants to learn to draw. Hubby said “Ask your Mom. She’s a great artist.” So, I sat with him a few times and gave him pointers… not really expecting him to take anything seriously. (He jumps from thing to thing a lot these days.)

This weekend he asked if I would take him to the store to get some supplies. Nothing fancy, just some pencils, a real drawing pad, and colored pencils.

He was a little overwhelmed with all the choices, but we decided on a few basic supplies, and I told him I’d see if I had any colored pencils in my old art supplies. He was really interested in learning to draw in the Manga style, so I picked him up an instructional book.

As we sifted through my supplies at home, I came across my old sketch books, and my paintings.

Dude’s eyes opened in awe. “Wow, you drew these? Why did you stop?”

Why did you stop?

Well, the truth was, I hadn’t picked up a pencil or a paintbrush since a few weeks before he was born (and he’s 12) I told him, “After I had kids I just had different priorities.”

He said to me, “But we’re all older now. You should start drawing again.”

So, I figured, why not?

I sat down with a sketch pad, opened up the book on how to draw Manga, and just followed the directions.

To be honest, after not drawing for 12 years I was a little skeptical what I’d be able to do, but I was pretty happy with what popped out of my pencil within 15 minutes or so.

I have to admit, it felt really good having a pencil in my hand again. Yeah, I made a few mistakes and had to erase a little, but I was dern pleased that it didn’t totally stink after being out of practice for so long.

My son asked if I’d take a night a week to draw with him. I figure, why not? I need to work on my Manga hair, anyway. Maybe the next one won’t have split ends. 🙂