SciFi & Fantasy Artwork by Tamara Boudewijn

Hello, fellow Dutchman.
I'm inviting you to visit the DutchElfwood group, where there are a lot of Dutch speaking members of Elfwood.
Here’s the web site: http://dutchelfwood.mine.nu/
But most of the talking is done on the Yahoo e-group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dutchelfwood/

It's loads of fun, but it's up to you.

I took a look at your pictures and besides repeating what others already told you (Practice! Practice! And practice some more!) I'd like to give you the advice to try to ink you drawings. It may take some practice (here's that practice thing again), but in the end your drawings will be much easier to scan and will look a lot better. I don't know if you have the programs or the ambition to colour on the computer, because if not, inked drawings are very suitable to be coloured with coloured pencils. It would be great to see some of your coloured work.

Tamara Boudewijn replies: "Thanks for the tips! I'm trying to practice a little with the computer, and maybe I try to ink the drawings(but it sounds very difficult)"

Inking basically means tracing the pencil lines with an ink pen and then erase them. You can also "ink" your drawings with the computer which is easier, because you can undo your mistakes. If you are going to work with the computer I can recommend a tablet, unless you are very skilled with a mouse. (www.wacomshop.nl) Drawing on the computer becomes with a tablet almost like drawing with a pencil on paper.

Tamara Boudewijn replies: "I know, it took a while, but I have inked some of the drawings. It looks much better, so thanks for the advice "

Nice gallery.
Did you do your self-portrait?
the best advice i have is to try and draw from life (i mean actual people,models)as much as possible and not from photographs or your memory.Sometimes you think you know what a certain part of a face or head will look like, and therefore draw what you think it should look like, without actually studying your subject drawing what you see.Its all about learning to see properly.
Hope you understood what ive wrote,ive just confused myself,hehe.

Tamara Boudewijn replies: "Thanks for the advice I drew the self portret myself (mirror on my lap ;-)) I did a cours of drawing body s(with a real live model ;-))2 jears ago But with drawings like this it's hard to get a model. But when I have the opportunity, I'll take it ;-)"

Hi Tamara! I just went through your gallery and since you asked for advice, I may offer you some, if you allow me.

What Mr Charlie K said there, is absolutely true. You should try to use some references for awhile. That helps you to get rid of those minor errors you seem to carry with you. Remember, that those flaws are very common and almost all of us have gone through that state where foreheads are low, ears are dislocated, hands are small and inaccurate, feet are too short etc. According to Charlie, you should use only living models, but I don't agree. Where are you supposed to find models if you are not in an art school? Models from magazines go as well. And note: I don't mean that you should stuck to models for the rest of your life, but just to examine and fine-tune some of your proportion and detail matters with them for every now and then - we all need to do that.

Oh, I see I'm starting to write a book here, so maybe it's time for me to withdraw. One more thing: don't be afraid of shadows. There is this colour "black" - use it!

Tamara Boudewijn replies: "Thanks for al the advice!! I have a clothing magazine, and I use models from it now for the pose, shadow etc. I know I just have to practice for a while on the minor details thing, so I just keep doing that "

Hey Tamara,

ik you need a real model, maybe I can help you some time. Maybe in the exam week in which we don't have any exams.

Love,
Frances

Tamara Boudewijn replies: "Thanks "

Thanks for your comments. I have one piece of advice because I noticed you like to draw faces. Proportions. If you don't already know, I learned this in art class, you draw an oval for the head and draw a horizontal line across the middle (middle of the eyes). Take the bottom half of the oval and draw another line in the middle (middle of the lips). Now draw another horizontal line between the eyes and the lips and that's your character's nose. If you draw a vertical line from the middle of the eye straight down, it should touch the end of the mouth. You could use this as a base and add whatever you want to it (like elf eyes). That's it. Hope it helps.

P.S. you can use it for profile pics too.

Tamara Boudewijn replies: "Wow, Thanks! I'm really gonna work with al the advice you gave me "

Hey, thanks for stopping by my little squirt of Elfwood! Now, I'm off to check out your goodies...have a nice day!

Nice gallery. It seems you love to draw faces.

Hi my name is stevie boudewijn i came from the isle of wight i like your work you draw like me.

I love the drawings