Minotaur - seeks advice

[spajjder]

Thank you Eliddell and fskn

That does look better, especially the left arm

Some questions... -
why is the pecs subdivided on the top?
I do not quite understand the cast shadows on the hips and under the pecs
Shouldn't they be more lit up? Especially the top of the legs would face the light ?

As for your advice. Do you mean draw traditionally? I usually draw smaller designs.. but yes.. I need to study anatomy for sure. arms are really confusing to me

Thank you again for your example!

[fskn]

The horizontal/diagonal subdivision? They don't have to be, it depends on how little fat one has in their body, how well defined they are, but I like giving them those sorts of separations in my drawings...
It's this kind of thing (excuse the goofy picture): https://i.pinimg.com/originals/50/f6/e9/50f6e9c5394064276edebb9bef177279.jpg
EDIT: Another one: https://onnitacademy.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sizzlechest.jpg

On the shadows, it's a bit of a guess, but I do believe there should be cast shadows there if the light comes from the top. The torso blocking the light that would hit the hips. Maybe. I'm not really sure.
I should have added some under the head (over the pecs) too, though.

EDIT2: Kind of like: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/2e/d0/c6/2ed0c62a9e7e3a79f0bede373a57c758.jpg
But in my mind the minotaur's torso wouldn't be perfectly straight.

And yes, drawing traditionally. That will help immensely.
There are 3D models around that you can spin and memorize the forms of the body, and use as reference when you're drawing.
Such as: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/ecorche-male-musclenames-anatomy-33162ec759e04d2985dbbdf4ec908d66

[spajjder]

Oh.

I see. Didnīt know that actually

Hm.. Imo it would still not be as cast as under the arms or legs ... but not sure
Anyway, other than that I like it! And the pecs got together too.

Generally doing my sprites I start with big forms in a silhouette that I fill in with lighter and lighter colors.
But usually they are about half the size of this beast

I have tried drawing.. but I get stuck because I am not quite sure where to begin. Been trying gesture drawing, and making forms such as spheres and pyramids.. but for some reason, it is hard to keep at it. I am quite good at reproducing other pictures when drawing, doing eye measurements and so on, but I never quite manage to be creative as in pixel art. It feels like a maze really on what to do. What I did learn a lot from was to draw megaman robots, they are a bunch of straight shapes coupled together into robots.

[fskn]

I did a couple more variations:



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Yeah, I was going to tell you to do exactly that: Begin with a sillouette and layer lighter and lighter colors on top. But understanding the forms comes before that.

But do keep drawing, man. These things take time and practice.

[spajjder]

Thank you. I will try