Curse

counciler132 · Jul 20, 2008, 04:05 AM // 04:05

It seems that a lot of artists prefer to draw female characters. Is the male body inherently more difficult to draw? Is it more of a preference? Or are GuildWars men just too darn complicated or something?

I'm just innocently curious about this. :3

Tzu · Jul 20, 2008, 03:55 PM // 15:55

I, as a female, have always found it more natural to draw characters of the same sex. I think my lack of experience keeps me from creating diversity in drawing men, but I'm working on it.

Oogami · Jul 20, 2008, 09:33 PM // 21:33

I personally find the male body harder to draw ... especially if it involves a body that has some muscles... it's damn tough really.( allot of detail to draw there... and I really don't have a precise image at how each muscle at each body part might look like etc)

Just as Tzu I think the lack of experience also adds allot to it ( aswell as the challenge)
I guess it's really different for everyone but I guess in my case drawing females is naturally easier for me. ( well atleast it was since I haven't drawn in ages XD)
F.ex. I think a Guild Wars Warrior seems like no easy job to draw imo.

Also ... it might just be me but... when you draw a GW female character.... as long as she looks cute or sexy... even if she doesn't really look like exactly the original model most people will be pleased about it (especially the dudes obviously :P)... I don't think that will produce the same effect with male characters though ... as I think what most are aiming for with their males isn't to look cute or pretty...watever XD you get my drift :P
I could be completely wrong with my statement but this is the impression I've got.

Winterclaw · Jul 20, 2008, 09:54 PM // 21:54

If you get into 3D modeling, the generally best model available is a female character and she don't have a male counterpart yet. And this model has the most addons for it.

Also people like doing renders of pretty ladies and spending money to make renders of pretty ladies so it is a self perpetuating them.

For me, female characters are FTW because I like making art I like to look at.

StarrTheInsane · Jul 21, 2008, 02:11 AM // 02:11

I like drawing male characters, but it just depends on who wants work done. Not to say there aren't people that are proud of their male characters and want them drawn, but I also agree with Oogami, that as long as you just make the chick cute/sexy, you can totally suck with details but people will still be like "Yay! That's my girl!" With the guys you have to manage the details, otherwise it's just some dude with a sword or something.

Mistical miss · Aug 05, 2008, 09:02 AM // 09:02

I recon its personal preference, I just like female characters more. I don't mind drawing guys either, but if I have to pick I'd rather draw a female character.

Both are just as hard to draw in my opinion, if you try to draw them well. I used to have more experience drawing girls & ladies. But then I went to artschool and got loads of male models there. In addition to that I had to make lots of self-portraits, so by now I'm prolly equally bad at both

.

pumpkin pie · Aug 05, 2008, 09:22 AM // 09:22

if you want to be good at drawing figures, i suggest you study all aspect of the human anatomy, also those of the animals, insects, plants etc, all sexes.

since one can write a whole book with the question why more artists draw female character then male, I have to say I cannot answer you that. but my own reason is, i am female and its easier to study my own body then someone elses lol.

yommi · Aug 05, 2008, 07:40 PM // 19:40

I have a lot of friends that draw from all different styles and we have concluded in one fine day's conversation that it seems easier to draw your own sex. Quite possibly a psychological thing.

Anyways... as with pumpkin pie, study anatomy. It's boring, but it helps a whole lot. Don't want your drawings to look like the Afflicted. :P

Tatile · Aug 05, 2008, 08:47 PM // 20:47

Studying anatomy is boring? Surely, thou hast not seen the Underwear models! Hehe, I kidding, anatomy is a ***** to get right.

On a completely unrelated note: I hate drawing feet. Also, I find females easier to draw for head/bust shots. Full bodies are a pain and feet are made of pure evil. Evil I dare say!

Oogami · Aug 05, 2008, 09:51 PM // 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatile

On a completely unrelated note: I hate drawing feet. Also, I find females easier to draw for head/bust shots. Full bodies are a pain and feet are made of pure evil. Evil I dare say!

Ohhh yeah I agree with that... and don't get me started on hands.., it's such a pain ... I can't get them done at all ... always feel like pulling my hair out when I have to draw them >.<.

MayAlmond · Aug 06, 2008, 11:31 PM // 23:31

Well, i attend an art college at the time and i just finished taking my second drawing class. and i must say that it isnt so much the sex of the person, but the shape.

we did a lot of figure drawing in class and i found that the rounder the figure the easier to draw. the more defined, the more difficult. More since it would take more time, patience, and study to get size and proportion correct.

Widowmaker · Aug 07, 2008, 01:49 AM // 01:49

You can have so much more fun with women.

Women allow a far greater range of design to be used, you can use a female model with just about any clothing and design, and as long as she is attractive people will accept it. You can run riot and just have fun with the design.

Men, not so much.

As to painting either of them, there is no difference; one is neither harder nor easier than the other as they both present different challenges.

pumpkin pie · Aug 07, 2008, 10:47 AM // 10:47

oh tatile! you should go see David's "feet" lol or any old masters "feet" you would want to draw them afterwards!!!

lol really. visiting gallery helps alot in painting! (PS, you can't really see clearly the feet from these pictures below but they are really really well painted and the colours are just marvelous)

http://www.unc.edu/~jjbowers/jacques...f_socrates.jpg
http://www.frick.org/assets/images/e..._David_600.jpg

some example, you know they look so real you just die admiring them. i say David's because he's one of my favourite artist.

I am not saying everyone should paint like that mkay, just that its an inspiration to see and know there are people who actually can paint as good as all these old masters. bring tears to your eyes!

Mistical miss · Aug 07, 2008, 12:15 PM // 12:15

I too found feet to be extremely hard to draw, but when you have someone to pose for you it all becomes a lot easier

lakatz · Aug 07, 2008, 02:40 PM // 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatile

... On a completely unrelated note: I hate drawing feet... Full bodies are a pain and feet are made of pure evil. Evil I dare say!

Model the feet then...

It's funny, but I was just talking to a fellow 3D hobbyist at work yesterday and promised to email her this jpg of a foot today. Thanks for reminding me...

fenix · Aug 07, 2008, 03:08 PM // 15:08

My drawing experience is limited to anime style sketches...but even so, I really only drew male characters, as it was more fun to draw muscle definition than bewbs. But then, I DID draw Chun Li...

Lydia Starbreeze · Aug 10, 2008, 04:23 AM // 04:23

i find it easier to draw women...this is probably because i am a woman myself, so if i need reference shot i just set up my camera and take a picture of me. i think guys are harder to draw because one: i cant get a reference shot because i dont know many guys (i go to an all girls school and my neighborhood is entirely old people, so no guys around there =O) and two: guys just don't flow as well. no pretty curves...just not as fun to draw. lol.

Yannick of Avo · Aug 11, 2008, 07:57 AM // 07:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lydia Starbreeze

and two: guys just don't flow as well. no pretty curves...just not as fun to draw. lol.

Hehe, true there.

As a kid I always been drawing guys(since I am a guy), so naturly I find guys easier to draw. I have been practicing at drawing girls for the last couple of years now. At this point I still find it easier to draw guys, girls always need to look pretty for some reason

. As with a guy, if you don't get the face right he's just a bad guy or an oger.

Breakfast Mc Rit · Aug 12, 2008, 05:12 PM // 17:12

I think the female form is just more aesthetic. Women seem to dominate the arts, whether it's painting, photography, etc. Even now, you can see how males are more and more androgynous or "prettier" in popular art styles.