First Days (aka Damn cylinders are hard to draw!!)

So my goal is to learn draw some cool looking fantasy art with barbarians, knights, hot ladies in metal underwear etc. I searched the net for some good sites and found this:

http://www.stormthecastle.com/fantasyartschool/index.htm

The Fantasy Art school. I think it's kinda nice it starts from the basics, so I have been following the lessons in my practice. I am also checking out more detailed guides as I go (like perspective drawing etc.)

I have now for a day or so practiced the basics, like how to use the pencil, draw stright lines and some perspective drawing too. I could not guess that cylinders and ellipses are so hard to draw in perspective!

After some dissapointing hours with cylinders I tried out to draw some cool stuff like maces, shields and helmets. I am kinda pleased with what I accomplished. I added some pictures from my sketch book for you to see.







I had never heard of a tortillion before but after making one (a guide) and trying it out with the mace I was astonished how a simple tool like that made all the difference when shading stuff. Must say I have had a pleasent weekend learning to draw, even if most of the time it has been cylinders and straight lines :)

My Tools:
- two 2 B pencils
- Couple of HB pencils
- A sketch book
- A4 copy paper
- A self-made tortillion (the thingy you smear with)
- A set of inking pens