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Help with organic arrows

9:32 AM, Wednesday October 6th 2021

I threw away 4 pages before this one.

https://i.imgur.com/Auhi26u.jpg

I don't think I need to wait for a critique to know that my arrows are inadequate.

I'm having trouble thinking in 3d space with this one. I had a similar problem when I started a new box but once I had even a few lines down I could understand it as a 3d object.

But now I can only see the curves as lines without depth. If I follow the instructions I sometimes get a decent looking arrow but it's inconsistent and feels too mechanical. I can see the illusion once the arrow is finished but not while I draw it.

Or, you know, my arrows are perfectly fine for a beginner and I'm over reacting. Either way please let me know.

Also any advise on how to make curves without rushing? I can't seem to find the sweet spot where it's slow enough that I have control and fast enough to avoid wobbly lines.

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4:28 AM, Thursday October 7th 2021

You can imagine these arrows as ribbons, if it's difficult to imagine, take a ribbon or just a strip of paper and try keeping it on a flat surface like this:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shutterstock.com%2Fsearch%2Ftable%2Bribbon&psig=AOvVaw0k3rtPtHxSooKn-c692ZL9&ust=1633666792353000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCKjOkKG5t_MCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAJ

Try to understand how the distance between the 2 parallel lines decreases at the ribbon turns. Draw the ribbon in your table multiple times. Repeat this execise from different angles.

Advise on how to make curves without rushing: Take a deep breath, gently touch th tip of your pencil to the paper, breath out and gently trace the pencil. This will relax your body and bring your hand in the relaxed and smooth motion. Try drawing random waves in random directions first on a paper. Once you get a knack of it, will you realise you sweet spot.

9:16 AM, Saturday October 9th 2021

Thanks for the advise regarding rushing, and although I'm still having some trouble with curves I figured it's just a matter of practice.

0 users agree
5:41 PM, Tuesday October 26th 2021

Regarding smoothness of the curves, this definitely comes with practice and time. However, a non-wobbly/confident curve will still look better even if the other things with the arrow are wrong. In which case, I think drawing faster is going to help much more than slowing down your movement. Once you start drawing, just commit to finishing that stroke in one smooth move. That should minimize the jerkiness/angular look like in your bottom arrow. Another thing that might help, is start bigger. Draw bigger/wider arrows to fill up the page.

As for depth: I had a similar problem as you in the sense that my arrows lacked proper depth/ enough foreshortening. You can see my submission and the official feedback about it here: https://drawabox.com/community/submission/RGPEFN6G

I just couldn't properly wrapped my head around how to convey 3D space on paper. What helped me was to try and draw arrows with similar depth as the ones from Uncomfortable's examples in Lesson 2. By trying to recreate what he did, at some point it clicked for me how he achieved his foreshortenings. Here is my improved attempt at arrows from Lesson 3: https://imgur.com/a/MGyiHgj

Lastly, you're doing fine! Just keep drawing and don't get discouraged.

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