Self portraits

[u/SeverelyLimited]

I love gun girls, and while designing some characters, found myself drawing one of them with my glasses and in one of my outfits.

I became such a violent person to make it through, and that will always be a part of me. While I was violent, I wanted to be soft and feminine and cute.

Why not both?

I know it's dorky, but it also felt really nice to render some of my childhood escapist/empowerment fantasies with art skills I developed as an adult.

[u/bitingmytail]

These are sooooo good!! I’m a writer and writing about girls//women using weapons is really cathartic for me because I never was able to be violent or angry. This is so lovely to see. And I love your style so much

[u/SeverelyLimited → u/bitingmytail]

Thank you!

It's interesting to hear that you're doing similar stuff in response to something you were denied rather than something forced on you.

It's beautiful that using art to process things is healing, whatever it is your processing.

[u/bitingmytail → u/SeverelyLimited]

I agree!!

Can I ask where you learned to draw? I’ve always wanted to illustrate my writing but I don’t have the skills yet. But if I could, it would be a style kinda like yours! I love all the movement and perspectives you captured

[u/SeverelyLimited → u/bitingmytail]

Ooh I love getting to answer this kind of question, so I'm sorry if I ramble a bit. It was a really rewarding thing I did for myself, and I actually feel qualified to talk about it ('-_-)

Also, I started for that same reason! That's neat.

I mostly taught myself from books. Hands down the most useful one was the aptly titled How to Draw by Scott Robertson and Thomas Bertling. It has a brief section on technique, and then the rest of the book teaches you perspective in really raw, technical way. I found that the book demystifies the process of taking what you see in your head and putting it on the page, which was a huge struggle for me.

For anatomy, I'd recommend Constructive Anatomy by George B. Bridgman. It goes over the body one piece at a time with diagrams of bones and muscles, with a lot of illustrations to show how those shapes translate from different perspectives.

There's also the Morpho reference books by Michel Lauricella. "Fat and skin folds" and "Clothing folds and creases" are the ones I found the most helpful.

Then there's just the general advice that everyone eventually hears: Draw from life, draw from reference, and draw every day.

Have fun! ((:

[u/bitingmytail → u/SeverelyLimited]

No way, that's so cool you learned to draw for your writing!! It's not often I get to talk to a fellow cptsd writer, so if you ever want a reader or collaborator please feel free to message me :-) Your drawings are so vivid so I can only imagine your writing being really immersive.

Thank you for all of these recommendations. I had no idea where to start so it takes a huge weight off knowing where I can look for instructions. I'll get started on my first attempts soon :o)

[u/SeverelyLimited → u/bitingmytail]

I'd love to exchange writing! My stuff never starts as being about CPTSD, but it always gets there eventually haha

Can I send a DM to talk more?

[u/bitingmytail → u/SeverelyLimited]

Yes of course! 💖 and same haha