How to Draw a Gundam
Humankind has long strived to express its creativity through the arts, the most popular of which includes drawing and painting. Since the 80s, people all around the world have been crafting amazingly detailed pieces of artwork of their favorite anime characters, robots, and mechs. In particular, the popular Japanese robotic-type anime, Gundam, has served as popular source material for aspiring artists. Drawing a Gundam is no easy feat, but with a bit of practice and creative know-how, anyone can hone their skills and create masterpieces.
The first, and arguably most important step to drawing a Gundam, is to select the particular model. All the Gundam designs have their own distinct shape, size, and weapon set, so choosing the model that best suits your artistic capabilities is essential to providing a highly detailed, end result. Generally, the Gundam Astray can be recommended for novice illustrators, as its small size and reasonable complexity make it ideal for heating up the motors,.
Once you have chosen the base model, you can then proceed to drawing and creating the outline. Here, it is important to take into account the small details, like how tight the armour joints should be, the size of the shield, and the position of the beam saber. With this out the way, you can then move onto the more exciting parts, like adding the shadows and reflections, and embellishments.
When it comes to achieving a realistic look, nothing beats lighting and shading. This can be done in two ways; line-shading, which is more common in manga, and monochrome shading, in which the image is treated like a black and white masterpiece. It takes a certain level of skill to do this properly, so getting some practice can be essential for beginners. Don’t be afraid to experiment; subtle variations in lighting are part of what makes Gundam so captivating.
The last step before the glorious finish is to color in the Gundam. Color can be used to make Gundam look more realistic, or it can be used to create a vibrant, extremely detailed piece. The key here is to be aware of the subtle use of color; adding too much can ruin the look, or make the Gundam look too busy. Place the colors where they ought to be and keep it simple; this way, the piece will come together in all its glory.
Drawing an awesome Gundam takes hard work and lots of practice. But that doesn’t mean it has to be hard; once an artist begins to understand how shapes, lines, and color can be used to create effects, they can let their creative juices flow and create something truly impressive. So before long, any aspiring artist can have their very own piece of eye-catching Gundam artwork to show off their talents.
Outline and Reference the Gundam
When it comes to making a convincing Gundam illustration, having a clear framework and structure is key. Starting with the basic outline is important to ensure accuracy, as well as being a great way to mark locations for shadows, reflections and embellishments. Outlining the precise angles and proportions of the Gundam can be an exhausting process, but one that pays off in the end.
Referencing is one of the most important steps when it comes to drawing a Gundam. Using a reference guide ensures that the proportions of the mech are kept to an accurate level. Since the details of a Gundam’s body parts and weapons can vary greatly, a reference guide is absolutely essential for a novice illustrator. Doing a light pencil sketch can be extremely useful when referencing intricate parts, as it allows for any mistakes to be easily removed.
By taking the time to outline and reference a Gundam before starting the drawing, an artist can hone their drawing ability and produce a realistic and accurate piece. And by following instructions and paying attention to the finer details, the end result is sure to be an impressive piece of art.
Textures and Accessories
A great Gundam doesn’t just look good, it looks alive and ready to spring into action. Learning how to add convincingly realistic textures to a Gundam is important to making sure that it looks like it could just walk off the page. Adding textures like rivets and wiring add a further level of realism to the Gundam drawing.
Paying attention to all the small details, like the mask texture, the shape of the shoulder pads, and the exhaust pipes, gives the piece a more authentic feel. Adding accessories like rifles and cannons can also be a great way to bring the picture to life, and help the mech to stand out on the page. Whether you’re illustrator or a novice, adding textures and accessories can help to create a realistic and dynamic looking Gundam.
Final Touches and Finishing Up
The final step before presenting a Gundam is to take the time to assess it and make any last minute changes. Here, it’s important to check for any excess lines or shadows, as well as any inaccuracies or missed details. The last hurdle is to make the Gundam look vibrant and alive; This can be achieved by adding those all-important highlights, reflections and lens flares.
Adding these details to the image is a subtle but powerful way to liven up the image, making it look realistic and full of life. It can be an exhausting task to get these details right, but with patience and careful observation, any illustrator can create a realistic looking Gundam.
When the Gundam is complete, the artist can sign it and show it off to an audience. Sharing the illustration with the world is a great way to gain a following, and an even better way to celebrate the genius of robot art. A custom made Gundam is a piece of art that any Gundam fan can be proud of.
