bird_lubricant sp (+commentary) (Patreon)

this guy again, in sketch page form! hes lying in a field of saffron flowers (how fancy!). fun fact about this one+advice; the bottom right pose went through some changes from the original draft, here; 

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/497533413729763359/565639131754004480/ss2019-04-10at01.46.51.jpg

As you can see, the original pose is pretty flat and a bit wonky looking. the anatomy is sub-par and awkward.
unhappy with the result, i looked into a reference (something everyone-including me-should do a lot more).

https://image1.masterfile.com/getImage/653-01660618em-man-lying-on-grass-and-looking-at-view.jpg

so, i traced this. dont freak out, i didnt JUST trace it. i traced it to understand the pose more. tracing has a bad wrap-and thats totally understandable-if you claim to have drawn said thing yourself, but as a tool to understand anatomy better, its an invaluable method! anyway, i traced it and then i simply redrew the pose while eyeballing the original image. then i got this!

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/497533413729763359/565646092507807744/ss2019-04-10at02.14.21.jpg

see how much more pleasing this pose is to the eye? it adds depth, and the slant of it helps lead your eye around the page.

so yeah! dont be afraid to trace references to better understand what youre drawing! just be sure to redraw it on your own too.

p.s. ive got a speedpaint of this piece coming up soon for wolves and pumas!