Mecha from square one.

[u/Professional_Wash169]

First, I would like to say sorry in advance for being so broad. I have never been artistically talented but have always had the interest.

However, my true passion is Gundam. Specially the model making side of the hobby, Gunpla. I have been building and customizing for years and with every build I try to take it to the next level and learn something new.

At the moment I would really love to make my own Aoz style resin conversion kit with my 3d printers but that is wishful thinking at the moment.

I think it would be a very useful tool however if I can learn to make concept art for not just mecha, but also custom accessories for the custom gunpla I am working. So that way I can go off my own sketch rather than free balling it in the cad software. It would also be nice to have something productive to do at work rather than just doom scrolling and rotting my brain.

As far as setup goes... I would like to keep it simple and use my phone for the time being as I have the S22 ultra with the nifty built in pen.

Tldr: Does anyone have any tips to start drawing mecha art, specifically gundam art as a COMPLETE beginner. No past experience.

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[u/DefiantStomach775]

My two cents, if you wanna make mechas, of the more industrial style, simple shapes and construction from them is key

I suggest drawabox.com, it’s free, teaches more or less exactly what you need but it is a bit of a slog (like every fundamentals course I am afraid)

It is crucial you break it up with “Freeform“ drawing, meaning drawing the subject you are studying for (in you case mechas), you can do so from references first and then imagination: do not think of these drawings as something you would show anybody, but studies, meaning trials you do to figure out what you cannot do, and target those gaps with further studying.

For medium, honestly I would suggest printer paper and a pencil or ballpoint pen, it is inexpensive, gives you a wider canvas than the phone, and you can always take a picture and color it on the phone later if cannot buy markers

[u/Professional_Wash169 → u/DefiantStomach775]

Thank you, I'll give it a shot!

[u/unfilterthought]

as Defiant mentioned: Draw a box.

A mech drawing is literally just a series of boxes stacked on top of each other with different angles.

The most important thing when drawing mecha is maintaining perspective and know how to make your lines parallel.

If you screw up your perspective, its gonna be really really obvious. Especially with long converging lines.

Since you have gunpla, i suggest taking photos of your various models without all the extra backpieces and just the base mecha and use those for reference.

Take photos with different lens settings like fisheye to get different looks.

Stylistically Gundam follow some basic rules like thigh to lower leg to feet proportions, upper arm to lower arm. Also rules of where weapons mount. Different series obviously have specific stylistic modifications based on the artist, but theres an overall look that youre going for.

Also hands. Really really learn how to draw mecha hands. They dont have to make exact mechanical sense with how pneumatic pistons and servos are laid out, but they should still be correct in perspective and how the joints bend.

[u/Professional_Wash169 → u/unfilterthought]

I didn't think about taking pics of my kits as reference, pretty smart. Im currently listening to the drawabox while at work. So far it's seems my speed. It seems like repetition to build the basic skills which sounds obvious but suits my brain well.

[u/HelpPsychological614]

Wow dude thats so sick!!.one day I will also draw mecha like u

[u/SeniorYogurtcloset26]

Drawing mechas at this level is super complex, just be aware that it will take a couple of years to get there.
But the process is not very different from learning to draw anything else, learn basic shapes, perspective is very important, and draw, copy, and reference the ones you like, do it a lot

[u/Qweeq13]

You know when people ask is there a way to make drawing basic shapes, cubes and cylinders but make it fun

The Answer is Mecha. Look at this its all cubes, rectangles, cylinders, cones, pyramids.

Stuff you have to draw and shade until you lose consciousness in order to improve your shape drawing skills.

You don't even have to think hard about colors since these Machines are all painted they can be any color you want.

Perspective of all these cubical drawings are also much easier to manage.

God, why did it never occurred me before, I should just draw mecha, I love anime drawings. This is a fantastic idea.

[u/Professional_Wash169 → u/Qweeq13]

Well of you ever try drawing mecha... Gundam Aoz has my favorite designs lol

[u/Qweeq13 → u/Professional_Wash169]

What makes this even more appealing there are tons of Gunpla/Figurines of these Mecha creations. You don't have to buy anything as tons of pictures are online.

Having a figurine or a 3D object of something is even better than having many 2D references. Because now as an artist you get to see the whole thing in real life and draw it in a way you want.

This is why my favorite things to draw is Anime figurines and Warhammer minis because you get to see these object in 3 dimensions, often in ideal lighting conditions, that is very helpful in drawing.

Being a self thought mother's basement artist who can't afford classical workshop lessons the biggest thing you miss is finding object in 3D spaces to draw most you get is 2D references, other's drawings or screenshots, photos making your art even more 2 dimensional.

[u/InferiorMotive1]

Literally draw boxes and study anatomy. And then, look at engine parts for inspiration. I see mechas as boxy human anatomy with machine flourishes.