looking for help with doggo for sons xmas present

[alonzo83]

I've tried to take a wack at drawing my sons dog for an xmas present for him and his girlfriend. I have a feeling that some of you can do much better than me or can possibly improve on what I currently have drawn.

Thank You for Your time.

[plasmanewbie]

I think you have done well with it, not an easy one to do that's for sure. This is one of those designs where I think capturing shawdows and/or darker areas of the face would be better than just drawing the details if you know what I mean. I am a little swamped this afternoon or I would have go at it for you.

[alonzo83]

I think you have done well with it, not an easy one to do that's for sure. This is one of those designs where I think capturing shawdows and/or darker areas of the face would be better than just drawing the details if you know what I mean. I am a little swamped this afternoon or I would have go at it for you.

Thank you for the critique, I honestly don't have much of an eye for this kinda drawing, but I'll keep experimenting to see if I can come up with something better. Take it easy and have a great week.

[ben de lappe]

I saw this yesterday, decided to try to help then the crap hit the fan Your beginning isn't bad at all, looks similar to my take. Discerning the details to draw can be challenging with pics like this. I've found that once I have the eyes and general details of the face in place I can then open up other areas like the forehead, cheek and snout to balance the drawing out and give it that shadow effect I believe plasmanewbie is describing. Unfortunately this is where I had to stop for now.

Delilia Sample.png

[adbuch]

Alonzo83 - What drawing program are you using? I think your drawing is pretty good - I added a transparent fill color and placed your drawing over your original photo - along with Ben's partial trace for comparison. Ben has a real flare for drawing these sorts of things, and I will look forward to seeing his finished result. In the mean time, it is fun to learn as you go - and I think you have made some very good progress with your drawing.

David

delilia for xmas(1).dxf comparison image.jpg

[alonzo83]

Alonzo83 - What drawing program are you using? I think your drawing is pretty good - I added a transparent fill color and placed your drawing over your original photo - along with Ben's partial trace for comparison. Ben has a real flare for drawing these sorts of things, and I will look forward to seeing his finished result. In the mean time, it is fun to learn as you go - and I think you have made some very good progress with your drawing.

David

Morning David, You guys are drawing on a whole other level. I am using proge cad. I have inkscape but haven't bothered to learn it as most of the time I am making a technical drawing or drawing inanimate objects like tractors, when it comes to contours and shadows I fall flat on my face.

I am going to download your guys images and take another crack at it, I'll see if I can push my skills a little farther with the help you guys have given me.

Thank you both very much .

[plasmanewbie]

Very nice Ben, that looks great, I would be satisfied with cutting it just like that.

[ben de lappe]

Again David, I thank you for the compliment. Unfortunately I haven't had any more time to devote to this project but I intend to work on it a bit this afternoon should all go according to plan. If I have the time I'd like to do a video.

Alonzo83 - Thank you for the compliment also. If you keep trying you will get it. I worked with my hands as a fabricator for more than 20 years before I got my plasma table. The process that led me to where I am today was excruciating at times. I've never heard of proge CAD so I can't assist there. If you'd like to play with what I have so far you're welcome to it. Currently she's scaled to about 15"x16". If you can import/open this .pdf it contains my drawing overlying the image, otherwise I've included the .dxf. I always start with the profile when drawing, then move to the interior details. That allows me to show the fill and check my progress as I go. I don't take the time to draw it perfectly at first, instead I'll draw these details as quickly as I can then come back to make everything as perfectly appealing as possible. When it comes to working with shadows it helps to have have them to go by, unlike in this image. Often it can help to make the pic B&W and/or manipulate the brightness of the image to make these highlights stand out.

[ben de lappe]

Very nice Ben, that looks great, I would be satisfied with cutting it just like that.

You're too kind Newbie, thank you. It's not far off from where I think it should be. Just a few more details to round it out, like you said with the shadow effect. Once the OP can draw/highlight the main details in online fashion as has been done (how I started) the next thing to play with is opening them up to make them stand out.

[alonzo83]

If I have the time I'd like to do a video.

If you make a video I'd love to watch it. There is a lot of videos for inkscape, but not many of them cater to this industry. Last time I went hunting for videos there was a lot of chaff to sort through regarding 3d modeling and what not.

[adbuch]

If I have the time I'd like to do a video.

If you make a video I'd love to watch it. There is a lot of videos for inkscape, but not many of them cater to this industry. Last time I went hunting for videos there was a lot of chaff to sort through regarding 3d modeling and what not.

Ben - I would love to see it as well!!

David

[ben de lappe]

I'm trying to put it together guys. Unfortunately I can't work this file exclusively at the moment because I perviously committed myself to completing three files asap for a 6yo child's memorial and am having to squeeze in 'Delilia' sessions as I can. I'm recording my progress/process and look forward to sharing it with you soon.

[adbuch]

I'm trying to put it together guys. Unfortunately I can't work this file exclusively at the moment because I perviously committed myself to completing three files asap for a 6yo child's memorial and am having to squeeze in 'Delilia' sessions as I can. I'm recording my progress/process and look forward to sharing it with you soon.

[alonzo83]

I'm trying to put it together guys. Unfortunately I can't work this file exclusively at the moment because I perviously committed myself to completing three files asap for a 6yo child's memorial and am having to squeeze in 'Delilia' sessions as I can. I'm recording my progress/process and look forward to sharing it with you soon.

Don't spread yourself to thin, honestly you have done a great job with what you drew already I'm sure my kids will be happy with this. But I am still looking forward to that inkscape tutorial.

Many thanks Ben.

[ben de lappe]

Don't spread yourself to thin, honestly you have done a great job with what you drew already I'm sure my kids will be happy with this. But I am still looking forward to that inkscape tutorial.

Many thanks Ben.

No worries at all and you're most welcome. The number of hours I put into drawing every day would drive a sane person absolutely crazy. So for me it helps to have something fresh like Delilia to work on when things get a bit monotonous. Well to me it's a break...

I use Torchmate CAD primarily for drawing, so the video I produce won't necessarily give you a step by step tutorial but it will show you what I look for detail wise and how I represent it drawing node by node with the mouse. Inkscape being somewhat similar, actual instruction will take a pro like David, Tom, etc.

[4130metalworks]

As a total beginner to plasma art i am fast learning that less is best. Lots of details can ruin the finished piece.
I have hand cut many dog memorials and headstones, unlike people the piece doesn’t need to be exactly the same. I always incorporate the dogs name so nobody has to guess and some sort of tig welded bedazzle

Stainless filler and a little polishing pops against black or raw metal
There’s potential to make the tiara 3d with wire and a few glued or epoxied jewels

Anyway food for thought and I know your family will love it, handmade gifts are the best