how to draw female comic characters (according to Wizard)...

[ratcreature]

brown_betty asked for examples "to illustrate the exactly how and why female comic characters are illustrated differently than the male." And I thought, really, what's better to illustrate these things than the books teaching the style in the first place?

A while ago I posted some scans from Wizard How To Draw series on drawing female superheroes (here and here), and I thought I'd post a bunch more from the first book of the series on "How To Draw: Heroic Anatomy".


As everything, it starts with the basics, i.e. proportions. First the male superhero


The female example is similar, but slightly different, notice how he stands firm and straight, wheras she stands with her hips cocked a little and the leg thrust forward?


Also notice in the direct torso comparison below, how the male one is ramrod straight, but she curves and leans just a little bit in the same pose?


Now onwards to the chapter "Sultry Women". It even cautions you against overposing! Yes, it's not as if Wizard wasn't aware of the problems! (Their definition and mine of which poses are already overposed might differ slightly though, heh.)





Next, Michael Turner explains "Sex Appeal". (Or what he thinks sex appeal is.) Incidentally it also illustrates the meaning of "overposed" that was brought up in the previous chapter very effectively...





Finally for compare and contrast purpuses the chapters on "Superheroic Men" and "Superheroic Women". For the male superhero it is all about more or less ridiculously enlarged muscles as we learn:





Female superheroes don't have it that easy, they need to worry about tilting their shoulder, nipple and pubic lines attractively at all times, not to mention legs, breast size, eye make-up and hair:

Comments

[vampyrfetal.livejournal.com]

I am actually quite surprised with how upset some people are;
I was surprised to see some of the comments made, even as a woman, I kinda noticed some of the slightly silly comments made by the artists, but, come on, it really isn't that big of a deal, and I'm saying this as a girl. I found this to be very helpful, especially as an aspiring comic artist. I take into consideration that, not only are these artists ridiculously famous in their business but also know what sells. And, thinking about it, just because they dress a little skimpy, they're still strong, intelligent and beloved characters by boys AND girls. Back in the day some little girls wanted to be Wonder Woman or Super Girl, just like little boys wanted to be Bat Man and Super Man. I guess what I'm trying to say is for everyone to not take what they said with so much weight. And to those who insulted "Artistic ability" so enthusiastically. That kinda has nothing to do with what you're upset about and it bothers ME when others outright INSULT talent, because they are talented. But of course everyone has their right to their own opinion. And I am expressing mine so I don't want to bashed for speaking my mind as freely as everyone else. Also, Michael Turner is one of my favorite artists, actually, and I admire his style. Sure, his women are quite skinny but all of his characters(men, woman, monsters) I find, are well-done.
I won't carry on with this, I just wanted to speak my mind...

[braintastic.livejournal.com]

1. Break it down like this: here, female characters have their sexual characteristics highlighted, while male characters have their muscles emphasized. Here, while women are depicted as sexual objects before all else, men are depicted as *just* fighters. But the characters are all fighters, aren't they? Then that's unequal, sexist treatment that depersonalizes (because they are all made to look the same) and objectifies (because the heavy, unnecessary concentration on the sexual characteristics) the female characters.

2. Why shouldn't people take umbrage at what these guys are saying? They're showing their asses - that is to say, they're exposing their sexist tendencies to the world.

3. I totally disagree that these guys are talented. I find these drawings aesthetically unappealing and unoriginal. Unoriginal isn't quite the right word - what I mean is, these drawings are very bland. If they're a genuine expression of the artists' aesthetic visions, well - they aren't very original, are they? They lack flavour. They're commercial, which is not necessarily a bad quality, but they also lack substance, which definitely IS. They're conventional without purpose or stylistic flourishes that might distinguish them. They're really boring, totally safe. I dislike them from an artistic - and an artist's - viewpoint, even without bringing all the problematic sexist shit into it.

I really hope I don't come off as bashing you, because that's not my intention. I just wanted to explain why I disagree, and probably why other people are upset. (I'm not - I'm not much into American comics, or even manga anymore.) To see this, day after day in something that you otherwise enjoy, that means something to you - well, I guess I'd be upset, too. That definitely sucks. :/

[vampyrfetal.livejournal.com]

No, I don't take it as bashing at all. I realized, after reading over my own comment, I seemed to be the one bashing which I am ashamed over, considering that was not my intention.
And when I read the things they say and the, now quite apparent hypocrecy, I do understand why people would be offended, to some extent, I'm offended.
I just am upset people let this get under their skin. I guess it didn't offend me so much because I wasn't necessarily paying attention to his words and concentrated MORE on the drawing tips. I actually found this while looking for drawing tutorials, lol.
I do, now, realize just how foolish this reads. They speak more from a *fantastical* standpoint, which, to some extent, I understand but they shouldn't put so much emphasis on the thickness of lips and the roundness of their rear ends. They make them seem less real and there really isn't any diference in expressions from one character from another. The rest seemed like they were trying too hard. From my views now from then, I see the stupidity and the ignorance in their words.
But, even still, I DO think they CAN draw, regardless of whether they are creative or not, I believe that to be a matter of opinion. Because, regardless of how offensively they act and speak, someone, somewhere, thinks they're the best thing since sliced bread. Now, I'm not now or WAS defending their chuavinistic behavior or words, I just defend them in the fact that I have NEVER found insulting someone's skill to draw or anything else to be fair. Because they DID have to study and practice and work HARD to get to where they are and of course there will always be critics, I just don't think it is always necessary to insult someones drawing skills just because they have upset you. I may have seemed to be disagreeing with everyone but I didn't mean it that way. I wrote that quickly, lol, and didn't bother to proof read it. So I hope I haven't offended anyone, myself. I just didn't like the INSULTS.
I'm sorry for rambling at you and I hope I don't come across as anything other than what I intend.
Thank you for the time you took to read my reply!