Takeshi Obata mouth study

For the last few weeks, the only things I've been able to draw were either commissions or assignments for life drawing class.  I mean, it's better than not drawing at all, but damn it I swear I've been getting withdrawals from not drawing my Love Metal characters! However, whenever I would get a chance to draw them...they would look like shit.  So in other words, I wanted to draw my characters, but I couldn't.  Probably the strangest and most frustrating art block I've ever had!

So I decided the best way to get out of my slump was to study artists who inspire me the most.  Who better to start with than the great Takeshi Obata?! (If you don't know who that artist is, I highly suggest you get off your ass and pick up a copy of Hikaru no Go, Death Note, All you Need is Kill, and Bakuman right now!)
This might sound a little weird, but I seriously LOVE the way Obata draws mouths!!  There's just so much character in the way he does it. He's totally mastered the whole crooked smile look with some of his characters too, I just adore it!  Most artists rely on the eyes, and eye brows to show expression for their characters.  With Obata, I wouldn't even have to look at their eyes, their mouths alone would be enough for me to know what they're feeling.  I swear, I could go on and on about how much I love this artist!

I've heard concerns about doing stuff like this from a couple people and I just want to say, to those of you who are afraid to do something like this study because it might make your style look like you're copying another, don't be.  Take those concerns and throw them in a pit of fire.  There is a huge difference from being influenced by another artist and just straight up copying them.  Also, no matter how original you think your style is, there will always be someone somewhere who thinks your art looks like this anime and that manga and "ooh your character looks like this character", and they will have no problem telling you that (even though its incredibly rude).  My art has oddly been compared to anime that I've never even seen before. Still annoying as hell, but you see my point?
Anyways, don't be afraid to do something like this if you're hitting a big art block.  Just take what you learn from drawing their characters and apply it to your own style.  If you don't know who to choose, you can't go wrong with Takeshi Obata, haha.  I learned so much just from trying to replicate one of his drawings.

I have to say, that's definitely my new favorite sketch of Dante.  I finally got his smile right!! Hooray! Thank you mouth study!
Oh, and if you're wondering why all 4 of those faces are facing the same way, it's because I'm left handed and I really need practice drawing people facing to their right.

I'll see you guys later, need to sleep.


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