The art of Eric Hibbeler

Freelance illustrator and animator in KC, MO.

[erichibbeler]

Been a while since I shared any work here, but I've just finished the first issue of an original comic with my pal Annie Raab called "Girl Noir: Pitiful Eye." Better still-- you can read it on Tapas or Webtoon!

[erichibbeler]

Follow me other places

I don’t know if I’m all together leaving tumblr, but I’ve been less active this past year. If you want to keep up, follow me these places:

www.instagram.com/erichibbeler

www.twitter.com/erichibbeler

[erichibbeler]

Recent drawings! Still adjusting to this new toned paper sketchbook--not sure what to do with it sometimes!

[erichibbeler]

I'd like to ask, if I may, how do you create the poses/perspectives you use? The movement is phenomenal and it's something I struggle with right now. Thanks!

That’s a good question! These things are always easier to explain through a tutorial or a visual aid, so I’ll have to work on one of those in the future.

But for now, here’s a smattering of things to try pose-wise:

Add a twist - Basically, make the hips and shoulders not face the same direction, we do this naturally whenever we walk or run. Having a twist adds a sense of motion to even a static character.

Place the hips and shoulders at opposing angles  - The ol’ contrapposto. If you go to an art museum you’ll basically see this used all over the place. It will immediately give them a better sense of weight, and it can make your characters exude all kinds of attitudes depending how you use it too!

Make them doing something - When I find I’ve drawn a boring pose, it’s usually just because the character has nothing to interact with. Give them a direction to move and something to look at/fiddle with and it will work wonders.

Put them off-balance and then try to correct it - I play a game with myself sometimes where I just start with drawing the lower half of the figure purposefully off-balance, and then I try to curve the upper body of the figure around to re-balance it. Sometimes it creates some wacky results, but you can learn a lot through experimenting. Start by just trying to draw a character in motion or with only one foot on the ground, then try to move the other limbs around to compensate!

Good luck and don’t let yourself get discouraged! Drawing isn’t something that comes all at once, so focus on small improvements every time.

[erichibbeler]

I got a new sketchbook with fibery, brown pages. Not crazy about the fibers, but hte darkness of the paper means that white stands out beautifully. I’m excited for more lace.

[erichibbeler]

This is pretty close to a final design for my punk rocker medieval girl that I’m gonna try animating. I’ll probably lose the paned trunks/sleeves tho, trying to keep things simple!

[erichibbeler]

Drawring in yellow.

[erichibbeler]

I’m trying to make medieval punk a thing.

[erichibbeler]

I’ve been drawing these medieval ladies in a more cartoony fashion lately. Kind of hoping to find a style that’s easy to animate but still feels a bit like normal drawing style.

[erichibbeler]

Sketcharoos.

[erichibbeler]

I’m thinking I might start just turning more of my sketchbook pages into movie poster compositions.

[erichibbeler]

Eventually pink will be the only color of ink I use. 😅

[erichibbeler]

Hey, love your art! Do you use prismacolor brush pens or double-ended chisel/ fine tips? Or both?

I mostly have the double ended chisel/fine tip prismacolor markers. I have tried the brush tipped ones but I can’t manage to keep the colors from being splotchy, otherwise I like how easy they are to use!

[erichibbeler]

Recent drawings!

[erichibbeler]

Drawing butts. Wish I had more to show but it’s been a lil busy.

[erichibbeler]

I’ve been doing a lot of these dumb little astronaut swat team scenes lately.

[erichibbeler]

Getting up to date on my sketches. It’s space ladies again.