Community Interest Topic

[Insidious Mental Pollution]

What is it about art that stops you from going into it? 

It bites!

*tosses hat into ring* I'm interested!

 

[Shades]

What stops me from getting into it much is the lack of time and a scanner.

 

[Kes]

I have a mouse and laptop, so anything geared up to that, and aimed at total beginners, would have my full support.

 

[PixelLuchi]

Ooh, I like this idea. I'm a mouse user myself. Would love to see some tuts that cater for that as well ( even though I'm left-handed and use the mouse with my right XD ). So yeah, my art isn't as refined as I would like it to be since I don't use my dominant hand. Now I need to get my scanner fixed.

 

[ChaoticLapras]

Art Academy sounds like a great idea! Yeah, personally I use mice for all art that I make (which is VERY rarely), and haven't hand-drawn anything since I dropped art...

So this is planning to have pixel art and pretty art too! Yipee!!! *follows thread*

 

[The Yank]

I actually really like drawing, the only reason I don't draw my own stuff for my project is because I don't have any methods to transfer it to computer. My house is to small for a scanner, and I don't have enough money for a tablet. And also, I'm bad with colouring in on photoshop.

Otherwise, I would pumping out art all day!

 

[Archeia]

I guess the major problem a lot of people would suffer is actually getting a scanner.

Or learning how to draw from scratch on the pc using a mouse O:

(speaking of non-tablet users)

 

[Kes]

Given the way finances are for a lot of people, a scanner of a decent enough quality is not going to be an easy option for everyone.  Nor is getting a tablet.  So yeah, those are major problems.

 

[Shaz]

Is a scanner something you use in digital art?

 

[Archeia]

Given the way finances are for a lot of people, a scanner of a decent enough quality is not going to be an easy option for everyone.  Nor is getting a tablet.  So yeah, those are major problems.

I would argue that you don't necessarily need a good scanner. I've started with a really bad one but that wasn't really something that hindered me as long as I can see the lines and have a base. I draw over it on a new layer anyway!

Is a scanner something you use in digital art?

Most artists who can't draw from scratch digitally do this. Or those who prefer traditional way of drawing then transferring to pc.

It's not exactly as big of a requirement vs. a tablet. But it'd help a lot if you're a mouse user but can draw on paper.

 

[Dalph]

I guess the major problem a lot of people would suffer is actually getting a scanner.

Or learning how to draw from scratch on the pc using a mouse O:

(speaking of non-tablet users)

I have a tablet, but one without a display.

My biggest issue is that I can't see what I draw (on the tablet itself), and I'm uncomfortable with this.

I just can't draw while watching the screen of my pc...however I have no problems doing it with a mouse (even if I'm terrible with it).

And good tablets with displays are usually too expensive.

 

[Archeia]

I just can't draw while watching the screen of my pc...

That's actually what majority of the artists use! It's weird at first but with constant practice it'll just be natural.

I tried those with displays and I'm not so good at them 8D;;;

 

[ChaoticLapras]

That's actually what majority of the artists use! It's weird at first but with constant practice it'll just be natural.

I tried those with displays and I'm not so good at them 8D;;;

What?! I can't draw on a tablet anyway, but drawing without looking at your finger??? 0_0

 

[Archeia]

Yup. Is it that surprising? hahaha

We can't afford cintiq after all, too expensive!

 

[Dalph]

That's actually what majority of the artists use! It's weird at first but with constant practice it'll just be natural.

I tried those with displays and I'm not so good at them 8D;;;

Really? That's surprising, I always thought that you were using one with a display.

Now you intrigue me, I think I'll just need more practice with it then.

*removes the dust from the digital tablet*

 

[Makio-Kuta]

That's actually what majority of the artists use! It's weird at first but with constant practice it'll just be natural.


I tried those with displays and I'm not so good at them 8D;;;

I actually OWN one with a display and it sits in a box ignored because I -hated- it compared to the less expensive version. (what a waste of money that was haha)
To me, it didn't feel much like drawing on real paper, contrary to what a lot of people might think. Also, even though that thing sunk me nearly $1000, the screen display was no where near as nice as my laptop's. It displayed colours differently (which was a pain) and the resolution was smaller and cut off along the edges. So I think the lesson there is 'expensive toys to not make you better'


In short, I'm with Archeia on this, I'm no good at a tablet with a display. Practicing with a normal tablet takes some time to get used to the strange disconnect of 'surface here, art up there' but you just...watch your little brush cursor. You don't really need to look at the surface at all.


My first art with a tablet was TERRIBLE and I stopped using it and went back to using a mouse for a bit. It took some time flopping back and forth between tablet, mouse, and sketching on paper - but eventually it becomes just as natural as anything. The important first step is not being afraid when you draw something and think "This is terrible compared to how I draw on paper!!", because it WILL the first few times. Persevere my tablet newbie friends, and you will get the hang on it.


--


As for the actual question of this thread, I second the idea for help with anatomy. A little study of anatomy can go a LONG WAY, but it's hard to know where to start. Also, if anyone in this universe could actually teach me how to draw a dog, that would be the most magical moment of my life. Anyone who would be willing to do some dispelling on backgrounds too, that would also be rad.

 

[Archeia]

I will admit, I DID invest in a Wacom Cintiq 12HX because it was cheaper and from my big bro kind of deal than usual Cintiq Price. But the more I used it, the more I hated it and I switched back to Intuos 5. It's just here sitting in a corner and something I'd use unless I really have to. Like if my tablet would break (I REALLY HOPE NOT knock on wood). I like the freedom the monitor gave me than my arms/whatever blocking the screen and making my work space smaller. 

It took me 2 months to get used to the tablet too (on and off). Since everyone before was like, tablets magically make you better and I believed it like an idiot I was lol. Then I realized that I won't get anywhere since art supplies is scarce, my drawings get burned off, that I resolved to learn my tablet to do digital art. Never regretted it since.

So yeah, those with a tablet, don't give up on it! The payback is well worth it. Plus I threw away my mouse because of it ahaha <_<;; (recently got one again because part of package)

 

[ChaoticLapras]

I will admit, I DID invest in a Wacom Cintiq 12HX because it was cheaper and from my big bro kind of deal than usual Cintiq Price. But the more I used it, the more I hated it and I switched back to Intuos 5. It's just here sitting in a corner and something I'd use unless I really have to. Like if my tablet would break (I REALLY HOPE NOT knock on wood). I like the freedom the monitor gave me than my arms/whatever blocking the screen and making my work space smaller. 

It took me 2 months to get used to the tablet too (on and off). Since everyone before was like, tablets magically make you better and I believed it like an idiot I was lol. Then I realized that I won't get anywhere since art supplies is scarce, my drawings get burned off, that I resolved to learn my tablet to do digital art. Never regretted it since.

So yeah, those with a tablet, don't give up on it! The payback is well worth it. Plus I threw away my mouse because of it ahaha <_<;; (recently got one again because part of package)

So would you recommend investing in one? It's fairly likely I'll have to do most of my sprites and the like for my game...

 

[Sharm]

Well, if you're doing it for sprites I don't know that it's a good investment. Most sprites for RM are still pixel art, and a tablet isn't really helpful with that. I have a tablet and I always just use my mouse when doing pixel art, even if I was just seconds ago drawing with the tablet. I agree though, that if you're doing a lot of computer drawing that isn't pixel art, it's worth the investment. I'm saving a lot of room and money by not buying sketchbooks, pencils, pens, erasers, and everything I used to use when I did everything with my mouse. Also, it cuts my production time down by skipping all sorts of steps. There is a learning curve, but it's not surprising when you think about it. It's a different medium.


From the sounds of it I think it'd be good to have some vector tutorials for all the mouse only people. Vector tools were the best thing for me back when I did everything with a mouse.


It's interesting what you guys are saying about the Cintiqs. I'd been wondering about getting one myself, but from the sounds of it I won't get any benefit from it.

 

[Archeia]

Well, if you're doing it for sprites I don't know that it's a good investment. Most sprites for RM are still pixel art, and a tablet isn't really helpful with that. I have a tablet and I always just use my mouse when doing pixel art, even if I was just seconds ago drawing with the tablet.

I would actually disagree with this in a sense that I pixel art with a tablet too! I found it faster than with a mouse and animation is so much easier with it. (People like Adarias from PJ recommend it too)

It depends on how willing you are to go in-depth with art. I'd say tablets are worth it if you feel like you're going to invest most of your hobby time on it at least.

For Cintiq, to be honest if you're going to buy one, go with the huge ones and see if you can have a trial run. I know some artist friends like their big ones like 13? HD something. But I never tried those... :<