Attention All Beginner Artists/digital Artists

[stormrider85]

I just recently started digital painting, finding it very difficult at the begining, now not so much. I have noticed, trying to teach myself from this site and other tutorials, that although the help and community on CA is awesome:yayca: , sometimes, as a beginner, asking for advice and looking at all the pro stuff on here can become discouraging and frustrating. So here's my idea......

I want to start a thread specificly for beginner artists( I know there's already heaps of stuff like that on here, but hear me out) a place where it is restricted to beginer artwork only where all the people who are still learning can post their work , offer advice, tell each other something new they learnt, and also helping each other progress.

The most important thing i found out as a beginner is that practising is the only way to improve except that i find it hard to keep motivated enough to sit down and practise.I'm thinking that working with other beginners will work because if someone else improves it will make me try that little bit harder to catch up.

The work can be either digital or traditional it doesnt matter as long as everyone wants to share their knowledge and work.

If anyone is interested in trying this out let me know, just remember you have to be a beginner.

[grenogs]

Hey stormrider, this sounds like a good idea. And after reading a lot of comments on this site, there seems to be a lot of people that get quite depressed due to some high quality images being submited with people just beginning in concept art. I just wanted to add some ideas that you may or may not want to think about.
I see a lot of good line work in CA, but when it comes to the painting process, some people totally mess up, i think the main reason is that beginners, especially to digital art don't know which programs or brushes are best suited to their individual style, maybe one of the rules should therefore have to explain what tools etc... they have used in their images. Also possibly now and again there could be a speed painting comp, once a week maybe, becouse after all the majority of concept art in a proffesional arena has a time limit, usually a couple of hours or a day, depending on the brief.
Also in these speed comps, maybe one of these rules could also be that only a certain brush or technique has to be used, and then keep changing it for every comp. That way everyone entering these speed comps will be introduced to new techniques they normaly wouldn't normally use. I think as a begginer it is so important to learn new and varied skills. Becouse when time is short, people will normaly choose what they're familier with, which isn't always the best way to learn. Anyway, just a few ideas you may or may not want to think about.

[MeTaL-Mike]

I think this is a great idea. i have the same problem. it's difficult to keep motivated to practice every day. this could be very helpful.

[Anthis]

I've started digital only recently, and this kind of thread is exacly what was looking for when I just began. Most tutorials were too detailed and elaborate at that point.

Seems like a good idea to start a thread with tutorials and stuff for the 'real' beginners, with PS basics and such. I wouldn't be surprised, however, if there already is one.

btw; http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=47859
'Digital painting in PS', started by Bumskee comes to mind (good one!), I used some of that, along with some random tutorials found on Deviantart.

[MeTaL-Mike]

Cool! i didn't even know about that one. Bumskee is one talented dude and a good example for all of us beginners. He just started a few years ago and is becoming quite a painter already.

Cool!

[stormrider85]

Grenogs: yer that sounds like some great ideas i never would have thought of that, i myself only know one technique and i probably need to learn alot more!

Anthis + Metal mike : Basically my idea is that everyone tells each other how they do things and we learn from each others techniques, brushes, blending techniques. Im still not good enough to put something as big as a tutorial down but i do have some things i picked up that may help other people like me. It is about the basics but also all those little things that seem to get neglected in tutorials.

If you like this idea and know other struggling begginers let them know about this the more ppl the better!

[grenogs]

anthis Thanks for the bumskee tutorial site, looks good for tutorials for photoshop. I have only one problem about tutorial sites though, basicly theres not much difference between them and the help me file added with software programs. Ye sure if your stuck, you can go and look up information on how to do a certain technique or something similer, but i find that by the time i've actually found what i'm looking for, my whole enfusiasm for painting has gone, and then when i do decide to go back painting, i've totally forgot what i learned and i dont realy have the time or effort to search for it again.

[Micaiah Nelson]

This is a great idea. I really need the help.

[Manuel_Calavera]

I am still learning. I learn how to draw since I finished five and won't stop till 99 (if I'd live so long). If someone claims he can draw and knows everything and doesn't need to learn anymore he's just a stupid jerk.

[Jockemon]

Hi Stormrider85!

I think it sounds like a great idea and im in on it. I tried to paint an environment picture to day. Im definitely willing to share it with you guys along with my thoughts and process.

So I just wonder where you want me to post my "tutorial" hehe

Take care

[Retroboy]

If i have an excuse for being absent in the forums is precisely that, lack of say, "will to sit and practice" this sounds like a great idea for us starters to keep up a decent pace of practice. yeah, know i think the sketchbooks arent enough.

[stormrider85]

ok so here's what im going to do to get this thing on the way to be created, first im going to post this idea in a few more different sections of the forum to get more people joining up, After i get a list of names of all the people that want to participate i want to try get a moderator to start a sticky for the official thread, called "Beginners corner" under community activities sections.

Then ill post all the ppl's names down who agreed to participate and ill try and start it up from there.

As for this post if you want to get your name down for my or our idea then say
" im in" its just that easy!:O :blahblah:

[Mischieviant]

I'd be really happy to join, this is a great idea.:)

[Channin]

Yea sure. Sounds Good.

[Jasper_]

Hey, awesome idea. I'm still beginning digital painting, so I'd love to participate.
"I'm in"

[oyowzas]

I'd love to get in on this, im always down for someone elses opinion on my work. Especially when, in this thread i think there will be much less flaming.=]

[sweet_sorrow]

Sounds like it could be interesting.

But just to add, even if you are only a beginner, you can still use the topics of the DSG to practice, you don't need to post them though.

[stormrider85]

i will create the Official "beginners Corner" thread this weekend and post everyones names down who want in and we'll start from there!

[MeTaL-Mike]

Cool! can't wait. My digital painting really sucks so i'm totally in on this guys!!!

[Nigh7shad3]

count me in! :D:D

[grenogs]

im in too, im confident enough will oils but i realy need to sort out my digital art

[genosuke]

Hello im from ontario,toronto im recently now into pencil drawings since my work demand it.I will join too im new in pencil drawing and need some guide/critique on my work any help i can give i will gladly share too.

my deviant (www.golteb.deviantart.com)

[Ellipses]

I'm in for this idea, god knows I need it if I want to get anywhere xD

[Compact Disaster]

I'm in

[Krigbrann]

Realistic Competition? Improvement with peers? Free Soda? Sounds good. I'm in.

Grenogs got a great point.

[stormrider85]

Sorry i havnt started the new Begginners corner thread yet guys, i got shit loads of work due but i am taking everyones names down and will start it soon!
very soon

[chaosrocks]

people!

spelling please! sorry but It bugs me!

beginning has one G and 2 NNs
Beginner has one G and 2 NNs

other than that it sounds like a great Idea
chaos

[Krigbrann]

people!

spelling please! sorry but It bugs me!

beginning has one G and 2 NNs
Beginner has one G and 2 NNs

other than that it sounds like a great Idea
chaos

He was elected to leeead, not to reeead.

My Mozilla spell check seems to believe that reeead is a word...

[ChopperDave]

So, let's say that I'm new to this site, and that I'm a programmer by trade, so naturally any artistic skills I had have dwindled to nothing. The most complex piece I made in the past few years involved stick figures. Would this be for me? Or am I too far gone?

(First post evar. Yay.)

[Matsign]

Chopper. This can help you if your doing other practices on the side as well. This is only a suggestion. Get a sketchbook and start drawing stuff around you. Then move up to more complex still lifes and drawing people live, around you. If the farthest you've come is stick figures, then I have a feeling you've got some drawing to do. Like twice a day :D Determination is a miracle in itself though.

I want to join in on this as well.

[0shade0]

count me in :) this coud be a nice place to compare training schedules and ways that keep you motivated.

[Jasper_]

Is this thing still going on? I hope this thread doesn't just die off like so many others.

[Weeda]

I'd love to participate, but if I sign up, is it manditory that I participate regularly or will it be like the "post your environments" thread where you just post them as you make them.

[grenogs]

not sure if this still going, it would be nice if it still is. and i hope its not like the "post your environment:, i think itll work better if it more like cow or chow, otherwise itll be just like another tutorial thread. maybe the best way to keep it going or even actualy started is if someone has an idea for everyone to do, just explain what it is and a dead line, in the same way cow is done and thats it, but its all up to stormrider, becouse its his thread.
Just a question here though, what would people here like to draw most, characters, real life, environments, still lifes?

[stormrider85]

Ok i know its been ages since ive responded, but i did intend to start this a long time ago, unfortunately i recently upgraded my computer and still have to get back all my files and artwork and programs including Photoshop, which ill get in 2 days then ill start the official Beginners Corner thread. I've still taken down everyones names for the thread so make sure you visit it when its up.

in the meantime i need to msg a moderater to make the new thread a sticky, and also i may need some help in running this thing because of the amount of people who want to join it.

anyway it WILL start soon.... it will.

[grenogs]

if you build it, they will come

[MeTaL-Mike]

cool !!

[JJ McKool]

I guess those blasphemers over on CG Society have a thread like this. It would be cool if a mod picks up on this, or an administrator, and they put it into a sub-forum, but whateva.

If anybody here's searchin for tutorials, a couple links to check out,
http://www.youtube.com/spawnsc
http://www.youtube.com/user/RivenPhoenix
Two users on Youtube who've got a lot of tutorials up, the first one just has a bunch in his favourites, the other guy's got like 200 of his own, and they're all pretty good.

[Nigh7shad3]

i'll send a message to Layil and see if she could hook us up ;)

[grenogs]

whos layil?

[grenogs]

stormrider when this thread gets started, is it going to be the same name or a different name?

[stormrider85]

Different name called "Beginners Corner"

[Mac Imagery]

I am new to digital, but not new to painting. Still, doing digital has been a bit like starting over, so in essence I am as raw as the next person, even at 43. As an ol'Fart, I do know about various styles and mediums used in art, but lack the technical expertise to mimic them in CG. I'll admit that my time is a bit pressed, but I'm still eager to participate. My background is in scenic painting for stage shows here in 'Vegas, but recently I have tried to steer off into the CG realm, with focus on VFX and conceptual design for films, including my own opus. Have a look at my stuff at http://mcfilms.cgsociety.org/gallery and lemme know...

Also, for those who may be intimidated by artists who are "seemingly" new yet post awesome pieces, I would like to stress the following:

Don't be intimidated, at all.

First, EVERYONE'S work shines brilliantly, period. Technique is secondary to the brilliant way concepts have been visually interpreted by all I've seen on this board, new and old alike.

Second, comparing yourself or any other to yet another's work is akin to comparing "apples to oranges". Art is and has always been subject to opinion, where anyone can and will be correct on their assessment of a piece based on their own perception(s). This is not to say you should not be innovative in your interpretations of a concept handed down, but pressuring an already taxed mind with pressures to please the masses is tantamount to artistic suicide. Be hard on yourself if you don't try, not because you don't know the tools or can't please everyone with them.

Third, the Internet, which has always been a wealth of discovery, has also been a wealth of stealth. To clarify, you may see someone post who has never posted before, but that does not necessarily mean they are new/young/etc. Don't equate "board newbie-ness" with actual experience. I am completely new to digital, but I have also worked in entertainment for over 25 years. I bring those years of experience to my digital work, but in a half-assed way, with almost no finesse, 'cause I don't know the digital tools yet. If you feel that they rock and they are new, and you've been at this but are not gaining ground in your field, don't be concerned. A Zima tastes great and can be made in short time, but a fine South African Merlot, when perfectly aged, has a better flavor and has three times the impact on the noggin'. For myself, I prefer to "get a buzz" than drink because there was a buzz about the drink...

Stormrider85, I applaud you for beginning the section. We should all consider ourselves beginners until we are all dust, when finally the world shows appreciation for our life long pursuits by paying outrageous prices for our work, to people who never executed them. Now that, is a suitable reason for depression that I have to often ignore, because our names will outlive those who sell our work after we're gone. Artists, in every facet of art from dance to sketch and from scribe to Wacom user, are the last of the true immortals...

OK. Rant complete. Please consider this "newbie" for this section. I will learn, and grow, and help pass along what I can of my experiences as well.



Mac

[grenogs]

mcfilms well i personally dont mind you being here, ive been an illustrator and mural artist, and basicly anything else people will pay me for, for past 10 years, but working mainly in oils. Digital is new to me aswell, pluss as an illustrator who is having to change styles just to keep up with the ever changeing business, i to am basicly starting from the beginning. its a never ending lesson that has to be taken every so often. if not for money reasons then to keep boredom and staleness away.

[Mac Imagery]

Cool grenogs! I appreciate the comment, and I agree completely. The lessons never really end...

[rvdtor]

is the beginner's corner up yet?

[grenogs]

soon, hopefully

[bobot]

I'm interested....

[stormrider85]

MCFilms it will be great to have you in this group a person here with traditional understand will be really useful to learn off. Digital painting a traditional have a lot of similarities and i myself haven't had an traditional painting education besides what i taught myself from airbrush painting (which is really all over the place). Any input you have will be extremely valuable.

[stormrider85]

*understanding

[stormrider85]

The List of People so far....
Beginner’s Corner List
1 grenogs
2 MeTaL-Mike
3 Anthis
4 Micaiah Nelson
5 Manuel_Calavera
6 Jockemon
7 Retroboy
8 Mischieviant
9 Channin
10 Pyroclasm00
11 oyowzas
12 sweet_sorrow
13 Nigh7shad3
14 genosuke
15 Ellipses
16 Compact Disaster
17 MaxoftheSouth
18 ChopperDave
19 Matsign
20 0shade0
21 Weeda
22 JJ McKool
23 McFilms
24 bobot

[grenogs]

wow, yeah, thats quite a list of people, i see what your saying now stormrider

[Skeedio]

Count me in as well.. :)

[Mac Imagery]

stormrider85: Anything I can do to help and to get helped! Thanks for the add to the list!!!

[bobot]

Yeah, let's get this thing rolling!

[MeTaL-Mike]

Totally!!!!

[Natty]

Is this only for digital art/traditional paintings or is sculpture allowed too?
Im new to sculpting and really do need to work on my drawing skills(actually to be honest i need to learn to draw first:D ) I have no idea what im doing and the sketches i do for my sculptures look NOTHING like they do in my head...lol....in my head their awsome, scary beasts from a nightmare but on paper they look like kindergarten fingerpaintings..he he he..so id love to be in on this if im allowed?

[stormrider85]

sure of course you can join in, although their probably wont be anything on sculpting in particular, unless theres someone in the group who does it.
otherwise the most you will get is strictly from the drawing side, but it probably is essential you improve in that area anyway.

[Natty]

thanks...i'll keep checking in to see whats happening :)

[stormrider85]

ill put you on the beginner's corner list now, im about to post the first project.

[Ampersand]

Ooh, can I join in as well? Sounds like a great project. :)

[stormrider85]

ok ill add you to the list, the first project is already up

[lmnop]

is it still possible to join?

[stormrider85]

yeh sure get in while you still can imnop, ill add you to the list!

[FoxinShocks]

Are you still taking newbs? I would like to join, but I'm not sure I count as a beginner. I always doodled in my notebooks but I only started doing studies and being serious last year. I'm definitely a beginner in skill level hahah

[grenogs]

anyone who still wants to join, send an email to stormrider, but in the mean time, if you wish to enter the first project, then do so, and stormrider will get back to you as soon as possible :)

[stormrider85]

FoxinShocks as long as you want to learn and help other ppl learn your welcome to join us, ill add you to the list.
be sure to post something for the first project!