Having trouble getting started in digital painting

[Nadia_B]

I've been scowering the net and bookstores and what I seek seems to be eluding me at the moment. I'm wanting to move out of doing graphite-only work and stretch myself into some other mediums. I've tried actual painting and I find the process to be entirely too messy (and my hand's gotten so used to using a pencil, that when holding a brush it literally goes retarded).

In my search I have not been able to find any good tutorials to help with transitioning into Photoshop. All the tutorials I've found are either for absolute beginners who don't know how to draw, anime-oriented, or very advanced.
Where should I look? How do I begin? Or better yet, how did you begin?

Sidenote: Which is the best program to get for realistic digital painting? I've heard Photoshop, Painter, and CS being knocked around.

[Lechu]

Hi Nadia, Im in the same position as you are. I want to start in digital painting and sketching but I dont know where to start. Ive looked through a couple of bookstores and stuff, but all I came across were either photoshop books, or drawing books for beginners or professionals, nothing that would mix the two areas together.

So my question is the same as yours, which is the best way to get into digital painting and drawing?

I dont have a wacom table yet, but I want to know where to start before getting one.

Cheers!

[bumskee]

I was in the exact same shoe as you guys... seriously... it's really hard to find THE tutorial... but the fact is.. you won't ever find it I reckon.. It's just too hard to place it into a tut but also the fact that someone's perfect tut might be totally useless to another...

Maybe you guys are treating digital painting so very different to traditional.. I mean yes, there are heaps of technical differences.. how things go on about the two... but at the end of the day.. it will come down to how much you know about "painting" in general. What you choose to paint with can be easily picked up.. well not easily but I think "painting" will always hold you back more than "photoshop"

Choice of programs don't really matter much.. CS is Photoshop btw, a version of photoshop, 7.0, CS, CS2 and we are at CS3.. Painter is more geared towards traditional feel, I haven't used much so I can't say too much except that it can pick up the paints underneath where as photoshop you can't. The brush engine is different I guess.. As for painting realistic, I think both can do.. plus other programs like artrage.. sketchbook pro.. opencanvas..and so.. but those two would be most common..

If you guys paint traditionally, it's just matter of getting around the technical difficulties.. eg, resolution..brushes..layers..and so on.. If you haven't don't any painting before.. digital painting won't be any easier than any other painting..

My advice would simply be to start with something very simple.. to build up that confidence of using Photoshop.. understand what each tool does and you will soon pick up what method works for you and what doesn't..

you will need a tablet.. some people do it without it.. but it's just so much easier and healthier with a tablet..

[Daray]

but at the end of the day.. it will come down to how much you know about "painting" in general.

If you haven't don't any painting before.. digital painting won't be any easier than any other painting..

I think you've just solved my problems of 'I understand in my mind how to do it all, just not apply it'. I don't have a background in anything apart from design work, so painting/ colour work is really quite a challenge. I understand the theories of it, but because I haven't had much experience in it, this must be why I struggle.


As for the original questioners of this topic, like everyone has said, both programmes are pretty similar. I personally use photoshop, but I did prefer Painter for landscapes. It is simply all about understanding what tool does what, and playing about.

*saunters off to do some real painting...eep*

[Lechu]

Well to be honest I haven't done any actual painting, I contemplated with the idea like a year ago, but I didn't make it happen, and I regret it.

Nevertheless I have some drawing experience, sketching, etc. Ive done a year of Architecture and Graphic Design, so as you can guess I have a lot of trouble with human anatomy and figure and such (something I would love to learn), and I'm more experience drawing dead objects such as buildings and the like. I know colour theory, lighting, etc.

Anyhow I know any creative activity is better learned hands-on, so Ive decided to get a wacom table and practice for myself. However maybe something to read on the subject would help, so what book would you recommend on the digital drawing subject?

Thx in advance, cheers!

Quick Edit: Also Im familiar with Photoshop CS2, though I would guess CS3 is practicaly the same.

Sorry for my bad English

[bumskee]

Mostly.. people just go by learning to draw... on paper..
again.. it's more about learning to draw as in your case.. anatomy and figures.. hence the paper coz it's more comfortable and you want to get the knowledge in first.. and this can easily translate into "digital" if you so wish to label it down the track.. especially with wacom u just need to get used to it a bit and then it won't be so much different from drawing on paper...

If you've never drawn on paper and digital.. let's say u didn't... they would both present with same problem, as in learning to "draw" and learning the "tool".. just don't assume digital will be easier.. for some reason people do think it's easier.. I am not sure why.. and then people wonder why it's not easier.. but anyways..

You can check out the lounge, there's a thread there on drawing books u can download free.. also google for some andrew loomis books. He's a great teacher and have helped many here at CA.. almost like a bible..almost.. heh..
"figure drawing for all its worth" "creative illustration" are awsome.. other books are also very very informative too. those two should keep you busy for a long time tho. :)

[Nadia_B]

Like I mentioned earlier, painting is not one of my stronger suits (so I don't know these "fundamentals" that you've talked about). I understand layering, but I'm coming at art more from a graphite arist's standpoint of outlining everything first (not heavily, mind you), blocking in shadows and highlights simultaneously, and then blending it in for the finished piece.

I'm saving up for a Wacom tablet at the moment. I used to have a desktop with a small wacom tablet that I worked on before it decided to give up the ghost. Now all I have is a small 12 inch screen ibook. As soon as I can afford it, I would like to get an actual desktop computer with a large monitor that I would imagine would be easier to work on.

Hm, right now I'm trying to decide between Photoshop and Painter. I've seen some wonderful realistic work come from both. Question: Is Painter compatible with Macs or is it a Windows-only program?

Bumskee - Oh yes, the Loomis books are amazing. I've used them quite a bite. Thankfully, my strong suit is human anatomy, figures, and characters. It's just translating that into digital that I need help with.

Good luck to you as well Lechu!

[Lechu]

Thx a lot for the tips.
Yeah one of my professors once brought some Loomis books to one of my classes, those are amazing, now that you brought up the subject it wouldnt hurt me getting one of those, I really want to learn about anatomy and the human figure and actually being able to draw characters.

Mostly Im really into what I know to draw on paper already, which are environments, architecture, dead objects, and sometimes landscapes.

Even if I learn to do digital drawing I guess Im never gonna stop using the good old paper, as I love to draw on site, going over to some nice architectural wonder and spend the afternoon there sketching. But I would love to come back home and add another layer to my work with a wacom and photoshop.

Going to check those Loomis books, Cheers!

And to you Nadia!

[bumskee]

Nadia, you can easily purchase a grapphre 4 tablets, 6x8 for relatively cheap.. ebay is a good place to start.. intous is better but more costly and you can just upgrade later if u feel grapphire isn't finer enough for you..
Coming from graphite artist, you should be fine.. just start with something simple, we all want to just go for a masterpiece but if you build it up slowly it will be more encouraging but fun as well.. I believe painter is available on mac.. :) good luck and post your stuff in critique section if want feedbacks and technical stuffs here or on painter forum! :D

Lechu, most people if I am not mistaken will draw on paper, scan it in.. and then put a wash or paint it in PS/painter.. so what you are thinking is spot on and even tho I have gone a different route, if I had to I would go do it paper and then photoshop.. yeah.. for characters, anatomy and costumes really important.. you can buy the real thing, the book from ebay or something, I own a copy :D yay.. or you can download PDF version. They were freely available a while ago but not sure what the story is at the moment.. try fineart.sk they should have a link or something.. but Andrew loomis! can't go wrong with him. Good luck!

:)

[Nadia_B]

Lechu - I'd also recommend getting some photography reference books as well as Loomis's handdrawn books. It will give you a good perspective on both pencil art and photography for better proportions. Also, if you're wanting to improve your human anatomy, go out with a sketchbook and sketch real people. Sit down at a cafe and just start drawing. At first it'll probably look terrible, but that's okay! You're learning.

Bumskee - Which size graphire would you recommend? I've heard people bounce back and forth between 4x6 and 6x8.

Oh I'll definitely post up in the critique section (once I can actually get some time to sit down and work...).

[bumskee]

4x6? I thought it was 6x8 and 9x12...
it depends... most seem to be happy with 6x8 actually.. I think that would be most commonly used size.. some like me love 9x12 tho..
you should go for 6x8.. 4x6 maybe way too small ...

[subwolley]

I'm also trying to further my knowledge in digital painting. I'm considering looking for a class or a workshop in digital painting. Maybe do some research in your city and see if there are some classes you can take to teach you some basic techniques. Could be an alternative to searching bookstores.

[tomt]

I just looked at the Wacom Bamboo, and it looks like this is the replacement for the Graphire tablet. If you are a pro, or are really working large on a desktop, a larger format Intous is right for you. If you are a student, I'd go this route. I originally started out with the 4 by 5 inch Wacom 15 years ago. I now use the 6 by 8 Intuous 3, but still use a 4 by 5 for my laptop. It's not a bad little tablet, just not as sensitive as the Intous 3. I priced it here;
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=193846&WT.mc_n=4&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=COMPARISON%20SHOPPING&cm_cat=GOOGLE&cm_pla=DATAFEED->PRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=4

for under 70 bucks US. For basically the same tablet (Painter Essentials and Adobe Expressions added) I priced it at under 100 bucks US. If you already have Painter or Adobe Photoshop, get the less expensive model. You can check out all the specs better at Wacom.com. Hope this helps.

Tom