Getting Started (the real beginning)

[gregboyd]

First let me say that it is a pleasure to read through all of these posts. The fact that there is so much knowledge freely exchanged here is overwhelming. This group is so supportive and generally devoid of the stupidity and flame wars that plague so many other places on the net.

Having said all that, please help me with this question.

Pretend you are starting from ZERO. You have not even learned to "draw." You have ideas, but no real talent or skill. You also have a day job and a family. Now, let's say you have about $200 to spend on getting started (without your wife killing you . . . that is your limit).

How would you spend that money? What would you buy? Are there cheaper introductory software out there. I have seen the personal version of Maya, but I am way below that level.

Thank you a ton.

Greg

[::EPIC::]

welp given your secenario, it would probably be best to take some formal art classes, life-drawing etc. I say this since everyone hammers into students minds the need for the basics prior to the software knowledge. I'm generally speaking on all industries, in no one specific area. It's kool to tinker and get used to new software (however you come across it) prior to learning it fully. So yea learn to draw, draw with colour, then to software etc.

[Magicjuand]

yes get into the basics....I would buy a sketch book and some random pens and pencils maybe even some small brushes and watercolor set. Then just draw the things your passionate about. Draw at coffee shops, draw some simple master copies, draw quick skethces of your kids, etc. And remember -have no worries- sketchbooks are where we learn the most sometimes so dont have any hangups if the sketches are "bad". The idea is to keep practicing and learning. Then maybe enroll in a cheap community college course in your area or find a mentor or workshop that is affordable. Ask people or students around your area about who is good at teaching the drawing and painting stuff. Become active or proactive. Buy comic books you like or cg magazines to expose yourself and to become aware of other stuff. Also do play around with the maya program you have, although basics are extremley important you dont want to neglect any other art things you are passionate about becasue you feel you need to prepare yourself or be perfect at drawing before you can touch it or investigate it futher. Most importantly have fun... I think having fun is free in the United States still....

[TheYellowDart]

Paper (~15?)
Pencils of various hardness' (~$15?)
Vilppu Drawing Manual: http://www.vilppustudio.com/ ($40)
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Download the Loomis Books. (free)
And if you want Maya or a 3d program, don't buy it. Find a friend with it. But be weary, in my opinion, you need to know how to draw before you know the computer. For one, drawing skills and techniques hardly change, but software does. By the time you get "good" at one program there might be another one out that everyone is using. It's just a smarter move to get your drawing skills sound before the computer, because the computer can be picked up much easier.
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That'll get you started from the raw. Then of course, save your change and get into some life drawing classes!

[danteort]

Depending on where you are located, you might look into enrolling in a class at a community college. Those are usually quite cheap, and should get you going nicely. My local community college charges $56 per credit hour, and the studio classes are usually 3 credit hours. So, with tuition and materials, you just might make it with $200 (depending on your area).

I'd recommend not diving into watercolor right away, unless you enroll in a watercolor class. I tried picking up watercolor by myself several years ago, and it was frustrating to say the least. In my limited experience with it, I found that it's a very counter-intuitive medium. Now, I'm enrolled in a class with a VERY good teacher, and things make much more sense.

So, as has been said, start off by looking for a drawing class.

[MindCandyMan]

gregboyd - I was in the same position as you about a year ago...I had a full time day job and I had/have a wife to care for and I also was a little short on money. This is my recommendation...I would say buy a sketchbook and a bunch of hb pencils...then draw everything...do as many studies from life as you can...also look up on the internet all the free resources you can...the Loomis books are available online for free here and they are a fantastic resource:

http://www.gfxartist.com/features/tutorials

There are other tutorials there that are really good as well. If you can control value with a pencil...you can learn everything else as it comes. Fundamental drawing skills are the hardest thing to master and the most vital. People like feng zhu...justin sweet...jason manley...craig mullins...Andrew Jones...they are all as good as they are because they can "draw" well. They can draw in perspective...and control value very well. If you gave them a rock and told them to scratch the sidewalk they would make it look good because they have the fundamental precision skill of drawing. A pencil and a sketchbook...that's my suggestion. By the way thanks for the encouragement. ;)

[gregboyd]

Thank you all very much. I will certainly follow your advice.

Greg