Where to start???

[DevonM]

Hi, I'm new to this forum...

So i just got photoshop and I'm interested in creating pictures of Warhammer 40,000 space marines. How do I do this? For those of you who don't know, they are basically heavily armored super soldiers of the future. So where do i start with making the humanoid shape and such... Thanks a ton!

[AdamR]

You start at learning how to draw, and getting a foundation in art.

You then move onto learning the software to the best of your ability.

When you've got those down then everything will come.

[DevonM]

Thanks, i'm looking into buying a graphic tablet (i think they were called).
They were just a pad to hook up to your comp so you could draw and such.

I am in high school with VERy little money, so what is the cheapest, best value one out there?

[AdamR]

How little is little?

You're pretty much gonna need at the absolute minimum $100, and you're not going to get anywhere near the best tablet out there for that -- but it'll be enough to get you started.

[DevonM]

great thanks, i guess lol.

So i was also wondering how do you make people in photoshop. i've searched around on google, and i can only find how to edit people.

[AdamR]

It's the same way you'd draw them or paint them. Photoshop is just a tool, nothing more. It's not going to make the art for you.

You get what is called the brush tool in it, and just like you would with a graphite pencil on paper, you start drawing. Put down your construction lines, begin to add volume and form, flesh out the tones and colors, so on and so forth. It's no different. The only difference is the repertoire of tools the software gives you to make certain tasks simple and quick.

That's why you'll hear a lot of people tell you that it's a very, very good idea to get a traditional background before jumping into digital. While not necessary, it's definitely beyond helpful. Photoshop isn't going to make good art; you are.

[DevonM]

I realize that I am the one who needs the skill.
My only problem is that with a mouse, it is a bit hard to draw people, and i'm having troule because all the circular shapes i make end up with bumps and divits.

[AdamR]

Oh, well I thought you were gonna order yourself a tablet?

If you can't get one soon then I guess the best way would be to draw it on paper and scan it in. It's a lot of easier to color in a linedrawing with a mouse than it is to actually make the drawing followed by coloring it with one.

[DevonM]

I am hoping to get a tablet (not a tablet PC, but the thing that you attach) but the reason i am going to get it is that i can't draw with the mouse. How easy are they to use???

[shutupyourface]

you really could draw with a mouse, it's just about learning how.

you should know that you won't be able to just pick up a tablet pen and go to town like it's paper. there's a learning curve with a tablet/pen setup.

just so you know to expect a transition phase, and don't let yourself get frustrated with it for awhile. just practice practice practice.

as for where to start, i'd suggest the following threads:

basics for digital painting:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=76955
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=47859
(in each thread there are also a wealth of links to other threads with more information)

amazing anatomy/construction:
http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=25653&page=34
http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1160400#post1160400
http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1159293#post1159293

that should get you started.

[Anid Maro]

The mouse is a horrendous tool for drawing. However it does just fine for coloring in and editing (though not as natural feeling as a tablet).

However, it would seem that you are more in need of general art instruction and experience than technical assistance. Start with printer paper and a pencil, and learn to draw with those. As you gain experience and competancy you can then move onto niftier toys like ink or watercolors or Photoshop.

Since you are specifically interested in the human(oid) figure (i.e. Warhammer 40K marines) I might suggest looking for books by Andrew Loomis and George Bridgman. There's a third guy I like, but I can't think of the name at the moment. But those two will give you a more than adequate start for human anatomy.

And for general drawing pick up "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards.

Good luck!

[nvcble]

I'm a lefty and i learned to draw on the mouse with my right. Now it's a tablet on the left, mouse on the right and whatever for the keyboards. It feels awful when you go back to painting on canvass after a while of digital designing though.hehe

[tomryley]

I am thinking about purchasing a graphic tablet as well, i am also a student. I found out a bit about Wacom, but i have several questions to ask.

- with most tablets, do you actually "draw" on the screen?
- if you don't, is it easy to be drawing on a tablet separate to the screen, couldnt you just use a mouse?
- if you do, what sort of deal could i get for £200 - £300 ($400 - $600?)

also, how are more expensive tablets better than cheaper ones? are they more sensitive or have more features or what?

thanks

[AdamR]

- with most tablets, do you actually "draw" on the screen?


You draw on the tablet surface using a stylus (digitizing pen). When you press down on the surface with your pen, certain variables are taken into consideration (position of the pen, how hard you are pressing, the angle your pen is at, etc) - all of these then translate into information (most commonly in our cases: brush strokes) to the computer screen.


- if you don't, is it easy to be drawing on a tablet separate to the screen, couldnt you just use a mouse?


It is easy once you get used to it. Your very first few shots it's just a bit awkward, but you adjust fast. Mice have several disadvantages as opposed to tablets, most notably:

- Holding a pen and drawing on a tablet is supposed to emulate drawing in traditional mediums (pen, pencil, what have you), so it's much more natural than trying to draw with a mouse.

Have you ever tried to draw on the computer using a mouse? It's incredibly difficult, isn't it? With a tablet, it's like drawing on a piece of paper.

- Tablets host a variety of features. Pressure sensitivity, pen tilt capabilities, quick keys for hotkeying the features you use most in your software.

- Tablets increase your productivity in an amazing fashion.


- if you do, what sort of deal could i get for £200 - £300 ($400 - $600?)


$600 USD can purchase you a brand new Wacom Intuos3 12x12 tablet -- which is a big effin tablet! Most people are easily comfortable with 6x8/6x11 (for widescreen monitors) which can be purchased for $330 USD. That budget gives you a pretty big variety of sizes to choose from, so it's completely up to what you feel will be better for you.


also, how are more expensive tablets better than cheaper ones? are they more sensitive or have more features or what?


Cheaper tablets (this talking about Wacom exclusively, it's different for other brands of tablets -- Wacom is the industry standard for mostly everything however, so we'll stick with that) will not have as many levels of pressure sensitivity available, the pens don't support pen tilting, the pens aren't their gripped models (which tend to be more comfortable -- which, since you'll be spending a lot of time with that pen, is definitely something to take into consideration), no touch strips, and so on.

http://www.wacom.com/productinfo/differences.cfm

This link will allow you to select three different models from their selection to give you a side-by-side comparison of the feature/price differences.

Hope it helped.

Feel free to ask anymore questions you may have.

- Adam

[Yves]

I'm new to digital painting and I'm wondering: would the Wacom bamboo be a good choice to get my feet wet?