Artists' Discovery Thread [Share ideas and techniques here]
Verene
Yes! Song of the Lioness, by Tamora Pierce. She's been one of my favorite authors since I was a kid - I don't care that I'm 23 now, her stuff is still great. Alanna the Lioness, who has purple magic and a purple-eyed cat named Faithful
Several of my friends are convinced that the book character is somehow based off of me, even though the first one was written a year or two before I was born, as I am also short, red-headed, have the same name, have a black cat, am rather temperamental (especially with dumb people), and I absolutely love magic XD
/nerd
I've done some Tortall fanart, but I'm too lazy to scan it. And one of my GW characters (the same character that my GWG username comes from) is named for two characters in her books.
Several of my friends are convinced that the book character is somehow based off of me, even though the first one was written a year or two before I was born, as I am also short, red-headed, have the same name, have a black cat, am rather temperamental (especially with dumb people), and I absolutely love magic XD
/nerd
I've done some Tortall fanart, but I'm too lazy to scan it. And one of my GW characters (the same character that my GWG username comes from) is named for two characters in her books.
YunSooJin
Yes. I loved Tamora Pierce when I was a kid. I remember I was all excited when she started writing a new series, but honestly I didn't enjoy that one very much. I found Alanna and Jon (?) to be much more interesting as stories.
Ok! Enough thread derailing =P
edit: I'm male but I thought Alanna was pretty freakin cool.
Ok! Enough thread derailing =P
edit: I'm male but I thought Alanna was pretty freakin cool.
BlueXIV
Psh. I think the thread has been derailed so much already that it's become an general art discussion thread, which is perfectly fine by me :P
ZenRgy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Widowmaker
Thing about dA is people have to actively search for you work unless they see it on the front page when you first post it.
Which is about a 2 minute window of opportunity if you're lucky.
That is why things like Star Wars, FF, and so on get a lot of faves, people know to look for it. And that's why dA is a joke of an "art" portal.
Which is about a 2 minute window of opportunity if you're lucky.
That is why things like Star Wars, FF, and so on get a lot of faves, people know to look for it. And that's why dA is a joke of an "art" portal.
Morag D
extensive Lol @ faves and views on DA.. couldn't agree more (btw, Verene, I really like your stuff, I faved that butterfly picture a while ago ). While I'm lucky to say that my most faved piece is indeed what I'd consider to be the overall best piece of my gallery, the most viewed one is a a crappy old sketch of a bare-chested WoW character - which tells you a bit about the average wow player (no offense ) and DA in general. But I just like having my stuff up on a page somewhere that is incredibly easy to use (I'm hopeless with websites otherwise) and where I can see what friends draw and get some inspiration. I've long since resigned to the fact that I will never be a star there.. lol. I'm hungry now.
Nian
@Verene,
I actually think SLR does not photographer make. I have a canon I got as a gift with a widescreen lens and I take really crappy pictures with it although a 55mm lens would be better suited for me. People take better pictures with their pocket cameras which are not even that bad nowdays and very compact & nice to take with you because they weight so little. I know many pros even do this because SLR is simply a pain to drag around.
I love that fish in a bubble photomanip.
@Chicken of The Seas,
There is actually something quite interesting in that puppy picture. The puppies look tired and they're in a cage with one paw on the bars. Little bit emotional.
Btw it would be cool if more people posted tutorials here of some of their drawing techniques or just their progress pictures. I can't think of anything to post aside from basic stuff otherwise I would. 8)
I actually think SLR does not photographer make. I have a canon I got as a gift with a widescreen lens and I take really crappy pictures with it although a 55mm lens would be better suited for me. People take better pictures with their pocket cameras which are not even that bad nowdays and very compact & nice to take with you because they weight so little. I know many pros even do this because SLR is simply a pain to drag around.
I love that fish in a bubble photomanip.
@Chicken of The Seas,
There is actually something quite interesting in that puppy picture. The puppies look tired and they're in a cage with one paw on the bars. Little bit emotional.
Btw it would be cool if more people posted tutorials here of some of their drawing techniques or just their progress pictures. I can't think of anything to post aside from basic stuff otherwise I would. 8)
Tzu
just one last note on the dA fav system... the window of opportunity-thing is too true, there are SO many awesome artworks out there which are near impossible to find if you use the "sort by popular - all time" filter, which happens to be the default.
Let's use Samus as an example. My girl crush and the awesomest female in gaming history, which lately has become "top of the pops" thanks to SSB:Brawl.
When I search for "Samus Aran", this, this and even this places >20pages x 120 deviations AT LEAST before something like this and the awesomeness that is this. Actually, after browsing through those 20 something pages, I just CBA to go on anymore, slightly sickened by the amount of GG-cupped Zero Suit Samuses in various positions with things like Marth, Snake and even Mario... wtf Q.Q
I don't even remember how I found half of my Samus art collection on dA anymore.
Back to topic, I never really used this one myself, but maybe someone will find it useful: colouring technique tutorial
Let's use Samus as an example. My girl crush and the awesomest female in gaming history, which lately has become "top of the pops" thanks to SSB:Brawl.
When I search for "Samus Aran", this, this and even this places >20pages x 120 deviations AT LEAST before something like this and the awesomeness that is this. Actually, after browsing through those 20 something pages, I just CBA to go on anymore, slightly sickened by the amount of GG-cupped Zero Suit Samuses in various positions with things like Marth, Snake and even Mario... wtf Q.Q
I don't even remember how I found half of my Samus art collection on dA anymore.
Back to topic, I never really used this one myself, but maybe someone will find it useful: colouring technique tutorial
Duranin
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tzu
Back to topic, I never really used this one myself, but maybe someone will find it useful: colouring technique tutorial
I remember that tutorial <3 I tried it back when I still used Photoshop, but I suppose my lack of experience in greyscale shading made it not work out too well for me.
Verene
Hehe, thanks, guys
Nian - I know an SLR doesn't make one better or anything. However, I am the only one in my family that doesn't have some background in traditional photography (my grandfather has boxes and boxes of photos he took while overseas in the army in the 50's, my mom did a lot of it when she was younger, and my brother's done it a bunch too), so I feel a bit left out. I'd like to at least learn that sort of thing, you know?
Tzu - huh, that tutorial seems really familiar, but last time I saw it it wasn't in Flash mode. Neat.
Also, general art/discussion thread is something I was thinking we needed around here anyway, so yeah
Nian - I know an SLR doesn't make one better or anything. However, I am the only one in my family that doesn't have some background in traditional photography (my grandfather has boxes and boxes of photos he took while overseas in the army in the 50's, my mom did a lot of it when she was younger, and my brother's done it a bunch too), so I feel a bit left out. I'd like to at least learn that sort of thing, you know?
Tzu - huh, that tutorial seems really familiar, but last time I saw it it wasn't in Flash mode. Neat.
Also, general art/discussion thread is something I was thinking we needed around here anyway, so yeah
BlueXIV
@tasha, don't be afraid to post on CA.org. Not quite as scary as you'd think. It has it's share of beginners as well, and generally everyone is pretty nice (you wont find elitist pricks there).
It's just... pretty intimidating because there are so many awesome artists there, but they'll help you out if you go in with a good attitude. I was too embarrassed to post there at first as well, but I regret that now, because I get really good feedback :\
@Tzu, Q_Q, I only look at dA from links that people send me/from art sites. There are too many things there that burn my eyes D:
Oh and I wouldn't recommend getting stuck on that coloring tutorial, too methodical, and if you follow that, you wont get many cool color variations in your art
Edit: Btw, do you think we should start a C&C thread? For things GW related and not?
It's just... pretty intimidating because there are so many awesome artists there, but they'll help you out if you go in with a good attitude. I was too embarrassed to post there at first as well, but I regret that now, because I get really good feedback :\
@Tzu, Q_Q, I only look at dA from links that people send me/from art sites. There are too many things there that burn my eyes D:
Oh and I wouldn't recommend getting stuck on that coloring tutorial, too methodical, and if you follow that, you wont get many cool color variations in your art
Edit: Btw, do you think we should start a C&C thread? For things GW related and not?
Morag D
Verene
I think something like that would be awesome - like Morag says, if someone wants actual feedback, they'll be able to post and get some.
Nian
@Blue,
I used to think CA.org was very intimidating aswell and especially since I drew anime back then. I haven't posted there much 'cause I'm lazy but I've read the sketchbook threads and such and it is actually a very friendly place like you said. No discrimination. You get good comments but also encouragement and there are people of all skill levels.
The funny thing is everyone who makes a sketchbook there I've noticed improve their skills dramatically at the end. Even people who pretty much start from scratch.
Quote:
I used to think CA.org was very intimidating aswell and especially since I drew anime back then. I haven't posted there much 'cause I'm lazy but I've read the sketchbook threads and such and it is actually a very friendly place like you said. No discrimination. You get good comments but also encouragement and there are people of all skill levels.
The funny thing is everyone who makes a sketchbook there I've noticed improve their skills dramatically at the end. Even people who pretty much start from scratch.
Quote:
@Verene,
That sounds cool. You have people who could teach you and you could borrow those expensive equipments too. My dad does a lot of city photographing as a hobby and knows a lot about cameras but I'm just so uninspired to learn tbh. Feels like the SLR are just hindering the desire to photograph by giving too much freedom and stuff to adjust for a beginner like me.
Espadon
My hands are too lanky to make a small camera like an SD500 work -- things just shake too much. I feel a lot more comfortable using SLR format since it's heavier and easier for my hands to grab onto, but that's about it.
Well and the fact it's faster to manually adjust exposure and focus sometimes if you're taking ref photos of tricky situations like rainy backlight and stuff like that.
imo any artist worth their salt would be able to turn even something like dA into a worthwhile experience. Even CA.org won't help people who don't want to improve >_>
Well and the fact it's faster to manually adjust exposure and focus sometimes if you're taking ref photos of tricky situations like rainy backlight and stuff like that.
imo any artist worth their salt would be able to turn even something like dA into a worthwhile experience. Even CA.org won't help people who don't want to improve >_>
BlueXIV
Oh I'm not saying dA is worthless or not useful, I'm just saying dA is hard to extract random good tips from. If you have a circle of friends who give CnC, that's great, but if you want to just jump in to a community and get serious critiques, dA falls a bit short.
Verene
I've gotten more and better critiques here in the span of about 6 hours than I have in over five years on dA, so yeah
Widowmaker
If you want critique from artists you admire at dA, ask them. Some will be too busy, some will tell you where to go, but some will be happy to talk to you about it. Many people are happy to talk about what they love and many will be flattered you value their opinion enough to want to know.
Just depends on how busy they are.
Just depends on how busy they are.
Morag D
Hey,
me again. A few people noted that they'd like to see stages of development in a picture, and I just so happened to keep track of my latest major piece 'Epilogue' (for the Mortbane contest) - you can find them here
lineart - colour scheme - light source - background - foreground - finishing touches
me again. A few people noted that they'd like to see stages of development in a picture, and I just so happened to keep track of my latest major piece 'Epilogue' (for the Mortbane contest) - you can find them here
lineart - colour scheme - light source - background - foreground - finishing touches
BlueXIV
Looks fun morag.
I kinda really hate Mucha tho, so I'll refrain from commenting too much XD.
In other news, you can do _ANYTHING_ with a sharpie, some white out, and maybe some gouache. Oh and an infinite supply of bored/frustration.
I kinda really hate Mucha tho, so I'll refrain from commenting too much XD.
In other news, you can do _ANYTHING_ with a sharpie, some white out, and maybe some gouache. Oh and an infinite supply of bored/frustration.
Woodelf Archer
Ive been an artist myself for many years but i've never ventured out of pencil and paint... I have been known to spend many weeks, sometimes venturing into months on a painting (very slow worker)
So anyway yesterday I stumbled across this forum....
oh...my...lord
The quality of art i've viewed on every thread is of such a high and inspiring standard I actually sat, jaw on my keyboard for 15 minutes just looking at one particular picture. I'm completely dumbstuck how you could make such fantastic artwork.
As I mentioned above however I've hardly used any media at all other than pencil and painting (unless you count a hour here an there for perhaps the oldelst version of coreldraw ever for GCSE). I just wondered if any kind and knowledgeable person would post what programs they would recommend or use themselves to create artwork, as I feel this is something I'd really like to get into. Also the process you go through would be awesome too, but I hope im not asking too much here (i get the feeling I am)
If this is not the correct place for this question I apologise infinately and demand it be locked and deleted in a heartbeat.
P.S if i get a chance I could probably load some of my artwork up later on, but we'll see how things go.
Thanks alot, Woody
P.P.S: Thank you Tzu for directing me to the correct place! =)
So anyway yesterday I stumbled across this forum....
oh...my...lord
The quality of art i've viewed on every thread is of such a high and inspiring standard I actually sat, jaw on my keyboard for 15 minutes just looking at one particular picture. I'm completely dumbstuck how you could make such fantastic artwork.
As I mentioned above however I've hardly used any media at all other than pencil and painting (unless you count a hour here an there for perhaps the oldelst version of coreldraw ever for GCSE). I just wondered if any kind and knowledgeable person would post what programs they would recommend or use themselves to create artwork, as I feel this is something I'd really like to get into. Also the process you go through would be awesome too, but I hope im not asking too much here (i get the feeling I am)
If this is not the correct place for this question I apologise infinately and demand it be locked and deleted in a heartbeat.
P.S if i get a chance I could probably load some of my artwork up later on, but we'll see how things go.
Thanks alot, Woody
P.P.S: Thank you Tzu for directing me to the correct place! =)
Tzu
you're very welcome, newcomer! ^^
I don't know if you're interested in my methods, but...
I personally use Photoshop CS3, but I use so little of it's potential I could use PS7 and not feel a difference... XD
How I paint my paintings vary, but BlueXIV's methods have greatly rubbed off on me (he's been teaching me a few things during the last month) so most of what he will explain will count for me too - but he'll be better at explaining - so I'll just wait until he's posted, then maybe add a few things... ^^'
Stuff that I might not share with Blue; I work in lots of layers, every time I add something new to the picture, I make a new layer. For example, for my latest digital painting I used seperated layers for the sky, the sea, the waves, the glitter on the waves, the character's sketch, the details on his clothes, the shadows, the highlights... the list goes on. That' the way I'm comfortable working, since I always experiment a LOT when I work. I delete layers, fade them, erase bits of it, highlight them... It's more of a tool of comfort than a technique, though. You work in whatever way suits you.
I don't know if you're interested in my methods, but...
I personally use Photoshop CS3, but I use so little of it's potential I could use PS7 and not feel a difference... XD
How I paint my paintings vary, but BlueXIV's methods have greatly rubbed off on me (he's been teaching me a few things during the last month) so most of what he will explain will count for me too - but he'll be better at explaining - so I'll just wait until he's posted, then maybe add a few things... ^^'
Stuff that I might not share with Blue; I work in lots of layers, every time I add something new to the picture, I make a new layer. For example, for my latest digital painting I used seperated layers for the sky, the sea, the waves, the glitter on the waves, the character's sketch, the details on his clothes, the shadows, the highlights... the list goes on. That' the way I'm comfortable working, since I always experiment a LOT when I work. I delete layers, fade them, erase bits of it, highlight them... It's more of a tool of comfort than a technique, though. You work in whatever way suits you.
Woodelf Archer
"For example, for my latest digital painting"
that is amazing... =O
that is amazing... =O
UraLoo
Hey Woodelf Archer! Welcome!
For my digital pieces I only work in Photoshop CS3 and use a Wacom Intuos 2. There are a lot of other programs out there but I personally find that Photoshop is the most user friendly and versatile.
I work in a very uncontrolled environment. I try to keep most of my work to a single layer, constantly merging those on top to the canvas. I rarely exceed more than five layers unless I'm doing design work. I work dark to light, just as I do with paints. It's hard to describe but you can get a bit of an idea by viewing this: http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...ooJinsteps.gif
Also if you want some fantastic tutorials to get a greater impression of heaps of different digital working methods I highly recommend ImagineFX. They have some previous workshops on their site too.
There are as many painting styles as there are artists. Never lock yourself in to anything. Experimentation is the key.
Hope something in there helps you.
For my digital pieces I only work in Photoshop CS3 and use a Wacom Intuos 2. There are a lot of other programs out there but I personally find that Photoshop is the most user friendly and versatile.
I work in a very uncontrolled environment. I try to keep most of my work to a single layer, constantly merging those on top to the canvas. I rarely exceed more than five layers unless I'm doing design work. I work dark to light, just as I do with paints. It's hard to describe but you can get a bit of an idea by viewing this: http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...ooJinsteps.gif
Also if you want some fantastic tutorials to get a greater impression of heaps of different digital working methods I highly recommend ImagineFX. They have some previous workshops on their site too.
There are as many painting styles as there are artists. Never lock yourself in to anything. Experimentation is the key.
Hope something in there helps you.
Verene
Personally, I mostly use Photoshop CS4 (I prefer the older versions, though...the lack of ImageReady and inability to open animated GIFs in particular -really- annoys me) and an old Wacom Graphire3. My tablet is ancient...I also have recently started playing around with OpenCanvas. It's not nearly so fancy as Photoshop, obviously, but pretty much all it is for is drawing, painting, and coloring.
Also, like Tzu, I use lots and lots and lots of layers. This is probably a holdover from how I normally do photomanipulations where everything has to be on a separate layer else you're setting yourself up to screw up. Using lots of layers makes it easier to adjust things and move things around, I think, as well as easier to create certain effects. And if you mess up, you don't have to painstakingly redraw/repaint something. Just might want to get in a habit of naming/labeling your layers because trust me, going through 20 layers trying to figure out what is what is a pain in the ass
Also, like Tzu, I use lots and lots and lots of layers. This is probably a holdover from how I normally do photomanipulations where everything has to be on a separate layer else you're setting yourself up to screw up. Using lots of layers makes it easier to adjust things and move things around, I think, as well as easier to create certain effects. And if you mess up, you don't have to painstakingly redraw/repaint something. Just might want to get in a habit of naming/labeling your layers because trust me, going through 20 layers trying to figure out what is what is a pain in the ass
Duranin
I'm 100% positive the picture you spent 15 minutes oogling at was not one of mine. x)
There's no one best art program. That's all I can say. I've tried various versions of Photoshop, Paint Shop, oC, and other programs as well. You just have to find the "right" program that clicks with you, at the moment mine is Paint Tool SAI.
I agree with Verene <3 I'm a layer addict. Depending on how careful I want to be I either make one layer for every single part in a picture, or just one layer per colour.
There's no one best art program. That's all I can say. I've tried various versions of Photoshop, Paint Shop, oC, and other programs as well. You just have to find the "right" program that clicks with you, at the moment mine is Paint Tool SAI.
I agree with Verene <3 I'm a layer addict. Depending on how careful I want to be I either make one layer for every single part in a picture, or just one layer per colour.
BlueXIV
Lol layers. I use SO MANY layers, but not really in the way most people do. My last painting was up to layer 102 XD.
The thing is, I'm lazy, and I hate being organized. So what I do is make a new layer for every single thing I work on. Normal -> Normal -> Overlay -> Normal -> Normal -> Multiply -> Normal -> Colorburn -> Normal Normal -> Overlay -> NormalNormalNormal -> Overlay -> Overlay etcetcetcetc.
The layers are totally at random. One layer could have a glaze on someone's face and the highlights on some mountains. Whenever I feel like I have too many layers, I just flatten the image and keep working :P.
None of this OCD keeping track of my layers haha (don't take that as advice tho D
I just use Photoshop (currently CS3, but anything after like 5-6 is fine) because it's simple, intuitive, and powerful. Oh and I use a Intuous 3 tablet.
And my process is usually something like this:
1. Scribble wildly
2. Find cool shapes and turn it into a composition
3. If said composition works, go on to step 4, else, go back to 1
4. Make a greyscale composition sketch
5. Overlay it with a color layer
6. If said color scheme works, go on to step 7, else go back to 5
7. Work on everything at once
8. ????
9. Profit!
The thing is, I'm lazy, and I hate being organized. So what I do is make a new layer for every single thing I work on. Normal -> Normal -> Overlay -> Normal -> Normal -> Multiply -> Normal -> Colorburn -> Normal Normal -> Overlay -> NormalNormalNormal -> Overlay -> Overlay etcetcetcetc.
The layers are totally at random. One layer could have a glaze on someone's face and the highlights on some mountains. Whenever I feel like I have too many layers, I just flatten the image and keep working :P.
None of this OCD keeping track of my layers haha (don't take that as advice tho D
I just use Photoshop (currently CS3, but anything after like 5-6 is fine) because it's simple, intuitive, and powerful. Oh and I use a Intuous 3 tablet.
And my process is usually something like this:
1. Scribble wildly
2. Find cool shapes and turn it into a composition
3. If said composition works, go on to step 4, else, go back to 1
4. Make a greyscale composition sketch
5. Overlay it with a color layer
6. If said color scheme works, go on to step 7, else go back to 5
7. Work on everything at once
8. ????
9. Profit!
KiyaKoreena
I just started drawing again (my husband got me a Manhattan 6"x8" tablet the other week) after a near 10 year break. I never really developed a style in HS so its a lot of putzing around right now. I'm using Photoshop CS2 and use tons of layers too. Pretty much any time I would move forward or behind the previous part and then layers on those for shading and highlights, merging when I find something I really like. I'm horrible at grouping things most of the time. Some projects have folders with everything labeled nicely, others end up with 30+ layers of bits here and there. But I'm having fun and thats what matters!
Woodelf Archer
Wow guys, Thanks for going into so much detail... I actually cant wait to start! =)
On the adobe website the only photoshop i could find was CS4, just wondered if that was a decent version for this kind of stuff
Thanks again guys, made my day =p
On the adobe website the only photoshop i could find was CS4, just wondered if that was a decent version for this kind of stuff
Thanks again guys, made my day =p
BlueXIV
CS4 is just the newest version
BlueXIV
I linked Tzu this [to stop her blooms x 1930281093821], but thought it might be useful for other people as well. It's a gud tut I think.
http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm
http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm
Tzu
Seline Nerlim
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...007/seline.jpg
Finally had time to change my avatar, lol, cropped it a little when I used it so it would look better. Also, I used layer masking for when I shaded and used gradient shading. Had a lot of fun making it
Quick question, I have a Intuos 3 PTZ -930 tablet, sometimes when I'm working I discover that the tablet has stopped working and then I have to restart my PC to get it working again, has anyone else experienced this?
Finally had time to change my avatar, lol, cropped it a little when I used it so it would look better. Also, I used layer masking for when I shaded and used gradient shading. Had a lot of fun making it
Quick question, I have a Intuos 3 PTZ -930 tablet, sometimes when I'm working I discover that the tablet has stopped working and then I have to restart my PC to get it working again, has anyone else experienced this?
Espadon
Actually yeah, but I figured out that this only happens to me when I switch windows while CS3 is loading. Once I switch back the pressure sensitivity is gone. Closing PS and restarting it while staring at the loading splash solves the issue.
I've never had the driver die though while in the middle of work.
I've never had the driver die though while in the middle of work.
Verene
That's cute, Seline! Though I think it might look better with an off-center crop for your avatar - center crops tend to look weird, especially when it's just a straight-on portrait.
Here, I cropped it slightly differently to show you what I mean (also used the unsharp mask filter to sharpen it up a bit).
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ar/seline1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ar/seline2.jpg
Also, I've had my tablet randomly die on me before, but usually restarting PS did the trick.
Incidentally, I am amused. I'm going back to studying graphic design, and yesterday got stuff in the mail about the classes required for that program at the school I'll be going to. Two of which are Image Manipulation and Advanced Image Manipulation. I've been doing that sort of thing for years...
Here, I cropped it slightly differently to show you what I mean (also used the unsharp mask filter to sharpen it up a bit).
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ar/seline1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ar/seline2.jpg
Also, I've had my tablet randomly die on me before, but usually restarting PS did the trick.
Incidentally, I am amused. I'm going back to studying graphic design, and yesterday got stuff in the mail about the classes required for that program at the school I'll be going to. Two of which are Image Manipulation and Advanced Image Manipulation. I've been doing that sort of thing for years...
Seline Nerlim
Hey thanks for the tips, I think you're right about the off center crop. Ill change it now!
Seline Nerlim
Hi
Here's a site that Ive been using for years for fonts, for example they've got nice fonts for comics! Plus its all free!
http://www.1001fonts.com/
Here's a site that Ive been using for years for fonts, for example they've got nice fonts for comics! Plus its all free!
http://www.1001fonts.com/