What is the best program to use for digital art?

[Breetheartist]

Hello, I just started to use a Wacom drawing tablet (an older version) and am wondering what kind of program I should use. I was looking at one that looked pretty good Indesign CS6 from adobe but am not sure which one to use for the purposes that I want it for.

I am not a professional and will not be using it for professional reasons, just as as a hobby to use every now and again.

Thanks!

[gigih]

what are you planning on painting?
if you are looking to amke digital paintings in the traditional style, you should look for a program like painter.
if you are looking to make digital art, collage art or anything that includes photos or filters, then you should try adobe photoshop.
if money is tight, photoshop can be replaced with gimp (free).
painter can be replaced with artrage, or twisted brush which both have free versions avail.
if you are looking into 3d or animation you should look at autodesk maya, lightwave or vue and poser.
for free 3d daz has its studio and bryce avail free.
if you are unfamiliar with these products, most have triual versions you can download and explore. if you are only using them for hobby, play with the trials and use what feels most comfortable.

[Breetheartist]

Thank you gigih, I am just going to be making traditional paintings so I am going to look into the programs you suggested. Much appreciated.

[Eduardo Flores]

Originally Posted by Breetheartist

...I am just going to be making traditional paintings...

So, as gigih suggested, Painter or Artrage are what you are looking for.
Photoshop also has painting possibilities, but its brushes are not, until now, as good as those from the two other programs.

Good luck!

Eduardo

[James verDoorn]

Originally Posted by Breetheartist

I was looking at one that looked pretty good Indesign CS6 from adobe but am not sure which one to use for the purposes that I want it for.

InDesign is not a painting program.... it is a page layout program... you cannot create images with InDesign. You want Photoshop for that.

[Geekette]

There's also a lighter version of painter available for much less - "Painter Essentials"

Most paid digital art software offers free 30-day trials, so download a few to play around with to see what you like best. In the end, it's largely a matter of personal preference.

[Breetheartist]

Thank you everybody for the help!

[Steeldolphin]

Looks like everyone has summed it up pretty good, but I feel like adding my 2 cents as well!

The two giants in digital painting in my opinion are Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter. Your industry leading digital matte painters, concept artists and illustrators will more than likely be using one of these two programs - if not both.

Photoshop - If you know what you are doing can create just about any brush effect you need, though it won't react quite like Painter for those that like the traditional feel. Photoshop is faster and has much better manipulation options if you like to mix your media (photo manipulation etc.)

Painter - The king daddy of the traditional art digital imitators. Painter can be slow and frustrating, and Corel generally doesn't produce as polished a product as Adobe, so be ready for occasional glitches, and slower performance with some of its media brushes.

That being said, if you looked at a gallery of digital paintings done by great artists with both programs you would be equally impressed with the results I am sure.

For example:
Craig Mullins who is one of the best in the world: http://www.goodbrush.com/ for photoshop painting (though he does use painter and traditional work as well)

Anry: A digital illustrator renowned for his work with painter: http://anry.deviantart.com/

So whatever you choose good luck with your endeavors!

[JayD]

I am currently using Artrage as well as Photoshop and a new free program for sculpting called Sculptris from Pixelogic, the makers of Zbrush.

Artrage is very much like painter, not expensive and is very very fluid. As with Painter, which is an industry giant, its just like using conventional non digital materials and a lot of professional digital artists have taken to using it.

[yellow_oxide]

I highly recommend trying Paint Tool SAI. It's very popular in Japan, and comes with a 1 month trial. Windows only though *sad face*.

Here's where you can download a fan made english translation plugin for the menus- link

[MvdLinden]

If you are looking to "paint" and eventually move beyond what is possible in traditional media (why not take advantage of your new digital tools), Then I strongly recommend Studio Artist from Synthetik. You can check out what is possible here: http://studioartist.ning.com/

[Jtorres]

Originally Posted by yellow_oxide

I highly recommend trying Paint Tool SAI. It's very popular in Japan, and comes with a 1 month trial. Windows only though *sad face*.

Here's where you can download a fan made english translation plugin for the menus- link

I love SAI, for the amount of money I think it has a great balance between what Painter and Photoshop offer. I love painting in that program though, it's very easy to understand too I think.

[Smokindevil]

I like Painter and Photoshop but, I've found that Artrage is very intuitive and easy to use. I use AR for comic illustrations as well as oil painting. It's fairly versatile.

[BLUEFUZE]

There is no best, there is only digital art. What is the best food to eat? This said, I find that Photoshop is one of the most versatile. As others have mentioned however, the style you aim to create will also dictate a lot. Good luck!

[rednova]

Hi. I haven't done this, but I am planning to do it.
Make a beautiful pencil drawing, then scan it and import it into
photoshop. Then paint it using photoshop, it will look amazing !!!