learning to Digitally Paint

kliberatore0205 · #1 02-26-2009, 09:02 AM

Hi, this is my first time posting ever on this board though I've been lurking for a year. First of all, I'm an artist..I draw, paint with all mediums except watercolor, and am a graphic designer. Here's my question, I want to learn to digitally paint and was wondering how everyone learned to do this. I've seen the paintings you guys do and they are absolutely beautiful and amazing. I'm good with graphic design but only dabble in the paintbrushes in photoshop every now and again. Did you guys learn on your own or did books help? Just wondering because I'm kind of obsessed with learning to digitally paint and still really stink at it. I give you guys a ton of credit because for me, painting on canvas with a paintbrush is easier than digitally painting for me...but that's probably because I don't know what I'm doing.

Einion · #2 02-26-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kliberatore0205

Here's my question, I want to learn to digitally paint and was wondering how everyone learned to do this.

Mostly hands-on. I found the hardest part personally was just getting used to using a tablet, the actual software side of things (while not a breeze - Painter ain't exactly simple

) was less of a hurdle.

I did of course look for tips, guides and step-by-steps online which help in lots of different areas. But mostly I think it's a matter of getting used to physically working this way.

Incidentally, it's a great start that you already know how to draw and paint - because it's in many ways easier than real-world media some people do assume they can get away without being able to draw just for starters, and still produce quality work.

Einion

LavenderFrost · #3 02-26-2009, 10:19 AM

My first tablet came with a Procreate program that had a tutorial that helped me get started. I then switched to Photoshop Elements and just played around and got to know it. I tried Painter's free trial, but programs like Photoshop Elements and Gimp give me the look I want.

It does take some time to get used to it, but since you already work in different mediums you probably already know what it's like to switch to something different.

kennychaffin · #4 02-26-2009, 12:54 PM

I'm mostly self-taught and got into it a bit from the web graphics design (which I don't do much of any more) and a past interest in drawing and oil painting.

I agree the tablet and the controls/interface are the biggest hurdle to overcome. Just drawing a straight line even now is hard for me.

And then all the control adjustments to get the "brush" to act the way you want, which comes very naturally with real brush and paints has to be learned and most of it is really just practice and trial and error. I've been through numerous Painter books and while they are sometimes good at helping you learn about the controls and possibilities and few ways of doing things, I find most of what I actually use if from my own learning and trial and error.

Get a wacom get the trial version of Painter if you want or use photoshop and get going!

MvdLinden · #5 02-26-2009, 01:11 PM

Just the same as when you learned to paint in the wet world, there is no substitute for practice time. There are plenty of online tutorials in the various packages that are out there. The majors all have user groups and online support. Your post does not mention whether you have a tablet or not. If not I would strongly recommend you get one.

If you are going to be working in digital studio (versus being portable) I recommend a large format Wacom tablet or if you can afford it the Cintiq 21ux. These bits of kit will allow you to transfer your drawing skills directly.
On the large format tablet you can even tape a piece of paper and simply draw as you normally would,(yes they have a stylus that is also a pen). On the Cintiq you are working the stylus on the screen image very much as if you were drawing on traditional media.

It takes time to master any program. The stalwarts Like Painter, Photoshop and Paintshop Pro, have similar user interfaces. My preferred program is Studio Artist. It has a rather less intuitive interface but is ultimately far more capable than any other program. For example I have just completed a series of over 900 new unique works in the past 3 days.

Which ever way you choose to go enjoy the ride. Working digitally is a very different mental process from wet work. It takes a different sort of discipline.
When working in the "real" world one starts at the infinite possibilities of a blank canvas and stroke by stroke reduce one's possible choices until the final image is achieved. The digital artist has the ability with undo's, layers and version saves to explore an single image infinitely. The beauty of digital is the possibility to forgo being goal oriented and lose (and find) oneself in the process.

kennychaffin · #6 02-26-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MvdLinden

.... It has a rather less intuitive interface but is ultimately far more capable than any other program. .....

Guess that depends on how you define capable,

but certainly photoshop is thought by many (due to popularity) to be the most capable. And just as certainly Painter is the most "capable" natural media digital painting software.

Capable is as capable does, eh?

wenkat · #7 02-27-2009, 08:48 PM

Being an ArtRage lover, I suggest you give a try of this free software. For beginners, it's excellent! Using tablet is not mandatory; I produce all my images with mouse only thus far.

MvdLinden · #8 02-28-2009, 08:38 AM

Kenny

You are of course correct in your implication that any tool is only as good as the hand wielding it.

I hope that one will notice that in the original post I only offered Studio Artist as My preferred program, and suggested kliberatore0205 enjoy the ride no matter which program she uses. ArtRage is a great program to noddle around in.

That said: As to a comparison between Studio Artist and other digital art programs, well I could go on a rant about how SA offers more choice, variation and customizable features than any other 2d digital art program. I might point to how SA can do natural media without "wetpaper layer restrictions". I might mention that it offers layer compositing methods not seen in any other program, or note how the user can create easily create custom presets to automate any process they choose. I could point out that SA includes a method to enlarge images that is far superior to Bicubic interpolation. Or mention that SA can do production quality video as well as paint on Live streams for the video DJ out there.

More importantly I might express that SA is also simply more fun to explore with. But I am not a software evangelist so, all that I will say is that a professional Graphic Designer who has a serious interest in digital painting should at the very least download the SA free demo and see what I am on about.
:-)

kennychaffin · #9 02-28-2009, 09:11 AM

Michael, I said nothing about the artist and their skills. I was arguing with your statement that Studio Artist was the most CAPABLE digital art program. Capable is generally defined as the ability to accomplish a job.

It seems in that respect, the job being creation and manipulation of digital art the capability as judged by the market place clearly says that Photoshop is the most capable.

As far as choice, variation, and customization, I certainly do NOT believe your assertion. Have you even looked at the customization capabilities of Painter? I think not.

You are perfectly welcome to love and use Studio Artist, but when you start making unfounded claims, I'm going to point them out.

Certainly anyone interested should try out any and all programs of interest, regardless of hype and find what works for them.

MvdLinden · #10 02-28-2009, 11:14 AM

Kenny

Sorry if I mis-intrepreted your "Capable is as capable does ,eh?" comment to be referring to the artist vs the program.

The person running the program is so often forgotten in these claims of what this software can do versus that one. I love going to these Shows where the company reps demo the capabilities of their wares. But it would be folly to think that I can buy a copy of Solidworks for example and design the replacement for the space shuttle tomorrow.

However, I do own Painter X (my shelf copies go back to the MetaCreations days) and CS3. I have been working digitally since 1984. I stand by my statements. In Commerce popularity is a function of marketing success not of capability, (witness Betamax vs VHS).

But really I am just sharing my experience with the programs, not try to "sell" one over the other.

As a artist, I experience a more direct engagement in the interactive process of creating digital art using SA. The program is truly there as an aide to explore possibilities. It was written by an artist with the goal of providing other artists the greatest possible freedom in digital art creation.

Please note that I did not and am not advocating a one arrow quiver. But neither am I making unfounded statements.

kliberatore0205 · #11 02-28-2009, 11:26 AM

thanks everyone...I am a student also and can get a great deal on corel painter x with a Vistablet..but I've heard some bad reviews on the Vistablet. I know I will need a tablet because it will be easier to control the brushstrokes, just want to make sure I get the right tablet..

kliberatore0205 · #12 02-28-2009, 11:27 AM

and also, again you guys produce amazing works of art..very inspirational for me!

kennychaffin · #13 02-28-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MvdLinden

Kenny

Sorry if I mis-intrepreted your "Capable is as capable does ,eh?" comment to be referring to the artist vs the program.

......

However, I do own Painter X (my shelf copies go back to the MetaCreations days) and CS3. I have been working digitally since 1984. I stand by my statements. In Commerce popularity is a function of marketing success not of capability, (witness Betamax vs VHS).
...

No problem Michael, I was referring to Capability as I explained above. The market, like survival of the fittest, tends to "choose" the most capable to address the need. That is all I'm trying to say, and that choice appears to be Photoshop (depending of course on what "need" you are addressing). Certainly any given adaptation can address a specific need better than some other. Each of the products discussed here will have their sweet spot and any individual's choice is going to depend on what in the end trips their trigger. Clearly that is Artist's Studio for you.

I still take issue with your claim of more choice, variation, and customization is Studio Artist. That may depend on what you really mean by that statement, but based on my experience (which goes back to about the same time-frame as you) I've yet to see any other digital art program come close to the customization ability in Painter. I supposed we could do a count of customizable features but I don't think either of us wants to spend time doing that.

As I said above, anyone interested should try out any and all of the available choices and figure out what works best for their own needs.

MvdLinden · #14 02-28-2009, 12:38 PM

Kristen.

I do not own a VistaTablet, nor have I used one. I did research tablets last holiday season with the purpose of buying one for my daughter. I read the same comments about the Vista line that you must be hearing. Primarily I was persuaded against the tablet for the reports of its specific compatibility issues with the Mac. Wacom does charge a significant premium for their stuff. As a student and a beginner it might be worth the savings to give the VistaTablet a go. Note that tilt and pressure sensitivity are going to make a difference in Painter. Especially so in Painter 11 as Corel added some new pen/brush behaviors that look for these inputs.

Have fun and happy painting.

kennychaffin · #15 02-28-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kliberatore0205

thanks everyone...I am a student also and can get a great deal on corel painter x with a Vistablet..but I've heard some bad reviews on the Vistablet. I know I will need a tablet because it will be easier to control the brushstrokes, just want to make sure I get the right tablet..

I'm not familiar with the Vistablet so I really don't know about it, I've only used the Wacoms in various incarnations. I'd read the reviews carefully though and go from there. Wacom certainly seems to be the "standard" but I'm sure others work as well.

Sorry about getting sort of off topic above, but I think it's probably all relevant to anyone getting started in digital media.

Your really should try out the various programs out there and see what works for you. Certainly the most popular are Photoshop and Painter. I have played around a bit with Art Rage and it's a lot of fun, I've not used Studio Artist which Michael is highly touting as it is a Mac Only program, that might or might not fit your situation. The thing about Painter is that it was designed from the ground up to emulate natural media and has a plethoria of customizeable features and most traditional artists feel more comfortable with it than with most of the other programs. Still it is very different than using a brush and canvas.

Enjoy!

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