Newbie in need of help

[Datameister]

Check out this article (http://wiki.cgsociety.org/index.php/Photoshop) on the technical side of painting in Photoshop. Also, this tutorial (http://wiki.cgsociety.org/index.php/Suggested_Wacom_Tablet_Setup)contains some info on a suggested Wacom tablet setup for Photoshop. (I wrote both of these for the CGWiki.)

Basically, painting with Photoshop is as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Incredible work can be done using the simplest of all brushes; using the most beautifully complex brushes in the world won't make your art great. It's all about your understanding of light, form, composition, color, atmospherics, anatomy, etc. I highly recommend this tutorial (http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm) (I didn't write it) for general concepts such as these.

When you first start painting in Photoshop, use simple subject matter. Doing a still life or two (or ten) will help you develop a workflow without delving into anything too visually complex. Use the Brush tool (hotkey B) for all the painting. Read the third paragraph of the "Brushes" section of the first article I linked to; it'll give you details on the simplest useful brush Photoshop has to offer.

If your first paintings look like crap, don't be alarmed. Whenever I want a good laugh, I open up a couple of my early digital paintings because frankly, they're awful. I used over-saturated colors and fuzzy-edged brushes and I didn't use reference and my understanding of the basic principles of art was extremely limited. But I'm improving, bit by bit. I'm not a great artist, but I'm realizing that what everyone says is true--practice makes perfect.

Remember that working digitally is not an instant fix for whatever your problems in traditional art happen to be. You'll have all the same weaknesses and strengths, with each of these sometimes being magnified. Don't try to suddenly work only in the digital medium. Keep working with pencil and/or pen and/or traditional paints. Don't put so much importance on the medium you're using that you forget the greater importance of the underlying principles.

Good luck! Remember, the best way to get specific feedback and advice is to post your work.

EDIT: How rude of me. I forgot to say: WELCOME TO CGTALK!!!

[Dahlia]

Wow man, thank you so much for taking time to post and help me out. Also, thanks for the tutorial links :). Most likely you will see some work from me in need of suggestions.

[Datameister]

No problem. Never be afraid to post work, no matter how bad it may seem; most of the folks here are very knowledgeable and very helpful. We've all got to start somewhere, you know?

:rushes off to finish project:

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