http://forums.cgsociety.org CGTalk, the CGSociety's official forum for digital artists 120 en-us http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1107700 Posted By: Swifty13
Post Time: 05-18-2013 at 11:36 AM
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For as long as I can remember I have wanted to learn how to draw. Over the years I have slowly identified why I'm no good... I spend more time reading about how to draw and looking at amazing pictures than actually drawing myself. I have finally accepted that there is no magic trick that will instantly make me able to draw well.

So I have decided to go back to basics and teach myself how to draw using Mypaint and Bamboo One tablet. I am writing this because I need help in know if the methods I have decided to use to train myself how to draw are the most effective methods for the given skill and If my goals are realistic.

The goal I have set myself is one of Hand Coordination. My theory is if I cant control the pen there is no point practicing perspective or values etc.

So using blender I rendered out sheets with the basic forms at different angels (cubes, pyramids, cylinders, cones and circles).

Then In MyPaint I tried to trace them. Here is an example:

So far I have done 43 sheets of this and am not convinced there has been any improvement.

[Q1] Is it a realistic goal to be able to draw along these lines perfectly before moving on?

[Q2] Are there better methods of improving my coordination?

[Q3] Would buying a more expensive tablet help - the Bamboo One does seem a little slippy?

Thanks for taking the time to read this]]> Sat, 18 May 2013 06:36:20 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1106805 Posted By: scrimmers
Post Time: 05-12-2013 at 08:17 PM
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Im looking at creating a stylised forest scene for production. Any advice or tips on how you guys might go about this? Software preferences etc.. Attached is a reference image (artist unknown) to give you an idea of the look and feel Im going for.

Thanks in advance!]]> Sun, 12 May 2013 15:17:14 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1105147 Posted By: marikot
Post Time: 05-01-2013 at 06:59 PM
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Hi there guys. I'm new here, nice to meet you all!

I finally decided I'd pursue the career of an artist, but I've encountered a problem I've been trying to get rid of since I started drawing. I feel my style is way too cartoonish for my tastes, and I blame it all on self-teaching by using how-to-manga tutorials and books.
I don't regret it as much because I know that's what made me start drawing, and it actually made me improve quite a bit. Problem is, now that I want to get rid of this style it seems like it's impossible. Even my figure drawings look rather manga-ish to me, and I really wanted to at least get my drawings to a semi-realistic level.

I don't consider myself a bad artist (intermediate maybe?) but I'm starting to get really annoyed at the fact that I can't draw the way I want to. Does anyone have tips on how or what I should do?

Thanks in advance~]]> Wed, 01 May 2013 13:59:05 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1100949 Posted By: LukasNeckis
Post Time: 04-01-2013 at 06:07 PM
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Hello all, i' from Lithuania and come here to learn some things. In my language there arent places to socialize, so i came here. First of all i'm pretty young 17 yr old and drawing, paintings or smthg simmilar never was near me, i dont know how to say , but art, modeling, animating, drawing, painting , etc.. was taking me all the years, i like it, i like it to watch it and etc., but for me is hard to do smth simmilar. Some people for example my class mates or friends .. They don't paint at home, dont go to drawing or painting schools, but they just have that and they can paint.. I dont have it, so the question is could i learn it? I mean i dont want to be and i wont be i think a good digital artist or smth, but i want basic things to draw some character, environment or etc.. Its really taking me in and im trying to draw something by viewing reference, but its hard, with proportions, with drawin each place simmilar as another side, so i dont know , i have not finished just rough two sketches but its the best what i have doned.. Anyway can you advice me a bit, and stand me in the right place to start or learn with? I would be very happy to have some advices from proffesionals.]]> Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:07:59 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1100333 Posted By: Akinsthestarchild93
Post Time: 03-28-2013 at 02:56 AM
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I know that these two drawings are horrible. I have a huge problem with shading and using blending stumps to smudge the graphite and carbon pencil marks I use. What I want to know is how I can make my future ones 100 times better. Also, what would I have to do to make a drawing look something like the images below?



]]> Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:56:39 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1097750 Posted By: Arcanum
Post Time: 03-11-2013 at 08:02 PM
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Ok, I've got a good Dell PC with plenty of RAM, I've got a Wacom tablet and a cracking 27inch monitor! Now, what do I do with them!?
I'm desperate to get back into art, after being away from it for a long time, but I want to get some tutelage and do things right instead of doodling rubbish and disheartening myself. Are there any basic exercises involving the fundamentals that I could get the ball rolling with before I start the actual paid for tuition? A book, or ten, with assignments in them, or even some online videos to watch or buy that would demonstrate beginner basics then offer suggestions of things to practice for myself?

Help me out someone, I'm pulling my hair out here...and I don't have that much left!

All the best,
Rob.]]> Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:02:40 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1097748 Posted By: Arcanum
Post Time: 03-11-2013 at 07:37 PM
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I'm very interested in the 'Becoming a better artist' Workshop with Robert Chang, and was just wondering if anyone here had completed the course as a complete art novice? And if you have could you tell me a little about how you think you progressed as a result and what you got out of it?

Thanks,
Rob.]]> Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:37:16 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1096332 Posted By: maximebl
Post Time: 03-02-2013 at 06:33 AM
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This seems to be what I keep reading on different forums over and over. That I need to learn to draw first. But I don't understand how I should balance how much I practice those two. When do I know that I'm good enough at drawing that I can start focusing on digital painting? I've been interested in learning to draw for a long time, but it is an endless learning process and my true goal is to start practicing digital painting and spending most of my time on that.]]> Sat, 02 Mar 2013 01:33:31 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1095939 Posted By: Chicano3000X3
Post Time: 02-27-2013 at 06:55 PM
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But I really feel like I am doing the same thing all over again.
Got some advice from the critique forum but can't grasp the advice they give.
Feel frustrated because I'm doing this for someone who liked one of my drawings and wants me to make him something that he can sell at his clothing shop here in L.A.
Overall, i feel like this is a good way to get some exposure, and I really want to give it my best.

I just feel stuck, and don't know what to do.

I'm not a pro, and never been that good with digital painting. What is "art"(guessing that that question means I'm in some big trouble right there if I can't define that)?

I'm frustrated because I do want to be a good digital artist(2D, and 3D) but "art" is such a hard thing to grasp.

This is my recent work, it's not done but please rip it apart and lend a beginner some advice please.

]]> Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:55:11 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1095795 Posted By: poopydoopy
Post Time: 02-26-2013 at 10:07 PM
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Hello, I'm having a serious issue that worries me, very badly.
But I'm having an issue drawing from the "inside out" I think you're supposed to do...

I've seen on a thread here that when drawing the human figure, you're not supposed to worry too much about the lines but rather the tones in between the lines. But even so, I lack originality in poses, and trying to remember all that I've learned only screws up my memory of the body in shape itself.
When I draw, I try to think of the muscle and bones beneath mainly, but because I do not remember so much, I tend to blow things out of proportion and my lines look horrible.

If I cannot draw from the inside out relying on the bone and muscle beneath, how can I actually draw my lines right from simply thinking of the tones?

I hope you guys understand what I mean and know what I should practice or study more to fix this issue.]]> Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:07:11 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1095660 Posted By: Onkami
Post Time: 02-26-2013 at 09:47 AM
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Hello,

I am a photographer who want to learn more about proper artistic techniques of realistical "blending" of a foreground character to its background.

The problem: I usually have an isolated subject shot against some seamless in a studio. I want to choose a stock background so subject appears in some environment. Alternatively, I might just want an abstract texture to imitate a painted portrait. Let's assume that lighting on my subject is correct regarding my hypothetical background.

I have the character figure and full control on its lighting and shooting angles, but I can only choose some stock images for background.

I would like to read more about techniques that allow the most realistic blending into virtual background. The manual I am looking for should enumerate most of things that should be done right in order to make a perfect blend:
- in case I want to put my character in some virtual environment (eg person walks on the street)

- in case I want an abstract background to support my character, such as in portrait painting, but do not need to place character in virtual environment. I need to know pricniples that would lead to choosing a non-distracting, supporting background.

If you know a good sources of information that are dedicated to principles of realistic blending, I appreciate if you name them ]]> Tue, 26 Feb 2013 04:47:18 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1095552 Posted By: Iyoku
Post Time: 02-25-2013 at 02:08 PM
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Hey, everyone.

I've been in SHSU for a semester now, but didn't do any drawing at all last semester. This time I visited my bro back home and saw all the cool new character drawings he'd been working on. Every time I go through his sketchbook it makes me want to pick up mine and go. The only problem I had was I didn't have a comfortable way of laying down a skeleton to flesh it out. Now that I have a... 'prototype' if I could say, I'm stuck. I have no idea what to do next. I've been telling myself practice anatomy some more, like do a period of heads until you have the basics down then move to chest, arms, pelvis, etc. In my head I summed up if I knew how to draw all the body parts I could put them together, but something is telling me that won't be right. I had a great burst of energy output to draw at the end of Jan/2 and a half week into Feb, but after that I can't even sit at my table without getting mind flustered and just dropping my pencil. Would you all be willing to help me? Advice, schedule to mix out with school or something?]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:08:45 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1095343 Posted By: whacksack1
Post Time: 02-24-2013 at 05:17 AM
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Hi! I've been working with blender for 3 years now and after receiving some misinformation I've learned I have to know how to draw in order to make anything of quality. So, does anyone know of any good but free drawing tutorials?]]> Sun, 24 Feb 2013 00:17:45 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1094213 Posted By: JanosHunyadi
Post Time: 02-17-2013 at 07:59 AM
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I know, I know, it's angry birds ref, but I am very curious to learn how the artists crafted that foilage (the various bushes protruding as sprites throughout the level).

link to Ref

Did they use two layers in illustrator, and then apply masked brush strokes in photoshop?

I have been scouring the interwebs to no avail, and would be very curious to hear if you guys had any input.]]> Sun, 17 Feb 2013 02:59:15 +0000 http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=1090056 Posted By: MikeGimmelli
Post Time: 01-22-2013 at 09:59 PM
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This is going to be a bit of a long read but i would appreciate all the advice i could get. Ok so i am still very much a beginner at drawing (both traditionally and digitally) and after reading so many of the tips within this forum i'm wondering if anyone could tell me if i'm practicing the "right way" (as mentioned in some of the threads here) so I'm going to go through a step by step process of a couple of things i've drawn.

One of the things i practiced drawing were skulls. I first gathered about ten reference photos and a few sketches done by other artists. I then decided to use this image as my main reference:



I decided wanted to draw it in Painter rather than with pencil and paper. My main goal was to go through the motions of drawing a skull - to find out all the details and where to put them, the correct proportions etc. Copying the image exactly wasn't that important to me. I even changed some things on purpose. Here is my digital drawing:


I picked up on a few things while drawing it that would simplify the process of drawing a skull in the future. For example: When i drew the teeth on that image i drew the outline of each tooth one by one and i realized in the future it would be much easier and quicker to draw parallel lines with the spacing inbetween each line increasing until i got to the middle of the mouth kind of like this:


and then from there finish the rest of the outlines on the teeth.

TO BE CONTINUED...]]> Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:59:03 +0000