Self teach to become a digital artist?

#1

I’m interested in self teaching myself via books and online videos to become a digital artist and I was wondering if this is discouraged or not?

I have adobe photoshop CS5.1 and I’m decently proficient at it, however I have no skills in art whatsoever because as a kid I just never got into “visual” art. I do consider myself an imaginative artistic type of person though.

Anyways I’m a complete beginner and I was wonder where to start and what tools I will need to begin learning digital art? Like I said I have adobe photoshop, but I was wondering what else I will need? People recomend that I need a Wacom Bamboo Touch tablet.

I’m not interested in anime or cartoon type art. I like the style of art concept artists make.

Anyways if you have any suggestions, tips, or anything you think I should know please let me know!

Thanks :slight_smile:

#2

I have to say, probably the #1 thing you have to do…draw…draw draw draw DRAW!!! It’s a lot of work coming from the background you described. But that shouldn’t be the reason to quit.

Do studies of everyday things, bring it into photoshop and then digitally paint…grab some books and learn the “digital artist part” and start to make some progress…

I myself and just one step ahead of you. I did the draw draw draw, insert long pause, now I’m back to DRAW DRAW DRAW, and I’m starting to learn the “digital” side of it. I plan to focus on animating and digital painting, and then hopefully transitioning into more 3D, modeling, rigging, texture…list goes on…

GOOD LUCK!

#3

Drawing as much as possible is obviously a necessity!I think it definitely helps to watch as many pro-level video tutorials, livestreams, etc. as possible. Even if you can’t quite pull off what they’re doing, I think it’s enormously beneficial helps to see how professional concept artists solve certain problems.

Because things move so fast in production, on some level concept art is a game of tricking the eye into thinking a picture is more finished than it actually is. You can gain a lot of insight just by watching really good artists work.

Also, you should consider starting a sketchbook thread over at Conceptart.org… even if it isn’t good at first, it’s great to get in the habit of putting your work out there for people to see and critique.

#4

Just do it. Don’t ask us for opinion, just do it :slight_smile:

Check out the thread on conceptart called ‘Journey of an absolute rookie’
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=870 - start
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=870&page=51 - showing his current work
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=870&page=60 - even more traditional media

It certainly is inspiring to watch someone elses thread, but it’s a lot of hard work.
Just watching tutorials won’t make you a better artist, just like watching sports don’t make you fit. You have to practice and practice.

With all the free and gratis software available today, like myPaint, Blender, Wings3D, GIMP, al.chemy, Sculptris, etc there really is nothing stopping you except your determination.

Heck you can even get learning editions of software from the big houses like Nuke and Houdini.

Go for it!

#5

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