Curse

Nate112211 · Jan 19, 2011, 04:26 AM // 04:26

Some of the artwork submitted into the Wintersday Contest was unbelievable.
How do people go about creating these. Start with sketches then scan into photoshop and colour them?
I'm interested in creating some of my own for fun but I'm not sure how to start.
Anyone have any experience with this type of artwork?

Perynne · Jan 19, 2011, 04:34 AM // 04:34

Guru has a lovely forum for artwork called Nolani, where you can ask questions about art and see how other people draw. There are already quite a few threads there that answer your question, at least partly. There's also a workshop we did for the Wintersday contest, which has a few of the winning entries entered in it.

Sierraa · Jan 19, 2011, 06:31 AM // 06:31

→ moved to Nolani~ :]

GeminiJuSa · Jan 19, 2011, 09:36 AM // 09:36

I know mine wasn't among the very best in the workshop, but I made a tutorialish walkthrough as a progress diary for my first pic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOyNtgJx2gY
I wanted to put more time on how I built up the character, but you can see a brief glance on how to do it.

Nobody's perfect the first time and it takes looong time to be good. I've been drawing for 8 years and I'm far from awesome. But while being here at nolani, I feel like I've developed so much more than I would have if I didn't get the feedback and CC (constructive criticism) that I've gotten from fellow artists.

Tommy's · Jan 19, 2011, 09:56 AM // 09:56

How do people go and create these?.. Practice.

There is no magic to it, no drawing 3 lines and photoshop fills it in for you. Its all practice, most of the people that won a something in the contest have been drawing for quite some time.

When you talk about scetch and color and scanning, I assume you are aiming at this one? I can't say it for sure, as I did not make it, but I think this was drawn on a paper (the black borders and the arched shadings) and then scanned it, layer set on multiply and colored.

And this type of artwork?.. There is no this type of artwork. I think everyone in here has its own ways of coming to his/her art. There is not a certain path that leads to epicness. Just experiment and see what you like. If you want to start with drawing, then Nolani is a good place as we have many helpfull people around (Like Perynne and GeminiJuSa) that will help you at as best as they can, give you advice and help you progress. But don't expect to be able to create a winning picture too soon, there comes a lot of practice around the corner

Just if you like it, stick with it, and with time you might become the best artist we've ever known!

Perynne · Jan 19, 2011, 03:21 PM // 15:21

What type of artwork do you mean specifically? Like Tommy's said, there's not just one type of artwork. A lot of Wintersday entries were done using a computer, but they don't all have the same methods.
Some people just do pencil sketches on paper and colour them either digitally or traditionally. Some people do their drawings all the way from the beginning in Photoshop using a tablet. Some people sketch digitally and then print it out, colouring it traditionally. Each process has it's own hints and tips, and ways of making it work.
The only thing in common with all of them is that the artist has been practicing drawing a lot and has learned what works for them and what doesn't. You might have the best tools in the universe, but if you don't know how to use them and if you don't have basic understanding (and skill) of drawing, then you will not magically come up with a masterpiece in one night. Luckily, skill and understanding come easily with practice and time. If you love to draw, you will get better at it. And the more you draw, the faster it usually happens.

Check out this thread for a whole bunch of random hints and tips in one place. There's a lot of talk of how artists do what they do, and what works for what. You're also welcome to ask more questions here, we're happy to help.

Nate112211 · Jan 20, 2011, 02:07 AM // 02:07

thanks for the replies all,
what I meant by 'this type of artwork', was all of the pictures that look animated and done digitally. I figured they must be done using some programs. I know I will never produce anything amazing but I don't even know where to begin.

Minami · Jan 20, 2011, 02:42 AM // 02:42

@Nate
Do you mean like 3D digital imaging? Like this one for instance?

Perynne · Jan 20, 2011, 06:09 AM // 06:09

Oh, I'm sure if you start drawing and keep praciticing, you'll be able to do amazing artwork one day.

The thing about art is that it just takes time, rarely anyone is a total expert right from the start.

For example, I've been drawing since I was a little kid, but about 5-6 years ago when I started drawing more actively I've also gotten a LOT better. There have been times I haven't drawn anything finished fora few months to a year, and times that I draw something finished each week.

It's the times where I draw a lot that teach me the most.

The usual program for drawing digital is Photoshop, but other good programs are Corel Painter, Paint Tool Sai and Open Canvas. You can even try drawing digitally using oekaki boards or tegaki-e blog, where you don't need to download any programs and you can draw in your internet browser for free.

Nate112211 · Jan 23, 2011, 01:06 AM // 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minami

@Nate
Do you mean like 3D digital imaging? Like this one for instance?

more like:

http://www.guildwars.com/events/cont...ults.php?pos=6

Charlie Dayman · Jan 23, 2011, 01:14 AM // 01:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate112211

more like:

http://www.guildwars.com/events/cont...ults.php?pos=6

From what I understand, that's just a straight up digital painting. Magik, the artist who made that, just has a strong understanding of value, shape and light to give it that illusion.

Getting to that point takes lots of practice and learning.

Minami · Jan 23, 2011, 01:16 AM // 01:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Dayman

From what I understand, that's just a straight up digital painting. Magik, the artist who made that, just has a strong understanding of value, shape and light to give it that illusion.

This.

I believe she uses Photoshop and a tablet, and draws with those.
3D and digital drawing are two radically different things.

Death By An Arrow · Jan 23, 2011, 01:45 AM // 01:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate112211

thanks for the replies all,
what I meant by 'this type of artwork', was all of the pictures that look animated and done digitally. I figured they must be done using some programs. I know I will never produce anything amazing but I don't even know where to begin.

Oh you can deffinatly achieve pieces of such magnitude with some hardwork, dedication, and a drive to succeed. The drive is probably the most important part; because as soon as you stop wanting to do something you stop improving.

/end disney inspirational speech.

In all honesty, I would suggest with a pencil and some paper. Find an image of something you like (whether it be a photo, a game render, literally whatever) and draw it as best you can right now. Don't scrap it because "it looks bad" because this will be your guidepoint for where you need to start improving.

For example; [Long Story with TL;DR at the bottom]

In Short: Spend time working in black and white so as to learn the essentials of "art" without worrying about complexities like colour scheme. Use LOTS of resources, photographs and physical still-life observations are key. And, lastly but most importantly, you don't necessarily have to spend years upon years before you start to get results you're satisfied with. In as little as a few months of consistant work (which doesn't even have to be for that long; 30mins-60mins is plenty enough to practice skills) you will see yourself rapidly improving. The more time you spend with an open mind, the better and faster you will become.

Sort of like working out. LOL

*Darcy* · Jan 23, 2011, 02:35 AM // 02:35

Here is a link to Magik's progress gallery from the Wintersday Workshop http://s302.photobucket.com/albums/n...ersday%202011/ and if you read through the workshop thread you will see how the constructive criticism during the workshop helped to refine the original concept.