[Raman]

seriously.. i'm a programmer and i'm not very creative. i wish i could draw freehand on a piece of paper or in fireworks or photoshop or flash.

some of my fireworks stuff turns out pretty cool, but that's not me - it's fireworks.

i got down and dirty photoshop secrets and it does a great job of holding your hand teaching you stuff.

any tips from the pros? i'll teach you how to program

[godzookie2k]

Heh, learning how to draw through an online message board. This is a first. Uhh, draw from life, pick up jack hamms human anatomy book and practice practice practice. This is not a weekend project. Learning how to draw/paint the old fashioned way will make you a better photoshop artist. (or at least teach you what *not* to do in it )

good luck. if you need help with specifics drop me a line.

Nick

[mchladek]

Here's a pretty cool little site a friend showed me: Drawing Site

it's under jdillion tutorials at the top.

It talks about drawing manga, but I've found the tutorials on eyes and folds in fabric very helpful for all drawings.

Mainly do what godzookie said, practice, practice, practice. Sit down in a room, look around and start drawing something that catches your attention. That's what I've been doing for a long time now and learn something new every drawing I do.

I'm a programming/math/science guy myself who's trying to get into the wonderful world of art. Good Luck!!!

[otis52]

If I can give you a little advice it would be that you can deffinately learn to draw it just takes practice. I went to the Art Institute and the majority of people didn't know how to draw a stick figue. By the time I graduated everyone seemed to have a good grasp on the basics and others got really good. I always thought you were born with tha ability to draw but after my years at school I truely believe that you can learn. Go out by some tracing paper and trace some things that you like. This will help you to get the basics then go out and buy an anatomy book . good luck.

[Raman]

You know, it's funny that 2 people said to get anatomy books... I graduated from med school 2 years ago.. I *cut* every piece of the human body.. now you guys are telling me to *draw* them? Oh man!! The irony!

[Raman]

Originally posted by mchladek:
<STRONG>Here's a pretty cool little site a friend showed me: Drawing Site

it's under jdillion tutorials at the top.

It talks about drawing manga, but I've found the tutorials on eyes and folds in fabric very helpful for all drawings.

Mainly do what godzookie said, practice, practice, practice. Sit down in a room, look around and start drawing something that catches your attention. That's what I've been doing for a long time now and learn something new every drawing I do.

I'm a programming/math/science guy myself who's trying to get into the wonderful world of art. Good Luck!!!</STRONG>

Excellent - Looks like what I need to get started.

[Demonhood]

and if you wanna do it (drawing or just a lot of photoshop/painter/etc..) on your computer, get a tablet. mice suck.
the Wacom Graphire is cheap and useful.

[MikeM32]

You know, it's funny that 2 people said to get anatomy books... I graduated from med school 2 years ago.. I *cut* every piece of the human body.. now you guys are telling me to *draw* them? Oh man!! The irony!

LOL The difference in Art School is that the naked people you're drawing are living.

You graduated from med-school and are also a programmer who's looking to get more into art? Wow. there's not too many rennaissance men left in the world. That's pretty cool.

I've been an artist since I was 13 and I'm pretty-much self taught. As otis52 said I used to believe I was "born" with it, but I realize it can be learned (again I was self taught so that's a learning process in itself). I didn't even really use a computer until nearly 14 years after I started drawing. I also learned alot just from "copying" other artwork that I found appealing.

I'd say the above suggestions are very good ones. Purchase some anatomy books or life drawing books. Tracing images you find appealing is a great way to just get a grasp on line-work. Start drawing things you see around you and carry a small sketchbook with you. Cars, People, Animals, Trees, Computers, Furniture, whatever. Don't be discouraged if you're stuff doesn't look amazing at first. Just keep honing your skills with each new sketch.

I do think it is somewhat important to have the basics of drawing and working with color down first before jumping on the Computer Graphics bandwagon. It's makes the world of a difference when and if you choose to persue it as a career.

Mike

Ramon,
One of the best drawing book I've ever read is Betty Edward's "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain."

Most people (unless they have some motor problems) have the manual dexterity to draw . It's SEEING properly that's the problem.
Edwards book takes you through the steps of how to see objects and translate what you see to paper.

I felt that my drawing ability improved tremendously ; the results were dramatic.

BTW, I'm not an artisitc (PhD in Endocrinology), so it can benefit those who are artisically challenged.

Anil Rao raoak@attbi.com

[Dogma]

Bloke I went to art school with got a dead rat (I kid you not!), disected it, whilst keeping all the organs attached, removed them and pinned it all to a wooden board. He froze it to stop it decomposing too much, and from sticking his flat up.

The point was that he was in a race draw this thing with the time it took to defrost every time. He really got good at some excellent drawing in record times.

Whilst I do not suggest you undertake this very same thing, but sometimes it can help if you set a limit on the time you have to draw, illustrate or design things, and it's good to test yourself to see how long certain projects take.

Time yourself, speed up. If I can squeeze an extra couple of projects into a week because I'm faster than the next guy, then I look better and the clients are happier. Just address it to suit your style. If you are good, you will get better, if you are slow you will get faster. Practice makes perfect.


P.S. I never, ever ate anything in his house! I mean, that was sick man!

[godzookie2k]

ditto to dogma there, do one minute, 5 minute and 10 minute drawings. repetitively it works wonders.

lol on the dead rat thing, This cat I went to school with, freshman year he scraped up a road kill puppy, skinned it and stretched it and used it for canvas... gross.

Nick

[MikeM32]

That's an odd project Dogma. I mean dissecting and drawing a dead rat But yes I agree with the speed drawing technique.

Actually one of the most interresting techniques I've under-taken in art classes involved drawing the subject without looking at the page. I'm certain this technique is still used in many art schools and college art programs as I've had a few instructors in the past 15 years that utilized this technique of instruction.

Basically your'e just doing line work with pencil or charcoal or ink. Your'e looking at your subject but the trick is you cant look at the page your'e drawing on You also can't lift your drawing tool from the page, so it must be done in a continuous line. It's almost like you have to "feel" what you're drawing. Which is actually an essential part of the whole process for me anyway.

Mike

[btober]

Originally posted by MikeM32:
<STRONG>That's an odd project Dogma. I mean dissecting and drawing a dead rat But yes I agree with the speed drawing technique.

Actually one of the most interresting techniques I've under-taken in art classes involved drawing the subject without looking at the page. I'm certain this technique is still used in many art schools and college art programs as I've had a few instructors in the past 15 years that utilized this technique of instruction.

Basically your'e just doing line work with pencil or charcoal or ink. Your'e looking at your subject but the trick is you cant look at the page your'e drawing on You also can't lift your drawing tool from the page, so it must be done in a continuous line. It's almost like you have to "feel" what you're drawing. Which is actually an essential part of the whole process for me anyway.

Mike</STRONG>

Oh yes, the wonderful contour line drawing. I've done several of those as well, and they're always interesting to look at after I'm done!