Art FAQ

Subject: Art FAQ Sun Jul 15, 2012 4:01 pm

So, for those of you who are new to art, or even those who just want to learn something new - this thread is just going to cover the basic questions and things about art to help you get started, and also have tutorial links and good references.

→ WHAT IS A TABLET?

When someone says "tablet", you might think they're talking about something like an iPad. Yes, that is called a tablet, but a drawing tablet is something else. A tablet is BASICALLY what lets you draw digitally (on the computer) with ease, if you can't afford a touch screen monitor or don't own one.(Also, tablet pens have something called pen pressure which makes the lines look very good, and in certain programs it will react to how hard you press.) It's kind of like digital paper. You plug it into your computer, and draw with a special pen, called a tablet pen. Usually you will have it to the side of you so it can be tricky to get used to, it isn't exactly like drawing with a paper and pencil but it's pretty much as close as you can get. It is indeed difficult to get used to, but you will adjust. So if you get a tablet, and find it kind of hard to use, just keep using it and it will get easier.

→ SHOULD I GET A TABLET?

If you are serious about getting into digital art, definitely. In my opinion, you can't be serious about digital art and have professional looking drawings if you're a mouse user, also, it is much easier to draw with a tablet and quicker too.

→ WHAT TABLET SHOULD I GET?

Personally - always get a Wacom tablet. They are by far the best quality and the most widely supported tablets out there. For your first tablet, I would pick something from their Bamboo line. Bamboo Splash is usually what I recommend since it's intended for drawing (Wacom tablets are also used for other things that require pen input.) and is the cheapest one, and is intended for beginners. Bamboo Create is also meant for art but I think it's one of the more advanced Bamboo tablets, it's also more expensive. Bamboo Splash is $80, and should last you for a good year or two, or three depending how well you take care of it. When you feel like you want to upgrade your tablet to something other than Bamboo (I would wait until you are absolutely comfortable with digital art, maybe after a year or two) you can get an Intuos. An intuos is basically a more professional tablet, and has more pressure levels. (Which means that the pen is more sensitive to how hard you press down on it, which is a good thing.) It also comes with more software and is just more advanced all around. The other tablets they offer are the Cintiqs, which have a screen that you can draw on. So - imagine a tablet, but instead of it just having a special surface, it actually has a screen so you can draw directly on it! They're very expensive, with 3 sizes, the smallest being $1000 and the biggest being $3000.

→ HOW DO I IMPROVE?

PRACTICE. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. I can't stress this enough. The most talented artists have devoted so much of their time to art. You also have to try to observe other people's art. What about this makes it look good? How did they do this? Pay attention to the details of WHY it looks good. Tutorials are your friend.
****WORK IN PROGRESS*****

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Sun Jul 15, 2012 4:01 pm

******RESERVED POST*******

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Sun Jul 15, 2012 4:03 pm

This is a great idea.
Lots of people are getting into art here, and this should really help them. c:

Expert Fantagian Posts : 2017 Join date : 2011-09-01

only one problem we cant see links in this new topic thing.

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Sun Jul 15, 2012 4:11 pm

yeah I'm working on getting Mace to fix that. It's kind of ridiculous, I think he disabled links and pictures for a bit cause of the spam. It'll be back to normal by the time I'm done.

Loyal Fantagian Posts : 1929 Join date : 2011-10-28

Thank you so much, Abbey! I'm looking forward to seeing this develop. This seems like it will be very helpful to a lot of people...

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:01 pm

THIS WILL BE WONDERFUL BLESS YOU YOUNG LADY

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:11 pm

This is a fantastic idea!
A round of applause to you, my dear.

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:19 pm

Thanks for making this! I'm sure many will benefit from it uwu

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:44 pm

my god abbey your so right

and thanks for making this >U<

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Mon Jul 16, 2012 9:16 am

alright, mace fixed the link problem so everything should be good. I've done 3 sections, trying to figure out what to do next. Probably a paragraph about art programs with links to basic tutorials for them, and perhaps more advanced tutorials (for mouse and tablet).

Then, I will make a guide on the basic elements of drawing people/art in general, such as anatomy, proportion, color, etc. I'll do common mistakes artists make, art terms, chibi vs non chibi, etc. THIS WILL BE AWESOME.

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:16 am

I have a wacom tablet:) its really good!

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:38 am

Oh oh I have a question!! Do tablets work well with graphics? Let's say this:

Art FAQ Images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSs81daWQCjrj2ibWBlQzVz0AXeNEXRts_xSfFNHnDozBKjPAnWQQ

Art FAQ Images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSs81daWQCjrj2ibWBlQzVz0AXeNEXRts_xSfFNHnDozBKjPAnWQQ

Can you make something look like that or does that kind of art use other technology or programs?

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:43 am

Abstract wrote:: Oh oh I have a question!! Do tablets work well with graphics? Let's say this:

Can you make something look like that or does that kind of art use other technology or programs?

Of course they can! You would just need to develop a technique or read a tutorial on how to do something like that. c:

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:45 am

Abbey wrote:

Abstract wrote:: Oh oh I have a question!! Do tablets work well with graphics? Let's say this:

Can you make something look like that or does that kind of art use other technology or programs?

Of course they can! You would just need to develop a technique or read a tutorial on how to do something like that. c:

'
I want a tablet now. >:C I should get one for my birthday but I'm afraid I won't use it like I don't use my scanner much (It made my computer realy slow and it needs more ink. :/)

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:26 pm

This will be awesome. Can't wait till you get to the actual drawing stuff.

I kinda gave up on getting my tablet set up (it was a Wacom Fun one (Parents bought it for Christmas some almost two years ago), I kinda lost the pen for it and it was too sensitive anyway).
So within the last few months, I bought an art program for my 3DS instead, called Colors! 3D. It's pretty limited when it comes to features though. Only five layers (for making a 3D effect), three different pens, opacity and pen thickness, all colors possible (But RGB or hex codes? No such thing.), undo button which stops working after a while, and an eraser with the same features as the pens.

But I get to draw directly on the screen, so that's a plus I guess?

Is this stickied yet? If not, I hope nobody minds me bumping this...

Expert Fantagian Posts : 2017 Join date : 2011-09-01

i just got a tablet today at staples. it was the Wacom Bamboo Create. I was wondering is Corel Painter 12 good or no? should i wait until i get more experienced?

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:21 pm

what about a bamboo capture its my first is that one good?
i have a mediu size at bestbuy there was _x8 and a _x_ (big) and i got the middle
now this sounds stupid cuz ive ised this for a while is the capture good?

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:28 pm

Mila wrote:: i just got a tablet today at staples. it was the Wacom Bamboo Create. I was wondering is Corel Painter 12 good or no? should i wait until i get more experienced?

The program you chose is your decision. Sure, a seven hundred dollar program like Photoshop will have better results, but with your program, you can get accustomed to the tools. The artist makes the program. I've seen artists who use SAI come out with results that look like they're done on PS.

Melissa H. wrote:: what about a bamboo capture its my first is that one good?
i have a mediu size at bestbuy there was _x8 and a _x_ (big) and i got the middle
now this sounds stupid cuz ive ised this for a while is the capture good?

I have a capture! I'm also pretty sure I have the same size tablet as you. It works wonders, and I'd suggest it to anyone who doesn't already own a tablet.

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:39 pm

Midna wrote:

Melissa H. wrote:: what about a bamboo capture its my first is that one good?
i have a mediu size at bestbuy there was _x8 and a _x_ (big) and i got the middle
now this sounds stupid cuz ive ised this for a while is the capture good?

I have a capture! I'm also pretty sure I have the same size tablet as you. It works wonders, and I'd suggest it to anyone who doesn't already own a tablet.

oh cool thanks!
10.9 by 6.9 by 0.4

zt it? it says on the back of the box
got the wireless pen
ive lost it so many times D:>
oh no Mr. Bill!

Expert Fantagian Posts : 2017 Join date : 2011-09-01

I feel embarrassed because i have so many questions but how do you clean a tablet? is there any safe way. i have a bamboo tablet.

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:51 pm

Mila wrote:: I feel embarrassed because i have so many questions but how do you clean a tablet? is there any safe way. i have a bamboo tablet.

Ah, I use lens wipes. They haven't caused my tablet any trouble. I also clean my laptop screen with them.

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:02 am

Midna wrote:

Mila wrote:: i just got a tablet today at staples. it was the Wacom Bamboo Create. I was wondering is Corel Painter 12 good or no? should i wait until i get more experienced?

The program you chose is your decision. Sure, a seven hundred dollar program like Photoshop will have better results, but with your program, you can get accustomed to the tools. The artist makes the program. I've seen artists who use SAI come out with results that look like they're done on PS.

Well, she should have Photoshop because I got the exact same tablet as her and it came with Photoshop (dunno which version), Autodesk Sketchbook, and Corel Painter too, I believe. But yeah, it all depends on the way she uses the program.

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:04 am

Panos wrote:

Midna wrote:

Mila wrote:: i just got a tablet today at staples. it was the Wacom Bamboo Create. I was wondering is Corel Painter 12 good or no? should i wait until i get more experienced?

The program you chose is your decision. Sure, a seven hundred dollar program like Photoshop will have better results, but with your program, you can get accustomed to the tools. The artist makes the program. I've seen artists who use SAI come out with results that look like they're done on PS.

Well, she should have Photoshop because I got the exact same tablet as her and it came with Photoshop (dunno which version), Autodesk Sketchbook, and Corel Painter too, I believe. But yeah, it all depends on the way she uses the program.

I have the same as her and mine came with Photoshope editor, so I can't really draw on it on anything. I don't really use it, I feel like I can produce similar results using SAI.

Subject: Re: Art FAQ Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:07 am

Midna wrote:

Panos wrote:

Midna wrote:

Mila wrote:: i just got a tablet today at staples. it was the Wacom Bamboo Create. I was wondering is Corel Painter 12 good or no? should i wait until i get more experienced?

The program you chose is your decision. Sure, a seven hundred dollar program like Photoshop will have better results, but with your program, you can get accustomed to the tools. The artist makes the program. I've seen artists who use SAI come out with results that look like they're done on PS.

Well, she should have Photoshop because I got the exact same tablet as her and it came with Photoshop (dunno which version), Autodesk Sketchbook, and Corel Painter too, I believe. But yeah, it all depends on the way she uses the program.

I have the same as her and mine came with Photoshope editor, so I can't really draw on it on anything. I don't really use it, I feel like I can produce similar results using SAI.

Photoshop editor? Maybe that's what I have. I honestly don't know, since in all the months I've had it, I've been to lazy to download Photoshop. But can you still draw with the Photoshop program you got?