[DigitalDevil]

Hello all

You read that right. I haven't drawn the last 5 years, because I was a kid (12) and my drawing weren't better, so I gave secretly up. My hands just didn't draw what I saw in my imagination and I thought that would be due to lack of talent. I'm 17 now and I might be too optimistic, but I want to draw again and give it a try.

I want to be able to draw things like on these page (digital painting, concept painting): www . fzdschool.com/ (pretty sure some of you guys know that site already) or also something like this: www . benq wek.com/index.php?/gigs/ibuki/. I know that it needs years of practise, but I'm willing to invest time.

Now comes my question: Where should I start? What would you recommend me?

I thought that I should start with traditional art first to learn the basics (shadowing f.e.), but I can't find good material.

Could you post some tutorial/sites/videos/books to get started? What should I also learn beside traditional drawing? I would really appreciate an answer/some answers!!

Thanks!

[kovah]

It does no matter whether you start with a pencil or in photoshop all that matters is that you start. Sit down and draw and once your hand cramps up then look at tutorials on youtube or on forums like this, then draw some more. There is no one tutorial that I could link you to that will magically get you started or that will make you better.

So just sit down and draw, it doesn't matter what just as long as you can get something down.

[LGrey]

Draw every day.

Draw every chance you get.

Don't give up just because it might feel hard sometimes. You will get past that part and it will be worth it.

Keep a sketchbook with you at all times and fill it.

As for going to Photoshop... yes you can do that but...

I work in Photoshop and Poser. My art looks great for my skill level, but after not drawing for almost 2 years my traditional work sucks. I'm working on getting my skill back but it is taking time. In other words, don't stop, don't give up.

Tutorials are out there for pretty much anything. Youtube as stated earlier is an awesome source for drawing tutorials. thats a very good place to start I think, because you can see the strokes as they are done.

Good luck to you.

[Horus397]

Draw everyday, but get some learning tools that will allow you effectively evaluate your own progress by building a solid foundation on decent anatomy construction technique. Typically if you can't evaluate your progress against something you can actually do you're going to beating your head against a brick wall. Try these first:

Human Anatomy Made Amazingly Easy

Drawing Animals Made Amazingly Easy

The Art of Animal Drawing

Simultaneously I would suggest going to whatever Barnes & Nobles Books stores that may be left in your area and start with ImagineFX,Hell get a subscription if you can and start studying the tutorials from there and experiment with painting technique on the drawings you've been making and let us know how you progress.

[Horus397]

The only thing I will say about trying to do art while on the internet is DON'T DO IT. There are so many distractions on the net and it's far too easy to get distracted and procrastinate or end up doing sloppy work because you're trying to speed through. Generally speaking, for most people I think there are very few times where you're just in the zone and you can be on the internet and not get derailed from what you're doing.

Since you mentioned Feng Zhu's school you might want to check out something like this:

From Speedpainting to Concept Art (DVD)