Inspired by the Impressionists, Norman Rockwell, my friends and art teacher, and others, I find myself copying techniques. I have not yet found my own- so maybe that is my technique. I always love finding new ways to try things.
You will find a few of my favorite tips and recommended programs. I hope to create step-by step tutorials to post as my time allows.
Of course, my most important rule is: have fun, but learn something along the way.
You will find a few of my favorite tips and recommended programs. I hope to create step-by step tutorials to post as my time allows.
Of course, my most important rule is: have fun, but learn something along the way.
Secrets Up My Sleeve
Here are a few tips I discovered that you may find useful:
1. A white piece of chalk can be your eraser. If you accidentally swipe your pen/pencil (or even your newly painted red fingernail polish....) across the paper, you can easily run some white chalk over the markings. DO NOT USE WHITE OUT. Chalk blends into the paper better and it is not 3 dimensional like white out. (This technique only works on dry media).
2. Play music while drawing. It takes your mind off of art, and allows your imagination to guide your hand. Be spontaneous!
3. Keep a binder of reference photos (even if they are copyrighted- did I say that out loud?) because they are a great source of inspiration. I am not encouraging you to plagiarize.
4. Ask your audience - what do they think? My sister is my critic- she honestly tells me what is not appealing or what may be incorrect. Remember your audience is looking.
1. A white piece of chalk can be your eraser. If you accidentally swipe your pen/pencil (or even your newly painted red fingernail polish....) across the paper, you can easily run some white chalk over the markings. DO NOT USE WHITE OUT. Chalk blends into the paper better and it is not 3 dimensional like white out. (This technique only works on dry media).
2. Play music while drawing. It takes your mind off of art, and allows your imagination to guide your hand. Be spontaneous!
3. Keep a binder of reference photos (even if they are copyrighted- did I say that out loud?) because they are a great source of inspiration. I am not encouraging you to plagiarize.
4. Ask your audience - what do they think? My sister is my critic- she honestly tells me what is not appealing or what may be incorrect. Remember your audience is looking.
Programs and Software
Sketchbook Pro 6:
I highly recommend this product for anyone using a tablet digitally (especially if you are just beginning), The layers are easy to use, there are numerous brushes. My favorite option is the stabilized brush so that I can draw really smooth lines. Definitely worth the money, and you don't need to spend a whole lot of time trying to learn the program.
I highly recommend this product for anyone using a tablet digitally (especially if you are just beginning), The layers are easy to use, there are numerous brushes. My favorite option is the stabilized brush so that I can draw really smooth lines. Definitely worth the money, and you don't need to spend a whole lot of time trying to learn the program.
Manga Studio 5:
Great program. I have nothing to complain about this one, except that I don't have enough time to be on it. Layer options and effect, brushes, stability, etc. everything works wonderfully. One of my favorite details about this program is how you can have more than one "tab" of files open at once. Stepping into the more advanced programs, they will be pricier, but this one is fairly priced for the quality. (you will find this nice to use even if you are not an anime/manga artist, I use it a lot for my digital artwork as well).
Great program. I have nothing to complain about this one, except that I don't have enough time to be on it. Layer options and effect, brushes, stability, etc. everything works wonderfully. One of my favorite details about this program is how you can have more than one "tab" of files open at once. Stepping into the more advanced programs, they will be pricier, but this one is fairly priced for the quality. (you will find this nice to use even if you are not an anime/manga artist, I use it a lot for my digital artwork as well).
Corel Painter Essentials 4
Hoping to get an updated version of this. The only thing I like about this program are the brushes and mixing palette.
Hoping to get an updated version of this. The only thing I like about this program are the brushes and mixing palette.
To Fellow Anime Artists:
I spent a whole summer teaching myself how to draw anime. My sister bought how-to-draw and step-by-step anime books, however these books did not help me as much as tracing helped. Filling a sketchbook over the course of four months, I was able memorize the proportions of the face and body. I would advise you to find some anime characters (start with simple ones, then go to more complex angles, etc.), buy a cheap sketchbook, and TRACE. Think about the light and shadow, how you shade, eye shape, face proportions. I hope you find this as helpful as I did.