How do people become so good at graphic art?

[Xtinct831]

Maybe I might just ask my parents to get me one for Christma... For now I'll try drawing stuff on paper and uploading it, but with pencil its not as neat and doesn't look computery if you know what I mean.

[Marissa]

I have a tablet that I got about three years ago. I've used it twice, and those times were when I was playing the drawing game (faster to write the word).
If you're interested in digitally cleaning up hand drawn art, this site has some good tutorials for "digitally inking" your drawings.

[Pimboli]

Now i want a tablet for christmas, i cant draw on the computer.. but.. im pretty good with a pencil and paper

[aemaen]

You can draw great things just with your mouse. I actually find the mouse easier.

In regards to graphic art, it's about practice, and finding a program that suits you. Try PSP 9, you can dowload it free at jasc.com.

[happysmileyfungirl]

Are tablets expensive?

You can get a pretty decent one for around $100.

not sure if this is the same thing but I'm sure I saw one in a shop for £11.99 that had a plastic pen thing and a pad to draw/write on (am I talkng about the same thing?)

[The Lizard Queen]

Are tablets expensive?

You can get a pretty decent one for around $100.

not sure if this is the same thing but I'm sure I saw one in a shop for £11.99 that had a plastic pen thing and a pad to draw/write on (am I talkng about the same thing?)

Yep, that's a tablet. They come in different brands, although I would not recommend getting anything else than a Wacom one, since Wacom is the brand used by professionals. Cheaper ones, like Target usually require batteries and I've heard they're much less durable.

[Harmony crystals]

I have a tablet and it's a japaneze brand... I think the mouse is much much easier to use!Adobe Illustrator is very good..i have it and when you try to draw you can change the lines around and it is much smoother maybe i can draw something and i'll show you an example of illusrator

[Callie]

I used paint..my graphics aren't great but they were improving a little bit before paint went evil on me. I had GIMP for a few days but it didn't work right for me and I think it took too much memory.

I do know of someone however who drew amazing pictures with her mouse.

[mazil]

Hmm, I've heard that a lot of proper graphics artists don't use tablets at all... their technique is to use vector drawing tools (like the Pen tool in Photoshop ) to create the smooth lines. I tend to guess that some neopets artists probably draw an image on paper, scan it in, and then trace over it in Illustrator, or even Flash.

I've been teaching myself vector drawing recently, it's very much worth the effort! The clean lines and curves are wonderful, and coupling them with a layer mask in Photoshop makes for plenty of shading control

Anyway... practise, practise, practise Always keep your eye out for other people's graphics, too. Notice what you like and take that as inspiration for your own work. Also take note of what you don't like, think about the reasons why you don't like it, and then remember it for your own work.

The av and sig ratings board is perfect for that, in fact. I got so much help for my graphics, from hanging out there

[Crow]

my boyfriend is really good at that stuff. lots of practice. ^^

[VirtualMetal]

For computer drawing. I use many diferent techniques. I don't own a tab, so I sometimes will use my work mates just to have a scribble on. But generally I improve the image with mouse later on.

I actually like drawing with a mouse than the tab. Also I sometimes draw straight to computer without doing no pencil sketch.

One thing that got me confident at just sribbling about and seeing what happens, is using the oekaki boards. Google for them, or just drawing boards. Some require you show art to join. So just join one with no requirement or log in for first timer.

Just have freedom and freestyle a little to get used to difrerent things. I allways have been a believer in experementals.

not sure if this is the same thing but I'm sure I saw one in a shop for £11.99 that had a plastic pen thing and a pad to draw/write on (am I talkng about the same thing?)

For 11.99 sterling I'm not sure it would be a proper tab or a good one. Best to get some advice from several shops before buying a cheap one. since many cheaper ones are not really for artists, more for fun or for children to have a scribble on.

[Laelya]

I've found that the best way to get better at graphic design is to look at other people's work, and teach yourself how to recreate their effects/designs/etc. by trial and error. That way, you're more likely to discover new ways to make graphics. I've only been doing graphic design for three years, but I've found that it gets SO much easier when you take the time to look at the art around you. Tutorials made by users are also very helpful in learning new techniques.

As for your whole drawing by hand and then scanning problem, I draw the majority of my lineart by hand, then scan it into a graphics program like PSP or Photoshop. Then, I amp up the contrast so the background is white and the lines are mainly black. That way, there's less cleanup to do. I then do all of my coloring and shading digitally. I find it looks no less professional. Then again, if you REALLY want it to look digitally done, do as suggested above: trace over your handdrawn lines using some sort of vector tool. This will give you perfect lines any time, and you can also change any of your lines if the need arises.

[The Lizard Queen]

Hmm, I've heard that a lot of proper graphics artists don't use tablets at all... their technique is to use vector drawing tools (like the Pen tool in Photoshop ) to create the smooth lines. I tend to guess that some neopets artists probably draw an image on paper, scan it in, and then trace over it in Illustrator, or even Flash.

Most graphic artists do own a tablet, if you use a mouse too often to trace and draw, it'll put a terrible strain on your shoulder. Also, mice don't have pressure sensitivity.
I was an intern at this company where they did a lot of photo manipulation/retouching. They had huuuge tablets (A3 sized), I had a lot of fun using them.

[mazil]

Most graphic artists do own a tablet, if you use a mouse too often to trace and draw, it'll put a terrible strain on your shoulder. Also, mice don't have pressure sensitivity.
I was an intern at this company where they did a lot of photo manipulation/retouching. They had huuuge tablets (A3 sized), I had a lot of fun using them.

Hehe, I've actually gotten a tablet in the time since I wrote that last post!! It's easier and more natural to draw with than a mouse. I think that drawing with a tablet gives a better, more immediate effect, but if you want a really polished artwork, you'd still need to go in on a pixel level to clean things up, the same as a mouse. But yeah, it speeds things up a bit!

Good point about the arm-strain... Wacom say on their site how good tablets are for people who suffer from it. Holding a pen is certainly much more relaxed for your muscles than holding a mouse.