How do you create your artwork?

How do you create your artwork?

Scan my paper drawn artwork into the computer then color on the computerDraw straight into the computer a	0.0%	[ 0 ]
Draw straight into the computer and then color	34.8%	[ 8 ]
Both of the above, depending on the project	47.8%	[ 11 ]
Other - let me tell you about it!	17.4%	[ 4 ]
Total Votes:			[ 23 ]

[Laverna Rose]

I have always drawn with pencil and paper, but just recently tried drawing on a tablet for the first time. I am proud of my results, because I was able to see improvement even during this one image. I found myself wondering how other people complete their artwork, and am hoping some people might feel comfortable sharing.

I used GIMP and my tablet to draw some basic lines, created a layer above to draw some more final lines, and then created other layers to color in the picture. I may not have been using the right brush, because I found the line to be a bit grainy. I also found it quite difficult to adjust to drawing with the tablet, as I couldn't get the same smooth strokes as I do with a pencil on paper.

What programs do you use to create your artwork? Do you scan your image in? Draw straight into a program?

Thank you for taking the time to share information!

[gogodr]

After you get used to it, drawing in the tablet is just completely natural and you can go full digital which is what I do now.
Each in a separate layers/steps is what I do:
> Draw guides
> Sketch initial drawing
> Basic Line work
> Detailed Line work
> Basic Coloring
> Basic Shading
> Detailed Coloring
> Detailed Shading
> Refined Line Work (Inking)
> Post Processing (applying digital effects or filters to fix colors.)

[Itchy the Hatter]

I usually rough in my sketch, paint the flat shapes of each "section" of my painting - like hair or arm or whatever, varies from painting to painting - over the sketch in their own layers, lock each layer, and paint within them. If the painting doesn't look good by step two, though, no bother rendering it, I just drop it or start over.

[wine mom]

I work straight on paper and color on the paper and scan and edit in photoshop. Mainly I just use photoshop to fix the levels and sometimes shift things around.

I used to work digitally for a few years but I was really unhappy with the line qualities. No matter how well a tool might mimic a traditional tool, it never looks the same. And that really makes a world of difference in a lot of people's work.

[misophobic]

I'm actually into painting and drawing with prismacolor colored pencils. I do all of my work on paper, canvas, wood, or canvas board. after it's finished, i scan it and share it. smile

[Laverna Rose]

gogodr

After you get used to it, drawing in the tablet is just completely natural and you can go full digital which is what I do now.
Each in a separate layers/steps is what I do:
> Draw guides
> Sketch initial drawing
> Basic Line work
> Detailed Line work
> Basic Coloring
> Basic Shading
> Detailed Coloring
> Detailed Shading
> Refined Line Work (Inking)
> Post Processing (applying digital effects or filters to fix colors.)

I tried drawing some guides and doing some basic sketches in separate layers tonight, and was shocked at how quickly I was able to put together a really rough sketch! Thank you! I can't wait to follow these steps and go more slowly on another picture.

[Laverna Rose]

Itchy the Hatter

I usually rough in my sketch, paint the flat shapes of each "section" of my painting - like hair or arm or whatever, varies from painting to painting - over the sketch in their own layers, lock each layer, and paint within them. If the painting doesn't look good by step two, though, no bother rendering it, I just drop it or start over.

Painting the sections separately makes a lot of sense.. I was trying to smudge some colors together, and ended up pulling from the different sections and got quite frustrated.. Thank you!

[Laverna Rose]

butt goddess

I work straight on paper and color on the paper and scan and edit in photoshop. Mainly I just use photoshop to fix the levels and sometimes shift things around.

I used to work digitally for a few years but I was really unhappy with the line qualities. No matter how well a tool might mimic a traditional tool, it never looks the same. And that really makes a world of difference in a lot of people's work.

I don't know if it was the program I was using (GIMP), but I was really unhappy with the lines too. I just tried another program someone had recommended to me a little while ago (before I got the nerve to draw again), and it is called Fire Alpaca. I was pleasantly surprised with how smooth the lines were. I have some great art on paper though, drawn and colored, so I would love to scan these in and see how playing with the levels helps. I have never used levels before!

[Laverna Rose]

lordssesshomaru

I'm actually into painting and drawing with prismacolor colored pencils. I do all of my work on paper, canvas, wood, or canvas board. after it's finished, i scan it and share it. smile

Thank you! I mentioned in the post above I have some finished artwork on paper, but I don't know why I never thought of just scanning in the finished. I was so fixated on coloring with the computer, I didn't think about it.

[wine mom]

Fun Laverna

butt goddess

I work straight on paper and color on the paper and scan and edit in photoshop. Mainly I just use photoshop to fix the levels and sometimes shift things around.

I used to work digitally for a few years but I was really unhappy with the line qualities. No matter how well a tool might mimic a traditional tool, it never looks the same. And that really makes a world of difference in a lot of people's work.

I don't know if it was the program I was using (GIMP), but I was really unhappy with the lines too. I just tried another program someone had recommended to me a little while ago (before I got the nerve to draw again), and it is called Fire Alpaca. I was pleasantly surprised with how smooth the lines were. I have some great art on paper though, drawn and colored, so I would love to scan these in and see how playing with the levels helps. I have never used levels before!

I'm just not a fan of the smooth line look people go for with digital stuff. I cal almost always tell the difference and like I said, no tool can actually properly mimic what the real life tool looks like on paper. Some get close but its always obvious. So i'll stick to my g nibs and brush pens. And coloring digitally doesn't appeal to me either for the same reason. Also i feel like the inability to draw a solid, smooth line on paper is a detriment.

The thing that levels are good for are making the blacks black and the whites white since scanners always wash that stuff out. Its a little more difficult to do when you're scanning in color because then you have to separate the black from the color which can be tedious sometimes.

I also just prefer to have original art I can sell at conventions. People always say that digital art is cheaper but selling a single original page for $200 covers the cost of whatever materials I used and then some. And that's just one page out of a 100 page book.

[Kyrimi Kitty]

I open up all of my drawing programs and stare at them all day until I feel inspiration to draw. I have a general idea of what I want and then have fun developing the line art. Then I do some cleaning and finish with color.
When I draw on paper, it usually stays there and I don't scan it in. I've thought about it a couple of time, but I end up drawing straight into the programs.
Switching from drawing with the mouse (making vector art) and the pen tablet has helped my hand from dying too. ^^

[Laverna Rose]

butt goddess

I'm just not a fan of the smooth line look people go for with digital stuff. I cal almost always tell the difference and like I said, no tool can actually properly mimic what the real life tool looks like on paper. Some get close but its always obvious. So i'll stick to my g nibs and brush pens. And coloring digitally doesn't appeal to me either for the same reason. Also i feel like the inability to draw a solid, smooth line on paper is a detriment.

The thing that levels are good for are making the blacks black and the whites white since scanners always wash that stuff out. Its a little more difficult to do when you're scanning in color because then you have to separate the black from the color which can be tedious sometimes.

I also just prefer to have original art I can sell at conventions. People always say that digital art is cheaper but selling a single original page for $200 covers the cost of whatever materials I used and then some. And that's just one page out of a 100 page book.

I had never heard of g nibs and brush pens, but after doing some reading, I could see why you would prefer to use these tools! I think I have a long way to go before I have the kind of skill to support the use of these special tools. I am so glad you are able to cover your materials and still have some extra by selling your original artwork. I hope one day my hobbies can support themselves. 3nodding Thank you for giving me hope for my future hobbies!

[Laverna Rose]

Kyrimi Kitty

I open up all of my drawing programs and stare at them all day until I feel inspiration to draw. I have a general idea of what I want and then have fun developing the line art. Then I do some cleaning and finish with color.
When I draw on paper, it usually stays there and I don't scan it in. I've thought about it a couple of time, but I end up drawing straight into the programs.
Switching from drawing with the mouse (making vector art) and the pen tablet has helped my hand from dying too. ^^

Hehe, I have found so far I tend to do quite a bit of staring too! I'm hoping I can get some scanning done too, but I just realized the scanner doesn't hook up directly to my computer. So if I want to scan, it goes onto another computer, and then I have to move it over or email it.. sweatdrop I'm not sure if I will be doing that often, because those are a lot of steps...

[SailorVera]

I haven't had a scanner for a few years now, but in the past I used to sketch and then scan it to either line on top of or set the layer to multiple and just colour it.

Now if I sketch it in pencil I'll just try to recreate it in SAI. But usually I just sketch directly onto the PC without any traditional involved at all.

[thante]

My two primary ways of working are paper cutting nd painting. So the majority of my work is done by hand then scanned or photographed to go online. I will tweek light levels on photoshop for most if my photos tho.
If I am doing an illustration I will often cut all the elements by hand, then scan them and build up the final image in photoshop. I do this just so that I can cut smaller parts big then just shrink them down instead of fiddling around trying to cut something that is tinny. It also meens if my calculations are out and I cut so,etching to small or big I don't need to cut it again and again.

I do draw on my iPad tho, I use it to design papercuts and colour doodles I do in my sketch books.