Re: All my own shirk......

by cartunes-r-us on Mon 25 Apr - 1:17

Thanks, LEAH! Gimp 2 is complicated, but many claim it is about 90 per cent as good as Photoshop or Coral Painter [which are obviously not free by any means] once you get used to it...

thanks very much for your advice, Pixia seems more user-friendly, perhaps I can actually use both systems [some artists use both Coral Painter and Photoshop for different stages of the same artwork, so I don't see why not].

Thank you for your help...I am just learning a step at a time.

by Leah-Admin on Mon 25 Apr - 4:31

I think you've done very well so far. I also have the bigger programs but I feel daunted every time I look at them and I am in too much of a rush with everything to try to figure it all out. It's an ongoing mission of mine to do so though!

by cartunes-r-us on Mon 25 Apr - 6:38

I have downloaded Pixia, Leah, and it definately looks a lot easier than GIMP 2. I will likely try out the gradient facility on Pixia when I am familiar with the controls [the 'wire' device looks a bit intricate, but everything else seems staightforwards.] GIMP 2 is very versatile, but you definately have to persevere with a steep learning curve. No complaints for free, though!

GIMP2 have a dedicated forum, where you can ask experienced users direct questions and advice, otherwise I may never have stuck with it! On GIMP you can download extra free brushes, gradients etc, but maybe you can also do this with Pixia.

gimp forum:

http://www.gimptalk.com/

by Leah-Admin on Mon 25 Apr - 11:28

Cool thanks

by Simon Lake on Wed 27 Apr - 22:05

L

king forward to seeing Veronica and the Boys in all their glorified colour then!

by cartunes-r-us on Wed 27 Apr - 23:21

I'm almost there, Simon: I can do 'flat' colour and insert blocks of gradiated tone. The other bits I am working on are gradiated backgrounds and 'double exposure'. I've learned a fair bit though and will continue.........thanks for your interest, Si!

by Simon Lake on Thu 28 Apr - 2:42

We'll have to start calling you Cyber Rob from now on mate!

by cartunes-r-us on Thu 28 Apr - 4:56

No, I will always draw by hand, Simon...I had a look at Cintiq on youtube, and almost a grand for drawing direct onto screen seems totally needless to me at least.

I enjoy just drawing on paper in peace and quiet, it's a nice change from the frustrations of the computer-clicking.

I scan actual inkings in, as I'm sure you do as well, Si.

by Simon Lake on Thu 28 Apr - 4:59

Yes, there's actually nothing more that can soothe me more beautifully to be honest. But at the same time, you will really like to see the top end result electronically Rob. That can be very theraputic in it's own right as well.

by Kathy on Fri 29 Apr - 3:35

I've always done a sketch by hand, then scanned and drew in Illustrator using the pen tool and my drawing tablet (Bamboo Fun only about $200).

Lately, though, I've been experimenting with Illustrator brushes that simulate the ink lines you get with brush or pen and ink, and also experimenting with other methods to achieve the ink/brush look. I'm liking the results. I also like that I don't have to buy more supplies, there's no mess, it's easy to fix mistakes and I still end up with a vector image.

Still soothing, I think. I love to draw while listening to audio books!

by Simon Lake on Fri 29 Apr - 3:38

Oh so you are alive then Kathy? I was wondering where you had got to Question

by cartunes-r-us on Fri 29 Apr - 4:34

Kathy; I know that a lot can be done in the computer, but the actual drawing and inking I will likely continue doing myself......I just don't fancy being totally reliant on computer technology, also even the most portable laptop is no match for the compact abilities of a pencil and paper for sketching out rough ideas.

No harm in experimenting with different brushes, though, I'll probably try it myself at some stage. Can't see me giving up actual contact with paper, though!

Best of luck with it.

by Kathy on Fri 29 Apr - 5:23

Yup, Simon, alive and well. I've been busy getting ready for a Renaissance festival and making a new outfit to wear. It's been quite some time since I've sewn, so I got lots of practice at ripping out seams!

Well, one of the great things about cartooning is how versatile it is. There's no one right way, so digital or ink or some combination is all great! And we all get to enjoy each others work and different styles.

I like to draw with pencils too and have one sketchbook devoted to pencil drawing with tons of shading. I love drawing while listening to audio books!

by cartunes-r-us on Sat 30 Apr - 22:04

AT LONG LAST, here's my first [almost-completed, excuse the background] digital colourized cartoon:

by Simon Lake on Sat 30 Apr - 22:14

Nice!!!!!!!!!!!! Ronnies looking really hot there Lah. Oh s**t, now there's gonna be no stopping the Rabster! Well done my Man.