Calling All Digital Artists!

abeauferris·4/3/2016, 7:54:19 PM·2 votes·578 views

Hello!

I'm a 16-year-old amateur artist that is just recently dabbling into digital art. I bought a cheap Wacom graphic tablet a day ago and I was so excited to start creating some League fan art. Unfortunately, it did not turn out as expected. Check it out for yourself, it looks incredibly derpy.

If anyone can offer some advice regarding how to clean up digital and make that stroke-less effect (like in the splash arts) it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Note: I'm using Corel Painter (software that came with the tablet). If anyone can recommend some cheap-ish alternative programs (i.e. not Photoshop) that might help I'd appreciate it.

8 Comments

DrCyanide4/3/2016, 8:09:40 PM3 votes

I use Gimp, and while I've poked around with it for years I just got a digital tablet myself.

If you look closely at any splash, you'll start to see the strokes. That makes me think they use either really big canvases, or really small brushes.

I think you might be using the wrong brush for the job on your work, as it all looks very sketchy. Maybe try a paint brush instead of a pencil tool?

Bobo1134/3/2016, 8:53:37 PM2 votes

In terms of your process: I would recommend looking into dynamic lighting, and image contrast. It seems part of your piece is lit, but others are not lit by the same standards. Bits can be a bit darker, some surfaces could use specular highlights, etc. Fairly nitpicky on my part - to be honest, there's not much you're doing wrong. Seriously though, nice work so far!

Just know: if you want to make this more than a hobby, you may need to invest in licensed programs and/or learning them. The industry standard is Photoshop, but yes, for now, Gimp is probably the best, and most lucrative free 2D program out there at the moment. Corel Painter just doesn't have the tools you need to really drive compelling art.

Set of Dreams4/3/2016, 8:02:47 PM1 votes

You need more practice getting used to your tablet