|
|
Post by nikodiablo on Jul 11, 2006 1:26:08 GMT -5
Guys, I'm trying to improve my art skill, particularly in digital coloring, but I only have a mouse... Therefore it's kinda hard to reproduce some of the better effects... I'm contemplating to get a Wacom tablet, and recently I found a Wacom Pen Partner with a very affordable price. Do you guys think it's appropriate for beginners? If not, can you recommend me other specs?!
Thanks, your inputs are greatly appreciated.
|
|
|
|
Post by lonelyboy on Jul 11, 2006 4:58:46 GMT -5
Maybe we can ask those in the forum who have Wacom Tablets. I was also thinking of buying one because coloring is one area I have not explored. I think I suck at it  |
|
|
|
Post by Kidchuckle on Jul 11, 2006 5:13:55 GMT -5
ahh yes.. yeah I had a older model and upgraded to a much larger 12 X 9.
And I use one at work as well. You deffinitely feel a great speed increase and really lets you relax. Although you do have to get used to not looking at your hand!!! which I find a little akward. I like to paint with a wacom.. but I find drawing.. very hard to do.
Although there are ways of colouring with out a wacom.. you can do it with a mouse. The most recent picture I did "Fewture getter 1" you very much could paint with a mouse.
It's a old technique for colouring in comics, before wacom tablets were affordable.
But I still recommend a wacom. It really speeds up the process.
|
|
|
|
Post by lonelyboy on Jul 11, 2006 6:40:27 GMT -5
Hey Kid maybe you can post some links for some coloring tutorials and help us newbies along. ;D The old tutorial thread was lost.  |
|
|
|
Post by Kidchuckle on Jul 11, 2006 7:27:00 GMT -5
theres one already there.. I just posted another one now.
|
|
|
|
Post by lonelyboy on Jul 11, 2006 7:47:22 GMT -5
Thanks Kid!!! Just saw it ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by zero23 on Jul 12, 2006 0:39:14 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by nikodiablo on Jul 13, 2006 21:21:48 GMT -5
@ Kid: Just saw the tutorials you posted in the other heading. That Adi Granov stuff is really hardcore! He only use digital method for finishing, most of the workes he did manually. That's awesome. It makes me realize what an amateur I am...
|
|
|
|
Post by Kidchuckle on Jul 14, 2006 5:05:44 GMT -5
It's a very interesting way of colouring. There was another tutorial I saw on J Scott Cambell's forum section that took the step one side further. After You put all the colours on top and the blend modes. What you can do the PENCIL drawing is go up to edit "hue, saturation, lighten" slider.
YOu'll see a check box called COLOURIZE (click it) and then move the slider around.
I find this adds more depth.. because sometimes the blacks are too dark.. and can dirty your picture. Plus it varies the colours.
|
|
|
|
Post by xiombarg on Jul 14, 2006 22:45:29 GMT -5
I'm far from an expert when it comes to coloring, but for the beginner the best thing you can do for yourself is to learn how to use Alpha channels and masks effectively. Most people seem to learn how to use layers fairly quickly, but I've talked to lots of guys who have used Photoshop for years and still don't know how to use use Alpha channels.
Here's why channels are great for coloring: you can save any selection as an Alpha channel, and then open the channel as a selection whenever you need to. Channels basically let you save masks. I can't even begin to tell you how handy this is for coloring.
Two other great tools for coloring that sometimes get overlooked by Photoshoppers are the Dodge and Burn tools. These are the fastest way to do lighting. Shadows with the burn tool and highlights with the dodge tool.
|
|
|
|
Post by xiombarg on Jul 17, 2006 16:04:02 GMT -5
Here's a fine example using the tools I listed above. ;D  |
|
|
|
Post by nikodiablo on Jul 17, 2006 19:34:43 GMT -5
@ Xio: Hey, that's the hot pink Mazinkaiser!! LOL! To tell the truth, I've never touched the dodge and burn tools. I guess I got to look it up in the Photoshop help then... Thanks for the tip!!
|
|
|
|
Post by REX-203 on Jul 18, 2006 3:43:19 GMT -5
Not much more to add, besides another recommendation for the tablet. I use a Wacom Intuos 2. It's one of the best investments I've made. "Two thumbs up!"  |
|
|
|
Post by zman on Jul 18, 2006 11:14:52 GMT -5
Two months ago ;D, I bought this pen tablet: www.microgoodies.com/product.php?productid=16384&cat=0&page=I think it was even cheaper back then. As of today, it is still in the box (MISB ). Do you guys have any feedbacks on this one? Someday....I shall double click Photoshop 7 and use this thing....someday  |
|
|
|
Post by xiombarg on Jul 18, 2006 17:58:47 GMT -5
@ Xio: Hey, that's the hot pink Mazinkaiser!! LOL! To tell the truth, I've never touched the dodge and burn tools. I guess I got to look it up in the Photoshop help then... Thanks for the tip!! Glad you like it. Dodge and Burn are easy to use, and are located on the main tool bar in the same sqaure button. One looks like a black magnifying glass and the other looks like a hand. Both are very easy to use. Just do a color fill and then use these tools to darken or lighten the color. Instant shading and highlights, and can be adjusted the same as an air brush (ie. transparency and flow control, etc). |
|
|
|
Post by nikodiablo on Jul 18, 2006 19:58:33 GMT -5
Glad you like it. Dodge and Burn are easy to use, and are located on the main tool bar in the same sqaure button. One looks like a black magnifying glass and the other looks like a hand. Both are very easy to use. Just do a color fill and then use these tools to darken or lighten the color. Instant shading and highlights, and can be adjusted the same as an air brush (ie. transparency and flow control, etc). I just checked these tools last night. It seems that they are VERY handy tools for shading and highlighting. I'll be sure to implement them in my next arts. |
|
|
|
Post by xiombarg on Jul 18, 2006 20:36:59 GMT -5
Glad you like it. Dodge and Burn are easy to use, and are located on the main tool bar in the same sqaure button. One looks like a black magnifying glass and the other looks like a hand. Both are very easy to use. Just do a color fill and then use these tools to darken or lighten the color. Instant shading and highlights, and can be adjusted the same as an air brush (ie. transparency and flow control, etc). I just checked these tools last night. It seems that they are VERY handy tools for shading and highlighting. I'll be sure to implement them in my next arts. Yeah, these can be real time saving tools when doing subtle lighting changes than compared to brushing in your value changes, because you don't have to do continual color selection and/or changing the transparency or flow of your air brush tool. But the dodge and burn tools are only useful if you want to adjust the value of a given color and not the hue. For more unpredictable lighting effects where the hue is changed such as with reflected color, or if you want to do heavy shadow, the brush is where it's at. Sorry to hi-jack the topic here. |
|
|
|
Post by nikodiablo on Jul 20, 2006 20:56:54 GMT -5
@ Xio: That's OK. Anything that will improve our skills are permitted.
OK, so the conclusion is that drawing tablets are great investment, then, I might as well get one. But I probably won't get an Intuous 2 like Rex, that's just too advanced for me (and way out of my current budget range). But, thanks for all the tips inputs - you Guys are the best!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Kidchuckle on Jul 20, 2006 22:05:30 GMT -5
you may want to try to get a small one for starters Niko.
but I still woudl get a wacom! only cause the pressure sensitivity is excellent
If you just get a generic one.. you may get the movement.
But you won't be able to make the brushes thick or thin (by pressure) or opague to transparent.. (by pressure!)
|
|
|
|
Post by nikodiablo on Jul 21, 2006 2:07:36 GMT -5
Thanks, Kid. I plan to get a Wacom Pen Partner first, and move up slowly while developing my skills.
|
|
