Practice, Practice, and more Practice...

I've decided that it's time for me to improve my digital art skills. There's certainly something to be said for the eye-poppin' colors made possible by creating images on a digital canvas.

While similar colors are attainable on traditional canvas as well, they don't always transfer to the digital viewing platform as bold as I would like them to.

So.... since I want to be able to create digital art, and do it WELL, that means it's time for me to study.

I am by no means an expert when it comes to digital illustration or digital painting. It's an entire art form, just as traditional watercoloring is, oil painting is, etc. And I will be the first to say that I only know the basics. And only a few basics, even! But I have the desire to learn, and that's the most important part.

Since I'm just a beginner, I probably do things a little wacky. Someone with more knowledge and skills probably does things a bit differently... but I'll share my work flow with you so you can get an idea of how I created this little scene (even if it IS wacky!). Just remember, I'm just LEARNING to do this so no giggling! *grin*

I drew up this little scene last night, and then spent a few hours this evening coloring the image. Since I drew the image in black ink on white paper, I first had to scan the image to get the sketch captured as a digital image. The page was a bit crooked on my scanner bed and if you look close you can see the faint lines of the edge of the paper showing as a shadow.

Once I had the image scanned, I opened the image in Photoshop and started editing. There are other programs you can use to do this, but I have Photoshop so that's what I use. I straightened the image and cleaned things up a bit. I removed those goofy shadows around the edge of the paper, and even swapped out one of the clouds. Copy and paste. It's a wonderful thing.

I started using wide brush strokes of bold color to fill various areas of the image. On this project, I used a Wacom tablet and pen to control color and the way it was applied. Similar to how you can control things using a mouse, the Wacom tablet and pen allow you even MORE control using pressure-sensitive technology. Way cool!

Yesterday, when I colored the cupcake kitty, I actually used my mouse and not the Wacom tablet or pen at all. So it is possible to create digital art without a Wacom tablet and pen ... but you have far more control with the pressure-sensitive Wacom pen.

I fiddled around a bit with adding shadows (see the car and tree trunk), and even tried adding a few subtle textures (see the tree leaves).

One of the things I appreciate most about this kind of art is that it's quite simple to change colors or fix "boo-boo's". Making changes and fixing mistakes isn't quite as easy when you're working with actual paint and paper. I could have experimented all day with colors and textures, and the best part is that all of my experiments were able to be "undone" with a quick click.

As I added more and more colors to the image, it really started to get fun! I wasn't satisfied any longer with just the big bold areas of color, so I started adding subtle changes of color, shadow, and light on all of the objects in the image.

I added various shades of color to objects to give them depth. I did a lot of undo's as I tinkered with colors, shading, and getting a general feel for the Wacom pen.

Finally, (because I could tinker with this image for DAYS, but need to call it quits at some point) I applied a texture filter to the image. See how it looks like it's actually painted on canvas or textured paper!? I also cropped the image a bit, and added a black border to give the entire image a frame.

While this process certainly took longer to do than my usual method of coloring, I had a GREAT time and I'll be doing a lot more of this! And I'm excited at the possibilities!!

Alan even gave his .02 to the project as well! Notice the color of the car window in the final version -- it's "tinted", as suggested by Alan. And the color of the door mat? It went from brown (which Alan said just looked like a worn out area of grass in front of the door), to a nice fresh orange color (and weave texture that you can't really see in the small web images).

I'm sure I'll continue to share my practice sketches now and then... hopefully improvements will be seen as I learn more about the art form.

Yahoo! It's almost the weekend!! Make something crafty this weekend! Just for fun!

Comments

[Tammi]

WOW! You can do this as a beginner...you look like a pro to me! Super cute scene you created, and so cool how you colored and textured and everything else with the computer. TFS

[Shellie Daniel]

What an adorable scene! Love the little fishies in the pond, the hen and chick, the sunflowers, the car, everything! You are such a talented lady!

[ellen]

OMG! And you are telling us you are a starter on digital art?
It´s awesome!
I really should discover and try to use the possibilities of my Wacom...
Thank you so much for the inspiration :)

[ellen]

OMG! And you are telling us you are a starter on digital art?
It´s awesome and something I´ll really give a try.I really should discover and use the possibilities of my Wacom more. Thank you for your inspiration!

[Sharon Harnist]

Anna, you should illustrate for children's books . . . your paintings/drawings are always so bright & fun -- that's what they remind me of. That reason and also because I've seen some not so greatly illustrated kids books -- your art beats them hands down! Can't wait to see how you develop in this artform -- it looks very interesting!

[cheryl R]

Great 'lesson', Anna. I don't have anything special on my PC, but I'll have to give this a try and see what I can come up with.

[Debbie Fisher]

Anna, this is so cool! I love this scene that you have created!

[Shala]

hm, i thought the patch of brown grass was pretty appropriate for this time of year. *snicker*
thanks for sending us rain!!!!!!! :) i check the rain guage every 24 hours and record for the NRD. this morning, we had 4.54 inches!!!! and it is STILL raining! :) yay! (it doesn't flood here. we're on a hill and the rain is very slow so it isn't washing away.)
can you see i am avoiding saying anything about the digital pic? i am way to underqualifed to comment except to say it is purty!

[Viv (VivLyn)]

You have amazing talent no matter what you work with!! I think this is so sweet and colorful! I love everything going on here!!

[Linda C.]

Amazing!

[diane mcvey]

This is amazing! AMAZING!!! And I thought watercolors and Copics were complicated...!!!
Have a GREAT weekend! Hope you don't get buckets of rain from Ike! :p

[Vicki]

What an outstanding job with it! Your sketching design is awesome!! Great coloring for "just beginning"!! :)

[Crissy]

Thanks for the digital art lesson, Anna! It is really cool and actually looks like a true watercolor! Nice work!
Btw, if you want to wander over to my blog, I left an award for you to pick up, right hand side of the page!
xo
Crissy Armstrong

[Pam J]

What Wacom tablet do you use? I have been looking into getting one. Will they work with other programs?

I love your work! I came to your site for the stamping, but I stay for the chickens!! I love everything you do.

Pam J

[Denise ~ Paper Ponderings]

Holy smokes...I'm amazed! I have no idea how to do any of it, so I stand in awe!

[AmyR]

Man Anna if you aren't already working on the illustrations for children's books you SHOULD be!!!I can just picture your art in books as they would be PERFECT!!!! Either that or finding someone to write stories based on your art - you have some of the cutest drawings..... :o)

[Mecah Dow]

Too much FUN! Is there enough land to build me a house to live next door to you? I'll even share a farm night shift. Alan sure does pick up on things. His ideas were right on. What a team you two make. Keep up the good work, it is so much fun to see what you're up to.

[Danielle]

Wow, this is great! Your talent is amazing!

[dotty]

This is wonderful!! Thanks for the tutorial on how you did it ~ very cool. I absolutely LOVE those cute little fish :).

[Kellie]

Anna, your card is very cool, very bright and energetic,,I love it..
DH also has Photoshop and can spend hours playing w/it,,and does...I should tell him about that pen. Maybe for Christmas????

[Lauri]

WOW! Great job! I have played around with Photoshop a bit, but my daughter uses it and her tablet all the time! I am amazed at what can be done with it!

[amy]

Wow! Amazing and fabulous all at the same time! You are sooooooooooo talented Anna! Can you tell us what you are going to do with your digital images? I wish I could be you when I grow up!!! Being blessed with the ability to draw is such a gift!

[Barb Hardeman]

I think you are very brave to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. I'm proud of you, because I sure wouldn't want to give it a try. This scene is just delilghtful and you've achieved lots of dimension with your tree leaves etc. Good job girl...