Art Why can't I CG well!?

[mangakiwi]

I just made my Avatar and I realized how bad I am at CG stuff. Any tips for me? :confused:

[Megumi]

There are four main components to CGing, I think. I'll list them in order of importance (in my opinion.)

1. EXPERIENCE

Practice makes perfect, and CGing is no exception. You have to have a knowledge of the program you are using, special effects, and just how to make things look the way you want them to. Tutorials are your FRIENDS, but remember that everyone does things differently. Don't follow tutorials too closely to the point where you're just copying someone else's style. Me, even though I know tutorials help, prefer to find things out on my own, usually by "happy accidents." I'm stubborn that way.

2. TIME

This is almost tied with experience in importance, I think. To CG well, you have to be willing to spend hours (literally) in front of a computer. CGing is a pretty fickle business, where things don't always go the way you plan. Sometimes you have to just undo everything and start over.

3. PROGRAM

A good program can make a big difference, but I still put it as third because I've ssen amazing things done in MS Paint, and some pretty crappy things done in Photoshop. Having a good program will not automatically make you a good artist, remember that.

Having said that, though, there are limitations on simpler programs that cannot be overcome. If you can get it, use a more advanced program. I recommend Paint Shop Pro, at first at least, because Photoshop can be overwhelming without prior program knowledge. Plus Photoshop is expensive, and pirated versions are harder to find than those of Paint Shop... (but I didn't tell you that...>.>)

4. SKILL

Like it or not, talent does play a role. Some people just can't do it. But I think those cases are rare. Most people who "can't" CG simply do not have the patience or haven't practiced enough.



So, I hope that helped. ^_^

[cinnamon]

That's it all in a nutshell, Megumi. However, on the physical side, I'll just quickly suggest that to have a sharp, neat-looking CG, you need a clean black line...Also known as inking or lining in. Your line looks a little fuzzy, which is presumably why the colours are a bit blotchy around the edges. Anyway, you can do this before scanning in a picture, with a good black pen and an eraser to get rid of any pencil, or using the program to outline it- I'll let you decide which, seeing as you're the artist. Personally, I use a black pen- I find it faster. But the outcome is that you have a sharper looking drawing (so long as the actual colouring goes ok ;) ) with a pretty black outline. Spiffy, doncha think?
:D Cinnamon