Going from traditional to digital

September 26, 2007 12:02 PM

What programs would one suggest for a traditional artist/illustrator interested in a getting started in digital artwork? As a fairly loose painter, the smoother the transition the better.

(As I almost always use Macs, Mac programs are what I'm looking for, but any Windows only suggestions would be welcome as well)

posted by billypilgrim to Media & Arts (10 answers total)

I strongly recommend Corel Painter.

That's exactly the sort of transition I had to make, and the program mimics the materials and methods of studio art. I still prefer using it over Photoshop.
posted by zebra3 at 12:10 PM on September 26, 2007

If you'd just like to transfer your painting technique over to digital, then Corel Painter is the way to go. No matter what you do, don't bother with the mouse, though. Get a Wacom tablet -- and not the cheap Graphire ones. Get at least an Intuos.
posted by fake at 12:17 PM on September 26, 2007

Seconding Painter, and a Wacom tablet of a decent size, if its in your budget (don't go the off-brand tablet route, its not at all worth it, as my cupboard would testify)
posted by Smoosh Faced Lion at 12:17 PM on September 26, 2007

Get a Wacom, it will be the tool that will bridge the gap for you.

Acquire some tutorials on matte painting in Photoshop, this will get you acquainted with the brushes, stroke parameters, layers and blending modes, etc

If you are talking 3D you would do yourself a great disservice by avoiding ZBrush 3

If you were more of a technical illustrator I would recommend Illustrator, but it's more oriented towards vector work so I don't think a painter would appreciate it much unless they had some very specific goals in mind.

Painter is not my favorite, but I would recommend you check it out as well.
posted by prostyle at 12:20 PM on September 26, 2007

A good-quality Wacom is a must if you're serious about it. Before shelling out for Painter, though, check out ArtRage. There's a free version available, but the full version is vastly cheaper than most other art programs. Its painting engine is a lot of fun, too.
posted by Nedroid at 12:21 PM on September 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

thirding (fourthing?) a wacom and Painter. The tablet is a little bit of money, so you should goof off with one before you buy, but they're great. I don't know how it works (or if there are any hacks for them.....), but it can tell which side of the "pencil" you are using and, if that wasn't enough to blow my mind, it knows the angle that you're holding the tool at. You have to play with it to believe it, but it is cool.
posted by history is a weapon at 12:27 PM on September 26, 2007

Response by poster: Judging from the response here and from my various art school friends, Painter and a tablet are definitely the top options.

Someone also mentioned Sketchbook Pro; anyone have any experience with that program?
posted by billypilgrim at 12:34 PM on September 26, 2007

In addition to the Wacom, get yourself a big-ass monitor. At least a 23" Cinema Display. Few things suck more than doing art on a small monitor.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:41 PM on September 26, 2007

I'm a syndicated cartoonist. I use a MacbookPro, Photoshop, a Wacom tablet and a 23" Cinema Display and am at 2,800 cartoons in a row and counting with no problems. That includes one full color Sunday a week (with separation work) every Sunday for eight years. Whether that's considered fine art or not ...
posted by lpsguy at 1:23 PM on September 26, 2007

I'd suggest avoiding the tablet at least to start with. Digital art can do some pretty amazing things and restricting yourself into attempting to recreate your real world art may be a mistake. I would working with photoshop and scanning or taking pictures of your art work and the art of other artists you like, then just experiment with what you can do with the colors and marks of you old work in a completely new environment. Then once you have more of an idea of what digital can really do for you pull out the tablet and skip the scanning phase.
posted by CaptMcalister at 1:30 PM on September 26, 2007