How you learned to paint?
Hi there, I'm looking for advice on how to go from sketching to painting textures for my models. I've never really done much work in color. How did everyone else get into painting models? Where can I learn to do that? How do you know what to paint in photoshop?
Sorry if this is a re-post of a question. I just did a forum search for "paint" and didnt really find anything I was looking for.
Sorry if this is a re-post of a question. I just did a forum search for "paint" and didnt really find anything I was looking for.
Replies
Next time try searching for textures or hand painted.
http://wiki.polycount.com/TexturingTutorials?highlight=%28\bCategoryTextureTechnique\b%29
or even just browsing around the WIKI - http://wiki.polycount.com/Polycount
and take some life painting classes.
That wiki jimmypopali posted will help
Too obvious process is too obvious?
there has got to be more than that to painting bro.
Not as viable anymore as there isnt a modern equivelent to the program that likes our modern routers.
There's justin.tv, I don't have much experience with it but with a name like Justin you know it's good!
Values are second, which u already also have.
So, really, there's nothing stopping u except self doubt here
I figure someone competent as u can easily master painting by simple trial & error.
However, there r tutorials out there u can look into as for academic painting (layering colors, color thoery, etc).
Traditionally, after the drawing phase comes the charcoal phase, providing u full-scale of values. This is equivalent to painting but without color, so I would advise that. If u don't wonna get messy or go news-print sheets and all, get a recycled-paper sketchbook where u can implement white gradients and even prismacolor penciles. Those work gr8. Whatever u do, start with a limited palette.
If u don't care about any of this academic mumbo-jumbo and just wonna paint textures, Photoshop provides plenty of quick methods to create colors and values "artificially". Tutorials r ur way, just find a technique that appeals to u and go.
no offense, but I daresay that's a load of shit. Yes, I think the 10000 hours of time is a good rule/estimate, but it's not simply doing. you need to analyze what you are doing actively, pay attention to how you're doing it, look for ways to improve or get clearer to what you're shooting for.
It's the same reason I get bitter when people say 'just draw', yes, it's definitely a part of it but it's certainly not all of it. if you have a desire or clear goal of improving and take steps to actively learn and understand what you're doing that will help MUCH MUCH more than simply doing.
however, doing is absolutely the first step.
as for texturing - do you understand Unwrapping as of yet? Once you have your model unwrapped you can work on the actual texturing. I usually start by sketching out where I want to place the details. As Zac said, it's different for 'next gen' objects because a lot of that detail you'll be able to bake in first, but if it's a diffuse only texture just put some lines down to get an idea of where they will show up on the model. As you get more accustom to this you'll be much more comfortable skipping this part and getting right into the painting. Definitely check out some of the tutorials linked previously.
As for painting itself, PSG Art Tut is always a great place to start.
EDIT: Looking at your sketch blog, I have to say I'm not sure where your problem lies? you have very solid sketching skills, and you even have an already textured (painted) character done. What exactly are you asking for help in? lol
No actually, I was talking about how he said it made it look all obviously easy.
Consider this conversation as an example:
You: Dear Pro Painter sir, how do you paint this good?
Pro Painter: Simple! I choose the right canvas, take the right brush from my paint brush pocket, I pick a colour, I start painting and spend many hours on it.
I have a question for you bbob. Did you learn anything from this conversation? Or does this statement of the Pro Painter looks too obvious to you.
The thing is, ( and I do understand that many pro painters just seem to know the stuff but hard to explain. ) But they should be able to explain how they painted.
As a result: Some digital painters do show their work flows accordingly just to show how they started, WHAT colour they used, WHAT brush they used, Canvas size and etc. (you know, the stuff that you need to know to get started)
but not all of them follow the same routine.
Like craig mullins stuff looks 'paintely' to me...
But if I tried to do that I'd end up drawing it first then 'coloring' it in like a coloring book, instead of just painting values and shading and I can't get that out of my head for some reason.
another 15 years of that and my work is kind of passable
In fact I would skip photoshop all together and go pick up art rage. Super cheap, and its more of a painting sim and less hack and slash than photoshop. Quick clean interface without all the BS bloatware tacked in.
Seriousness art rage on a cintiq or even the ipad = good times.
I think you've got 80% of what it takes already, I think what's left is just some reading and a lot of trial and error.
I'm blown away by artists like Ashely Wood and Brom who actually paint. No ctrl-z and no layers. It really must force you to pay attention to your strokes and make them count. Kind of like pen vs pencil.
Word, I think the biggest thing that helped me with digital painting was having a decent foundation in painting with real paints long before I ever knew what Photoshop was. That's not to say that painting tutorials are worthless, just stick to the ones that aren't Photoshop trickery like Vig said, and more that stick with translating traditional painting techniques to digital. Go slow, don't get discouraged and keep practicing.
Oh and btw the good practise is to draw life drawing, take a photo you like and copy the color palette from there and start to paint from the original paint. Really good practise for your brain.
Like Pencilers -vs- Inkers?
[ame]
To the OP: It's all about techniques and style. Every different genre will require a different style and set of skills. You're best bet is just to focus on hand painting with photo work for blended layers and effects.
Exploring color is a tough one. I took two color theory courses in college, and I still struggle with it. Learning principals though will really help you understand how color works though. Beyond your simple complimentary vs tertiary color systems... color context for instance... cool shit
Here's a great tutorial to start with http://vimeo.com/1715081
Once you're more comfortable with painting, check out these tutorials http://itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm
Watching timelapses of great artists working helped me a lot. One problem I had was getting frustrated by not even being able to imagine how those guys made the images they did. Watching them go from start to finish took some of the mystery out of it, and made the whole thing feel more like a task with a clear path of practice than a magical trick I'd never understand.
Not the same, i found that i had long one on one sessions sharing techniques with other artists and showing getting them to critique me as i worked. It is super easy to pick up flaws in somones work if you watch them work. You cant get that with 1 way video streaming.
like people say, the the hardest part is getting good with using colour, light and form, and i dont think you can ever stop learning things like that
Nevertheless, really study the works of painters that inspire you. Try to dissect the brush strokes they use. Over time, you'll discover (or be privileged to work with) artists you can watch progress pieces. This is a very important step. I have extremely clear memories of the times I sat and watched a few amazing painters work. It's worth paying month to watch some people work.
There's no better way to learn than using real paint. Get some acrylic or gouache, which dry quickly, and it will force you to lay down your strokes without fussing over them.
Greg Manchess uses confident, painterly brush strokes but has an excellent eye for value. He has a tutorial DVD for sale at Massive Black that is worth checking out if you want to see how he lays down his brush strokes.