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Fanart - Tutorials - Getting Started
CG, short for Computer Generated (or CGI which means Computer Generated
Imagery), is a general term used for any image made on a computer.
In recent years it has become a popular medium for artists across
the internet. The following tutorial contains tips for gathering tools
to being CG-ing. If you are seriously interested in learning to CG
anime-style drawings or lineart using programs such as Adobe Photoshop
and Corel Painter then this is the tutorial for you. The tools discussed
are not for 3D images as they require different programs
and tools.
First of all, no matter how much money you spend or how wonderful
your computer is, you still have to practice and study to be a good
CG artist. CG-ing a picture can add depth, effects, and beauty which
sometimes cannot be achieved with sketching alone. The length of time
it takes to CG a picture varies from artist to artist. Some artist
take only 4-6 hours to CG lineart while others take days. The tools
that are available and the artist's efficiency with those tools can
often shave hours off a project.
If you are not sure how much you will enjoy CG-ing, I don't suggest
spending a lot of money on expensive hardware and programs you may
never use again. You may want to find a free program such as paint
or download a trial version of Adobe Photoshop. This will give you
a feel for the medium.
When you are ready to step into the grand world of CG-ed artwork,
I recommend purchasing the best equipment you can afford. When I began
to CG I had a computer, optical mouse, photographic printer and scanner.
They were alright to start with, but I now wish I had invested a little
more into obtaining proper tools in the beginning. In the long run
it saves money and time. If you can afford to purchase top of the
line equipment then I highly recommend it. Give yourself a learning
advantage. Conversely, many of The Art Guild Members use a 4x6 graphics
tablet. It suits their needs fairly well, and doesn't break the bank.
Although it doesn't not come with a lot of features that the more
expensive models have, it is okay for starters.
The tools listed below are my recommendations for aspiring CG artists.
This does not mean you cannot CG without purchasing the best (I already
stated how I started out), but it certainly helps.
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Important CG Tools |
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A computer is the most important
tool for any CG artist. You can't create CG art without one.
Period. When considering a computer to buy, keep in mind that
you are purchasing it with the purpose of CG. A computer that
is a good gaming machine isn't always a great artist tool.
I personally recommend Macintosh computers for CG-ing. They
handle mult-tasking and graphics files much better the PC's
and Adobe Photoshop comes with several additional tools for
the Macintosh. I do not, however, recommend a ibook (see below).
Laptops are also out. If you cannot afford, or do not have
a Macintosh, don't worry. PCs are just fine as well. Make
sure whichever computer you use that it has a large hard drive
capacity Image files can be quite big and take up a lot of
space. At very bare, absolute minimum I recommend 128MB hard
drive and at least 600MHz. |
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The second most important tool for creating
CG artwork is a monitor. If you can't see it's going to be
difficult to create anything that resembles art. When selecting
a monitor I recommend purchasing one with a crisp, clear picture.
No blur! Also one that can be color calibrated easily. During
my career as a CG artist I have also learned that plasma and
LCDs are impossible to do proper CG work on. The colors are
to difficult to see and may end up a horrid mess. I don't
care how good the salesman says the display is, LCD is a death
warrant for a CG artist in my experience. This means laptops
and ibooks are out. Trust me, it's for the best. When selecting
a monitor I would highly recommend going with a Sony monitor
with at least a 15" inch display (once again, bigger
is better because it enables you to see more of your canvas
at once). If you an afford it buy two. Dual monitors is a
plus when creating CG-ed artwork. |
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The final thing a CG artist
needs is a good art program. I cannot recommend Adobe Photoshop
highly enough. This is arguably the best program for CG-ing
artwork. Throughout my CG-ing career I have been inseparable
with Adobe Photoshop. It is wonderful for airbrushing, soft-style
coloring, composition and fonts. It also has an incredible
set of filters for creating stunning backgrounds. Version
5.0 or above is suitable for CG, although 7.0 is what I currently
use. |
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Only recently have I discovered the joys
of Corel Painter. Before version 6.0 it lacked layers which
I think is pivotal for creating CG artwork. Since then, I
have discovered Corel Painter to be an excellent tool for
CG art work. It is wonderful for sketching, drawing, watercolor,
traditional style art, and effects. It has a style all of
its own that can be both integrated with photoshop and stand
alone. Many CG artists use Painter Classic, but it lacks a
lot of functional tools provided in later versions. |
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A scanner is an important tool for anyone
who wishes to CG their own artwork. A nice flatbed scanner
is the best for CG work. I recommend one with scanning bed
of at least 8x10. Anything less isn't very practical in the
long run. Whatever scanner you buy, make sure it can scan
in at least 300 dpi, otherwise your scans will be so blurry
there will be little point in trying to CG it. Depending on
how picky I need to be with the image I usually scan at about
800 dpi. Another important aspect to consider when buying
a scanner is the top lid. While they are all delicate and
must be handled with care, some are just outright flimsy and
will break with little wear. When I bought my Epson I made
sure the top was detachable. |
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Most artist start out using a mouse until
they realize that it is completely unsuited for CG artwork.
No matter how expensive or decked out your mouse is, it was
not designed as an art tool. CG-ing with a mouse is not impossible,
but it is tedious and yields terrible results. It makes hair
almost impossible to do correctly. If a mouse is all you have,
then you'll have to make do, but I can't say I recommend it. |
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A good graphics tablet is a CG artist's
best friend. They convert the input from the digital pen to
the screen, making them perfect for CG work. There is a wide
range of sizes available, but the best is either 6"x8"
or 9"x12". A graphics tablet isn't necessary for
CG work, but it will make your life as an artist a lot easier.
Most artists prefer to use WACOM graphics tablets. |
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If you're planning on creating totally original
work, which I recommend as it is more fun to CG your own lineart,
you will need traditional supplies such as pens, paper, erasers
and a ruler. |
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A good clean workspace is essential for
good CG work. You will need a lot of elbow room when creating
art, so if your desk is cluttered you will find it very difficult
to maneuver, as well as causing distractions. |
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If you are planning to print out your artwork,
a good quality printer is essential. I recommend a photo-quality
printer, one that can print glossy and matt pictures. |
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