Okay, I'm not good at CGing, but I thought I should try it since its been forever! [Around 8th grade]

I started re-teaching myself by downloading the newer version. [Which is almost totally different.] And I decided to do the AP girls Ann and Penny.
I did a sketch first, scanned it, lined it, and colored.


Heres my beginning sketch. [I made it smaller for photobucket]
Serious sketchy-ness going on there.


Heres my finished product.
I find my lines very wobbly, but I don't have the greatest mouse in the world, so its just how it is.
Yes, I changed her face when I lined it, I had it done the way I sketched it, but I ended up not liking it, so I re-did basically her whole head.

I'm a failure at coloring, but I think it came out okay.
Their hands could be better, but I suck with hands and a mouse to do it with.
Ann's eye on the right is kind of messed up, and their feet are blobs.
I like their faces, and hair personally, your opinions?

Not bad, and you acknowledge there's room for improvement. The first thing to familiarize yourself with is layers- they make life much easier, you know. Then bezier curves and so that you can make smooth and crisp lines on things like swords. The bombs could be taken care of with a circle as the base and...just what are you using as your image editor? If this is done entirely in paint, I am impressed. By the look of it, it's actually one of the older photoshops or something about equivalent, in which case, I highly suggest you take some time to familiarize yourself with your toolset- they're there to make your life easier, you know!

I'm a beginner--I haven't learned everything yet.
I used openCanvas... Compaired to any photoshop, it sucks.
Image editor?
Believe me, I KNOW there is room for improvement. :] At least I know that, and can mess with it a bit.

Haha, now that I look back at the bombs, they do look kinda funky. x3

Two more things, if you save things before you finish them, or intend on working on them more later, use a lossless image format. jpegs are what is known as "lossy," which means data is lost as part of the compression process (like an mp3 only older). If your image editor doesn't have a format that it saves multiple layers (psd, xfc, etc) use a bitmap or png- all of these are lossless.

Second, if you decide you want to continue working in this manner, you wall want to look into a digital tablet sooner or later and it would bnne a good move to make. Relying on a mouse, while possible, is not necessary, and for an artist, it is a very unnatural way of doing things.

Last, a tip- if you want to eliminate the sketchiness before you scan, get a good ink-pen and ink over your drawing (or onto another piece of paper; tracing paper might work).

As for an image editor, try the GIMP. It's comparable to photoshop for a lot less hassle in getting it (it's free)
http://www.gimp.org/

[in order of improvement from begining of 8th to end of 8th]
I haven't had a computer in a while, so I've picked my old skills up from this. :0

Yes, I too used to play gaia in 7th and 8th grade.

I've been gaia free for about two and a half years. [With the acception random mail checks]

Haha, compared to that, I've improved with open canvas because my artist skills improved, and knowledge of it hasn't improved.

lol, thanks. :]
[I've used GIMP on John's computer...]

I've always thought about getting a tablet, but I'm always unsure about investing in it.
I've been considering a job sometime soon, and maybe I'll put it on my list of multiple things I possibly need.

I did ink ink it. :] I just didn't show you guys the inked version.
I'm actually a huge fan of inking my work.

I think the drawing is super-cute.
Yeah, the CG version may be in squigglevision but that's understandable with it being your first time working with the art editing programs in a while. I kind of have the same problem, to be honest, so I just avoid it and use the drawn lines from the paper.

Penny looks like you, Michelle. Hahah.

>o< I can't do the lines from the paper, I'm to scared to mess up.


:X I think they're well in per portion though. I like that.

Haha. Except I'm not that tiny and/or cute. Plus, I cut my bangs. :3

It makes me want to work with it, but I'm so confused. @_@

Tablets are worth it.

Lemme repeat that; TABLETS ARE WORTH IT. But if you get one, get a Wacom, don't settle for another brand because they're cheaper; it will break, and you will be dissapointed. Every person I know who has gotten an off brand has had it break down in less than a year, while I have had mine since... January junior year of high school I think? so close to three years, and besides having to replace the pen tips, it still works as well as the day I got it.

Once you have a tablet, you won't ever be able to draw with a mouse again, it just seems so unnatural XD

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/431071...me+-in%3Ascraps
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/433686...me+-in%3Ascraps

First one is inked digitally, second is just using the original lineart, and I still have a bit of a wobbly line thing going on in the first one... but once I get done with plushies, I've got some more art to do, and since I finally figure out vectors in photoshop, I'll be able get the nice smooth lines without going down to my school's art building.

Not bad! Email then to artists@animepunch.org (include the best quality sketch version you have, since I can use b&w for the program guide)
good job!

Can do. Mike. :]

^^ Thanks. <3



My only problem with a tablet is the cost.
Believe me, i want one.
Maybe while were out in Mansfeild I'll mention something about it. :]

Yeah, the holidays are always great for name-dropping expensive toys like tablets XD

I mentioned it and she wanted to know where to get it.
I've already got a lot of things for christmas. :]
New computer, internet, video camera. o_O;
......
New clothes today...

I saw some recently at CompUSA, though I'm sure you'll be able to find them at any of the big comp stores; and there's always the website.

...I have no clue what I'm getting, ugh. As long as I get a Wii, I'm happy. Hell, I'd settle for a 250$ check taped to a copy of Twilight Princess with a note saying 'buy one when you can find one!'

Like make the CG picture black and white or find my orignal sketch?

IGGT YO! I"ve been workin', and this is what I have [I used Penny as a practice, shes so cute]
And I did one last weekend, and then I did one this weekend. [Too much to do on weekdays]

Anyway, I've decided, that me scanning and lining, isn't a good combination.
So I've decided that I'll wing it all the way.

She looks absolutely adorable Miccy!

xD Lol, thanks! <3

Well, well, amazing what a bit of practice can do, eh? The proportions of her left leg seem a bit off, and the way her clothes fold in the crotch area doesn't look quite right for some reason. Overall, however, it's solid work. Now look into cleaning up your lines a bit more (some of them are a bit rough) and you've got something.

I know! The foot killed me! My mouse wouldn't do what I wanted it to do!
I was actually getting irritated. :8
I can do it with my hands, its just not with a mouse. Like her fingers on her right, I had to work with those to make them better. [From the first one, you'll notice a remote difference]

The last part that I did on this whole thing before coloring, was the foot to be honest. It took me forever because its harder for my mouse to want to do what I want. ;~;

Anyway, thanks Wyatt. :]

OKAY! My last one was cooler, before it messed up on me. :[
But this is what I worked with . :0

I can name a million and twelve flaws, but I have to leave for school very soon.

:]
Hope I'm improving. <33