On Starting to Draw Anime

[serenade_beta]

Hmm, with Black Friday coming (and interest in the topic), I was trying to figure out what is needed to start drawing anime.

So I know I need some kind of software, like Photoshop or SAI.
And then I need a drawing tablet, right? I've never used one before, but I assume these connect to a computer and allow you to control the mouse using the tablet, which allows you to draw on the tablet instead of directly using your mouse on the software?

Would that be all I need? Drawing Software and Drawing Tablet?

[AnimeFan188]

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

Hmm, with Black Friday coming (and interest in the topic), I was trying to figure out what is needed to start drawing anime.

So I know I need some kind of software, like Photoshop or SAI.
And then I need a drawing tablet, right? I've never used one before, but I assume these connect to a computer and allow you to control the mouse using the tablet, which allows you to draw on the tablet instead of directly using your mouse on the software?

Would that be all I need? Drawing Software and Drawing Tablet?

I drew this with free software (Inkscape) and a mouse (note that you can enlarge the
images by clicking on them):



The TG Zone!:


Part 1:

https://www.deviantart.com/animefan1...-0-8-695683691


Part 2:

https://www.deviantart.com/animefan1...9-17-695683464


Part 3:

https://www.deviantart.com/animefan1...8-25-695682934




This would've looked better if I weren't such an amateur.

You can do decent art without having to spend a lot of money.

[Tempester]

You might find this useful:

YouTube

https://youtu.be/2DSnKa--aMM

Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload?

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by AnimeFan188

I drew this with free software (Inkscape) and a mouse (note that you can enlarge the
images by clicking on them):

You can do decent art without having to spend a lot of money.

Originally Posted by Tempester

You might find this useful:

HmmHmm, I see. Thanks for the info

[dragon1412]

What do you want specifically in drawing tablet though, there are those with display built in and those without, and as expected the one without are wayyy cheaper than those with display, those with display are great for beginner though. And if you got an Ipad, those can use as drawing tablet as well, you need to buy an apple pen though

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by dragon1412

What do you want specifically in drawing tablet though, there are those with display built in and those without, and as expected the one without are wayyy cheaper than those with display, those with display are great for beginner though. And if you got an Ipad, those can use as drawing tablet as well, you need to buy an apple pen though

Hmm, I was looking at something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072M76LNZ

I believe this is one without a display built in. You attach it to the computer and use the tablet to move the cursor, if I am correct.

[dragon1412]

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

Hmm, I was looking at something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072M76LNZ

I believe this is one without a display built in. You attach it to the computer and use the tablet to move the cursor, if I am correct.

Not really recommend that one, when you are in drawing tablet world, the most common name you will find is Wacom and Huion, Ugee seem to have little user compare to these 2, so you'd be in a lot more trouble if you want to find support for things happened.

As for other 2, Wacom is kinda like Apple of drawing tablet, they have patent and their stuff is very costly, but it is smoothest and the most solid out of all current tablet, they have a cult of artists following them. Huion stuff is cheaper, but also pretty solid, kinda like HP, the problem is that they are a hit and miss so you better google the model you want to see the people opinion on it. You would find much better deal in Huion over to Wacom though.

Without built in display, it can be quite cheap, I'd suggest the Wacom Intuos M for the pricey option, 199$ without any discounts. The reason i don't suggest S sized is because it rather small for drawing oiption and you generally don't change tablet for quite a while, but if you are fine with it the S one is actually pretty good, the size is 6.0 x 3.7 in and much cheaper, 80$. And i think this is the solid choice if black friday take off a portions of that price.

For cheaper, Huion is a better option by mile. And most people would recommended buying a cheaper Huion and switching to Wacom later if you are serious about drawing. Huion seem to have black fridays sales on already and you can find the deals on their website, you can find stuff as cheap as 17$ but they are super small. You can get pretty good tablet from 40-60$ especially with the sales going on. I don't recommended spend more than 70$ if you are going Huion though since stuff from 40-60$ is pretty much enough for your need, if you want spend more, go Wacom. This would be my prime suggestion though since you seem to be a beginner, 40-60$ Huion tablet seem good enough for years to come. The rest though is depend on you whether you want bluetooth support, pen sensitivity, etc.... go read the description on their site

EDIT: To be fair, most tablet from 40-60$ should be similar in quality, what you need to look for is a good userbase of that brand or that particular tablet for help if something happen

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by dragon1412

Not really recommend that one, when you are in drawing tablet world, the most common name you will find is Wacom and Huion, Ugee seem to have little user compare to these 2, so you'd be in a lot more trouble if you want to find support for things happened.

As for other 2, Wacom is kinda like Apple of drawing tablet, they have patent and their stuff is very costly, but it is smoothest and the most solid out of all current tablet, they have a cult of artists following them. Huion stuff is cheaper, but also pretty solid, kinda like HP, the problem is that they are a hit and miss so you better google the model you want to see the people opinion on it. You would find much better deal in Huion over to Wacom though.

Without built in display, it can be quite cheap, I'd suggest the Wacom Intuos M for the pricey option, 199$ without any discounts. The reason i don't suggest S sized is because it rather small for drawing oiption and you generally don't change tablet for quite a while, but if you are fine with it the S one is actually pretty good, the size is 6.0 x 3.7 in and much cheaper, 80$. And i think this is the solid choice if black friday take off a portions of that price.

For cheaper, Huion is a better option by mile. And most people would recommended buying a cheaper Huion and switching to Wacom later if you are serious about drawing. Huion seem to have black fridays sales on already and you can find the deals on their website, you can find stuff as cheap as 17$ but they are super small. You can get pretty good tablet from 40-60$ especially with the sales going on. I don't recommended spend more than 70$ if you are going Huion though since stuff from 40-60$ is pretty much enough for your need, if you want spend more, go Wacom. This would be my prime suggestion though since you seem to be a beginner, 40-60$ Huion tablet seem good enough for years to come. The rest though is depend on you whether you want bluetooth support, pen sensitivity, etc.... go read the description on their site

EDIT: To be fair, most tablet from 40-60$ should be similar in quality, what you need to look for is a good userbase of that brand or that particular tablet for help if something happen

Hmm, I see. I looked at Wacom and have heard about it, but it is true that it is expensive. I see Huion has ones like this that are not too small but still for a fair price.
https://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Drawi.../dp/B07DPC98DT

As for program, I think Clip Studio is good? I went to their site and it seems they have a PRO option at 60$ and an EX version that is clearly too much to even look at.
I also hear it is pretty good, suggestible over SAI.

[dragon1412]

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

Hmm, I see. I looked at Wacom and have heard about it, but it is true that it is expensive. I see Huion has ones like this that are not too small but still for a fair price.
https://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Drawi.../dp/B07DPC98DT

As for program, I think Clip Studio is good? I went to their site and it seems they have a PRO option at 60$ and an EX version that is clearly too much to even look at.
I also hear it is pretty good, suggestible over SAI.

program wise though, it is more of a preferences than anything else, but i suggest you use Krita link here, a free open source one, and then switch to Clip or SAI later when you are confident enough on your skill, drawing take a lot of practice and first few months is practically just practice drawing basic form, it depend a lot more on your skill over the program, trying it for a few months and if you are serious you can consider afterwards.

My case is bit special, since i learn graphic design and picture restoration on photoshop way before i get interest in drawing, so i would be very bias toward photoshop. But Krita should provided all the tool you need for free.

PS. Out of pure interest, are you going black and white manga style or intend to go illustration like those on Pixiv, some program are better at coloring and shading. Though it didn't really matter, consider you are a beginner, go practice until you go all over the basic at least

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by dragon1412

program wise though, it is more of a preferences than anything else, but i suggest you use Krita link here, a free open source one, and then switch to Clip or SAI later when you are confident enough on your skill, drawing take a lot of practice and first few months is practically just practice drawing basic form, it depend a lot more on your skill over the program, trying it for a few months and if you are serious you can consider afterwards.

My case is bit special, since i learn graphic design and picture restoration on photoshop way before i get interest in drawing, so i would be very bias toward photoshop. But Krita should provided all the tool you need for free.

PS. Out of pure interest, are you going black and white manga style or intend to go illustration like those on Pixiv, some program are better at coloring and shading. Though it didn't really matter, consider you are a beginner, go practice until you go all over the basic at least

Hmm, never heard of it, but yes, that sounds like a good idea. I don't think Clip has a Black Friday sale or anything either, so I could go buy it later.

I'm personally thinking about just single illustrations for now, nothing manga/story-related.

[Nymene]

Are you going to draw fanart or original characters ?

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by Nymene

Are you going to draw fanart or original characters ?

My intention is fanart. Of course, I still have a long way too go before I can even consider either, since the last time I drew, I drew a horse so bad my professor remembered me for drawing the bad horse when I visited him a couple years later.

[dragon1412]

it more like you just get wrong proportions then, I thought i was bad at art way until i go to my photoshop class. Well, at least show us your results when you try it out

[AnimeFan188]

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

My intention is fanart. Of course, I still have a long way too go before I can even consider either, since the last time I drew, I drew a horse so bad my professor remembered me for drawing the bad horse when I visited him a couple years later.

Get better at drawing humans and animals, and maybe you can make some money.


"The illustration industry is propped up by custom furry porn, says illustrator slimm:

furry porn commissions are maybe the single most viable way to survive as an
illustrator https://t.co/sOxEcCmCs4

— slimm 🌹 (@slimmeroo) November 27, 2019"


See:

https://lifehacker.com/you-should-kn...ets-1840069353

&

https://twitter.com/slimmeroo/status...rc=twsrc%5Etfw

[dragon1412]

Originally Posted by AnimeFan188

Get better at drawing humans and animals, and maybe you can make some money.


"The illustration industry is propped up by custom furry porn, says illustrator slimm:

furry porn commissions are maybe the single most viable way to survive as an
illustrator https://t.co/sOxEcCmCs4

— slimm 🌹 (@slimmeroo) November 27, 2019"


See:

https://lifehacker.com/you-should-kn...ets-1840069353

&

https://twitter.com/slimmeroo/status...rc=twsrc%5Etfw

Seriously

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by AnimeFan188

Get better at drawing humans and animals, and maybe you can make some money.


"The illustration industry is propped up by custom furry porn, says illustrator slimm:

furry porn commissions are maybe the single most viable way to survive as an
illustrator https://t.co/sOxEcCmCs4

— slimm 🌹 (@slimmeroo) November 27, 2019"


See:

https://lifehacker.com/you-should-kn...ets-1840069353

&

https://twitter.com/slimmeroo/status...rc=twsrc%5Etfw

I've never really been into furries.
I think nekomimi and those types of not-really-ear-animal-ears are the closest I can get.