Elements art class; any interest?

[EmeraldTiger]

OK, then the tools aren't important to this thread. I know i need to learn how to do art better. Are we only going to redo art from the upper levels of the voting system? Most of the copyright issues start off in the smithy. Do we need someone to provide place holder art while in smithy and crucible? During the Forge and Armory more refined art can be developed.

I would like a better understanding of what would be taught.

[Ajit]

Yeah the main points have already been touched here;

Vrt's goal is to teach others how to draw and create art digitally.

Vrt's goal is not to teach a program.

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That being said, I assume this means that if you have no prior knowledge on how to use a graphic design program like PS or Gimp, you will have to hand draw for this class or learn how to use design programs.

Which leads to the other end; teaching a program.  If we want to do this right, people should learn how to use a program.  I might consider doing a class for either Photoshop or Gimp (Gimp would be better for others since it is free).

I'm terrible at drawing, but I know the programs in and out.

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But after all this, keep in mind, learning a program isn't Elements specific; there are tons of tutorials out there on the web.  The only advantage to having one our members do a class is that it would be more personal and more community oriented.




p.s. I would love to take a class to help me learn to digitally draw!

[Scaredgirl]

I must say that i vote in favor of Vrt arguments. There is lots of awesome tutorials on photoshop and other programs, but nice art class... with feedback and tutoring from professionals...

Priceless...

We could do photoshop or any other program tutorials while we wait for art class to start but lets not confuse it with art class...

I don't think anyone has said that this art class has to include Photoshop tutorials, or that everyone must use Photoshop to draw. The point was that it would be useful to know some image editing before the art class starts, so you don't waste time by trying to find the "Layers" window, when you should be drawing an apple.

If you want to be able to draw digital art, you need to know both the tools and the actual drawing/painting. If you know only one, you cannot produce anything useful that can be used online. This is why it's a good idea to keep those two separate, and start a completely new class about the tools you use to draw, like Photoshop.

Anyone interested in starting that Photoshop class (or Gimp, Pixlr, etc.) topic, please do so. It would be very useful in many different situations, not only combined with this art class. Basics of image resizing, cropping, and saving for web, alone would be incredibly useful to anyone who uses the internet.

We could, in theory, give an award icon for someone who finished both classes (if there are indeed two). Like a "Digital Artist". But that would of course mean both classes have a certain level a quality and difficulty. Might be a good way to keep people motivated.

[pepokish]

Well Vrt and I have talked about this, and I think it's pretty clear that learning the tools for creation of digital art is indeed very important, but not at all the focus of what we'll be doing, here.  The point of this class is to provide personal tutors for those interested in developing skill as an artist, which is rather hard to come by (especially at no cost to you).  We will try to give personal feedback on your individual work, which just can't be offered from a tutorial.  Learning the basics of a program, however, really needs no personalized coaching.

That said, I agree with SG -- it would indeed be so helpful if someone would possibly step up to maybe cover even the most basic functions of some of the more common programs!  (:  Even if it doesn't really fit with this particular class, I do think that proper knowledge of your various tools and resources is utterly invaluable.  It seems like there are a few people already offering that sort of help, and it would be really awesome if someone would step up and do that.  I think that would probably help the class -- and the community in general -- quite a bit.

Also, I think award icons for completing both classes (if both come to fruition) would be great!    I'd love to see that happen.

[vrt]

I'd be inclined to agree it could help, but I'd start with a selection of basic tutorials on the most popular (and available) programs. Should there be a clear need for more, or more specific tutorials, then I'd probably ask community members, who seem knowledgeable enough about it, to do it.

Keep in mind, though, that the Art Class will involve posting Work In Progress images, and helping each other with suggestions and critique. This way, you can really take it step-by-step, but the need for tutorials becomes much less. Once you get down the basics, all there is to learn is really just some 'tricks'; small handy techniques to save you time.


As mentioned, though: Should the need arise, there will be extra tutorials. Between pepokish and myself, we already have something in mind.

[ratcharmer]

If it helps, here's some links to tutorials for GIMP and Pixlr

GIMP:
http://www.gimp.org/tutorials/

Pixlr:
http://ictpublish.com/pixlr/

[vrt]

The Art Class sub-forum has been created. Keep an eye out, because in the next 3 days, the first class starts!

[Ajit]

Looking forward to it!

[OJPaper]

Nice idea, good luck to all the students. :3

[thatnewguy]

Well shoot i'll give it a shot