Costume Reference

I always use reference for my paintings. It's simply a matter of detail: there's too much stuff in this world to know about in detail, so I have to do a little visual research before I draw. Before the internet existed illustrators often kept "Morgue Files" or "Clipping Files" full of magazine photos. When an assignment came their way, they would go to their Morgue file and pull the appropriate images. Google image search and flickr have made the searching quite a bit easier, but the need is still exactly the same. In this video I'll explain how to create and manage a digital reference board - relying heavily on keyboard shortcuts. And if you like this video, please remember to click the "Like" button at the bottom of the post!  The only advertising for Ctrl+Paint is word of mouth, so I'm counting on you guys to spread the word.  Thanks!

Assignment: Create career-specific reference boards (Scuba diver, fire-fighter, etc.)

Things to consider: Well-lit photos, specific details

Straight Lines

In this Photoshop digital painting tutorial we'll tackle a deceptively simple task: straight lines. When learning to draw and paint digitally, this is a fund...

Are you good at drawing straight lines? How about freehand straight lines? This video explores the art of drawing straight lines in Photoshop. There are a few different ways to approach it within the software - each having pros and cons. Ultimately, the best method will always be 'freehand', which takes a lot of practice. In a way, this assignment is just like a musician practicing scales or an athlete running drills. There's no trick to drawing a straight line freehand - it's simply a mechanical motion that you hone with practice. If you can't do it right away, that's normal. Good luck drawing straight lines! And if you like this video, please remember to click the "Like" button at the bottom of the post!  The only advertising for Ctrl+Paint is word of mouth, so I'm counting on you guys to spread the word.  Thanks!

Assignment: Draw Straight Lines. Lots of them.

Things to consider: Draw from the elbow and shoulder, keep your wrist rigid, have patience (this takes a lot of practice)

Shadow Shapes

Objects cast shadows. Simple. But what if you used that shadow intentionally: allowing its shape to enhance your overall composition? Ctrl+Paint Store: http:...

It's easy to think of an object as the subject, but what about the shadow it casts?  Shadows have a huge impact on compositions and should be used intentionally.   In terms of graphic shapes, cast shadows are often just as bold as the objects that cast them, though you might not be considering their potential.  Especially for moody images filled with atmosphere and drama, shadows help your illustration tell a story.  This exercise has you experiment with shadows at their most basic: with a simple still life.  If you can make these shadows look interesting, just think what you could do with a space marine or dragon! And if you like this video, please remember to click the "Like" button at the bottom of the post!  The only advertising for Ctrl+Paint is word of mouth, so I'm counting on you guys to spread the word.  Thanks!

Assignment: Create interesting shadow shape compositions with mundane objects.

Things to consider: Viewing angle, composition motion and emphasis

Worksheet Downloads:Sketchup Still Life (sketchup file - requires free Sketchup software to use)

Google Sketchup: Digital 'Parts Bin'

For additional free videos, custom brushes, worksheets and more more check out www.ctrlpaint.com

Ask any tabletop gamer and they'll be able to pull out a box of little extra pieces for customizing their plastic figures.  Attaching these extra detail bits is a great way to save time.  As a concept artist, you can save time in the same way - though your 'parts bin' is inside of Google Sketchup.  This video shows how to use the Sketchup component system to add quick detail to your designs.

Colored Lineart

Ctrl+Paint Store: http://ctrlpaint.myshopify.com/ Full Free Video Library: http://www.ctrlpaint.com/library/ note: This video was originally created for Ctrl...

The previous video encouraged you to experiment with the colors of a character design. What about the color of the lines themselves? This time I invite you to take the same illustration and to experiment with colored lines. Black lines have their place, but you can add nuance to your images with intentionally colored lines. And if you like this video, please remember to click the "Like" button at the bottom of the post!  The only advertising for Ctrl+Paint is word of mouth, so I'm counting on you guys to spread the word.  Thanks!

Assignment: Experiment with colored linework the provided character designs.

Things to consider: Soft vs. Hard Materials, Lock Transparent Pixels

Recommended videos:Basic Color Schemes, Unify Your Palette, Alternative Masking pt.1 (Lock Transparent Pixels)

Worksheet Downloads:Gorilla character Worksheet

Color Re-Mix

One of the best ways to learn about color and color relationships is to play. In this exercise, I invite you to use my illustration as a coloring book, and s...

One of the best ways to learn about color and color relationships is to play. In this exercise, I invite you to use my illustration as a coloring book, and see what happens when you try different combinations and arrangements. Though the digital painting you end up with is not a portfolio piece, using my provided linework should keep you focused on the task at hand: changing the colors. And if you like this video, please remember to click the "Like" button at the bottom of the post!  The only advertising for Ctrl+Paint is word of mouth, so I'm counting on you guys to spread the word.  Thanks!

Assignment: Experiment with color schemes on the provided character designs.

Things to consider: Complementary and Analogous Schemes, Lock Transparent Pixels

Recommended videos:Basic Color Schemes, Unify Your Palette, Alternative Masking pt.1 (Lock Transparent Pixels)

Worksheet Downloads:Gorilla character Worksheet

Brush Control Pt. 2

In the previous video we looked at simple rendering samples - now it's time to apply those techniques to a larger image. Though I've provided the foundation ...

In the previous video we looked at simple rendering samples - now it's time to apply those techniques to a larger image. Though I've provided the foundation of this image for you, there's still a lot to be done.  This sort of practice is great for improving your digital painting confidence and craftsmanship.

Do you have any tips for accomplishing this assignment? Was it harder or easier than you predicted? Let's hear about it in the comments! And finally, remember to have fun drawing.

Assignment: Render the "Dome" Illustration.

Things to consider: No visible brushstrokes, edge control, brush and eraser only.

Recommended videos:Digital Painting 101 pt2 (Brushes), Brush Agility , Brush Control Basics

Worksheet Downloads:Dome Illustration Worksheet, Dome Illustration (Complete)

Brush Control pt.1

In this Photoshop digital painting tutorial, we'll see how to achieve smooth, clean, rendering. Beginners often have messy, overlapping strokes with the brus...

Are your brush strokes overlapped and messy looking? You're not alone. Many beginners suffer from this issue. To improve your technique, you'll need to practice making large strokes and using careful edge control -- which is exactly what this exercise was designed to help with. Look for the worksheet downloads at the bottom of the post.

Do you have any tips for accomplishing this assignment? Was it harder or easier than you predicted? Let's hear about it in the comments! And finally, remember to have fun drawing.

Assignment: Copy the (attached) rendering samples.

Things to consider: "Temp Layers", smooth rendering, edge control.

Recommended videos:Digital Painting 101 pt 4 (Layers),  Alternative Masking pt 1 (Clipping Masks) , Brush Control Basics

Worksheet Downloads:Grayscale Rendering Samples, Color Rendering Samples

Thumbnail Iteration

If you've ever created a silhouette sketch for a character design, what did you do next? All too often artists will consider these sketches in a binary way -...

If you've ever created a silhouette sketch for a character design, what did you do next? All too often artists will consider these sketches in a binary way - each drawing is either a 'hit' or a 'miss', and they draw until a 'hit' happens. This video offers a modified approach to thumbnail sketching - using Photoshop masks to help quickly iterate on a single promising thumbnail.  As I mention in the video, much of this idea originally came from the fantastic book The Skillful Huntsman, so make sure you check that out. 

Recommended video: The Danger of Painting Silhouettes

Critique

Critique is the way that artists help one another improve, yet it's a subject that many never properly learn. You've probably been subjected to a harsh criti...

Critique is the way that artists help one another improve, yet it's a subject that many never properly learn. You've probably been subjected to a harsh critique at some point - maybe someone said "That's bad" or "I don't really like that".  The idea of a useful critique, however, is to help the artist - not insult them.  This video explains how to deliver a useful critique - either to yourself or to another artist - by considering the "principles of design".  

Real-Time Design With Smart Objects

To get the most out of digital painting you'll need to let the computer do some of the work for you. Repeated objects are a great opportunity for Photoshop t...

To get the most out of digital painting you'll need to let the computer do some of the work for you. Repeated objects are a great opportunity for Photoshop to shine, and this video shows how you can do real-time design using the 'smart objects' command. Unike traditional painting where you work from the beginning sketch to a finished painting, the digital process operates in a less linear way. If you can wrap your head around the possibilities, you'll end up saving time and achieving fantastic results!

Film Studies: Gesture

In this episode of film studies, we'll dissect action movies in search of exciting poses. Just like in previous episodes, the way to get the most out of any ...

In this episode of film studies, we'll dissect action movies in search of exciting poses. Just like in previous episodes, the way to get the most out of any given film still is to erase the context. As soon as you can distill the image down to a single, core, component it becomes far more versatile as reference and idea generation.

Film Studies: Color

Movies can teach you a lot about storytelling. In this video I explain one way to use the beautiful colors found in movie stills, and apply them to your own ...

Movies can teach you a lot about storytelling. In this video I explain one way to use the beautiful colors found in movie stills, and apply them to your own illustration work. Like in the other videos in the Film Studies series, we dissect a frame and remove the context -- leaving us with a versatile piece of reference material.

Principles of Design: Unity

It's easy to get hung up on the individual rules of composition. Balance, Movement, Repetition... it's a lot to consider. This video introduces an important ...

This final entry in the Principles of Design series is all about "Unity", which is the state of balance in your image.   Think of your illustration as a sauce -- you don't want any individual ingredient to stand out too strongly.   Likewise,  no single principle of design should stand out above another, they should all combine into a pleasant mixture.  This is called "unity".  If you missed any of the previous entries in this series, make sure to check out the Principles of Design Series!

Principles of Design: Rhythm and Repetition

Have you ever considered a still image including "Rhythm"? How about repetition? This video explains how to improve your art with a few basic principles Ctrl...

This video explains two principles which are often inter-related.   Rhythm, and repetition, when used intentionally can help guide your viewer through your image.  Like the other principles, this can be added into your set of compositional tools to help tell visual stories! 

Targeted Learning Pt. 2

For more videos, make sure to check out www.ctrlpaint.com!

The first video (targeted learning pt. 1) gives a look into the future of ctrl+Paint's future with a sample assignment.  This video explores what you bring to the table, and how you might enhance the value of each and every art assignment you have.

Targeted Learning Pt. 1

For more videos make sure to check out www.ctrlpaint.com!

this video is a taste of what's to come in the near future.  Targeted learning.  As I mention in the video, here are the recommended videos to watch before attempting the assignment:

Simplifying Form

Proportion

Whether you post your results in the DA group or not is up to you - but have fun with the assignment!

[update:] Make sure to draw each vidwpoint from observation -- not imagination.  Don't be afraid to get up close to your jug!

deviantART Community!

If you haven't checked it out yet, there's a fantastic new deviantART group for you ctrlPaint readers!  I want to thank Jingiss, Danny Roemers, and Owen Harvey for getting this thing together.  They're holding weekly challenges, and have created sub-groups for critique.  

It might be a small group now, but won't be for long.  Don't you want to get in on the ground floor? Have fun, and happy drawing!

http://ctrlpaint.deviantart.com/

[UPDATE: 6/1/2012]  Amazing!  I'm really glad to see this taking off so quickly.  It's great to see all of the art being posted. Can we make it to 500 members?  Keep it up, everyone!

[UPDATE 2/11/2013] The community is still doing great, and is totally autonomous.  I check in now and again, but it's run by the community.  Check it out if you haven't gotten a chance yet!

Exaggeration

Though it might not seem obvious, I believe that learning to exaggerate is one of the best ways to master realistic drawing. See how far you can push it! Ctr...

Exaggeration is not only for cartoonists and caricature artists.   This video explores some of the practical benefits of exaggeration in your sketching and research drawings.  Also, it's fun!

Being a Beginner

It's hard to be a beginner. This video aims to give a bit of perspective and encouragement. Additionally, it will help you avoid some mistakes in the kitch...

It's hard to be a beginner.  This video aims to give a bit of perspective and encouragement.  Additionally, it will help you avoid some mistakes in the kitchen.