NEW HERE? SPEAK UP! - a beginner's guide

[Carnifex]

Welcome to conceptart.org forums!
i'm sure you can't wait to dwell in the depths of art,to enjoy the spirit of the community,and most of all -to post. BUT before you dive head-front,here are some general pointers and tips for beginners.
first of all- if you (absolutely) want to introduce yourself (other than by your art),do so here in this thread. while ca.org welcomes every newcomer,it gets abit annoying to sift through 50 "hi i'm new" threads each month. don't be afraid though,we don't bite (generally )

now,if you want to show your art,there are three main options:
if you feel your art is somewhat near this level:

you can go directly to the FINALLY FINISHED section.

if you think you're rather around this level:

the CRITIQUE CENTER is your home.
if in doubt,the safer option is the critique center-the moderators will move your work elsewhere if they deem it worthy.
generally,before posting,don't forget to READ THE RULES. it's bound to save you and us some trouble.
Finally finished rules
Critique center rules
(you'll also find beginners help here,links to tutorials and the like)

the third option is to directly start an online sketchbook(my recommendation for most beginners),where you dump sketches and finished works alike,which makes the SKETCHBOOK SECTION perfect for you.
(again,some rules apply)
edit: and ofcourse there's the SKETCHES SECTION for those of you who want to display works in progress and sketches that you're happy with as they are.

because many people ask how to post pictures,i made this little guide.

also,if you want to have a signature and/or avatar (little pic beside your name),here's how it works:

----------------------------------


if you have any more technical questions,head over to the support section and ask.
for questions on art, drawing techniques etc., head over to the art discussion section.

and last but not least,some general pointers:
a great tutorial for starters if you ask me,courtesy of our very own prometheus: http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm
if you think you've found the ultimate funny video (together with silly kitten pictures and the like ),it's more than welcome in the "cheer me up" thread.
questions and inquiries about video games,movies and music best go into the appropriate section.
if you want to compete against other artists (for fun or otherwise),go to the challenge section.
if you need ideas for new pictures,go either to the daily sketch group ,or the weekly challenges section,aswell as the reference section.
if you need immediate critique,want to rant or be even sillier than here in the lounge,visit the chat.
if you're abit of a camwhore (like me),you can show us your face (beside selfportraits) in this thread.
edit: if you are a girl,there is a secret girls' section. pm davi for access info and more.
DON'T RESURRECT THREADS IN THE LOUNGE THAT ARE OLDER THAN 2 MONTHS! (goes for most other forum subsections too)
Try to behave well,help other artists with your thoughts (most urgently,the critque center) and actions,and show the world your art.

hopefully that answers the most urgent questions,so enjoy your stay and have fun at conceptart.org!


best regards,

[0shade0]

:o !!!
sticky sticky sticky!
great work man!

[Interceptor]

Nice Carni. I'm going to add a few things:

Seedling's Concept Art 101: A Guide to those looking to break into the industry.

magicgoo's Intro to conceptart.org: Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on CA

Interceptor's general graphics tablet info: A decent bit of information for those looking into breaking into digital painting.

CHEERS!
-Loren

[Rabid]

I second that as a sticky, and as a new member required reading!

[Katfayheirti]

Helpful to the max! If only this had been here when I'd joined...
I'm sure all n00bs will be greatful for this thread, Carnifex!

[asoir]

maybe even a popup thing when you join ca...cool!

[Carnifex]

Nice Carni. I'm going to add a few things:

Seedling's Concept Art 101: A Guide to those looking to break into the industry.

magicgoo's Intro to conceptart.org: Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on CA

Interceptor's general graphics tablet info: A decent bit of information for those looking into breaking into digital painting.

CHEERS!
-Loren

ohh thanks for the additional links loren,didn't even know about seedling's thread. that's prime stuff!

[Seedling]

Awww, shucks, thanks. :-) Great thread Carnifex!

A link for any new folks who are specifically looking for information on the games industry:

Games industry info!

[Brendan N]

Rename this thread title to "Newcomers - READ THIS or be BANNED." haha.

Hopefully this will put a stop to guest entires like: "Um...I'm new, how do I get artwork on here?" or "I is noob, where lavatory?"

Good work Carni!

- d.

[AdamDillabo]

you should have to go to this thread and pass a test at the end to post at CA.org. like show a picture and you have to choose what section would be best for it.

[Carnifex]

Rename this thread title to "Newcomers - READ THIS or be BANNED." haha.
- d.

well,i tried with something different for the moment

[Bunny Dragoon]

Hi I'm Bunny Dragoon.
I'm 18 and I live in Southern California. I hope to be a comic book artist :3
My style is an anime style ^^;

[Elwell]

now,if you want to show your art,there are three main options:
if you feel your art is somewhat near this level:

you can go directly to the FINALLY FINISHED section.

if you think you're rather around this level:
the CRITIQUE CENTER is your home.
if in doubt,the safer option is the critique center-the moderators will move your work elsewhere if they deem it worthy.
generally,before posting,don't forget to READ THE RULES. it's bound to save you and us some trouble.
Finally finished rules
Critique center rules
(you'll also find beginners help here,links to tutorials and the like)

the third option is to directly start an online sketchbook,where you dump sketches and finished works alike,which makes the SKETCHBOOK SECTION perfect for you.
(again,some rules apply)

Don't forget Sketches & Works In Progress for, well, sketches and works in progress.

[Jazz]

Wow! This really helped me! I've been feeling a bit nervous so far, not sure what to do! I'm glad you put this up, Carnifex!

EDIT: I'll put a little bio up again. That first poster said we could, and if someone doesn't care, oh well! O_O We should be able to tell a bit about oursevles if the invitation is here.

I'm Jasmine. I go to university and take a course with Info Technology and people skills coming together.

I enjoy illustrating characters and I would like to draw them, their costumes and surroundings better.

I like to work with traditional media like pencil, pen, markers, coloured pencils and charcoal. I also enjoy making digital art with Photoshop.

[Elwell]

Can we please not turn this into an intro thead? Because honestly, no one cares, and there's a lot of good, important info in this thread that will end up getting ignored if that's what this turns into.

[Anid Maro]

Here's my two cents for a n00b:

Don't even introduce yourself. This is a huge site with lots of people, so quite frankly nobody will give a damn.

Instead, post artwork and give out critiques.

If you're working on a piece at the moment, try dropping it in the "Sketches & WIP" forum.

Start a Sketchbook, update regularly. Make sure to comment in other people's sketchbooks, especially if you want some comments yourself. Gotta give a little to get a little, y'know?

Try doing stuff from the Daily Sketch Group (or the other Community Activities). Chances are damn near for certain that you'll get a comment there.

If a ThunderDome or something huge starts up, throw your hat in the ring.

Find some time to browse the "Comments & Critiques" forum to give out... well comments and critiques!

In short, don't bother introducing yourself. Participate.

[GriNGo]

Man, you really have A LOT of free time in your hands.

[Blue]

Can we make this post in BOLD FLASHING letters too?

[blacky]

Cool, thx Carni

I heard it was possible to name/ comment the pictures you upload, may I dare asking how that works?

edit: awh, ok. Didn't notice above pics where scrowlable sideways

[Carnifex]

Can we please not turn this into an intro thead? Because honestly, no one cares, and there's a lot of good, important info in this thread that will end up getting ignored if that's what this turns into.

(added sketches&wips section link,thanks)
actually i had in mind that those who absolutely have to introduce themselves,can do so here. better than starting a new thread,isn't it?
gringoloco-alittle.
blacky -it works just the way it's described up there. after integrating the pic in your post you can write title and/or description above/beneath it.

[JAG.]

fan-freakin-tastic. thank you carnifex. i owe you a beer. - JAG

[corky13]

grrrreat work Carni !

[Thomaswilkinson]

Hi, new guy here,
I’ve been on and off the forums for about a year so I thought Id better sign up.

My names Tom Wilkinson 17 and I’m a graphic design student from Milton Keynes UK. I decided to go into the area of graphics purely on the basis of having no interest in mainstream education but being bent on the fact that I hadn’t any clue of what to take onto further education. The course I’m on is fairly broad, touching on subjects such as wet photography, life drawing and art theory, contextual graphics, graphic communication and illustration. The course is good but now nearing the end of my second year I realized that graphic design was pretty dull and I would never want to be playing with type the rest of my life. I got to a point where everywhere I went I would comment of types “tracking”, “kerning” and “leading”. That was the point where I really decided to get a life.

I sat my self down trying to understand the direction I wanted to head and what sort of career I would love to pursue.
I came to the conclusion over some months that my passion for computer games design was clear. I have always considered games design as a career but thought a course would be a boys dream but later came to the conclusion that a job without passion is worthless. Since then I’ve taken it upon myself to understand the workings of computer games design which I take as a very broad subject. As it’s my Uni apply year I have selected Teesside University as the most prominent course in its field and I believe it to be the most successful.

Now to my artistic ability. I’m in a similar case to many. I’m the lad who took art GCSE and drew at home and dreamed to be an artist but could never create something of quality. My course encourages me to take up sketchbooks which I find extremely difficult and barley complete. I have also this last week begun to draw with pencil in a new sketchbook hoping to gain as much skill as possible. It’s hard to find time at the moment but after this week I shall draw and draw. I hope with the help of these forums gain experience as I know how important a games course and career depends on such abilities. Don’t get me wrong I’m not trying to force myself to learn just for a career I truly have a passion I just need the right guidance and practice. I’m also hoping to learn marker techniques for concept art. I love the works of Feng Zhu so I will be buying one of his DVD’s from Gnomon.
I don’t have access to a scanner yet as I’m saving up for a PC for Uni. So I will have to learn without critique for the next few months.

Also what markers would you recommend for http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/dvds/des02.html? Cool Greys? Where's the best to buy them online in the UK?

Thanks,
Tom

[John.D]

Hey Tom,

I'm new here too, but have also been a long-time lurker

Hope to see you around.

[Horrorshow]

Might as well add my single post introduction?

My name's Dax, but it's just weird being called that online, so go by the screen name. Horrorshow (little known fact, it's one word.) Or just go with Horror, if you're lazy. I don't really have much to say about myself, other than I'm a somewhat novice artist, but I've been working for improvement.

Currently 16, in High school, and jobless. So I have a lot of time on my hands. I don't really know what I have in mind for the future, but I have come to the conclusion that it wouldn't be right if it /wasn't/ something in the art field. I'll be sure to post some of my works; I'm hoping that I can get some really helpful critiques here! :]

[TheGnoll]

Can we please not turn this into an intro thead? Because honestly, no one cares, and there's a lot of good, important info in this thread that will end up getting ignored if that's what this turns into.

welcome to the boards.
Nice job Carnifex

ciao

[merevindur]

I am a new member around here and I have also been lurking on this forum and just looking at this place and its sheer size as well as scope.
There is plenty it seems to do and see and reply to on here. My name is Cassandra and I do enjoy producing concept art visuals and feel that I would enjoy myself on this place around like-minded people such as your good selves.

I have drawn plenty of pieces of art, in a lot of different genres from fantasy, horror to mediaeval and all of them were interesting to do at the time as I built up a portfolio.


What I want to do is get a different angle on things and create a totally different portfolio of concept sketches and fully completed designs I can show you all at some point.

I will have a good look around and see what you all enjoy talking about too as there are loads of topics that do take my fancy.

Thank you to Carnifex for introducing me to this part of the forum as I would have probably been running blind if it was not pointed out to me.

[Carnifex]

ah,thanks for reminding me. put up info for girls specifically.

[Jimmie_Haffa]

Granted I read this before I started my own thread but... I felt that without a general chat section people will feel supressed into sticking to the given topics lol. I was a bit lazy though on going to find the movies and games section but sorry for that. If anyone has any complaints about my little section "hi hows it going lol" please feel free to contact me about it I will gladly accept input

[Craig D]

people will feel supressed into sticking to the given topics

Is that bad?