Dinotoyforum's art

[sepp]

That Camarasaurus has a sweet face, aww. It definitely looks sentient

[Himmapaan]

I like the Camarasaurus. We certainly need more studies of sauropod heads. 

I say definitely get back into the game, but concentrate on traditional work!  Shun that graphics tablet! 

[tyrantqueen]

What's wrong with graphics tablets? Digital art is an artform too 

(I know what you were saying was mostly in jest, but just wondering...)

[brontodocus]

I like the Camarasaurus head! Graphic tablets are of course a different approach but they have their advantages, too. They can be useful even for scientific drawings, I made the entire camera lucida drawings of the type material in my PhD thesis using a Wacom tablet. I'm not sure how useful that may be for drawings of non translucent fossil specimens, though. There are even some publications for making scientific drawings with a tablet so it may be an interesting investment not only for artwork.

[DinoToyForum]

I like the Camarasaurus head! Graphic tablets are of course a different approach but they have their advantages, too. They can be useful even for scientific drawings, I made the entire camera lucida drawings of the type material in my PhD thesis using a Wacom tablet. I'm not sure how useful that may be for drawings of non translucent fossil specimens, though. There are even some publications for making scientific drawings with a tablet so it may be an interesting investment not only for artwork.

Ah! I was thinking a graphic tablet could be applied to the preparation of figures for publication as well, glad to hear this is the case. I'm sure the possibilities are endless really. I'm excited now, I must invest in one...! But don't worry Niroot, I won't discard my pencils just yet 

[Himmapaan]

But don't worry Niroot, I won't discard my pencils just yet 

I'm glad to hear it.

Digital art is an artform too 

Of course. I wasn't implying otherwise. 

Most members probably know my championing of traditional art, and I just play up that aspect when I get the chance. 

But aesthetics aside, even I have to concede that there are instances in which digital media are much more practical, at least as far as application goes. Technical diagrams such as in the examples both the doctors mention are cases in point.

[DinoToyForum]

At 5 years old, my Macbook is apparently ancient, and therefore incompatible with newer tablet models. However, I found and ordered an older model from eBay that should hopefully do the trick. I'll be sure to post my results here

[Horridus]

We certainly need more studies of sauropod heads. 

Couldn't agree more...

[Gryphoceratops]

At 5 years old, my Macbook is apparently ancient, and therefore incompatible with newer tablet models. However, I found and ordered an older model from eBay that should hopefully do the trick. I'll be sure to post my results here

Can't wait!

[DinoToyForum]

My graphics tablet arrived! It may take me a while to get used to it, I'm struggling with details, as you can see, but I'm excited by the potential!

So, for fun and experimentation only, here's my first ever digital sketch. I guess it's a 'Rhomaleosaurus' megacephalus, it basically spilled out of my brain. Not too bad for a first try methinks 

[Himmapaan]

Certainly far from bad!

I gather there is obviously far better control than using a mouse, though I wonder how you are finding the disjoint. Is it much reduced?

[DinoToyForum]

The first five minutes using it felt odd, but honestly, I was able to adjust very quickly. A couple of things to note:

One thing that differs, is that you can't rotate the 'paper' for a more convenient angle. I never realised this was such an integral part of my technique until now. This is why I more or less gave up on the teeth on this ocassion 

And also, on the smallest paintbrush settings, I found myself losing the tiny 'nib' on the screen. But I think this is something one just has to get used to. I'm sure it's a matter of practice.

Overall, I think this will be an invaluable tool. 

[DinoToyForum]

It's actually more akin to painting than illustration. I started to give old mega a body:



A little bit more time, effort, and attention to detail will be necessary to get results I'm happy with, but I'm really warming to this.

EDIT - A little bit better:

[Arioch]

Def better. Great job with the details and colors so far!

[Sumo]

Looking good! Love the detail on this one. And I'm still impressed that anyone chooses to work in color!

[Himmapaan]

Gosh you're picking this up fast! But I suppose you've worked digitally before anyway. 

[ZoPteryx]

Great work!

[brontodocus]

Looking good! BTW: It took me about a month to get used to my tablet - at least to achieve a quality that is equal to the ink drawings I did before. The impossibility to rotate the screen was a problem for me, too. Not so much for the drawings themselves but for the transfer from pencil to ink drawings later on.

[Gryphoceratops]

Cool stuff.  I may look into getting a tablet in the future.  Was always sorta biased towards doing everything freehand with physical material but I may need to give this a try. 

[DinoToyForum]

Well, overall I think this is a little bit better still, but I've overworked and fudged up some areas. I still don't feel quite in control, especially with the details. It's a learning process 
Thanks for the kind comments everyone.