On Using Paint

[trekkie]

Hello. This is my first post on the board, so bear with me. I'd just like to make a few comments about my work in general.

See my biggest "problem" with my work is that I have NO decent computer programs to do what we do here. Therefore, I use Microsoft Paint. I know that some people gasp in horror at that, but I enjoy using it. Sure it's hard and really annoying at times. Yes, I'd like some better software (no I'm not trying to start the "Get trekkie some decent software fund")But I know how to use paint and i'm fairly good at it. Most people who review my work are rather impressed that I can do what I do with what I have. Sure I'll never be as good as some of the other artists here, but that's ok. Yeah, It's hard to use the tutorials when they are using programs I can only dream of and doing things with the pics I've never heard of. But hey! I don't like to complain. Just want to inform. Now just a few questions: Is there anything I can do USING Paint to improve my work? and Is there anyone else out there in the same boat as me? Just my thoughts for the day.

[Frostbite]

Well, you do better in Paint than I do in Photoshop.

[dperceful]

yes it's impressive for paint, i'll give you that. i can only imagine the pain that paint gives you.

You don't have to pay for photoshop, painter, or psp. such file sharing applications like kazaa, e-mule, etc will let you download hacked copies. do i have a personal copy of Photoshop, yes, i use it so much Adobe deserves my money. Do i find it fair that struggling artists sometimes can't buy the tools they need because they are out of their price range, yes.

you can also buy photoshop elements (limited edition, it'a a bare bones version of photoshop) for around 80 bucks. great deal for the price, especially if your just doig manips as a hobby or fun and don't do anything graphics wise on the side.

you can also use a free image editing software called GIMP, available at http://www.gimp.org/ . Make sure you download the Windows version though. I've never used it, but I had a student who used it, he didn't have any complaints other than it wasn't photoshop.

hopefully these suggestions will help you out in your artistic endeavors.

dperceful

[trekkie]

Thanks for the hints. I did recently download a version of Photoshop from Bearshare, but I burned it on a CD to move it to my other computer, but it wouldn't install!! For right now I'm happy using paint. I'll just get better at what some may call "a lost art" (more like a lost cause). Photoshop would only be a supplement and do things that I don't know how to in Paint.

[The Xenos]

I had to check out your art since I didn't even notice it was paint the first time. Nice job.

Still, I suggest finding something better. As far as I know, you are at the limits of what you can do with paint. I haven't looked (ie Googled) what freebies are out there, but I'm sure there must be more than paint.

-Xenos

also, I've heard of Gimp. My only complaint is that I ehard it from my Mac/Linux whore friend. He brags to no end aobut teh software he uses and puts down anything anyone else uses. That would be the only reason I haven't tried it, but I think it sounds like a great program.

-Xenos

[This message has been edited by The Xenos (edited 06-04-2003).]

[StrangeFish]

Maybe try switching from photomanips to something like what iamspartachris does. Pixel art is a pain to do in MSPaint, but if you've already got the patience, it might be quite rewarding.

I think you're doing fine with MSPain, but you're seriously limited by what you can do. http://www.comics2film.com/UBB/frown.gif

[dperceful]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by trekkie:
Thanks for the hints. I did recently download a version of Photoshop from Bearshare, but I burned it on a CD to move it to my other computer, but it wouldn't install!! For right now I'm happy using paint. I'll just get better at what some may call "a lost art" (more like a lost cause). Photoshop would only be a supplement and do things that I don't know how to in Paint.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

might be a bad copy, or a corrupted install file. i would use kazaa as your P2P file sharing app. most of my students use kazaa and they have pretty good luck with grabbing photoshop from it. might take you a while, but in the end you'll be happy.

still your paint work is impressive. i know i'd chop off a hand before trying a manip in paint.

[trekkie]

Well, for anyone who cares, I recently got PSP and have done some work with it. I haven't tryed some serious maniping. Check out my website for the few test images I've done. First One (http://www.geocities.com/julienrobidoux/forest.jpg)
Me with the greatest band ever! (http://www.geocities.com/julienrobidoux/me_and_styx.JPG)
Most recent. My album due out...when I get it finished. (http://www.geocities.com/julienrobidoux/muse.JPG)

Well, the links don't work. Stupid geocities. *grumble* But check 'em out however you can!

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by trekkie (edited 07-04-2003).]

[This message has been edited by trekkie (edited 07-04-2003).]

[This message has been edited by trekkie (edited 07-04-2003).]

[StrangeFish]

I can't see the first one, but the second one is pretty. I'm not sure what you did, since I don't recognise the band, but it's still pretty! *lol*

With the last one, I can make some suggestions. Check that your anti-aliasing is turned on. For literally everything, apart from Pixel Art (GIFs and such), anti-aliasing is a great thing. That'll give you a much smoother edge. Like if you look at the black silhoutte, you'll see the edges are jagged? Anti-aliasing will take care of that. http://www.comics2film.com/UBB/smile.gif It also looks like the anti-aliasing on your text tool isn't on, either.

I think you're off to a great start. Just keep playing with PSP until you know it. http://www.comics2film.com/UBB/smile.gif

[LAUGHING BEAR]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dperceful: you can also use a free image editing software called GIMP, available at http://www.gimp.org/ . Make sure you download the Windows version though. I've never used it, but I had a student who used it, he didn't have any complaints other than it wasn't photoshop.


I'm pretty new here,& i've never used photoshop, but i do have,& use the gimp,& i love it...I don't know if i'll ever become as good with it as a lot of these guys r with photoshop...but th@'s beside the point:P...the point is i highly recommend the gimp, it's fun,& it's free!!! http://www.comics2film.com/UBB/biggrin.gif


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A wise man once said..."Some times u eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats u"

[trekkie]

Hmmm...can't see the first one? But that's the best one! Done entirely in PSP!

As for the second one, the band is Styx, and the original pic can be found here.
http://www.styxworld.com/pics.cfm?groupingid=271&mediaid=1#

and it's the second link.

That pic was a pain, but well worth it. Mainly because my hair wasn't like it is in the base pic. That took forever! I'm sure there's an easy way to do it, but I sure didn't know it...

As for the third, I still did quite a bit of it in Paint, just because that's what I'm comfortable with and what not...

Thanks for the tips!

I'll probably do a pic for the gallery using PSP shortly....

[trekkie]

OK. I figured out what's wrong with the first pic.
Here's the new link:
www.geocities.com/julienrobidoux/forest2.jpg (http://www.geocities.com/julienrobidoux/forest2.jpg)

Thanks!