[Penguinx]

What books would you recommend for someone that worked mostly in speedball ink and sable brushes, will never have an opportunity to go to college or a specialized art class, is looking to brush up on anatomy, and wants to learn traditional painting techniques and color theory for the first time.

I just got myself a wacom and am looking to learn the concepts of traditional painting in order to apply them to the digital medium. I imagine that learning the fundamentals is the first step, but I don't know what books would be the most helpful -and there is a metric shit-ton of reading material out there.

I've downloaded all the Loomis books that can be found online but am looking for something that specifically is meant to instruct a beginner painter. I am a TOTAL moron when it comes to painting but want to put in hard work and practice, practice, and practice some more.

Of course, it'd be nice to be able to go to the Art Center, but, for a multitude of reasons, self learning is my only option. And, no, I am not a prison inmate.

[jinnseng]

Right now my way of doing thing is to jump right in and try your best. Learn from mistakes, try to take note on how other artists work. I'm always so analytical about things and I try so hard to figure things because I want to be such a perfectioist (keyword, "want"). We're lucky because we have such a huge advantage by experimenting digitally. We won't be wasting paint or tossing out paper and canvases when our experiments turn into a pile of crap. Get out there and paint and the hope is improvement will slowly come. So i'm sorry I don't have those books you're looking for, but I wanted to share my insight into your struggles.

[Odds]

if only there weren't an erase in digital... then we'd be able to learn how to traditionally paint without wasting money. oh, well.. paint with acrylics atleast :p

[Gort]

Well there's a multitude of reasonable resources out there for you to check out - either from your library or local art store. Most books will go over the basics from paints, mixing medias, brushes, etc., and these are good resources for getting familiar with the stuff. As for the actual painting itself, diving in isn't a bad idea. A good way to learn how the media behaves and such is through emulation. Find some paintings you like, print them out and put them on the wall; the exercise is to then copy them. Now before some of y'all start freaking out and screaming bloody copy murder, this is a valid and legitimate exercise for learning the media. Along with your resources, learn the process of how the paint behaves, how the painting as a whole is put down on canvas. Practice this more and more, and you'll find yourself getting a lot more familiar with brushes, paint and canvas.

The next step is stop copying and start creating your own compositions by either painting the ref photos you took, going out to locations with your paints or looking for a communal life drawing session to engage in (where everyone participating chips in for the model fee; the more participants the less the cost, and I doubt you'll have trouble finding such a session in the Chicago area - check the Art Institute bulletin boards, etc.)

The most important key here to remember, and I quote our esteemed Loki, is practice, practice practice.

-edit- And network with other artists; engage and embrace criticism. Don't work in a vacuum!
_________________
- Tom Carter

"You can't stop the waves but you can learn to surf" - Jack Kornfield

[balistic]

[Gort]

hardy har!


_________________
- Tom Carter

"You can't stop the waves but you can learn to surf" - Jack Kornfield

[lysander]

indeed, a few hours of practice everyday will go a long way. staying motivated should be your biggest concern. I find sijun usually helps with that problem, good inspiration here, you also want to get way better when you realise how much you suck compared to some of the pros here (well i do).
_________________
Earth under attack by paper mache aliens; world leaders plead - 'Save us! Doctor Who!'

[Penguinx]

Lysander, the gap between their work and mine is daunting, but I hope to get better with consistent practice. It's a motivator sure, but also an intimidating image to try and live up to.

Networking has never been a strong suit, but I do understand its inherent value. Thanks to everyone for the sound advice.