[surphun]

all right everyone, I had a question and went right to the experts. right now I want to start experienting in digital pieces and portraits, however I don't have an art pad, nor the cash to get one, and I don't have a scanner either. so I'm stuck with my mouse. can any of you recommend any procedures to use or anything for me? anything would be helpful, thanks.

surphun http://surphun.quadrent.net

[DrawingBook]

Hey Surphun,

Good Question! I use a regular mouse as well and the best advice I can give you is: CTRL Z

CTRL Z is the my most used hotkey combo for undoing any work I do whether it's in art or web development. My other piece of advice is:
Use layers(If you have photoshop)

Use layers so that each piece of an artwork you create is always seperated and will not be bothered by the rest of the layers. with a regular mouse you may have more mistakes then with a pen mouse since regular mice may "roll" in a direction you didn't choose.

Hope this advice helps as little as it was,

-Line aka DrawingBook

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I Can't Stop Creating.
DrawingBook.com

[Wildkat]

I'm another one of the few mice users/abusers around here ...
there are a few of us left...

I think the best advise I can give you... is to go to mouse properties and slow the mouse speed way down.... it helps to give you much better control....

I find the mouse a relaxing way to draw, it just lays there as you paw it around...
(kat's love mice)

I tried the pens out at the store they felt very awkward and scratchy with the plastic against plastic... but I haven't been able to locate the wacom line... I know they are considered some of the best....




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Wildkat

[Spitfire]

Im still a mouse too, but soon i'll have my little wacom :]

Wildkat's suggestion to slow the mouse down is very good, it gives you much more control over your lines and also makes sketching alot easier. Also remember to move slowly, because of the way your fingers are positioned around the mouse, it's far less precise than a pen and needs more attention.

/Spitfire

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They're clawing at the sky,
they're gonna pull it down.
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[nicole]

I'm afraid to even try with a mouse. I've got the shakiest hands imaginable. I'm waiting for the tablet fairy to leave one under my pillow before trying anything.


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That which does not kill us makes us stranger.

[Frost]

It's only been 1.5 years that I use a wacom, and I've done digital art since around 1990 on the PC, and in that time I've always used a mouse, and, I loved it!

The good thing with a mouse is that I find it is easier to pin-point at pixel-accuracy. I often switch back to the mouse when I have to do very meticulous detail work cause I guess I just shake too much with a pen.

You can do great things with a mouse, and it all boils down to practice and experience -- I suggest learning the shortcuts to changing brush sizes, opacity, etc, since the mouse is not pressure sensitive.

Good luck.
frost.