Digital artists, I need a second opinion

[Slenn]

So why do you write up all that backstory if all you say is "I upgraded my os and now need a new drawing program. This one is free and despite having no reason not to, I didn't bother to check it out yet because I need you to think for me."?
And why do you link your artwork if you don't ask for critique or really anything related to that particular piece?

Now this may be a result of the internet and its limitations on expressing exactly what tone you're using in writing, but your attitude is rather rude.

I have checked out Gimp. I just wanted other people's opinion on the program in addition to other programs that I might not be aware of. Which turns out there are a lot. And even if I looked up all those programs, I'd much rather talk about it in the form of a talk with other art people, rather than review boxes.

I put a link to my artwork so that people have an idea of what I might need in a program. There were people earlier that suggested Manga Studio 5, presumably because I have an interest in drawing characters. There was another person who suggested a PS based on my temporary making of comic strips.

 

[ihavetwo]

I recommend Paint.net it has alot of features and is free.
So yeah... thats all I have to say.

 

[BeerTent]

I'd never consider myself an artist, but I have spent a lot of time around them.

I use GIMP for my work, when I need to do anything graphic. I have no need for Photoshop, but my closest friend, 'A' finds extremely heavy use out of Photoshop, and typically shies away from Gimp. (She's making money off of art, so I'd probably follow her if that's your end goal.)

I also took a few moments to peer into your gallery. You're doin' really good! The critique I can offer is to perhaps have a bit more of a smoother face on your character, and go to town practicing hands, as hands are a bit of a ***** no matter where you are. I don't see much in regards to perspective though, so why not spend some time drawing scenes? Anatomy seems fairly good as well, but keep practicin'!

 

[Slenn]

If you're willing to spend money, look for Manga Studio 5 (I wish I could recommend Paint Tool SAI but as far as I know it doesn't support Macs). Not as powerful as Photoshop in some aspects (less filters and photo adjustment) but it's much better for straight-up drawing and painting with a more user-friendly painting engine. And obviously Manga Studio can be used to make comics too, but nowadays it is a very competent art tool.

Photoshop CS6 is damn powerful but nowadays PS will never be my first choice for just drawing. A lot of the advanced functionality ends up going to waste because it's all tucked away.

I just tried out that program as a demo a few hours ago. And it's hella spiffy. Pretty much everything that I needed was on that program for a price that is a tenth of what PS sells. The brush tools were streamlined, familiar, and the Wacom Tablet's functionality worked smoothly. And there were several other items that it came with that were analogs of what PS provided. It even included some 3D mannequins, which looks promising. Thank you for the recommendation!

I'd never consider myself an artist, but I have spent a lot of time around them.

I use GIMP for my work, when I need to do anything graphic. I have no need for Photoshop, but my closest friend, 'A' finds extremely heavy use out of Photoshop, and typically shies away from Gimp. (She's making money off of art, so I'd probably follow her if that's your end goal.)

I also took a few moments to peer into your gallery. You're doin' really good! The critique I can offer is to perhaps have a bit more of a smoother face on your character, and go to town practicing hands, as hands are a bit of a ***** no matter where you are. I don't see much in regards to perspective though, so why not spend some time drawing scenes? Anatomy seems fairly good as well, but keep practicin'!

Thank you for the critique. I try to use my own hands with Photobooth to get a reference for a pose that I want, and then sketch them the best I can as a more feminine hand. The characters themselves don't tend to get thrown into scenarios that are familiar to the layman. As you've noted, the backgrounds are more like just flat backgrounds with no real objects that adhere to perspective lines. I've been mostly trying to concentrate on how to draw characters instead. I've always thought of just practicing scenes or places that involve great distances, but never had the time. So it might be a good project idea to do next.

 

[carnex]

GIMP is pain in the ass to learn, especially since you have to unlearn Photoshop from your memory first, but its really powerful tool.

For less hassle and much less power and versatility you can get Paint.NET and install truckload of plugins from their forum. It's also freeware, much less powerful (more like Microsoft Paint on Cocaine and Steroids than castrated Photoshop) but interface is much more user friendly and any PS 4 and earlier user will jump on it without second thought in most cases.

Also consider Corel Painter which is continuation of Fractal Design Painter that was, before MetaCreations was split between MS and Corel, hands down best application for simulation of painting via computer. It's not free but it's under 100 bucks.

 

[Brennan]

Just as a heads-up, Paint.NET in it's current form does not support tablet pen pressure sensitivity. It used to in one of its previous versions, but in its current form pen pressure is only on/off like a mouse button.