what program do you use to draw cartoon art

**Bluekaze** · 08-10-2011, 02:04 AM

i'm an amateur artist (though ive been drawing thru the old pen and paper all my life) and im looking for an EASY program to use in drawing cartoons.

any suggestions ? il just be drawing "easy" stuff like art found on spongebob and angry birds.

oh. and also, does anyone here still draw using pencil and paper?

**Sponsor** · 08-10-2011 02:04 AM

**abbadon** · 08-10-2011, 11:33 AM

For Comic Book style art, the best program to use is Manga Studio (Debut or EX). It's similar to Photoshop in terms of interface so it should be familiar to most users, and cheaper too. Watchmen's Dave Gibbons uses it with a Wacom Cintiq and its almost like drawing on traditional medium.

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**riverphoenix** · 08-10-2011, 01:09 PM

i've read good reviews for toon boom and autodesk sketchbook pro. i have the latter but i haven't found time to play with it yet.

i normally use adobe illustrator for work stuff, it is my foundation for the rest of the adobe products. once you start with illustrator, the other apps in the family should be easy to manage.

**Bluekaze** · 08-10-2011, 04:07 PM

Thanks so much guys! I really appreciate the advice

Regarding illustrator, ive heard of it often. However, i STILL find it kind of hard to master (and i admit im a bit clumsy with drawing on a computer) especially using Vectors ?

It takes me probably 2.5 x longer to draw on a computer than when im drawing by hand, is this really normal even for you guys?

Also, does anyone here draw on paper first, then scan it, and then work on it on the computer? Would you recommend this method ??

Thanks again

**riverphoenix** · 08-10-2011, 06:06 PM

yes, basic hand drawing + bold strokes and final outlines > scan > further enhancement and coloring in a photo editing software (photoshop, just please use layers) is often used in the industry.
some of my colleagues find this method very effective. i have several friends who draw superhero comic illustrations, manga and even storyboards for film or TVCs etc use this method over the software based illustration/sketching apps like the ones i mentioned.

but IMHO, i guess the advantage of learning to use these drawing apps may be useful, that's why i'm finding time to get to know autodesk sketchbook. i couldn't afford the toon boom yet, especially the storyboard version.

**jushjush** · 08-11-2011, 12:29 AM

i used sketchbook pro for sketching, illustrator to ink and photoshop to color my thesis (graphic novel) back in the day.

**fhmar** · 08-11-2011, 01:58 AM

you can try the sketchbookexpress >> its the free version of the sketchbook pro with limitations

if you are happy with it then you can go pro

**Bluekaze** · 08-11-2011, 11:10 AM

wow thanks guys very informative!!

having drawn by hand all my life, it seems i need to start almost from scratch now. haha

btw, i always wanted to know, when it comes to CARTOONS, would you recommend doing it via the Pencil tool, or using Vectors ?? or both maybe?

thanks so much!

**MacSonic 779** · 08-11-2011, 12:26 PM

@Bluekaze

Do not get discourage if it takes a long time for you to create artworks in the computer. As you practice more you will gain adequate speed with your Mac.

**fhmar** · 08-12-2011, 01:28 AM

my personal preference is via the pencil tools
and i would recommend to get (if you do not have yet) some of those drawing tablets
if cost is not an issue then get one of those wacom, else genius would also be fine