My son is quite the artist and...

as many talented clutch fans member have shown -- there is alot you can do with a scanned picture in photoshop.

 

If he's a natural artist, I might want to keep him away from computer tools. IMO he might find an easier way to do the same thing which might stunt his further artistic development.

Wait and see if he shows an interest in something like this on his own.

But that's just me. My son has no artistic side. He's a math/science guy. I stay away from his college courses, because I want him to find his way on his own.

I also learned a good way to pay for his college. Make him pay for the course and books and then reimburse only the classes that he passed. I also only pay half of the books, because they can sell them back and get something. I remind him that the role he plays in this is the most important and that I am very proud of him.

[tear falling down my face]

My son is awesome and I love him a great deal.

[/tear falling down my face]

 

I don't know about that. I grew up drawing and painting and somehow I found my way into graphic design. No better tool than a computer. As an artist I would like to think that you want to expand your medium, not limit it.

AB, there are some amazing programs out there. Photoshop being the best. Painter X is another awesome program for those who specifically like drawing with a pencil or painting. Does he have a Wacom tablet yet?

Here is an example of an online community that members display their own digital artwork: http://www.gfxartist.com/community/elite_galleries/37

 

What you could do is get him a pressure pad and pen that will allow him to draw on the computer like he would if he were drawing by hand.

 

i dont think he should only focus his art to computers...unless that what he wants. But he should at least try other areas or art.

MFAH has a great art education program and i know someone that works there.

 

My friend in college used computers for his art. He draws mostly anime girls though, but he used to post some of his stuff on the BloodRayne message board and somebody from the company that made the game invited him out to austin and offered him a job, but he's still in school.

Anyways, he would sketch out his drawing first, scan it into his computer, then use photoshop and a graphics tablet to clean up the lines and color it.

The site isn't for kids, but he's got some tutorials up where he mentions what he uses and how, maybe it'll give you some ideas of what to get for your son.

http://www.crimsonjassic.com/indexx.php

 

That sounds pretty cool. Then he could enhance the color, but the lines are his.

 

Home Depot. Two cans of blue and black spray paint. Highway 59. Mad street cred.

 

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Adobe Illustrator is a good tool to learn how to translate analog design into digital.

http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator/

 

Worry about the computer stuff later... just develop his drawing and painting skills first, because eventually that will translate to graphic design... just encourage him to keep painting/drawing that's the best way to develop his talent... he can take up the computer stuff as he grows older... he will eventually pick it up himself...

 

wacom are pretty cheap or make cheaper model pads nowadays

 

You had me at This site isnt for kids....