I can't personally recommend any vids or sites as those don't really do it for me, but I can recommend this book: www.amazon.com/Hi-Fi-Color-For… I learned a lot from it.
The best thing to do is to try to imagine what you want your art to look like. Look for a pro that does something similar to what you're looking for, then try to mimic what you see with the tools and skills you already have. Too saturated? Hit Ctrl+U in Photoshop and desaturate or Ctrl+B for color balance and play around with the sliders. Experimentation is the real key to learning new things.
The best thing to do is to try to imagine what you want your art to look like. Look for a pro that does something similar to what you're looking for, then try to mimic what you see with the tools and skills you already have. Too saturated? Hit Ctrl+U in Photoshop and desaturate or Ctrl+B for color balance and play around with the sliders. Experimentation is the real key to learning new things.
I actually own that book and have owned it for years now. Honestly, I've had a hard times understanding it and haven't tried to implement the techniques much nor have I watched the accompanying CD. 
I also have an extensive book that I got on PS CS3 that I haven't really used either.
Maybe I should do that...it's a shame to spend the money that I did on those books to not even use them!
And as for whose art I want to emulate? I know I'm really reaching for straws and going for the gusto, but I would love for my stuff to look like Artgerm's! (One day...maybe when I'm 80!
) I'm NOWHERE CLOSE to that level of skill, but he's my guy.
It seems like it's time for me to learn a new technique...I'm just not sure on how to go about doing that.
I also have an extensive book that I got on PS CS3 that I haven't really used either.Maybe I should do that...it's a shame to spend the money that I did on those books to not even use them!
And as for whose art I want to emulate? I know I'm really reaching for straws and going for the gusto, but I would love for my stuff to look like Artgerm's! (One day...maybe when I'm 80!
) I'm NOWHERE CLOSE to that level of skill, but he's my guy.It seems like it's time for me to learn a new technique...I'm just not sure on how to go about doing that.
Well then take those baby steps. Believe it or not (and he'd probably say the same thing) with practice and dedication you can be just as good or better than Artgerm in time, but you have to overcome inertia and actually be willing to go through the valley of suck. Fail enough times and you'll start to succeed if you persevere, but if you keep telling yourself it's a pipe dream, it'll be a self fulfilled prophecy.
Yeah...I think the valley of suck often intimidates me. My brain doesn't like the idea that I have quite a ways in practice and learning to go before I "arrive" at becoming a pro-level artist. And honestly, I don't think I'm so much pursuing that as a goal to become some famous artist like Artgerm...I've pretty much given up on the idea of thinking that I'll be some great comic artist like I once thought I wanted to be. I just want to better articulate my OC's visually, for myself first and foremost and then for others to enjoy as well. (I'm still gonna keep trying to put my story together and tell it somehow!)
I think the frustrating thing is that I've been on the journey to become a better artist for the past almost 9 years since I've been here on DA and while I have indeed grown by leaps and bounds since I've first started posting here, but I'm only an average artist at best who's still limited. I lack the discipline to work at my craft and sketch like crazy almost on a daily basis. And I do realize that I'll only get better as soon as I apply myself more to frequent practice, trying new things/poses/mediums/perspectives, actually reading books on new techniques, etc. So what it's been almost 10 years and I'm not a pro level artist? I haven't been putting in pro level practice to be a pro over the last 9 years...it's not just gonna come to me w/o the work.
One doesn't gain muscles by going to the gym just one day a week for an hour and just ride the cardio bike...he or she has to go more frequently, do the exercises properly, get adequate rest, eat nutritious meals full of protein and carbs, drink plenty of water, etc. He or she does what it takes by getting up super early before work or late in the evening to get in gym time...they endure sore muscles and don't skip days simply b/c they don't feel like it. They push through their valley of suck towards the goal of a sweet 6-pack, a firm toned body, and/or a killer set of guns.
Artistically, I want a strong physique. I go to the "gym" frequently but not enough to get the "body" I want. Not to mention, when I go I use the same weights and the same machine that I have been using for the past 9 years...only adding more weight every so often b/c I'm intimidated of pushing through the pain which is the valley of suck. No pain no gain, right?
That, plus I recently found out that I may have Adult ADHD...which makes sense as to why I'm often all over the place and can't focus/make decisions and doesn't at all help my cause.
I think the frustrating thing is that I've been on the journey to become a better artist for the past almost 9 years since I've been here on DA and while I have indeed grown by leaps and bounds since I've first started posting here, but I'm only an average artist at best who's still limited. I lack the discipline to work at my craft and sketch like crazy almost on a daily basis. And I do realize that I'll only get better as soon as I apply myself more to frequent practice, trying new things/poses/mediums/perspectives, actually reading books on new techniques, etc. So what it's been almost 10 years and I'm not a pro level artist? I haven't been putting in pro level practice to be a pro over the last 9 years...it's not just gonna come to me w/o the work.
One doesn't gain muscles by going to the gym just one day a week for an hour and just ride the cardio bike...he or she has to go more frequently, do the exercises properly, get adequate rest, eat nutritious meals full of protein and carbs, drink plenty of water, etc. He or she does what it takes by getting up super early before work or late in the evening to get in gym time...they endure sore muscles and don't skip days simply b/c they don't feel like it. They push through their valley of suck towards the goal of a sweet 6-pack, a firm toned body, and/or a killer set of guns.
Artistically, I want a strong physique. I go to the "gym" frequently but not enough to get the "body" I want. Not to mention, when I go I use the same weights and the same machine that I have been using for the past 9 years...only adding more weight every so often b/c I'm intimidated of pushing through the pain which is the valley of suck. No pain no gain, right?
That, plus I recently found out that I may have Adult ADHD...which makes sense as to why I'm often all over the place and can't focus/make decisions and doesn't at all help my cause.
You need to take control of your own narrative, whether it means working harder on your craft or just doing it for fun. The moment it stops being fun, it's time to reevaluate.
No one can tell you what you want from your art but you. I'm a few years older than you, so I'll tell you something... It doesn't get easier as you get older. You get more set in your ways with each passing year. I feel myself fading fast... The days of being all about Nia Black and Dualmask are starting to fade off in the distance and even Jet Dancer is starting to become less relevant to me. I know I need to actively fight this decline if I want my creativity to survive. Either that, or find a new outlet. But it's not just going to come. Your mind is going to do what feels most comfortable, which, if you do it long enough, will simply be doing nothing at all.
We have to make the choice.
No one can tell you what you want from your art but you. I'm a few years older than you, so I'll tell you something... It doesn't get easier as you get older. You get more set in your ways with each passing year. I feel myself fading fast... The days of being all about Nia Black and Dualmask are starting to fade off in the distance and even Jet Dancer is starting to become less relevant to me. I know I need to actively fight this decline if I want my creativity to survive. Either that, or find a new outlet. But it's not just going to come. Your mind is going to do what feels most comfortable, which, if you do it long enough, will simply be doing nothing at all.
We have to make the choice.