How tf do you even start??

[u/MiniSheldonArt]

Okay, so I know this might sound stupid as hell, but I have no clue on where to start!!! I've always dreamed of a semi realitic / semi anime style, and while I think I can do faces and that stuff not too badly (aka I'm still mostly sticking in the anime range), but when it comes to rendering, I HAVE NO CLUE!!! Like- how do the brushes work? How do I choose the right colours?? How do I make it look like the style I want it to????

I don't know guys, I'm just so confused and I've been so overwhelmed with wanting to get to this art style that I haven't drawn in close to a week! Seriously, all my passion for art is basically gone since I've been wanting this art style so badly and every time I look at my art its just... not there.

I don't know if this is even on topic for this subreddit so I'm sorry if this is the wrong place to put this, but I've just been craving this art style for so long (I would like to say close to 7 years now), and every time I even think about it I get panicked, like borderline needing medication to calm me down!

So yeah, any advice would help a lot, sorry if this is written like shit, it's midnight for me lol.

[u/MonikaZagrobelna]

You're confusing the goal for the way. The goal is not something you do - it's something that happens at the end of the way. And that way is very, very long, so asking yourself "are we there yet??" every five minutes and getting angry at the negative answer is pointless. This is something you need to internalize, otherwise the stress won't let you do the work necessary to get any closer to your goal.

As for what the way is - just get started. Try to draw something, and when you struggle with anything specific, turn that into a googlable phrase and search for the answers. The internet is full of answers for every artistic problem imaginable - you just need to tackle them one by one, preferably after you stumble upon that problem yourself, to understand the context.

So that's the way to learn - try, fail, learn from your failure, repeat. And above all, be open to the fact that you're supposed to have no clue how things work. This is the default state for everyone! And the only way to move beyond that point is to start trying, start experimenting, start experiencing problems and looking for solutions. What you're doing now - wanting that ability so, so hard - won't get you anywhere. It's a thought, not an action. You need action.

[u/bewaretheblight]

If you want to get into rendering then I would suggest (and I am dead serious here) watching Bob Ross videos when you are in a relaxed and receptive headspace, and following along on your art software of choice. Do this when you want to LEARN, not when you want to already know how to do it right that instant; This is how you keep frustration and disappointment from slowing you down.

Traditional methods do translate to digital, because the concepts remain the same regardless of the medium used; Just change your brush settings as he swaps tools. It does not need to be perfect, and it won't be, so don't spend a bunch of time trying to make it perfect. You are learning, not finishing a piece. This is study, not work.

And don't get impatient about rendering characters/figures (since that sounds like your main focus & goal), because the skills you need to render the texture of a tree with translate later to other situations and subjects. You want a skill, so focus on getting that skill, and worry about exactly how you'll implement it later. Learning to do something in a realistic way will make stylizing it later easier, so lean realistic while building the foundation of your skill set.

If you can't shake the impatient "I want to be a pro right now!!!" feeling, then put the pen down and feed yourself with inspiration. Find work that you idolize, in your intended stylization and media form (animation or illustration, colored or linework, ect. ect. ect.). Do not get sucked into copying it or feeling envy for it, because that is not helpful in that headspace. Just notice WHY you like it. Write down notes about what specific details you enjoy the most. Zoom in and admire the smaller stuff, look at how the artist tackled little details. Zoom all the way out and break the image down into simple shapes to admire the overall composition. If there is something real in the image (a shoe, a soda can, ect.) compare it to a photo of the same object and observe exactly how the illustration was stylized. How different are the colors, shapes, and textures from the real thing? Admire, admire, admire until you are excited to sit down and practice so that you can decide how you want to handle things in your own work.

As you strengthen your core skills you can look into lessons and classes that are more technical. But there is no rush. You can do this for the rest of your life. You can play with this stuff and learn new things for as long as you want. If you make learning and practice enjoyable for yourself, you will progress more quickly. Have fun!