Yeah i plan on it XD right now though, I'm mostly trying to finish this entry before the contest ends XD -wants to at least try- XD

Be sure to pace yourself :P I know sometimes I can overdo it and burn out, and that's the worst.

looks so pretty on paper. I also realized you said you were using a pen brush. Perhaps try a default paint brush.

Hey, can I see the artwork? I might be able to help more that way. And if you're not ready for digital art, then stick with the old pencil and paper for a while...well, of course you don't have to. XD

I know you'll hate hearing it, I hate hearing it too but... practice. Practice is always the key when it comes to art. Everyone has their own methods and something that might work for one person will not be the same for another. When it comes to digital art it is the same as traditional in this way. Everyone draws line art differently and everyone colours and shades differently. When I have time I can show some steps I take when I draw digitally. For now I can just provide you with general tips...

The best way to start is to draw traditionally. My college instructors always force us to sketch on paper before moving onto digital media. A huge reason is because you get caught up in details and perfecting something that isn't even in the perfecting stages. You need to sketch and sketch some more and plan properly. After it's perfectly PLANNED, then you move onto digital. I know you wanna play with your new tablet, but for now I suggest using the tablet as a replacement for your mouse to get use to it (if you're not already). Not to draw, but as a general mouse.

When first moving onto digital, try only doing small, quick sketches. Don't take on daunting projects or else you'll be discouraged.

Try using large dimensions (1000 by 1000 pixels) and do not zoom in. Let your hand flow and draw what you see in your mind. This is a little hard to explain and more expressive. It's different for everyone.

Line art may not be your thing. Not all great drawings have line art. Everyone draws differently. I personally work better using a "blocking" method. Using large, thick brushes to layer colour gives me the best results. Some people are better with line. Start in greyscale and then add the colour. This is very easy to do with digital art and should be taken advantage of. Sometimes people have an easier time colouring if they have the shadows done first.

Study anatomy. Invest in anatomy books. A physical book is best. If you really can't then there are a lot of OK tutorials online, I advise against looking at anatomy tutorials on deviantart. It is extremely rare to find a correct one. I also suggest staying away from the manga style as much as you can. Once you draw like that it's hard to do anything else.

These are just some things I've learned over the years, and through my college. I'm currently attending an art college and am in a competitive program and majoring in graphic design. I'm not an illustrator but even graphic designers are taught the basics of drawing and art. I'm learning from recognized professionals.

@Fforfox,
I agree with this. Quick sketches are the best. =w=

Though does everything need to be perfectly planned? I can understand for design, but curious if it is the same for art. I feel like it shouldn't be, but at the same time I can't think of any examples, as even artists such as Pollock planned out their works.

Do you have any anatomy books that you would recommend?

Yes quick sketches are always great warm-ups too. If you have the access, have a model do 30 second poses to force you to throw away detail and just see the poses.

No, sometimes not all art is planned, but the best pieces in history were. Unplanned art is usually expressive art, or connected to the artist's emotion or are quick sketches. I've just been taught that planning is never a bad thing, and when you have a vision in your mind it is better to perfectly plan before applying it to the canvas (or whatever media you are using). This includes things like composition, mood (colour, light, poses), etc. Planned pieces are pieces the artist tends to have more desirable outcomes by both artist and audience. Pretty much every great artist planned their work before applying it to their medium of choice.

I highly recommend (and own) these anatomy books: Animal Anatomy for Artists: The Elements of Form by Eliot Goldfinger and Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist by Stephan Rogers. I don't own it but Goldfinger also has a human anatomy book. Goldfinger's books are about $40 CAD on Amazon while Rogers' book is about $15. How to Draw Animals by Jack Hamm is a great book for beginners and is a lot less scientific... plus it is only 5-10 dollars new.

Lol. I can spend 15 hours in a drawing if I want it looking good. bad that's traditional alone! Tine and practice.

*shoots self*