Intro and a few questions
#1
Hey all. I was given a Wacom Bamboo last year for Christmas and slowly got the bug, but it was only until a few months ago that I decided I would like to really knuckle down and take things as seriously as I can. I already have a seperate career so this is I guess, a hobby. But I have some goals, mostly realistic portraiture, still life and landscape in digital. A part of me is interested in comic narrative too but I guess I'll cross that bridge later. Now for questions!

How do you guys organise and consolidate the endless heaps of information out there? I've started writing down stuff in a sketchbook every time I come across something new that isn't covered in a book I've read, but I also have a giant spreadsheet full of links to DA tutorials, videos, forum posts; then there's my inspirational images folder, my reference images folder, books, etc, etc. The list goes on, I'd love to hear how other people organise all this stuff

Schedules - I work 9-5 weeks, so I have an hour in the morning and roughly 6 at night, plus weekends so I'm not short on time. But when I sit down, I'm totally at a loss for what I should be doing. I feel like I'm doing the same thing over and over, and missing other important fundamentals. What kind of skills honing work do you guys do when you're not applying it to original painting? So far I'm thinking:

Warm ups (lines, ellipses, curves, etc)
Gesture drawings
Contour drawings
Perspective study
Anatomy study
Still life
Master copy
Work through a book

I'd love to see any links you have to example schedules or course itineraries because I'm just totally overwhelmed at the moment. So in summary, I need a bit of guidance how I can roadmap and organise myself to effectively absorb all this stuff!
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#2
Check out Evernote

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#3
I saw somewhere that it can be interesting to install a board in front of your working space and to add stuff on it like.Like your own drawing,some tutorial,inspirational images from you're folder,some magazine image or to write idea on a piece of paper so it like a reminder.Some people organize themself within there sketchbook they take note and write next thing to study.Some people use a notebook.

If you don't know what to study here some idea

Human body

Proportion male/female/at various ages
http://majnouna.com/creation/humantut.html

Body shape study fat/skinny/normal/muscular/athletic/heroic

Ectomorph, Mesomorph or Endomorph?
http://www.muscleandstrength.com/article...morph.html
Skinny to muscular
http://www.fullpunch.com/pic-dump/determ...type.html/

Head shape
http://majnouna.com/creation/humantypes.html
Hand
http://majnouna.com/creation/humantut.html
Foot
http://majnouna.com/creation/humantut.html
Eye/base on race trait
http://majnouna.com/creation/humantypes.html
Nose/base on race trait
http://majnouna.com/creation/humantypes.html
Lips/base on race trait
http://majnouna.com/creation/humantypes.html
Ears

Hair color/type/style by era/

The most complete site for reference about hairstyle
http://www.hairfinder.com/hairstyles_pictures.htm
Information about style by era
http://www.erasofelegance.com/fashion/hairstyles.html
victorian-era-hairstyles gallery
https://www.pinterest.com/victorianparlo...airstyles/
25-hairstyles-of-the-last-100-years
http://listverse.com/2008/08/16/25-hairs...100-years/

The Body in perspective

Bone structure human/animal

Muscle
http://majnouna.com/creation/humantut.html
Landmark
Value
Pose
https://www.pinterest.com/peachymini/character-pose/
volume
Shading

Facial expression
100 facial expressions to be mastered (no image)
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/100-word...pressions/

Interesting field to study
Master piece
Fabric
Metal
Vehicle /by country/by era
Weapons /by country/by era
Environment
Silhouette
Character archtype
Landscape
Architecture /by country/by era
Fashion /by era
History of art /major influence/style/
Inking
Digital art /Tablet/edge/blending/layers/etc

Art related field of study
New technology
Time management
Organization
Team management
How to sell art(how to negociate)
Language(the art vocabulary)
Math(pricing)
Video game industry(Make a list of company that might be hiring)
Illustration(Make a list of company that might be hiring)
Comic industry(Make a list of company that might be hiring)
Advertisement(Make a list of company that might be hiring)

Freelancing
Alot of article about Freelancing
http://freelanceswitch.com/
a-comprehensive-guide-to-starting-your-freelance-career
http://freelanceswitch.com/start/a-compr...ce-career/
French guide to freelancing
https://larlet.fr/david/biologeek/archiv...freelance/

My Sketchbook

Perfection is unmeasurable therefor it impossible to reach it.
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#4
Hey guys, thanks for the help, that's awesome :)
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#5
Hey, welcome to the forums :)

Making notes on or near the study or whatever you've just done is a good way to keep track of things (i find). that way if you decide to take a trip down memory lane you can see how you were thinking back then and how you've changed, or find things you've forgotten etc. I also like to give mini crits to myself, to see if i can vocalize where i think i'm messing up (it tends to be the same things over and over..)

I find i learn best when I don't adhere to a strict schedule. I have a list of things I should study at some point and I just pick what i feel like/haven't done in a while. Its pretty much the same list of things you have. I also like to paint something crazy every once in a while just to mix it up,
With that said, heres Dave's old schedule: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/M...hedule.jpg

I have it as my background, to keep me reminded of what I should be working toward

I've also discovered that watching/listening something art related gets me going, or can keep me going for longer, maybe that might get you going.

Not sure of where you're at now but as a side note if you ever feel frustrated trying to learn the fundamentals of art try switching mediums or trying something you've never used before. Digital can be particularly frustrating if you don't have a good footing to start with

Anyways hope to see your stuff soon!

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