Create a digital masterpiece! You're no idiot, of course. You know that life without art would be unbearable. You also know that some of the most interesting and intriguing art today is created by artists and designers wielding a mouse instead of a traditional brush or pencil-you're just not sure how they do it. Whether you're a master of traditional techniques or just interested in exploring your creative side, The Complete Idiot's GuideR to Computer Illustration shows you how to cross the threshold to the magical world of computer illustration. This guide steps you through . * The fundamentals of using drawing programs and image-editing software to create exceptional art and illustrations. * The essentials every computer illustrator should know to get the most out of the digital drawing environment. * The challenges of organizing and preparing a digital fine arts project from start to finish.

Unleash your creativity and enhance your art! * Understand the difference between pixels and paths. * Master the art of drawing graceful arcs, smooth curves, and straight lines. * Generate and manipulate basic shapes. * Flesh out your artistic vision with vibrant colors, shadows, glows, and text effects. * Enhance your work with filters, layers, and masks. * Prepare your art for print and the web.