When I was younger, I used to draw everything (as you do when you're small) from boats, planes, jets, war zones, cities, cars, trees, I could go on forever. And I got pretty decent too, taking an art/drawing class in 9th grade up until about 10th. I soon stopped though, due to time constraints and other interests. But recently I found myself with an urge to draw, partly because of my pursuit for a career in the digital entertainment industry.

Yesterday I found myself in a creative slump, I couldn't design a level I had pictured in my mind, and I figured it might be helpful to draw and sketch out a concept first. Well, I picked up a pencil and pad to draw it out and....

holy crap was I bad! I don't understand how I lost everything I used to be able to do not 5 years ago (yes 5 years is pretty long, but not that long). This is terrible for me, because creativity and imagination are the foundation for almost everything in the gaming industry. And how exactly will I know what my ideas will look like to convey to others? I can't very well sketch it out before hand now can I? Not good, not good I tell you.

So here I am, hoping to find a community who would be able to help me start and even down the line if trouble arises, and I'm praying I found it here.

How did you start? What helped you? Books? Teachers? I'm starting from scratch pretty much, so I was figuring the best way to go about getting my hands dirty would be to grab a book, but I don't know of any solid books that could help a beginner. What can I do that would help me start on the path to become an artist?

Below are some links showing you what I am hoping to be able to do artistically, they are concept drawings that show level designers and modelers how a certain idea should be made, as well as portraying to the development team what the art direction and style of the game will be:

starcraft2.com/artwork.xml
halflife2.net/half-life-2/concept-art/
eve-online.com/conceptart/collection.asp?col=29082000&n=8

Sorry for the long post!

wow..i always kinda thought it would be like riding a bike..a little rusty after a few years but still able to ride...
i guess i would venture to say...the very words you must have heard when you first started...practice practice practice...take all the lessons here from where you need to and participate in the challenges as well..

it should all start to flow again with constant work every day..even a doodle..

good luck
regards
Kay

Wow... I never thought you could lose it that fast either, but I have allways been drawing since about 8, but a couple of years ago at about 11 I started really drawing :] Im 13 now and im not that good, but ive been studying canine anatomy online for a while and Ive got to say that I have got a LOT better at drawing wolves and dogs in the last 3 months. Its amazing how fast you can improve. I understand that you obviously arent looking to draws canines but its the same concept really, you just need to understand how things work, persective, etc. I think you should probably try to copy a couple of those concept arts and when you feel that they are getting pretty good you can try and imagine something for yourself Sorry for the long post...

It may just take some time to get back to the same level you were at .....if I stop drawing for some time then go and try a portrait ... its not as good or easy as I remember lol so it does take time and practice and consistancy to keep improving .. too many breaks in between cause us to lag out .