If your doing the lessons there's no need to be creative (for now) if you don't know how to draw or paint, or know a bit but would like to open your horizons this is a good thing to dive into (maybe even advanced people can still learn a couple things). When you finish the lessons though and learn a couple techniques, I'm sure you will come up with ideas of your own. But like Vince said, inspiration is all around you. Art is a way for us to see the world through your eyes.

Btw if you had trouble with WDY I don't think you will do well at all with Petit Computer. Do you mean as coming up with ideas or being able to actually make a game?

Ok thanks, I think I will pick this up soon. I have trouble actually making the games so I may skip PC, I have a ton of ideas I could end up drawing my future GF and I like drawing Nintendo characters, I might end up sending pics of rare obscure Nintendo characters then, but does each drawing take up blocks? Like each Petit Computer game?

PC uses Basic Code... I tried getting into Programming in High School... -_- I couldn't get it. I don't know how much blocks a drawing takes... I could check I think. Also things you learn here you can apply to real life. So don't be afraid to crack out them paper and pencils if you want. (though buying all the tools IRL would be very costly).

Also you can receive and make custom lessons. Maybe someone will make some anime lessons. I'm sure eventually some people will.

@KaiserGX This one works:

Basically, here are the resolutions that are sure to work: 640x480, 320x240, 800x480, 400x240 (others work too, just keep one of the two ratios and don't use too high a resolution) And you have to name it with three letters, one underscore, four numbers--for example, AAA_0000.jpg

@PhotoMorph Thanks! I'll add you very soon.

@k8sMum Yes, I know I love the way pastels look, but you really need to plan in advance if you want it to look convincing. I'm not that good at it... but I'll try practising.

You ever made any lessons Waan? I added you btw.

@KaiserGX Yep, I've made one (it's missing a step though...) I'll add you and send it to you

Great artwork! I like the statue by @Victoria (how the lines define the surface curves) and the first picture (portrait) and self-portrait @Waann posted (well-defined facial features, great choice of colours, especially the flesh tones).

Does anyone know how long do you have to leave the app open to receive a notification for the Goomba lesson? Got the retail version with Spotpass on (NA region), only the pointillism and fur lessons are showing up.

I don't think the Goomba lesson is up in NA yet. Btw iv anyone buys the animal DLC show me what the chicken and cat look like.

@KaiserGX: thanks. I'd thought Barbiegurl777 said it was out in NA, so I tried to check. Ah well, it can wait.

On the question of "Colors 3D! or NAA?", I suggest going for the one with the features you want most. Mainly, Colors 3D! has layers (some people swear by them), undo, colour picker, drawing replay and an online gallery (you can have your own page of pictures and comment on others'). NAA has a different focus with the lessons/lesson sharing components, the tools behave differently (after traditional media than a smooth CG look), a grid and has the option to select a different textured ground. They're both terrific, worth getting both if you can.

Thanks You don't have to leave your 3DS open to get the Spotpass. Just make you you have you are set up to receive Spotpass Notifications. I had mine switched off. When I turned it on, the next day the lesson had arrived.

@KaiserGX - Still no paid lessons available in the EU, or else I would have tried them. Sorry I can't help you.

Anyway .. here's my version of the Goomba lesson. The DLC lesson was more like one of Vince's mini lesson, where they show you what you're drawing, give you some pointers on ways to go about it, and then let you get on with doing it yourself. Our friend "Nikki" from Swapnotes is the one who gave the lesson - and you know how helpful she's been!

@Victoria: thanks. Guess it's just a matter of waiting then. Your Goomba looks good. Now I feel like trying to draw one.

I didn't plan to get either of the add-on lessons, but the kitty commanded it.

The Fur & Feathers download is 77 blocks. The cat lesson is divided into 7 steps, the chicken mini-lesson shows 4-5 progress images of how to start and layer the colours. Here are the reference images and Vince's finished pieces, sorry about the poor screenshots.

@KaiserGX: Hope that helps a bit. Let me know if you want to see a few more screenshots.

i don't have this game so i need to ask: do you colour photos? are outlines provided or full pictures? how does it work??

In the main lessons, you're shown a reference photo, and the guide Vince shows you step-by-step how to do an image of it, from drawing the outline to colouring and finishing touches. So nope, you aren't given an outline to colour in, the lessons try to show you that it's simple to draw it from scratch. Vince shows you an approach where you break down the subject into simple shapes and then refine your outline from there. There's also a grid that you can switch on to help you position things more accurately (the grid is overlaid onto the reference and your canvas). Generally, one you have the outline, then he goes onto the next step, like blocking in large areas, where to add light and dark spots, etc. He shows you his result for each step and then you try it yourself. You can replay the explanation at any time.

In the mini-lessons, Vince shows you some progress images (e.g. outline, parts of it blocked in), tells you the main things to look out for and then lets you have at it. These are more like exercises, while the main lessons break down the process into smaller steps and explain a few other things along the way.

Thanks! I will get the Cat and Chicken lesson!

Also Vince tells me to measure with the stylus... what do I do? I don't get how to do that. I don't want to be dependent on the grid.

@Shiromikio

thanks for taking the time to post an excellent explanation. as an artist, i have been impressed with the work i've seen posted from those using this program.

I haven't got to the part where he mentions it, so not 100% sure, but measuring with a pencil is a common technique used in drawing lessons. Basically you hold your arm forward, holding the pencil upright, almost like you would hold a jug handle, and use the pencil tip and your thumb to measure things in the space in front of you (e.g. width, height). Then you translate the measurement onto the paper, making marks to help you keep different parts/objects in proportion.

The video on this page explains it more clearly:
http://www.ehow.com/video_12223844_measure-pencil-art.html

Thanks!

I mostly use paint because I like the colors and it feels "easier" to color my paintings.

But sometimes is a pain to get the color you want.

Thanks. Did your Goomba lesson ever show up?

He's in the US. No Goomba yet.