Art and Design Online Learning Resources

GIMP

Similar to Photoshop, with many of the same features – used for creating or modifying images; if you are using Windows, you’ll need to use the Installer for Windows found through the link below
http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

Sculptris

Simulates working with clay to sculpt images
http://pixologic.com/sculptris/

Inkscape

Inkscape can be used to create vector graphics – images that can be rescaled to any size without losing quality
http://inkscape.org/

Synfig

Animation software, often used as an alternative to Flash
http://www.synfig.org/cms/

Audacity

For recording sound and music; capable of multi-track recording
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

MuseScore

Allows users to create their own music by writing music notation
http://musescore.org/

Scribus

Designed for desktop publishing and serves as an alternative to InDesign
http://www.scribus.net/canvas/Scribus

Construct 2

Create Apps and Games – no programming experience required; there is a free downloadable version and a pay version
https://www.scirra.com/construct2

Blender

For creating 3D imagery and animations
http://www.blender.org/

GIMP

A selection of tutorials from the makers of GIMP to help get you started with this free image manipulation software
http://www.gimp.org/tutorials/

PSDtuts+

Has a large selection of free, high quality Photoshop tutorials; also has a Premium section
http://psd.tutsplus.com/

Vectortuts+

Similar to PSDtuts+, except the tutorials are aimed at vector illustration, primarily in programs like Adobe Illustrator and InDesign
http://vector.tutsplus.com/

Inkscape

Official tutorials from the creators of the vector image creator Inkscape; scroll down the page to find tutorials available in several languages
http://inkscape.org/doc/

Creative Cow

Down the right side of the page is a large selection of free video tutorials covering a wide array of 2D and 3D graphic design programs
http://library.creativecow.net/tutorials/

CG Textures

A site offering a large selection of free photographs that may be used as textures or references in your digital work; signing up for a free account is required
http://cgtextures.com/

Art Critiquing

A good lesson covering principles for effective art critiques
http://www.spearsartstudio.com/curricintroinfo/artcriticism.html