Here’s a growing list of helpful resources for all illustrators.

Illustration Software

• Alchemy – Free vector concept illustration program. Written in JAVA, it’s compatible with most OS platforms.
• Art Rage – Painting program that simulates real world oil, acrylic, and other paint medium. $25 USD with a free version available. Check out our video review of Art Rage 2.5.
• Flash – Vector animation program that has become the standard for interactive web design. Also used for broadcast animation. $699 USD new, $199 USD upgrade, free trial version available.
• GIMP – Free open source digital imaging program. Considered by many to be the open source Photoshop.
• Illustrator – Vector illustration program for designers and illustrators. $599 USD new, $199 USD upgrade, free trial version available.
• Painter – Natural media painting program. $399 USD new, $199 USD upgrade.
• Photoshop – The standard in digital imagery. $699 USD new, $199 USD upgrade, free trial version available.
• Sketchbook Pro – Fantastic sketching drawing program with an intuitive interface. $100 USD, 15-day free Personal Learning Edition available. See our review.

Book Recommendations

• The Animator’s Survival Kit – The definitive work on character animation from Richard Williams, director of Roger Rabbit. And absolute MUST for animators and illustrators alike. $19.80 USD from Amazon. There’s also an animated DVD set of the lessons that runs $919.37 USD.
• Ballistic Publishing’s d’artiste series – Each d’artiste volume presents master class lessons from some of the most well known digital artists in the industry. $69.99 USD each, $170 USD for Limited Edition volumes.
• How to be an Illustrator – Practical advice from Darrel Rees about the business side of illustration.  From portfolio preparation to your first gig to billing to finding an agent, Rees, himself an illustrator and illustrator agent, provides first hand knowledge of what it takes to be a working illustrator.  $16.45 at Amazon.
• How to Cheat in Flash CS 4 – Excellent tutorials and tips for animating characters with Flash CS4. From Flash animator Chris Georgenes. $26.37 USD from Amazon. His previous book, How to Cheat in Flash CS3 is equally awesome.