Hopefully the few that came to see it actually learned a thing or two.

I took a vote a few days beforehand and let them just build up (unfortunately it was a small audience I suppose) and between some of the prospects, Samus managed to win out. Other awesome options were Luna Lovegood, LeeLoo (5th element), even Xena! (Which I want to do all of the ones that were asked, but in time I'm sure...) We went through my entire painting process - albeit quickly because it was for a lunch demo - it enhances my policy of 'teach what you've learned to others' that so many others passed onto me when I first started.

Hope that you enjoy this one, more to come soon.

Little bonus tutorial as well - to show the steps...

Taking a long hard look internally can be more important 

when first starting a journey in art (From Fan Art Friday (Leon the Professional)

 
Before you start anything, make a schedule for yourself - especially one that you can follow religiously. I know this sounds like a lot, but there is a scientific method to this called the 10,000 hour rule that goes on and on about the whole adage practice makes perfect.

Well I can say, truly, that this is 100% true. I wouldn't be where I am without a schedule that I rigorously followed for years. Also, the more consistent you are with a simple schedule, the more you can trust yourself for working conditions later - especially if you're considering a freelance career.

There is always a method to my madness... and here's literally the way I got to where I am now:
http://youtu.be/g4qZCTrBoIo
I would suggest that everyone start here so that you know what a gesture is (if you didn't already) and then make sure that you apply the gesture idea here. I would suggest to start with the longest time you can (2-minutes I think?) and try and capture the essence of the figure as fast as possible.

From there I would try out the challenge modes here: http://quickposes.com/
Next you can do real models here: http://artists.pixelovely.com/
And finally, when you get comfortable being able to slap out gesture and even longer pose studies,
I would suggest you do full-renders from these places:
http://characterdesigns.com/
http://hel-looks.com/
http://www.scott-eaton.com/category/bodies-in-motion https://www.youtube.com/user/onairvideo/videos

Of course, these are just for character design by the way.
I would suggest that you experiment with different medias such as vine charcoal, compressed charcoal, acrylic, pencil, pen, really anything that can make a mark. After all, you're not sure what your forte is until you really try a bunch of different things out.

Other places for great tips are these few places:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ProkoTV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NygkJEc3yu4
http://muddycolors.blogspot.com/

Other than that do Master Studies. Look to old masters like these: http://greatilluminators.blogspot.com/ and try your damndest to copy them.
I highly suggest that everyone first get a handle on traditional media first before really diving into digital, but it can be a good playground to start to experiment while you get your footing.
There are some things that help along the way for learning digital and here are just a few pointers that I can toss at you all.

When first starting out, think about digital painting the same way that traditional painting is done: Large to small. Use extremely large brushes and try to use a very simplified color. On my blog, look around for the tutorials that I do after some of my pieces and perhaps that will help to shed some light on my methodology. It's kind of more of a practice, practice, practice. I still feel like I have a LONG way to go. Deviantart has infinite tutorials on how to get onto the digital painting path, just look it up.

OH and I almost forgot... the brushes. http://matkaminski.blogspot.com/2013/10/typical-brushes-that-i-use.html also... Brush making Tutorial