Suggestions for converting hand-drawn pictures

[bowlfreak_not 0]

So I've tried to draw some pictures, scanned them and would like to use them as character pictures.  I know, it's kind of caveman, but I'm not an artist, (heh, obviously), and I don't have a tablet and for graphics software I'm using Photoshop Elements.  Has anyone else tried this?  Or does anyone have any suggestions?  I'm only trying to do a small project for fun so getting professional quality isn't an issue.  Thanks.

[TheoAllen 830]

I use PaintTool SAI to "convert" all my hand drawn pictures. 

Something like this, yeah.

 

 

If you want a suggestion, try PaintTool SAI. It has linework layer to make your lining part easier.

[bowlfreak_not 0]

wow, nice....  okay, so I guess aside from switching software, you would also recommend that I just scan in my original pencil sketches? I will at least do that along with checking out the software.  Are you painting your art using a mouse then or do you have a tablet?  Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my simplistic question, it is very much appreciated.

[TheoAllen 830]

Yea, I usually scan my hand-drawn pic.

It requires much work though because you need to retrace your drawing digitally.

But usually it will be better than directly draw pic in digital. Because you can't see the whole canvas and ended up messing up with the character proportion (or perhaps, it just me)

 

I use mouse, I do have tablet, but I don't really like it.

[+ TBWCS 953]

Or, you can use Adobe Illustrator. There is an Image Tracing option there, so when you upload your line art, it traces the lineart and converts it for you as a vector line, then you can do Hard Coloring and Simple Shadow / Shading later on.