Hi Nicholas,

if you want to do some game related art, then you should focus on a single game art direction first. Either 3d art, because it is still the most common art direction in (non casual) game development , or 2d art, which is still used very often in casual/indie projects.

Art skills can be subdivided in tool knowledge and art specific skills, much like coding (you need to learn a language and you need to learn about certain algorithm, methods, paradigm etc.).

2d art:

If you go for 2d art you can use photoshop ($$), gimp(free) or any other useful paint tool.

Primary skills are drawing and painting.

3d art:

If you go for the 3d art , you should look at blender (free). 3d art is much more extensive. Skills you can learn:

- modelling

- sculpting

- rigging

- animating

- texturing (->painting)

You best start with modelling, because it is the core element of 3d game related art. Everything else is optional.

Be patient, art, much like coding, needs a lot practise and don't get confused by others who say, that other tools , like maya/max etc. are better. They will not magically improve your skills (a bad workman blames his tools...), it will just speed up your workflow when you are limited by other tools. But this will most likely take some time

This guy does some decent tutorials, its all vector graphics, pretty much focused towards programmers

http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/ChrisHildenbrand/20111015/90415/2D_Game_Art_For_Programmers__Part_1_updated.php

This is what I thought of telling, too. He got so many nice tutorials on http://2dgameartforprogrammers.blogspot.de/ and I think its much easier to create something good looking using a tool for making vector graphics ( Inkscape ) compared to tediously doing pixel graphics by hand-choosing colors for single pixels.

If you've got an iPad or Mac, I highly recommend checking out iDraw. Here is it in action, implementing one of the tutorials you just linked. I struggled and struggled with Inkscape, the interface is just so very... open source. Paying a few bucks for iDraw made all the difference in the world.

borrowing the thread:

from knowing some c++ at a novice level, what is the next step towards making a simple 3d game?

what are some good resources for studying?

im more intrested in going to a situation where i have a game with working game mechanics and placeholder art than starting with the art. i figure art is a later priority in developing 'skill'.

Important question is, are you looking to create the game using C++ or are you willing to try a different language?

The easiest ( 0 to running with a 3D model ) 3D engine I've encountered yet that's C++ based is Gameplay3d. Urho3d is certainly another option, as is Ogre3D.

If you are willing to leave the comforts of C++, Unity is one of the easiest "get my 3D model up on screen" engines out there.