Realistic Cat Hair...

Hi everyone,

I’m somewhat new to the graphic design world and while I’ve learned a lot in a pretty small amount of time, I have some design aspects that will be very important for me to learn. I have been trying to learn on my own, but I’m now at a point of hoping to get someone to point me in the correct direction for something specific. Currently I’ve been learning to use Macromedia (now Adobe, I believe) Fireworks MX ‘04. Great program it seems to me, but I really don’t know how to compare it to another program, since it’s the first I’ve been using/learning in depth.
I’ve been trying to discover how to create realistic looking cat hair. Is there simply a particular plug-in I could purchase, which would make this easier? I’ve tried with the pen and path tools but can’t come up with something that looks halfway realistic. The fill and stroke textures that came with the version I have aren’t cutting it either. Am I missing something that could be right in my face, or did I pick the wrong program to use? I’m aiming for a look that’s close to a drawing/painting and not too cartoon looking.

The other thing that I’m needing to learn how to do is make my pen lines have thicker parts in some places, and thinner in others. I believe Freehand has a specific vector tool for this, but I haven’t been able to do so with Fireworks. I guess having random outline thickness would make drawings look a bit more like a drawing I’ve done in the past with pencil or charcoal. Right now, my outlines strokes look too computer generated with the uniform thickness. Is this particular effect going to require a Wacom tablet or is there another way?

Thank you to any person who takes the time to help out a fellow artist.

Chris

Good wishes on your way to be sucessful in your task



John
Don Joao Resort