New Animator, Where should i begin?

[Chillieman]

Hello everybody, i'm an aspiring new programmer, and i definitely have my sights set on creating many games throughout my life time. Iv started practicing C++, Action Script, and even sound Design. While im still new at everything i am determined to become very formidable in all subjects, i'm at the point in my programming path that i want to open my world up to graphic design and animation, But i have no idea where to start!

I was wondering where you guys went to become animators? Tutorial sites? maybe videos? Maybe there's an almighty textbook out there that you had great success with? Give me some leads!

I find it very enjoyable learning new things about the computer, so i want to start mapping out a plan.

I want to start out with simple Art pictures, Iv dabbled in Photoshop before, but that's it, and it really didn't keep my interest that long, Im wondering what you guys would recommend as a a good program to design game art? Sprites
Maybe you think i should stick to Flash CSx?

P.S. When i was doing Photoshop, i would simply follow tutorials to get a desired result. (Making letters look like fire)
And it would come out great, but at the end of all that, i retained nothing, which means i LEARNED nothing. Im looking for more fundamental stuff when it comes to art, IDK how to explain it, but something beyond just following a bunch of tutorials

Once i get a grasp on creating something that visually looks good, i want to move onto making animations that simply look bad ass. Like cut scenes in a game. Iv always loved watching those animations with stick figures running in a room and beating the crap out of everyone.

P.S.S. When it comes to animation, a tutorial based path would work fine, the biggest challenge i imagine myself having is making the art look good, the animation parts just seems like blending art together a frame at a time.

Im rambling...

I hope to hear from a lot of you, because this information wouldn't be as fulfilling if it just came from one person.
Thanks in advance ^_^

[A-Genius]

At 9/29/13 03:13 AM, Chillieman wrote:

to me I have started animating from self learning... I wish that "draw with jazza" came before I know all these stuff from self learning and searching through out forums , etc! this will help so much if you want to do anything!

there is your guy:
http://jazza.newgrounds.com/

and there is his youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/DrawWithJazza

no problem!