I have been designing static web sites for 11 years, the last 6 of which I've been using Dreamweaver. I have a background in various coding languages (C, C++, some Java, Javascript) though I haven't coded in a while. I'm learning PHP now.
I've been considering either Drupal or Wordpress now that I'm moving toward dynamic content. My issue is understanding how to incorporate these tools with my vision. Whatever I choose, I'm going to need to create my own custom theme. Here are the sites where I'm making decisions on what to use:
Site 1: this site is already up as a static site, www.alixnorth.com. It has some articles and a gallery of my art. I want to redesign the look and strucure, as well as add a blog. It seems wordpress is enough for that, but I take it Drupal could also help me with the galleries.
Site 2: Currently undeveloped, this site would feature a blog with challenges for artists, so it would be great if they could post images in their comments to challenges. I'd also like a series of galleries on this site, a collection of project instructions, and I'm not sure what for the future. I could handle the galleries and instructions statically, or maybe do something with Drupal?
If you have any thoughts on how Drupal fits in with my plans, I'd love to hear what you have to say. I take it ALL content would be managed by Drupal and I'd simply create the theme with Dreamweaver (using the instructions here)? Drupal does have an edge on Wordpress in terms of having a way I can use Dreamweaver for themes.