While I have done digital art over the years, mostly for school assignments, my main mediums of choice have always been physical ones. Whether acrylics, pastels or colour pencils, I was drawn to holding tangible tools and creating something new with my bare hands. I don’t think that the pleasure of paper drawing will ever go away for me, and for a long time, I rebelled against digital art (just as I evaded digital photography after learning film and well, has THAT ever changed! Now I’m a digital photography adorer). There is something pure and simple about the traditional way of doing art and it is an invaluable practice to keep up. Yes— and also, everything has its place…
Over the past several years, I have been honing my skills as an illustrator, but not without frustration and setbacks. I was up against chronic pain, which limited my work time, and a lack of mastery in the mediums I had settled on using for my style of illustration. Yes, I could learn with time and training, but I often got stuck and discouraged in the process and I wasn’t putting out the content or finishing the projects that my heart so longed to get out into the world. It was a bit of a coincidence when I had the chance to try drawing on an iPad for the first time. Yes, I had tried a Wacom tablet back in University and later dabbled with the Apple Trackpad, but I found them extremely imprecise, frustrating and painful to draw with (they work for many people, but I have fussy wrists!).
Now, I’m not oblivious to the benefits, conveniences and beauty of digital art, but it wasn’t until I actually tried drawing with the iPad that I went, “Ohhhhhh, WOW! It’s just like drawing on paper!” Only with layers. And innumerable colour palettes at the click of a button. And so many other options including this artist’s favourite tool— the UNDO button! But wait, do all of these fancy tools and the ability to easily change or manipulate your images mean that digital artists are less skilled, fine-tuned or talented? I admit that I had this judgement for a while, like somehow giving into digital art would discredit me as an artist. But I beg to disagree with myself. To be a good artist, you need a set of creative talents and skills, say like precision, a sense of composition and colour theory, as well as in depth knowledge of your chosen medium. Well, how about that? All of these things apply to both physical and digital art! Knowing how to use your software is just as important as knowing how to use your paint and brush to achieve the effects you desire. Art, by any other name, is still art. An artist, no matter his or her medium, is still an artist.
What I discovered about creating digital art with the iPad is that it enables me to work more efficiently, thus not overdoing myself, while creating versatile art for my many applications (much of which is used or delivered digitally, so it streamlines my process). Procreate on the iPad has been a game changer. It has opened up the possibility for me to create so much more than before! And no, I don’t intend to give up on my watercolour and gouache and whatever other medium I feel like expressing in. It’s that I now know that both digital and traditional art have their proper uses and both can actually be enjoyed more because I can choose the one that is appropriate for my project’s/schedule’s/body’s needs. While more isn’t necessarily always better, it is when doing so makes you happy!
So I’m diving into this digital world, friends, with ferocious excitement and possibility! Over the last week, I’ve started growing my skills through 21-draw.com, an online membership site of illustration tutorials (with a handful specific to Procreate). I’m working through the “Beginner’s Guide to Digital Drawing in Procreate” which is how the first few stages of this little Curious Critter character design below came to be (I’ll post the final stages once I complete them). I’m learning some new tips, tools and techniques, getting some good practise in and, of course, having a blast! When learning is fun, you know you’re learning the right stuff.
In closing, yes, there will probably be controversy on the subject of digital vs traditional art, but these are the questions that I think will give you your own specific answer: what tools and mediums enable you to let your most creative, expressive, artistic self shine through? What will allow you to make art in a way that is feasible, accessible, efficient and effective for you and your unique applications, needs, barriers, skills, etc? So what do I think? I say, who cares how you create your art— JUST CREATE IT!
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Pssst- what I write in this blog is a reflection of my own ideas and experiences and/or interpretations of any referenced material. The content of this blog is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only. I am not an expert or therapist and cannot be held liable for any content provided or how it is used. Please enjoy at your own discretion. I reserve the right to change the content or management of this blog at any time. That said, I hope you enjoy it! © 2021 Kristina Durst All Rights Reserved.
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