Traditional vs. Digital
This is a very modern dilemma for a lot artists and I find myself increasingly intrigued by the situation when people discuss the difference between traditional and digital painting methods.
When I discuss about the differences between digital Vs traditional methods and how closely they are related I often have to justify and clarify this fact and explain the fact that painting digitally is producing real art in a similar work process as traditional media.
So why do people refuse to believe digital painting isnt a valid form of Art? Lets look at the similarities first.
Because one has to have the same foundations to paint digitally as to paint traditionally, Lightning, Color theory, Perspective, Composition, Values, hand to eye co-ordination, drawing abilities , imagination and creativity and so on…. without it the best software in the world couldnt produce a piece of art just like the best pencil or bristle brush in the world can’t produce a stunning masterpiece…. its simply another tool in an artists arsenal. I’m sure once the the camera was first used as a form of art a lot of traditionalists refuted its ability to create art yet we all know how well this art form has progressed nowadays.
So knowing this why do people still believe that painting in Photoshop or Painter is cheating?
When digital art started its birth it was far removed from the advanced tool it has become today, simple image adjusting, adding filters and of course Ctrl + Z (undo). Perhaps this is where mainstream people judge their mis-informed information on and until they sample or watch a true digital painter at work then they will continue to perceive digi’ art as some form of ‘easy road’. However is this proof enough that digital art is somehow inferior in the creation of art compared to traditional methods?
No I don’t think so, this is a very modern technique (digital) and still in its youth but advancing in a very rapid fashion. Advancing software and technology allows artists to not only create a piece of art entirely in a digital manner but also to combine media, a simple pencil sketch can be beautifully coloured digitally, printed in high resolution and if the artist wanted could paint over with oils or acrylics, its about having the control and freedom over creativity.
I am a bit of an artist myself and I attempt to paint daily studies where and when applicable. When doing portrait of someone, I unfortunately often miss proportions and have to correct them. Correcting problems in Photoshop can be easily done as there’s no drying time, expense of painting over a canvas in comparison to traditional media… but is that cheating?
Quote from Digital techniques Vol. 1, page IX Introduction:
“Speaking of traditional media, it is important to remember that digital painting is becoming widely accepted and highly regarded as the techniques and resulting imagery advance. Long gone is the time of sceptics who regarded painting with the aid of hardware and software as cheating; the artist still needs to be just as talented as ever before to produce the breathtaking work you can see throughout these pages. However with the benefits that digital painting offers, such as increased speed, freedom to experiment, efficient work flow and ease of sharing work with online communities more and more artists are discovering and embracing this incredible medium.”
Some artists have developed a very interesting style blending traditional media with digital media, or an artistic personal style which looks like it.
Take Craig Mullins for example:
So where are the borders of traditional art? Is it mixing colours on a palette and painting it onto a canvas, having this very exquisite smell in your nose and the paint on your fingertips enough difference to claim that digital painting in not the real deal, ergo not real art?
Sometimes this struggle reminds me ironically of the struggle between religion and science…lol!
Perhaps one day we wont have a traditional and digital art, instead it will all be classed as ART.
Hope you find this article interesting and helpful.
Thujon
6 Responses to “Traditional vs. Digital”
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Hi Tujon. Much sense spoken here. I am pretty new to digi art (a bit more then 2 years) originally coming from classical painting. I have found the only real difference between digi and trad art is drying time seeing as mine main medium has been oil. For the time I’m working on an exhibition in september this year here in Norway. This time I wish to exhibit digital prints. I have found a pro printer were I live, and will use the best Hahnemuhle paper. But I still expect resistance towards the prints. I find the digital medium to be a very exiting medium which gives me the ability to create things I just couldnt do in trad. I mean, look at Andrew Jones… his art just wouldnt be the same without Zbrush and Photoshop.
I am looking forward to the day when digital art has the same place as the traditional painting techniques in the art scene:)
Great article, I often find myself having a two way conversation in my head between the digital painter in me and the traditional artist in me about this, its really crazy but ultimately art is art, frankly I think there are some things in digital art that could be construed as cheating, or at least as not allowing your self to fully realize your talent through shortcuts, but ultimately there is no easy way to become a digital artist, just as there is no easy way to become a traditional artist.
Digital art is here to stay and will hopefully have an ultimately happy side by side relationship with its traditional counterpart, after all, art is art, isint it?
Very inspiring and kind words from all of you!
I am always glad if someone can learn and share some of his thought!
Thanks
Cheerio
Not everything that is painted well is “art”. So that’s my main grasp why concept art is in fact “illustration”. When you look at concept art and Matte paintings, more than half are rubbish because of the repetitive subject.
Lifeless, kitch, brainless combination of the same pictures. Kinda like the art the Nazis prefered: heroic, eclectic nonsense. I admire many artists for their skill, but I pity them for their subjects.