Pet Peeves by Tim Stringer

It happens every so often and it always causes my blood pressure to rise. Some smug conventional artist will make a comment that digital is not art because anyone can click a mouse a few times and call the result art. My first response usually isn’t printable but always colorful.

After my blood pressure recedes, I’ll try to explain that for me at least, the process of creating a digital painting isn’t much different than a conventional painting. An idea or some sort of inspiration occurs, followed by some sketches to work out the idea. If the sketches are done with pencil and paper once I’ve worked out the final details, I’ll scan the sketch. Most often, I’m drawing using my tablet and pen. As the drawing progresses I’m usually deciding the size of the painting, orientation and giving some thought to color.

Once a drawing is complete then I set up my painting. I begin by blocking in some background color. Once that is done I start working the different elements of the painting adding layer upon layer of color. Unlike a conventional painting, digital allows me to separate different elements on different layers. If I want to I can experiment and not disturb the rest of the piece. Or if I decide that an element just isn’t working I can leave out that layer. No scraping or painting over to cover a mistake, unless of course I forget to add a new layer when I’m experimenting. It happens.

In the end, there are only two real differences between one of my digitals and a conventional painting. The first is that I’ll have to print mine and the second is that I don’t have to clean brushes or anything else.