How tough is the transition from hand painted art work to digital art?

umm i don't know as i've never traditionally painted, but i think if you try painter rather than photoshop you'll find it a little easier. 

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Well, theoretically the creative process is the same, IMHO. To me it's just a matter of practicing with a different tool, like the transition between using a pencil, and using a paintbrush. The other difference is of course that you are using additive colour theory (light) rather than subjective colour (pigment) I think I got those in the right order. But as Kaz says using Painter makes the transition a little easier, since the algorythms on most of the brushes are based on subjective theory. But as with most different techniques it's all down to practice and knowing the uses and limitations of that particular techinique. Some people just don't like digital painting because they prefer the feel and smell of the paint, as others prefer the less messy use and flexibility of computers to produce their art.

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COME VISIT MY GALLERY...

I's a lot easier if you've got a tablet- drawing with a mouse is like drawing with a stone. Also you can tilt the tablet like a "real" sketchpad. The pencils/ brushes that come with painter ix are good. Plus you can undo- bonus!, lol.

I'm still learning, but this is a great place to start the transition. Metamorphosis even(?)

Depends what you want to do. If you want to emulate traditional technique getting the coordination with a tablet pen can be fiddly but as many here will tell you it's worthwhile. I still like to use a mouse for bezier work.

If you are very used to draw on paper and have trouble with the tablet, you can put a piece of paper on your tablet and the texture and feel will make it a lot easier for you. Of course your tablet pen nib will also gets worn out much faster.

Drawing on digital medium is great. While blending might not be as easy as painting with real oil, digital msdium offers so much more precision. Plus, you can "undo" your mistakes. Quite often I have seen myself looking for my history pallette to undo something while painting on a canvas, only to realize that "wait, I'm not in Photoshop. Darn it!"

However, I must admit that there are some things digital medium cannot replace. Sometimes I paint with a lot of anger, and a lot smashing and stabbing takes place. With a Wacom Tablet, I really can't afford to do that. Too expensive.

I've found it difficult as hell, to be honest. Physical media gives a responsiveness that is utterly lacking from digital.

But at least with digital you can throw caution to the wind and just erase mistakes :D

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Trudi Topham,
Editor, Pantechnicon & Hub - The UK's best Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror magazines.
Web Wo-Ordinator: The British Fantasy Society.


URL: http://www.pantechnicon.net

Troo:

I've found it difficult as hell, to be honest. Physical media gives a responsiveness that is utterly lacking from digital.

Oh thank you! it's not just me then. 

 

hey, hey, hey bob, you've gone all negative! lol 

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I just woke up and I was looking like this.

wow what a cool way to wake up! 

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kazky:

hey, hey, hey bob, you've gone all negative! lol 

Now he looks a bit like Elijah Wood in Sin City.

 

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wow he really does! and is there any movie you haven't seen! 

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I reckon in the not too distant future the opposite of this question will be more relevant. I can't image going back to messy paint and noisy airbrush compressors now.

Shady Lane:

I reckon in the not too distant future the opposite of this question will be more relevant. I can't image going back to messy paint and noisy airbrush compressors now.

wow you''re so on topic shady! lol

yeah i agree, it will be like the 'magical' real elite stuff.  

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